Patrick Turner: The diamond is worth the rough

This is how I felt when I read some comments in the “Ginn odd man out?” post. Honestly, the only reason Ginn has value is his kick return abilities. Even though none of our receivers are great, I would have a hard time cutting any of them.

I have had many discussions about Patrick Turner, and while others have simply decided that he is a draft bust, I have refused to make this claim. As you mentioned, there is a significant difference between college and the NFL and too often we forget that. We all spend so much time discussing and debating these players before and after the draft that we forget that they are really just kids who still have a lot to learn before they can use all those measurables we are so quick to mention in any real way. I commend you on your hard work and astute analysis. I most definitely rec’d it.

nice work, this really opens some eyes as to what the expectations for Turner should be. I think a lot of the frustration stems from our WR’s not being very productive, and this offense looking like 1 WR short of being dangerous. We saw potential in Turner at USC, and in the preseason, and I think we all hoped he would fill that void at WR. The fact that he’s been unable to get on the field despite our desperation for a big target has led to some pissed off fans whenever Turner is mentioned. I hope that we keep him, but I also hope that we go out and get a “true #1” in the offseason. I think it comes down to Ginn or Camarillo for that last spot if we keep Turner and add a star. I wish we would keep 6, but I don’t know where the extra roster spot would come from (perhaps cut Dotson, since we are so stout at DE?).

Either way, good write-up, makes me hopeful that Turner can turn into (no pun intended) the guy I hoped he would when we picked him.

I was high on the Turner pick and have a nagging suspicion that he might be suffering a fate similar to C. Wake – coaches focusing on their struggles, as opposed to how they can benefit our team. Wake is more dynamic, so they’re almost forced to give him some playing time, but he’s still criminally underutilized.

That said, I think that all of the players listed are a good deal more athletic than Turner. I understand and don’t disagree with what you’re doing, but the WR – with success – who I find most comparable to Turner in terms of size and athletic ability is M. Colston.

Turner will be special one day and hopefully he will be with the dolphins when he does become special

but doesn’t this kind of justify keeping Ginn around for a 4th season? If all these receivers are breaking out in their 4th+ seasons, why not Ginn? He’s had much more production than any of these other receivers in his first years.

I’ve been clamoring to see Patrick on the field at least once before the season is over. I don’t want to go into another Draft never having seen him.

great insight on WR and there development … I really hope all the best for Turner and if this is the case I would be jumping for joy.

I personally would have a hard time seeing any of these WR not being on the team but to be honest I had a hard time even letting Brandon London go so that is why I am the fan and not the GM.

W.E. the trifecta decides to do with the WR group I’m sure it won’t be a knee jerk reaction and will benefit the club in the long term

I’ve been wanting to air out the Pat Turner subject lately and you delivered. Really hoping that PT is progressing in practice and NOT going the S.Murphy route. The only thing with the measurables is his vertical jump. Your other examples all hover right around 39" with Patty down a few inches. The jump ball seems to be what this type of WR lives on.

To say that Turner’s not the “athlete” that the other receivers are is an understatement. The 40 yd dash measures pure speed. The cone drill measures quickness. The vertical jump measures explosiveness. In all three aspects Turner falls well short of the other guys. Floyd is considerably faster than Turner which gives him separation skills that Turner won’t possess. Miles is considerably quicker and more explosive than Turner which will make him a better route runner, meaning he will get open more easily. Jackson is considerable faster and more explosive than Turner.

Also, Floyd and Miles were undrafted free agents. You can let those guys develop. Turner is a 3rd round draft pick who should be contributing right now, especially considering how poor the overall corp of receivers miami has right now. Even Jackson in his 1st year, learning the speed of the nfl game, was still active for 8 games. Will Turner be active at all this year? Will he see the field and contribute in any meaningful way?

To borrow a phrase from Denny Green: “Turner is exactly who we thought he was!” The draft experts said he was slow, not quick, doesn’t create separation and and didn’t run routes well. And from everything that I have read to this point, that is exactly what he is. That is why he was projected as a 6th or 7th round draft pick.

If Turner had any of the measurables that would put him in the ballpark with those guys you mentioned above, I would say give him a chance to grow. But he doesn’t. He is an average at best athletically. He is a poor man’s Mike Williams (from the same college) without Williams college productivity. How did he turn out as an NFL player?

Nice Write-Up. Rec’d.

As maligned as this unit has been, the one’s who are suiting up are producing.

But one thing that you are leaving out is probably the most important: attitude. I don’t know what kind of attitude Patrick Turner has, but maybe he doesn’t have the same work ethic and coachability that some of these other guys have. I’m not saying he doesn’t, but we just don’t know. USC doesn’t exactly have a track record of turning out WR’s with great attitudes, i.e. Dwayne Jarrett and Mike Williams. Just food for thought….

and I agree 100% we shouldn’t give up on Turner, I’d like to see him get in some games, but as ct1361 pointed out, all these guys have better “physical tools” then he does, I like your Oronde comparisons more, but Turner has been knocked for not playing to his physicality, if he can learn to use his body as a shield he can be like Keyshawn, without the miserable attitude he had, lol.

Great write up.

good read BTW

If I heard him right he basically said that Hartline had bee activated because he could play special teams and Turner is really too tall to play on special teams. I think people are reading way too much into him not being activated to this point. It sounds like he has to be a starter before Sparano is willing to activate him, because he doesn’t have any value as a special teamer. If so… chill out people. Wait until we actually see him on the field. I think they will throw him in there definately by next season if not near the end of this season.

it is ball-busting to think that we have such a huge wide reciever riding pine. but hopefully you are right, and it will all pan out. I know henne would like to have a guy who can win those jump balls.

I was fortunate enough to see Turner play in high school. He was probably THE best high school player in the state of TN his junior and senior years because his size was just too much for the high school level kids to handle(which I guess is how he ended up at USC) . While at USC, I thought he underperformed, which might be because the Nashville media had talked him up so much and I expected him to produce like Calvin Johnson. Tennessee high schools arent really known for pumping out great high school players and when one is heavily pursued by USC it makes you think he is for real. But he never did really take over a game in college the way he did in high school. I know college isnt high school, but really, this guy TOOK OVER GAMES Randy Moss style, and seeing it in person elevated my expectations of him. With USCs WR track record of late(barring Steve Smith), I understand why many of you are worried that he will be a bust. As much as I want to see him succeed, I too have to admit that its unlikely(IMO). His production has decreased significantly as the level of competition he faced has risen. With his size and hands, it makes me think he should put 20+ lbs on and move to TE. After reading that he isnt a special teamer, I have to consider that maybe he just isnt physical enough for the NFL. I hate to start the whole SEC-PAC10 defense debate, but do you all think he would have produced the same in college had he been in the SEC? Maybe playing in the SEC would have toughened him up for the next level. Who knows. Thats all I got for yall on that.

Furthermore, I would like to say thanks to all who participated in the Ask the Miami Dolphins/Tennessee Titans posts. You guys are class acts, unlike some of the other teams we have had to put up with this year. Heres to a great game today, good luck to you all.

but at least lets hear ANY sort of news about him. Hell I dont even know what the guy looks like.