Anthony Turner is moving to WR

BGSU33 · Post by **BGSU33** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:54 pm

Per Ryan's Blog:

DETROIT --- Today was the MAC Media Day at Ford Field. Let’s get into the highlights.

Most importantly, Anthony Turner is now a receiver. Did not see this one coming. From conversations with coach Brandon, I surmise that Turner was at best No. 3 on the depth chart at running back, and either he or Brandon thought it would be best for him to get reps with the receivers. If you recall, Turner was very good in November. Without him you could argue BG doesn’t end the regular season 4-0. Not sure where or how he’ll fit in at receiver, but there’s no way he starts over Barnes, Partridge or Parks. Stay tuned.

The media picked BG to win the East and for Central Michigan to win its third straight MAC title. This is also the way I voted. Moving on.

Tyler Sheehan had this to say about his back-up, junior college transfer Andrew Beam. “Me and Andrew have started to be good friends. We’ve golfed together (along with Aaron Pankratz, Bart Tanski and Tony Hunter). He’s a great guy. He’s trying to absorb my mind as much as he can. He’s asking questions about the offense, what I see, what I look for. He seems like he could be as good as he wants to be.”

Sheehan added …

“We’ve kind of talked about what’s going on as far as playing time. He told me I know you’re the starter, and I said, nah, you push me to start. I’ll get better through competition if I have to be competitive. Then I’ll go every day with the mindset I have to prove myself.”

Good stuff.

Central Michigan star quarterback Dan LeFevour said that when he was in high school he sent out between 30 and 40 highlight tapes to college coaches. He received four scholarship offers --- CMU, Ball State, Eastern Michigan and Eastern Illinois. It’s amazing that so many missed on this guy.

That’s about it. These events aren’t that exciting. Just a lot of coaches and players giving boring answers to generic questions. I’m ready for the season to start.

BGGrad01 · Post by **BGGrad01** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:11 pm

This move makes me think that Ransom is looking good in camp and/or Bullock is out of Brandon's dog house. Otherwise, AT would be right in the mix with Geter at RB.

Like Ryan said, though, I'm not sure where AT fits in the WR rotation. I would disagree that there is no way that he could start over Parks, but it would certainly surprise me. Overall, that WR corps of Patridge, Barnes, Parks, Wright, Turner, Kelley, Hodges, Cheatem, etc. is pretty solid.

Falcon137 · Post by **Falcon137** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:15 pm

AT could still run a lot of 'gadget' plays at WR. Reverses, motion into the backfield, double passes stuff like that. I'm very surprised, just trying to come up with an explination really.

BGSU33 · Post by **BGSU33** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:29 pm

BGGrad01 wrote:This move makes me think that Ransom is looking good in camp and/or Bullock is out of Brandon's dog house. Otherwise, AT would be right in the mix with Geter at RB.

That is my guess as well. The thing about Turner is, he's so versatile and is able to help us in so many ways. If he does move to WR “full-time,” I’m hoping we still use him in packages as a RB or QB because he came up HUGE for us in all three roles (WR, RB & QB) at times last year as he was productive in each role.

Jacobs4Heisman · Post by **Jacobs4Heisman** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:47 pm

AT will fulfill the "Slash" role for us, no matter what letters are next to his name on the roster. List him as a DT for all I care.

moneymaker02 · Post by **moneymaker02** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:18 pm

i think he fits in fine since i believe parks is totally out of the picture at wr because he gets gator arms.

cw08 · Post by **cw08** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:34 pm

I don't know where people get the idea that Parks is not a good receiver. He had a pretty stellar year and caught a pretty big OT touchdown against Minnesota. He moves well after the catch and has a lot of upper body strength.

Also don't forget Tyrone Pronty, Chris Wright and Jermiah Kelley, though. All contributors last season. The crop is deep at that position.

BGFootball · Post by **BGFootball** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:33 am

No one has mentioned Brighton yet. I feel like this could be his break out year.

moneymaker02 · Post by **moneymaker02** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:34 am

cw08 wrote:I don't know where people get the idea that Parks is not a good receiver. He had a pretty stellar year and caught a pretty big OT touchdown against Minnesota. He moves well after the catch and has a lot of upper body strength.

Also don't forget Tyrone Pronty, Chris Wright and Jermiah Kelley, though. All contributors last season. The crop is deep at that position.

the guys you just mentioned are the reason parks is out of the picture, as well as derek brighton

cw08 · Post by **cw08** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:57 am

Did Coach Byrd tell you Parks is "out of the picture"?

moneymaker02 · Post by **moneymaker02** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:03 am

the coachs decision to play the other guys over parks last year spoke for them. the other recievers have surpassed him with their play, they actually CATCH the ball during games. why do you have a love fest with marques parks?? its not like he was a stand out player that dissapeared. he was a number 3 reciever that got passed up by better talent.

truth · Post by **truth** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 7:39 am

I like the idea of Turner being sort of a Y back. Line him up 3 by 3 outside of the tackle, use him a lot in motion, keep him involved in the running offense, and run him across the middle in pass routes.

I think/hope pulling him out of the backfield will create a more versatile offense.

hammb · Post by **hammb** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:37 am

Jacobs4Heisman wrote:AT will fulfill the "Slash" role for us, no matter what letters are next to his name on the roster. List him as a DT for all I care.

Exactly, although I don't want to hear Falconboy complaining about his size on the DL, so let's make hime a kicker or something.

Turner will see the field. His versatility is invaluable, and really added a wrinkle to our playbook last year. That said, it doesn't matter what position you put him at he's not as good as the other guys there. He's not a better RB than Geter, Ransom, or even Bullock. He's not a better WR than Partridge or Barnes either. It's his versatility that make him so valuable, and dangerous.

Doesn't matter what position you list him as. He'll be playing WR/RB/QB, at least I'd be pretty surprised if he wasn't.

Warthog · Post by **Warthog** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:52 am

Just move him to LB now.

1987alum · Post by **1987alum** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:17 am

hammb wrote:Doesn't matter what position you list him as. He'll be playing WR/RB/QB, at least I'd be pretty surprised if he wasn't.

Reminds me of Cole Magner, in that regard. You're dead on, hammb. Turner will be on the field and he will make plays.