Rookie WR Paul Turner making most of chance with Eagles

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For most proven veterans, training camp is about getting in shape, easing back into football and preparing for another long season. But for undrafted rookies like Eagles receiver Paul Turner, each down is an opportunity to impress a coach who could control the destiny of their careers.

Throughout OTAs and in the first two weeks of training camp, the 5-foot-10, 193-pound Turner has caught the eyes of Eagles coaches with his determined attitude and perhaps a bit more talent than they expected from a receiver who played only two years of college football at Louisiana Tech.

A highly rated recruit coming out of West Monroe High School in Louisiana, a major college program like LSU was a logical choice for Turner. Unfortunately, he never made a catch for the Tigers, playing mainly on special teams as a redshirt freshman. Turner decided to transfer to Louisiana Tech, where he recorded a total of 87 catches and seven touchdowns in two seasons. Not the most incredible numbers, but the Eagles liked Turner enough to sign him after he was passed over during the draft.

In the past couple weeks, both head coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Frank Reich have publicly praised Turner. Given that he’s been getting some reps with the first- and second-team offenses, people are starting to take their words, and Turner himself, seriously.

“It’s encouraging,” Turner said after practice on Friday (see Day 11 observations). “But the main thing for me is continuing to work hard and be ready when I’m called on.”

The opportunities for Turner to show what he can do are very limited. On an average day, he might be targeted two or three times combined during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. If the quarterbacks don’t put the ball in his vicinity, there’s nothing he can do about it.

“There is a little bit of pressure on you,” Turner said, “but you just have to focus on doing what you can and playing to the best of your ability.”

Several other young players have stood out for the wrong reasons. For instance, receiver Xavier Rush, a rookie from Tulane, made a couple of nice catches on Friday but also dropped a pass from Carson Wentz that hit him right between the two 8s on his jersey. Even if he’s not flashy, Turner has avoided those kinds of bad drops, something a player in his position simply can’t afford to be noticed for.

There are currently 12 wide receivers listed on the Eagles’ training camp roster. Of those 12, Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, Rueben Randle, Chris Givens and Josh Huff all appear to be locks to make the team. Behind those five players, there’s probably room for one more receiver on the 53-man roster. At the moment, Turner is overcoming the odds to become a front-runner for that spot while fellow undrafted free agent Cayleb Jones has also impressed coaches.

Despite being in an intense competition with his fellow receivers, Turner is constantly talking with them about football and gaining knowledge about the pro game.

“I’ve learned a lot from all of them,” Turner said. “There’s a lot of veterans on this team, and we all talk a lot about the offense, making adjustments and how to make plays.”

Outside of the increased pace of the game, Turner says there haven’t been any huge differences between college and professional football. The next major test for him will come in Thursday’s preseason game against Tampa Bay, when Turner should have a few chances to show Eagles coaches that what they’ve seen from him so far is no fluke.

Turner believes he has the NFL talent; the main challenge for him is to continue playing well enough that Pederson, Reich and the Eagles’ brass keep believing in it.

“I’m definitely confident I can play at this level,” Turner said. “I think everyone here feels like they should be here. We’re all blessed to be in this position, and I want to make the most that I can out of this opportunity.”

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