Norv Turner can't handle the truth

After our landmark interview with Heath Shuler the other day, we figured it would be only fair if we asked Shuler's former coach, Norv Turner, to comment on what Heath had to say. Sure, he may be busy preparing the mighty 49ers offense for another ass-kicking, but we figured that he'd want to refute some things. Well, here's what happened:

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From: Stop Shuler
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2006 9:44 AM
To: [PR Guy #1, San Francisco 49ers]; [PR Guy #2, San Francisco 49ers]
Subject: Request for comment from Norv Turner

As you may be aware, one of Coach Turner's proteges, Heath Shuler, is running for Congress in North Carolina. We interviewed him this weekend,and asked him why he failed in the NFL. While he did not completely throw Turner under the bus, he at least got him hit by a mirror. Some quotes:

"Coach Turner was a rookie like a lot of us."
"I'm sure the coach looks back and feels there were things he would change."
"He asked me 'Are you ready?' -- What was I supposed to say?"

So, we would love to get Norv Turner's official opinion on why Shuler was a bust in the NFL. Considering that Gus Frerrote got in the Pro Bowl under Turner's tutelage in 1996 (while Shuler was still on the team) we think that maybe it wasn't all about the lack of surrounding talent and poor coaching.

Obviously, we understand that he is rather busy. All we would need is 10 minutes to ask him why Shuler wasn't successful and see if he would like to comment on Shuler's statements.

Thank you for your time, and would appreciate any help you can provide.

Sincerely,

Stop Shuler
www.stopshuler.com

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We only had to wait a few hours for the response:

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From: [PR Guy #1, San Francisco 49ers]
Date: Oct 30, 2006 1:27 PM
Subject: RE: Request for comment from Norv Turner
To: Stop Shuler, [PR Guy #2, San Francisco 49ers]

We will decline this request.

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Well, there you have it -- Norv Turner is obviously afraid to talk to us. Or, he's pissed about us calling him Norv (bleep)ing Turner in our TV ad. Either way, we have neither the time nor the inclination to explain ourselves to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom we provide, then questions the manner in which we provide it. But that's just us.