He's no Saint
Rams get tackle Turley for second-round 2004 pick
Posted: Friday March 21, 2003 7:02 PM
Updated: Friday March 21, 2003 10:10 PM
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| SI.com's Don Banks |
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In dealing Kyle Turley, the Saints settled for a second-round pick in 2004 rather than this season in part because the Rams took the risk of acquiring Turley without getting him signed to a long-term contract.
Though St. Louis is optimistic about its chances of striking a multi-year deal with Turley, it gave up a second-rounder for a player it might end up renting for just one season. Turley is entering the final year of his contract and will be eligible for free agency.
The Saints clearly wanted to be done with the Turley situation and had made it known weeks ago they would accept a No. 2 pick in exchange for the controversial veteran, who had worn out his welcome in the Crescent City.
And while as many as six teams showed interest, New Orleans considered the Rams' offer to be the most concrete. Other offers came with contingencies that the Saints simply did not want to deal with, such as Turley agreeing to a new contract with his new team before any trade was completed.
While the Turley trade talks were expected to continue until next week's NFL annual meeting, the Saints accepted the St. Louis offer on Friday rather than risk losing their most promising trade partner.
With St. Louis, Turley will play right tackle, giving the Rams one of the league's most high-profile tackle tandems. Ironically, St. Louis left tackle and Pro Bowl perennial Orlando Pace, has requested a trade in reaction to stalled contract extension negotiations.
Turley is said to be seeking -- and believed to be in line for -- a deal in excess of the contracts recently signed by offensive tackles Flozell Adams of the Cowboys and Luke Petitgout of the Giants. Both got signing bonuses in the neighborhood of $10 million as part of deals averaging $5 million per season.
Had the Saints acquired the Rams' second-rounder this year, they would have owned two picks in each of the opening three rounds. Still, with the 17th and 18th overall picks in the first round, New Orleans is among the teams most interested in working a deal to move into the top 10.
With the Turley era behind them, the Saints might not be done trading. New Orleans is in discussions with New England about acquiring free safety Tebucky Jones, who carries the Patriots' franchise-player tag. New England is believed to be seeking a second-round pick, while the Saints are offering a third. |
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NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The St. Louis Rams acquired offensive tackle
Kyle Turley from the New Orleans Saints on Friday for a
second-round selection in the 2004 draft.
Rams head coach Mike Martz called the acquisition a "major step in
really solidifying the offensive line." Turley likely will start
at right tackle ahead of John St. Clair, a disappointment last season.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis called it a "move forward
for our organization and for Kyle."
Turley has started all 79 games he has played in his career. In
2002, he started all 16 games at left tackle for the first time in
his career after playing at right tackle from 1999-2001.
Anticipation of a Turley trade grew after the Saints signed free
agent left tackle Wayne Gandy to a six-year contract earlier this
year. Turley had expressed interest in a trade and Loomis had
acknowledged receiving several inquiries.
Turley was a controversial player in New Orleans, known most for
his helmet-tossing episode in 2001. Turley attacked New York Jets
safety Damien Robinson when Robinson grabbed the face mask of
Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks, ripping off Robinson's helmet and
throwing it downfield.
He then made an obscene gesture, actions that got him ejected.
He also drew a 15-yard penalty that ended the Saints' final chance
to tie or win the game. The Saints lost 16-9.
"This trade allows us the flexibility to add more talent to our
roster in the future," Loomis said. "We wish Kyle the best in St.
Louis."
For the 2003 NFL Draft on April 26, the Saints have five picks in the opening three rounds: Two No. 1 choices (the Saints' own at 17th overall and the Miami Dolphins' pick at 18th overall via the trade for running back Ricky Williams in 2002), a second-round selection and a pair of third-round choices (the Saints' pick and the selection acquired in the trade of tackle Willie Roaf to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2002).
The Saints traded the seven-time Pro Bowler and veteran offensive tackle Roaf to the Kansas City Chiefs last March for a conditional 2003 draft pick after Roaf threatened to retire, citing "irreconcilable differences" with head coach Jim Haslett.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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