Sure the 2007 Regular Season hasn’t even kicked off yet, but Hard Core Keeper League managers are already hard at work evaluating SD’s Michael Turner, especially for 2008.

You see, LT’s backup could become a highly sought-after NFL Free Agent after this season!

As Bob Harris said, “Fast and powerful, the 237-pound Turner provides the Chargers an excellent complement to the smaller, shiftier LaDainian Tomlinson. The speedy reserve averaged an impressive 6.3 yards per carry last season while rushing for 502 yards on 80 carries. He also led the team in kickoff returns with 36. Turner averaged a solid 26.5-yards per return.”

At one point this year, it was widely expected that Turner, a restricted free agent in 2007, would get traded on draft day for a first-round pick or a combination of choices rather than the Chargers getting nothing for him in return should he leave next year.

In the end, the Packers, Titans and Bills were unwilling to meet San Diego’s demands and Turner remains LT’s backup.

In 2008, Turner is a huge wildcard for Fantasy managers. He could be a Top-15 RB with a new team and that’s certainly a huge carrot for keeper league managers.

Let’s break this down, realizing anything can happen in 2008, especially given the 2007 season has yet to start.

1) Even if Turner starts for another team in 2008, odds are it will be a poor team (think LaMont Jordan in Oak). Teams with excellent o-lines and powerful offenses generally don’t go after high-priced free agent running backs.

2) A good player moving to a new team generally doesn’t work out. Check out Brandie Searle’s fact-based study. Again, often times when good Free Agents change teams, they end up moving to a bad situation.

3) Currently, the San Diego Chargers have one of the best O-lines in the NFL. Even without Tomlinson, this line is special. With LT it’s unsurpassed. See: Ranking the Offensive Lines - http://www.4for4.com/members/scouts07/olinesummary.php

A player along the lines of Jamal Lewis could likely gain 1,300+ rushing yards this year if he was starting with SD. This point can’t be ignored. It certainly helped contribute to Turner's impressive numbers in 2006.

4) Anybody remember RB Jesse Chatman? He was once LT’s backup too. In three seasons, he averaged a very impressive 5.4 yards per carry and 11.5 yards per reception. In fact, Chatman like Turner, also excelled on special teams. In 2004, Chatman looked like the ultimate human bowling ball – on 65 carries he averaged over 6.0 Yards per Carry running behind LT’s offensive line! Sounds just like Turner. In 2006, as a free agent, Chatman was out of football. On the bright side for Jesse, he’s now at camp trying to make it with the Dolphins.


Conclusion
Michael Turner could become a huge stud in 2008. It’s certainly possible. Or, he could become the next Jesse Chatman. Whatever you do, don’t overvalue Turner now thinking he’ll be “the man” in 2008. The odds are stacked against it happening. Even in keeper leagues, win now!