Michael “The Burner” Turner’s time to shine as a starting NFL running back may have finally come.

According to the Tennessean, Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt brought in Turner, who is a restricted free agent, for a visit Monday, validating their interest in the San Diego Chargers backup running back. The Buffalo Bills also brought in the former NIU Huskies standout Wednesday.

Both teams are interested in Turner due to both franchises’ decision to let go of their feature backs this offseason. The Titans couldn’t re-sign Travis Henry, who signed with the free-agent happy Denver Broncos, and the Bills traded Willis McGahee to the Baltimore Ravens for the Ravens’ 2007 and 2008 third-round picks and a fifth-round 2007 pick.

Due to “the Burner” being a restricted free agent, the Titans or Bills would need to give the Chargers a first- and third-round pick in this year’s draft for the right to sign him.

It’s worth it.

Last season, Turner gained 502 yards and averaged 6.2 yards per carry last season playing behind touchdown machine NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson. He definitely has the speed of an NFL tailback, and I think he has legitimate starter potential.

For those who don’t know, Michael Turner was the star running back for the Huskies that gained national attention from ESPN and Fox Sports Net before running back Garrett Wolfe.

A quick comparison: This past season, Wolfe led the nation in rushing yards per game with 148.31. Turner amassed 159.58 per game in 2002, coming in second to Larry Johnson of Penn State – I’ve heard Larry Johnson’s a pretty good back for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Wolfe’s best rushing season for NIU was last season, ending with 1,928 yards. Turner’s best: 1,915 rushing yards. Wolfe had a career-best 21 touchdowns in 2004. Turner had 20 TDs in 2003.

Turner was a fifth-round draft pick for the Chargers in the 2004 NFL draft, but had been projected to go as early as the second. Turner was a steal for the Chargers. His most memorable moment came two years ago with an 83-yard game-winning touchdown against then undefeated Indianapolis Colts.

This will be the opportunity Turner deserves to finally prove the critics and draft “experts” wrong for not drafting him sooner. In the near future, Turner should make both his family, friends and NIU proud whenever he earns a starting spot.