Turner's Return Key For Husker D
8 comments so far
March 11, 2009 by
There are several stories worth following as we navigate through spring and summer - day by day, inch by inch - until the 2009 Husker football season. The one I'll likely follow the most closely is the return of defensive end Barry Turner to the NU defensive lineup. Aside from Ndamukong Suh, he's the player most fans consider talented enough to be a playmaker. He's returning from a serious injury. He must fill a spot where the Huskers have an immediate need. And, frankly, he had a very unfortunate run in with the law recently. Add it all up, and it puts Turner squarely on my radar.
Once a Phenom
Let’s be clear about one thing right out of the gate, Turner has significant talent. His explosiveness and quickness made him an effective pass rusher early in his Husker career and earned him Freshman All-American accolades. That potential got diminished by a coaching staff intent on getting him to add weight. Once he got fit again, the current NU staff considered him the most talented player on their defense heading in to last season. That's saying something. IF (big if) Turner can rekindle the fire and speed that made him effective as a freshman and temper it with the guile of a veteran, he'll give NU another big playmaker up front.
A Serious Injury
The downside for Turner is that his injury last season was a serious on. Fractures are always a big deal. And, it ended his season. Everyone must watch and listen carefully in the coming months to see if he remains on track to take the field in 2009.
At last report, the coaching staff says that Turner's recovery is "on schedule". No offense, but I wouldn't just take their word for it. You can only believe what you see when it comes to injuries. This is the same staff that said Marlon Lucky was fine when he was wearing a walking cast (he didn't play that week, by the way) and said that Phil Dillard was "nearly 100%" in bowl practices (he didn't play a down in the Gator Bowl). So, only believe the hype about Turner's health when you see it with your own eyes.
Immediate Need
There are some serious stakes for the NU defense when it comes to Turner's return as well. Defensive end is one of the areas where the 2009 defense immediately appears rather thin. Yes, Pierre Allen subbed admirably for Turner after he got hurt. So, he should contribute. On the other side, the departure of Zach Potter hurts NU. Potter had a penchant for making plays, like timely sacks, interceptions and blocked kicks. The rest of the lineup at defensive end is filled with talented but untested players like Cameron Meredith and Josh Williams, both redshirt freshman. I'd prefer Turner the senior be in the fire before either one of those fresh faces.
Don't Be Dumb
The other last issue to be aware of with Turner is his recent run in with the law in Lincoln. Sure, reading through the charges and reading between the lines, this might not appear like much to some people. But, it is still worth some concern. People take any kind of domestic assault seriously, for very good reason.
This is a young man who is old enough and experienced enough to know to stay out of bad situations and what the consequences (either legal or public) might be if he slips up. He needs to keep it clean and stay eligible. There is too much at stake for him, and for NU.
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Brandon Mar 11 09
Turner's case is an interesting one because he's a known entity. Unlike the QB race, where whatever we get will meet, exceed, or fall below a set of assumptions, we know what we should get out of Turner when healthy. And it should be huge.
Any negative deviation from those expectations will be glaring. Pierre provides a nice insurance policy but you're spot on in listing this as one to watch. The QBs will get all the ink but this could be the more telling storyline.
JBLING22 Mar 11 09
In no means do I ever condone hitting a women... That being said he hit her with a pillow... She hit him with a candlestick, A CANDLESTICK??? ARE WE PLAYING CLUE HERE?
But really carrying you girlfriend into the house when she's trying to leave in a snowstorm, im pretty sure alot of people would do that...
I just dont like when people think negatively about the kid, when they don't know what happened... If he did assault her, lock him up ... But give him the benefit of doubt... The paper could have read , Turner gets hit by a candlestick... YOu can write anything and make it sound bad...
OU7times Mar 12 09
Didn't the story say that he bit her after she hit him with a candlestick?
Both should have gone to jail for assault and battery.
What kind of law enforcement do you guys have up there?
JBLING22 Mar 12 09
By the way OU7times, Turner did spend two days in jail... His GF on the other hand did not..
OU7times Mar 12 09
Right. But when you impede someone from leaving of their own free will you are skirting with kidnapping. She must not have pressed the issue.
It's very seldom that someone would spend a 2 day stint in jail (3rd degree domestic assault) and then have charges dropped after time served.
Greg Morrow Mar 12 09
Dusty Dvoracek...
Okie pragmatism, Okie practicality.
Okie justice!
Nothing unusual about that, down there.
OU7times Mar 12 09
Lets let bygones be bygones because 64-28 was so long ago. Stop picking the scab and let it heal.
Lets see what the new season brings. Who knows, maybe another Heisman trophy for Sam Bradford!
Anyway, NU could use Turner for another season or the defense could let another mess of points go on defense.
Bill in Iowa Mar 12 09
Whatever the case, I don't think we will see Turner in trouble with the law again. So, the question is will he be the force to contend with this season we expect and will he be the first legitimate rush end NU has seen since the Cali error seemed to do away with the concept.
I think Merideth and Williams will make young but capable back-ups. With Allen securing the other end spot, Suh back, and a capable starter at the other DT (either Moore or Crick?), I think it's possible that this d-line could be just as good as last year's.