Norv Turner Likely Headed For Dallas?
While situations can certainly change quickly in the NFL, things are looking good for the 2007 Dallas Cowboys’ rushing attack. Norv Turner is currently the leading candidate to win the Dallas Cowboys head coaching job, and while Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones is still hesitating on announcing his coaching decision, we believe it will in fact be Norv Turner.
What will this mean for fantasy worlds?
First of all, Frank Gore’s value takes a major hit if the offensive guru (Turner) heads for Dallas. We don’t mean to beat a dead horse here, as we have talked about this on the Site a ton already, but Frank Gore’s success had more than a lot to do with Norv Turner’s genius. Turner creates elite rushing attacks almost everywhere he goes, and while sometimes those rushers have continued success after Turner’s departure (i.e., Emmitt Smith, Ricky Williams, etc.), such was not the case last year for LaMont Jordan in Oakland.
Jordan went from solid prospect to first-round-stud under Turner’s rule. After one season with LaMont, Turner left the Raiders and headed to San Francisco to be the offensive coordinator. We don’t have to tell you that LaMont fell off the face of the earth after Turner left. LaMont was probably the biggest bust of 2006.
Will the same thing happen to Gore if the 49ers lose their offensive mastermind? No, Gore is a talented and shifty running back – he will most certainly be a solid RB2 in 2007 even without his favorite OC. That said, if you think that he will be worth that top 4ish pick (which is where he would go right now in 2007 redraft leagues), you’re fooling yourself.
Again, don’t get us wrong, Gore is NOT the next LaMont Jordan… Gore is a tremendous talent. He was a beast-of-a-prospect coming out of college and was thought to be part of the reason Clinton Portis left Miami early (in 2001, the year Gore became the second-best RB in Miami history in yards-per-carry, which was 9.1 per touch).
Despite all his talents, let us not forget one of the bigger forgotten concerns when it comes to Frank Gore. His health. Gore has been plagued with injuries his entire football career. He currently has two bad shoulders that might eventually require surgery and he has already had two majory knee injuries/surgeries. Granted, Gore started all 16 games last season, but a Norv Turner departure will most likely set the SF offense back. They wont block as well, there will be less protection, more three and outs… all that spells abuse all around <
What does this mean for Dallas?
Marion Barber III, assuming Turner heads to Dallas, is one of our biggest breakout players of the upcoming 2007 fantasy season. Even if Turner stays put in San Fran, we are still extremely high on Marion Barber and think he will earn the starting gig regardless, but with Turner’s help, Barber becomes a fantasy superstar. Barber has already proved a lot, despite starting just one game last season. His 16TDs in 2006 was tied for 3rd in the NFL. His nose for the goal-line and his tremendous power and quickness will fit Turner’s system perfectly. Julius is a small threat, but Barber has Turner-Back written all over him.
Barber’s trade value is quite low right now, considering how quickly he might go from rags to riches… go get him before he costs too much. One of the many offers that I have sent out in attempts to acquire Barber was Matt Leinart for Marion Barber. This is in an Expert Dynasty league that we host. I have also offered Tony Romo for Marion Barber, and that says a lot as Romo is one of our biggest breakout QBs of the upcoming 2007 fantasy season.
