ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

MISSISSAUGA – For a player that has yet to suit up in a game for the Double Blue, there certainly are high expectations of Steven Turner.

The five-foot-eight speedster is looking to make his mark after a 2010 training camp that saw him enter as one of the most promising young talents and exit with a season-ending ruptured achillies. 

After an intense recovery process, the Bishop’s University grad is now back on the practice field and is using Argos rookie camp to get back into the swing of things.

“It’s been tough. I haven’t been in pads since last year but once rookie camp is over and I get that one day to get my mind right, I feel like I will be ready to compete again and put that injury in the back of my mind,” Turner explained.

The injury derailed his aspirations last year but his time observing from the sidelines has helped the 24-year-old absorb both the system and the culture that comes with playing football in Toronto. Although many could argue it gave him a leg-up in rookie camp, Turner is, instead, using what he learned last year and is passing it on to other rookies.

“Being around the team last year I have learned the system a bit and I’ve seen what it is all about [in the pros]. So when I come out here I know exactly what the coaches are expecting,” he said.  “I try and help other rookies too; Jed Gardner and I talked a bit and I tried to tell him what to expect from the coaches and help in any way I can.”

Turner understands he’s auditioning for one of just 42 active roster spots but believes that helping some of his young teammates, the same ones with which he’s competing, only strengthens the overall competition and player performance.

“That’s how football is; there is always going to be competition,” Turner said.  “If there is a guy good enough to beat me out then that’s his job so I am going to try and help out any way I can and try and make that competition even stronger.”

Turner made headlines at the 2010 CFL Evaluation Camp, shattering the previous 40-yard dash record by posting a time of 4.31 seconds.  If anyone thinks that his performance at E-Camp will clear him from criticism at rookie camp, they are mistaken.

On Tuesday, Argos GM and Head Coach Jim Barker made it very clear, both during and after practice, that he expects more from Turner and that his performance on day one simply wasn’t good enough.

“Yeah, he aired me out a bit yesterday,” Turner acknowledged with a sheepish grin. “He told me that there were a few balls that I had to catch and I didn’t.  The way that I look at is, I come out here again today and I have that opportunity to make those catches.  I don’t want to be that guy that makes the same mistakes twice.”

Last season, Turner came in as hybrid running back/receiver/returner who was supposed to be the leading candidate to return kicks, but with the arrival of Chad Owens and the Argos adding depth at receiver, Turner is not too picky about where he plays - as long as he contributes to the team winning.

“I feel comfortable at all three positions but wherever the coaches want me to play, I will - as long as I can help the team. The goal at hand is to win a Grey Cup and if I have only one or two carries a game then that’s fine as long as we meet that ultimate goal.”