The Atlanta Falcons have added to their ground game by signing San Diego running back Michael Turner as an unrestricted free agent.
San Diego running back joins Atlanta, Titans and Falcons swap tight ends.
The Atlanta Falcons have added to their ground game by signing San Diego Chargers running back Michael Turner as an unrestricted free agent.
26-year-old Turner has spent the last four seasons in San Diego, mostly acting as a back-up to the prolific LaDainian Tomlinson.
Turner was picked up by the Chargers as a fifth-round draft pick in 2004 and totalled 1257 yards from 228 carries with six touchdowns and 71 yards receiving.
With 316 yards from 71 carries at an average of 4.5 yards per carry last season, Turner filled in for the injured Tomlinson during the play-offs and registered 164 yards on 43 carries.
Also with three of San Diego's longest 11 rushes in team history (83, 74 and 73 yards), Turner will add more firepower to the Falcons' running game.
Next step
"We are pleased to be able to add a very talented running back and a player who has produced at a high level in this League when given the opportunity," said Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
"We think he's ready to take the next step and have a more prominent role in an offense and we are happy he decided that opportunity is going to be here in Atlanta."
Veteran rusher Warrick Dunn could now be a candidate to be released by the Falcons with Turner and Jerious Norwood likely to be first choices.
Falcons head coach Mike Smith was delighted with the capture of Turner who has just the quality, and character, that he is looking for.
"Besides being a quality football player, Michael Turner is a quality person," said Smith.
"He is the type of player we are looking for to help build our football team. I'm excited that he is joining the Atlanta Falcons."
Tight ends
The Falcons also signed tight end Ben Hartsock, who was a free agent from the Tennessee Titans.
The third-round draft pick for Indianapolis Colts in 2004 is a better blocker than he is receiver, with just 24 catches for 247 yards in 45 career games, including 12 catches for 138 yards with Tennessee last season.
Heading in the other direction is another tight end, with Alge Crumpler heading out of Atlanta to join the Titans on a two-year deal.
Crumpler had a streak of four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 2003-06 and was a leader for the Falcons on and off the field.
However, he made just ten starts in 14 games last season as a knee injury hampered his season, while he also accounted for $5.1 million on the salary cap which the Falcons thought they could use better elsewhere.
Crumpler is a seven-year veteran of the NFL, had 42 receptions for 444 yards and five touchdowns for Atlanta last season.
