Chargers Trade Rumors

"The Chargers are concerned enough about Nick Hardwick not being able to start the season that they are targeting veteran center Jeremy Newberry for a possible signing after June 1, numerous sources confirmed. Newberry is an unrestricted free agent, but he would not count against the Chargers when it comes to getting compensatory draft picks next year if they sign him after June 1. No deal is in place, sources said, but the Chargers are the front-runners for Newberry's services. "

"Numerous NFL insiders said in the past couple of days that there will be work in a personnel department somewhere for Buddy Nix. And those who know him say he has for a few years desired to be a general manager. But Nix said yesterday he has no immediate plans to take another job. Back home where the rest of the people talk with his same charming lilt, Nix was preparing to play golf yesterday morning. “I've got no idea what I'm going to do,” Nix said by phone from Tennessee. “It's only been one day."

"A short while after the Chargers completed their draft Sunday afternoon, Assistant General Manager Buddy Nix informed General Manager A.J. Smith he was retiring. At 68 years old, after 15 seasons in the NFL and 32 years before that as a college coach, the travel and other demands had become somewhat burdensome, Nix said. Buddy Nix It remained unclear last night whether Nix actually retired or left with the intention of getting another job."

"It would not be a surprise if the Chargers don't exercise the 27th selection, as they continue to attempt to acquire more picks by trading down. They appear, according to sources, to be trying to pick up a second-and third-round pick for the rights to the 27th spot. “I'd love to have two players in the first three rounds,” is all Smith will allow. "

"A Los Angeles developer who announced plans to build a football stadium Thursday is a friend of the Spanos family, owners of the Chargers, but the team has no plans to move there, according to a team spokesman. Edward Roski Jr. has discussed his plan to build an $800 million stadium in a suburb east of Los Angeles with San Diego Chargers President Dean Spanos and also inquired about the team's availability, said Mark Fabiani, the team's general counsel and spokesman on stadium issues."

"Top free-agent target Michael Turner watched the Arena Football League season debut of the Georgia Force Saturday with Falcons owner Arthur Blank, coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff. The steady backup to San Diego All-Pro tailback LaDainian Tomlinson is considered the best running back in free agency."

"Surely, the Jets aren't done. They have inquired about Chargers right tackle Shane Olivea, according to his agent, Kenny Zuckerman... With Gibril Wilson gone for riches in Oakland, a safety stopgap could be 32-year old Sammy Knight, a durable 11-year veteran who yesterday met with the Broncos in Denver and will soon pay a visit to the Giants."

"The Falcons spent Friday, the first day of free agency, wooing Turner, who is considered the top running back available. Tennessee free agent tight end Ben Hartsock also met with the Falcons, and Jacksonville offensive lineman Maurice Williams was involved in contract talks with the team."

"The Lions appear interested in Michael Turner, considered the top running back in free agency, although it was unclear Friday whether they would have a real shot at signing him. Turner was visiting Atlanta."

"The Bucs also offered a bit of mystery as vague reports surfaced linking the team to Bears free-agent linebacker Lance Briggs... Among them is cornerback, where the team is targeting three of the better free agents on the market: San Diego's Drayton Florence, New England's Randall Gay and Dallas' Jacques Reeves each received early phone calls from the Bucs."

"For those players whose contracts expire, that's a good thing. They're about to cash in, even though they might not have been starters or full-time players, such as San Diego running back Michael Turner and Jacksonville offensive lineman Maurice Williams. Both could be targets of the Falcons."

"Some free agents did interest the Redskins, including wide receiver D.J. Hackett (Seattle) and cornerback Drayton Florence (San Diego), but only at value-based deals. Detroit was making a heavy immediate push for Florence, while Hackett was drawing interest from several clubs and lining up visits."

"If the Texans could sign a free agent to start opposite Bennett, they wouldn't have so much pressure to select a cornerback with their No. 1 pick. But they won't get New England's Asante Samuel, who wants $30 million guaranteed. They probably won't be in the running for San Diego's Drayton Florence, who's price is going to skyrocket beyond his wildest dreams."

"Given the Bears' contract offers to three of their own free agents — Lance Briggs, Bernard Berrian and Brendon Ayanbadejo — that would come as little surprise. As good as Alan Faneca would look at left guard penciled in next to Olin Kreutz, the bidding for Faneca could enter territory the Bears might not believe they have to enter. The same scenario could play out in the Michael Turner sweepstakes, with teams such as Carolina and New Orleans rumored to have interest."

"The Chargers have made a multiyear offer to former San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Derek Smith, sources said yesterday."

"Potential free agents who fit his profile include Indianapolis guard Jake Scott, San Diego cornerback Drayton Florence and Arizona wide receiver Bryant Johnson."

