Saints think dumping Turley worth a drop in talent on the O-line

[Gunzlingr]

The Saints did more housecleaning in recent weeks by trading volatile OLT Kyle Turley to the Rams for a second-round pick in 2004. The move wasn’t completely unexpected — Turley has been wildly critical of Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and hasn’t always been on good terms with head coach Jim Haslett — but some insiders believe the Saints could have gotten more in return for Turley’s services. Some of Turley’s teammates, including veteran C Jerry Fontenot, believe the Saints are putting too much faith in free-agent signee Wayne Gandy to replace Turley and that the offensive line will be seriously weakened by Turley’s departure. But we’re told that Saints management simply didn’t want to deal with Turley anymore and thought dealing him at this point was a case of addition by subtraction. Although Gandy isn’t as talented as Turley at the tackle position, the fact that Gandy will be less of a locker-room distraction likely will make the team more of a cohesive unit on the field. One source, however, believes the Turley trade could come back to haunt Haslett. Sure, Haslett has rid himself of a burr under his saddle, but he also has eliminated any possible excuses if the Saints struggle next season, and it could be Haslett’s head on the chopping block if New Orleans doesn’t produce next season.

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