Promising Lions Rookie Captured By Division Rival Just One Day After Waiver
On June 11, ailing defensive back Craig James was waived by the Detroit Lions and Getty Head coach Dan Campbell. James Turner, a
rookie kicker, showed promise during Detroit Lions’ early sessions. However, he lost his roster position when the team signed the best
kicker in the UFL.
Turner is currently playing for a division foe of Detroit in the NFL. Turner was waived by the Lions, and on June 21, as reported by Bill
Huber of SI.com’s Packer Central, the Green Bay Packers acquired him off waivers. Turner is anticipated to fight for the starting position
in Green Bay, as the Lions prepare for a summer battle that will choose the kicker for the upcoming campaign.
Detroit’s Short-Term Rookie Kicker
Turner, a Michigan native and undrafted rookie, had generated some excitement during practices in Detroit. After outkicking Michael
Badgley in drills, Mike Moraitis of The Sporting News predicted he would start.
On June 11, Moraitis wrote, “After Turner defeated Michael Badgley during one of the sessions, things have heated up in the kicker competition.”Baggley is in a great position to secure the job ahead of training camp, as by all accounts, we haven’t seen him overcome the rookie yet.”
During drills, Turner demonstrated his powerful leg by making kicks from 56 and 55 yards. When the Lions signed All-UFL Team kicker Bates to a two-year contract worth $1.98 million, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he was squeezed out.
Bates was the talk of the UFL season as well. The kicker for the Michigan Panthers beat the St. Louis Battlehawks in Week 1 at Ford Field thanks to a 64-yard field goal, as reported by Joseph Buczek of CBS Detroit. Throughout the UFL season, Bates made three kicks from farther than sixty yards.
The Lions are now gearing up for a fight between Badgley and Bates for the starting role as they approach training camp next month. According to special teams coach Dave Fipp, the selection process will be completely open, with preseason results and practices playing a part.
According to SI.com, Fipp stated, “I really have a responsibility to be fair to all of them by playing whoever we think is the best player.” “And it’s quite obvious, with a kicker. Makes, misses, and percentages, that is. Furthermore, I believe that players tend to emulate their practice materials and that practice is important.
In Green Bay, James Turner Has a Lot of Competition
Huber notes that the Packers are using up to four kickers this offseason, meaning Turner will now face an even more competitive environment in Green Bay. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia jokingly said that the Packers might send in six other kickers to compete for the position as Huber continued.
That trio could be the culprit. There could be three more. I’m not sure. Perhaps six, said Bisaccia. “We’re grateful to Brian Guttenkunst, the general manager, for bringing the three-man race to this current state. Let’s see how long we can maintain that. We’ll continue looking to try to get the greatest player we can since there are some things happening in a lot of different leagues.
Sports writer Nathan Dougherty covers the NFL for Heavy.com, specializing in the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills. In the past, he worked as an assistant editor for the sports trade publications Coaching Management, Athletic Management, and Training & Conditioning in addition to writing for the Rochester Business Journal. Based in Rochester, New York, he has an intense passion for all things football. Additional information on Nathan Dougherty
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