"Thomas said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has been fielding phone calls from interested teams. Rosenhaus has mentioned New England, Indianapolis, San Diego and Dallas as teams that make sense."

"The idea that the Panthers are willing to part with Foster is a pretty good indication the team could be preparing to make a play for a big-time free agent running back like San Diego's Michael Turner, Dallas' Julius Jones or Derrick Ward of the New York Giants, or that the team is considering selecting one in the NFL draft."

"Then the Panthers should grab a power back to share the load with DeAngelo Williams. My No. 1 choice? San Diego's Michael Turner. Turner turns 26 today. He is stuck behind LaDainian Tomlinson with the Chargers, but he's a 5-foot-10, 237-pounder with 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash. He could be the Stephen Davis of 2003 here. "

"One of the most intriguing potential free agents is San Diego running back Michael Turner, who has excelled as the backup to all-pro LaDainian Tomlinson. Turner fits the big-back mold (5-foot-10, 237 pounds) the Panthers prefer. Signing him probably would mean parting with DeShaun Foster."

"After the AFC squad worked out here this morning, Lorenzo Neal walked off the practice field carrying his white helmet with the gold lightning bolts. This week at the Pro Bowl could well be the last time Neal wears the Chargers colors, and he knows it. The 15-year veteran plans on speaking with coach Norv Turner next week about his future with the team. "

"One of the potential candidates for secondary coach is Baltimore's Dennis Thurman, a former Cowboys defensive back. Thurman has been the Ravens secondary coach for the past six years and remains under contract in Baltimore...As for the linebackers position, the Cowboys could be looking at San Diego's John Pagano. Phillips did not deny he was interested in Pagano this week. The two worked together in San Diego."

"The Chargers are close to hiring Atlanta's Ollie Wilson to replace Matt Simon, also fired Tuesday, as running backs coach. Wilson served in that role for the Chargers from 1997-2001 (LaDainian Tomlinson's rookie season) before leaving for Atlanta, where he also worked from 1991-96. Also, the team continues to negotiate new deals with special teams coach Steve Crosby, quarterbacks coach John Ramsdell and offensive line coach Hal Hunter. "

"It is all but certain free safety Marlon McCree will be released with three years left on the contract he signed in 2006. Eric Weddle will replace McCree. The other starter who could be gone soon is fullback Lorenzo Neal. While he signed a three-year extension that gave him $2 million up front back in March, Neal turned 37 last month. And he is not the valued commodity in Norv Turner's offense that he was under Cam Cameron and Marty Schottenheimer. "

"Head coach Norv Turner parted ways with receivers coach James Lofton and running backs coach Matt Simon yesterday, and the team is in the process of trying to keep three other assistants. Special teams coach Steve Crosby, quarterbacks coach John Ramsdell and offensive line coach Hal Hunter declined to sign two-year contracts last offseason and are now essentially free agents. Team sources said all three are expected to be signed to new contracts. "

"Michael Turner walked from the Chargers locker room yesterday for essentially the final time. The backup running back who filled in well for Tomlinson in the final two playoff games will become a free agent at the end of next month and will certainly become another team's starter."

"If Michael Turner's time is not yet at hand, the football world will soon be at his feet. Once his Chargers apprenticeship is complete – either Sunday afternoon in New England or Feb. 3 in Super Bowl XLII – Turner will become an unrestricted free agent and, presumably, a prized commodity. It's a pity the Chargers won't be able to realize Turner's full potential, but having him now is a blessing and it could prove to be a bonanza. "

"It worked for the Seattle Mariners. It worked for the Padres and the Arizona Cardinals, too. Now the question is whether the Chargers will be able to cash in on their successful playoff run and land a deal for a new stadium. "

"Running back. The biggest question, of course, is what to do with Alexander...One more question: If not Alexander, who? San Diego's Michael Turner and Dallas' Julius Jones are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents, but the Chargers and Cowboys are expected to keep them. The draft features Oregon's Jonathan Stewart and Arkansas' Darren McFadden. But Stewart, who is from Timberline High School in Lacey, has had injury issues, and McFadden will be long gone by the time the Seahawks make their selection late in the first round. "

"On the other end of the phone is a voice from Chicago and Michael Turner knows what that means. This time it's a reporter asking the San Diego Chargers running back whether he thinks about playing for the Bears once he becomes a free agent after the playoffs end."

"The Bears don't play Sunday, of course, but the four playoff teams that do each relied on a running back this season that could be instructional to how Jerry Angelo solves his running-game problem."

"Former Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington and San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer? Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan? San Francisco assistant head coach Mike Singletary? San Diego assistant GM Buddy Nix? Green Bay director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie? The list of candidates could be long, but Blank expects the cues from the top to correct the organizational flaws that were exposed when quarterback Michael Vick was sentenced to prison for 23 months on federal dogfighting charges."

