David Turner has emerged as a leading candidate and will interview to become the next general manager of the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League, according to a source.
Turner, who served as Hartford's director of player personnel last season, has had a hand in signing 17 players who made the jump from the UFL to the NFL. Turner, 35, is highly regarded as a talent evaluator in NFL circles, and if he continues to perform well in Hartford, he could be the next one making the leap to the NFL.
Turner has nine years of NFL experience, including three years as the Raiders' assistant director of player personnel.
The Colonials are trying to replace Chris Palmer, who was named the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans after serving as Hartford's head coach and general manager.
The UFL did a tremendous job in 2010 of sending dozens of players to the NFL, and the Patriots really benefited by landing defensive lineman Eric Moore from the Florida Tuskers. Moore played in four regular-season games with New England, tallying career highs of 13 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
