Breaking news; Turner trade deemed unlikely

The Tennessean reports that there may not be a trade to send San Diego’s Michael Turner anywhere.

“As of right now, it looks like Michael is going to be in San Diego,” Turner’s agent Bus Cook said.

This is news that has direct implications on both the draft and Corey Dillon’s stock. The latter has been waiting for Turner to find a deal before making a move, but this news is going to make suitors that much more desperate to land a running back before the draft. Not that it won’t be Turner; it’s still possible a team will make an offer that the Chargers will not refuse. But for the moment, let’s assume a Turner deal isn’t made.

The two teams most looking for a back are the Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills. Tennessee currently has LenDale White starting, and the Titans were directly linked to trade talks with the Chargers for Turner. But with a Turner trade moving to the “unlikely” bin, it means that the Titans must either pursue Dillon or wait until draft day.

Buffalo has no trade leverage after they watched Willis McGahee leave for Baltimore. The Bills have no suitable replacement and can now be expected to follow a pattern similar to Tennessee. But the difference between Tennessee and Buffalo is that where each sits on the clock: the Bills draft 12th overall while Tennessee picks 19th. One running back, Marshawn Lynch, should be available when Buffalo is on the board, but it is unlikely he will fall to Tennessee. Even if the Bills do pass on Lynch, Green Bay (16th) is likely to draft him. Either way, Tennessee will need to make a draft day trade to move up to a better position if they plan to draft him.

Remember, however, that there is no guarantee a deal will not be made before the draft for Turner. Both of these teams are in dire need of a runner, and each might give up more than he is worth. After all, no one really knows how good Turner will be as a starter; he’s played second fiddle to demigod LaDainian Tomlinson his entire career.

Stay tuned to this story as it further develops.