Turner getting up to speed
Defensive tackle got off to a slow start but he’s becoming a force
Slowed by a lacerated finger in training camp, Junior Turner has not only crept up to speed but has been at the forefront of an everimproving defensive line.
“When I started the season, I was definitely a step behind,” said Turner, a stalwart at tackle for the Calgary Stampeders seven games into the season. “You could see it. I wasn’t up to speed — with my eyes and my technique — as I would have wanted. But as it’s gone along, I’m slowly getting back there.
“And I learned that training camp is essential,” he added, grinning.
Turner was one of many who stood out Saturday night, helping make Henry Burris’ stay in the pocket a dangerous thing. The 26- year- old contributed three tackles, a sack and a knock- down in a dominant defensive performance.
“I wouldn’t say I’m pleased as yet,” he conceded. “We’re just starting to scratch the surface and work together as a unit. Just buying into the system, just like last year, doing the little things. It’s not about one person individually. You never know in what game ( which) one person is going to shine. If you work as a unit, it’s always going to be somebody.”
“Junior is like my little brother,” said Stamps’ defensive line coach DeVone Claybrooks. "He soaks it up like a sponge. He’s young but he’s played a lot of football because he played with me when I was a player. You take him under your wing and see him grow and mature as a player, and now he’s finally putting it all together.
“The thing is you try not to put pressure on it but, as professional athletes, the pressure is built in. He’s stepped up. We couldn’t be more proud of him.”
The addition of Micah Johnson to the D- line has also been a boon for the unit, to which Turner will attest.
“When you’ve got a player of Micah’s calibre, it’s great having him there,” he said.
“He’s one of my good friends so timing isn’t something I need to adjust to, because I know how he plays. It’s just a matter of getting him on the field more and you guys will get to see what kind of player he is and how he contributes to the 12 on the field.”
“It’s a special group of kids,” added Claybrooks.
“The key is we have a group of selfless guys, they don’t really care who gets the credit. Charleston ( Hughes) can’t really do anything without Junior, and Junior can’t do it without Quinn ( Smith) ... it’s like a domino effect. That’s what separates us.”
INJURY REPORT
Centre Pierre Lavertu, injured in the Ottawa game, was at practice Tuesday with a light workload and a wrap around his right leg.
“My foot got caught in the grass and tweaked my knee a little,” said Lavertu, who suffered a bone bruise. “It’s feeling all right now. When I go full- pad tomorrow, we’ll see how it goes. I’m confident.”
Also taking a number of reps at centre was John Estes, who signed as a free agent a month ago.
“Week by week, it’s becoming more comfortable,” said Estes.
“Coach Pat ( DelMonaco) is getting me ready, making sure I know all my calls. As a centre, you have to have everyone on the same page and it starts with me. Just in case Pierre can’t go, I have to be ready.”
MITCHELL HONOURED
Stamps QB Bo Levi Mitchell was selected as the best player of the week among the Shaw Top CFL Performers. The others were Hamilton quarterback Zach Collaros and Ticats defensive end Eric Norwood.
“It is nice to get recognized for it,” said Mitchell, who threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more against Ottawa.
“I think Collaros got snubbed. I think he was probably the top guy. He had four incompletions, four touchdowns, perfect QB rating, so if I had a vote, I probably would have given it to him.”
When I started the season, I was definitely a step behind. You could see it. I wasn’t up to speed. But as it’s gone along, I’m slowly getting back there.