Life in the Red's Blog | Turner embracing new opportunity at receiver
Jamal Turner has a bounce in his step these days, as eager as anyone to show his talents in this spring season that now has two practices in the books.
"I feel great," Turner said after Monday's practice. "I'm out there at the Z (receiver position). I played A (slot position) last year, so I'm kind of expanding my knowledge of the playbook, so that's always a good thing." One of the biggest difference between the Z and A?
"Well, the first thing, the Z is always on the field. The A only comes in on third down, deep downs and stuff like that, so teams know that we're going to pass the ball," Turner said.
Turner said he was excited about receiving a look at the Z position. "Coaches, they feel comfortable with me being on the field more and they know that I know the playbook, so I'm excited about it. It's really not too much of a difference. I'm still going to play A, but I'm also learning other positions too."
The sophomore also said he expects to have an expanded role in the return game this year.
Always his toughest critic, Turner said he has a much deeper knowledge of the playbook now than he did last fall.
"I was just out there running around," Turner said. "I didn't understand the play concepts or anything like that, but now I do. Everything is so much clearer. I know what everyone's doing now. I know what the tight end, what the X (receiver) is doing. I know where they're lining up. I know where I have to line up. I know a lot more than what I did when I first started receiving this position."
Much more on Turner coming in a story.