Hacksaw's on Radio for a Reason

Yesterday I caught part of Lee "Hacksaw" Hamiliton's radio show on 1360. He was upset that the Chargers didn't sign free agent veteran running back Warrick Dunn to replace Michael Turner. Dunn ended up signing with Tampa Bay for $3 million a year. Hacksaw thought the price for Dunn was a steal, and that Chargers' GM AJ Smith was making a mistake by not signing Dunn.

AJ, in fact, is completely correct to not sign Dunn. The Chargers need a back-up running back to replace Turner. Dunn is not that back. Turner is a fast hard-nose, north-south, run between the tackles back. Dunn is a east-west, multiple cut type of back. Dunn has a running style similar to Chargers running backs Darren Sproles and LT. Furthermore, why would the Chargers sign Dunn when Dunn is at an age where he is unable to be a reliable back-up. The Chargers are looking to replace Turner and need to find a back with a similar style to his. There is no point in the Chargers adding a back who is similar to what they already have, instead of replacing what they lost.

The Chargers were able to draft Michael Turner in the 4th round and this years the draft is again loaded with running backs. The Chargers could easily use a 4th, 5th, even 6th round pick on a running back who will add more to the team than Dunn would have. This running back, selected late in the draft, also will be far cheaper than the $3 million Dunn is receiving.

Nothing against Dunn, but he does not fit in with the Chargers. They already have two backs with a similar style to Dunn, and Dunn is also at an age where he can't be relied upon. The Chargers need a between the tackles running back and this back can be found late in the draft. AJ already has proven that he can do just that, as evident in the drafting of Micheal Turner. So sorry Hacksaw, you got this one completely wrong.

Feedback

Robbie sent me this interesting follow up to my take on Darren Mcfadden, Shawn Kemp, and Travis Henry. You have to check out the 1st paragraph under "early years". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Kemp After reading that paragraph you can see that Kemp was bound to be on the list of athletes with the most kids out of wedlock, or something absurdly similar.

Anyways, it's off to Arizona this weekend for some spring training baseball.