"Falcons owner Arthur Blank has enlisted former New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi as an adviser in his search for a new general manager and a coach, according to Kim Shreckengost, chief of staff for the Falcons... Although Blank has not commented on potential general managers, Green Bay director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie, San Diego assistant general manager Buddy Nix, Dallas vice president of college and pro scouting Jeff Ireland and Kansas City vice president of player personnel Bill Kuharich are considered some of the top candidates who are not general managers with their respective teams."

"The Falcons, still in need of a head coach and desperate for stability, are interested in Marty Schottenheimer, the fifth winningest regular-season coach in NFL history. They are also interested in Chargers assistant GM Buddy Nix to take over for Rich McKay as GM."

"The Chargers are huddling with Chula Vista officials to see if they can agree on a site for a new stadium by the end of this month. If they don't, it's not clear what the team will do next. Many believe the Chargers might leave the San Diego region, since they scouted other locations in the county before narrowing the search to Chula Vista."

"Garrett's going to be a hot name, and I'd expect that San Diego and Cincinnati could be two teams that will take a hard look at him. He deserves it, too."

"In what already has been an unusual season, the Chargers yesterday made an unusual move. They made a change in their starting lineup for reasons other than injury, trade or a reserve (say, Antonio Cromartie) suddenly becoming the league's interception leader, some thing that rarely happens during a season. Right tackle Shane Olivea, who has started every game but two during his four seasons with the Chargers, was benched in favor of Jeromey Clary, who has started one game."

"It wouldn't shock me if we never again see Benson in a Bears uniform. Certainly, I wouldn't bring him back, despite raw flashes during his last two games -- a 43-yard scoring romp, a 21-yard burst on the play he was injured -- that weren't evident in most of his 420 career carries... The most tantalizing name is San Diego's Michael (The Burner) Turner... If Angelo doesn't want to pay him, his options are Fred Taylor and Jamal Lewis -- both having good seasons but also lugging wear-and-tear baggage -- and the less-accomplished likes of Chris Brown and Julius Jones, Thomas' brother. Oakland has a surplus of backs in Justin Fargas, LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes, who thrashed the Bears in Miami."

"It appears this will be the week Nick Hardwick returns to the Chargers' starting lineup. The Pro Bowl center yesterday went through his most extensive practice since suffering a sprained foot Oct. 14 against Oakland. His reps were limited, but “he moved around pretty good,” coach Norv Turner said."

"Antonio Cromartie has more interceptions already this season than any Chargers cornerback since 2001. His six picks lead the NFL. Yet there is no room for him to be a starter. Quentin Jammer is expected to return this week after missing Sunday's victory over Indianapolis with a hamstring strain."

"Think the Chargers would trade straight up: Michael Turner for Cedric Benson?"

"The question is whether the bidding will get too high for Thompson for the most intriguing halfback in an otherwise thin free-agent class: San Diego’s Michael Turner. "

"Houston debuted this season with seven new offensive starters, including quarterback Matt Schaub, who has played relatively well in his first season as a starter. But Schaub left Sunday's game with Tennessee early with a sore back, hip, leg and thigh. He is considered somewhere between probable and questionable for this game. His backup, Sage Rosenfels, passed for 249 yards and four TDs in the fourth quarter alone last week, but also committed four turnovers."

"Among the Dolphins' impending free agents: Rex Hadnot, Yeremiah Bell, Cleo Lemon and Chris Liwienski. Potential free agents at positions of need include defensive tackles Albert Haynesworth (Tennessee) and Damione Lewis (Carolina), and cornerbacks Drayton Florence (San Diego) and Domonique Foxworth (Denver)"

"I know it's far too early to speculate what the upcoming off-season will bring, but is there any chance the Bears will be willing to make another huge financial commitment at RB by say signing Michael Turner or is there just too much money tied up in Benson and we will just have to live with him for the near future? "

"Why wouldn't the Browns go after a young backup running back like Michael Turner or Jerious Norwood, especially now that Jamal Lewis is banged up? Also, with their huge need for a good defensive lineman, why didn't the Browns go after Tank Johnson?"

"It isn't known whether the Packers have tried to make a run at Michael Turner, the 237-pound backup to LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego. If the Packers did try, their offer didn't knock the socks off Chargers general manager A.J. Smith... The New York Giants and Oakland Raiders, have a surplus at running back but their players don't appear to interest Green Bay."

"Michael Turner is playing understudy to LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego and he becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season. For the right price, the Chargers may move him to a team in a rival conference."

"Our money’s on San Diego’s Norv Turner, who has taken one of the most talented rosters in the AFC and coached it into a 1-3 start that included a loss to the woeful Chiefs... If Turner survives, others on the chopping block include the Rams’ Scott Linehan, the Dolphins’ Cam Cameron and the Vikings’ Brad Childress."