Things that make you go: "Hmmm" (Kyle Turley Edition)

[WSUCougar]

From ESPN.com:

Former standout offensive tackle Kyle Turley, who hasn't been in a game since a 2003 playoff loss because of severe back problems, is attempting to revive his career at the Miami Dolphins' mini-camp this weekend.

As a tight end.


Turley

Turley, 30, is an unsigned veteran invitee to the three-day camp, which began on Friday and is principally for rookies. His participation in the camp, which also includes veteran free agent linebacker Barrett Green and undrafted Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick, was first reported by the South Florida Sun Sentinel and subsequently confirmed through team officials.

Weighing about 40 to 50 pounds less than the 309 pounds at which he played right offensive tackle for six seasons with the New Orleans Saints and St. Louis Rams, and trying to adapt to a new position, Turley is definitely a long shot to earn a contract for training camp.

But the former first-round draft choice, who missed only one regular-season game before his back woes sidelined him for more than two years, is determined to get back into the league. It's believed that the tryout with the Dolphins, whose tight end depth chart is a bit unsettled behind starter Randy McMichael, is the first audition that Turley has had.

The former San Diego State star was released by the Rams in June 2005 after he failed a team-administered physical examination. Turley missed the entire 2004 season as well when his back problem flared during training camp and he was placed on injured reserve.

Turley has been treated for more than two years now by Dr. Robert Watkins, a renowned Los Angeles back specialist who performed surgery on a herniated disc in March 2004. Turley re-injured his back four months later and eschewed a second surgery, preferring instead to go through a long rehabilitation that included shedding considerable weight.

During his rehabilitation, Turley suggested that he might return to the league as a defensive end. But he decided that he needed to play a position that placed even fewer demands on his back, and at which he did not need to carry as much bulk, and settled on tight end. It is believed that Turley has spent several months working out in Arizona and performing receiving drills as he attempts to adapt to a new position.

Throughout his recovery, Turley has been adamant that he would not retire, and remained optimistic that he could return to football.

His last game action came Jan. 10, 2004, when the Rams lost to the Carolina Panthers in double overtime of a divisional round playoff contest. Turley played in all 16 regular-season games in 2003. Over six years, Turley appeared in 95 regular-season games, all of them as a starter.

The seventh overall player selected in the 1998 draft, Turley played six seasons with the Saints, and then was traded to the Rams in the spring of 2003.

Hmmm.

[dawgfan]

Seems like a plausible explanation, though I'm sure many will suspect steroids.

Good luck to him - it would interesting to see if he can stick as a TE. Can he learn to run good enough routes, are his hands OK, is getting popped from a running start by a defender really easier on his back than locking up with a DE or a blitzing LB at the LOS?

[Franklinnoble]

Eh... good for him. I hope he makes it.

[Passacaglia]

Since when does anyone care about Barrett Green?

[AgustusM]

lets see:

fits of rage - check
mass loss of weight - check
injuires galore - check

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Originally Posted by AgustusM

lets see:

fits of rage - check
mass loss of weight - check
injuires galore - check

fits of rage - it was Mike Martz
mass loss of weight - he had major back surgery
injuries galore - seemed like he was alright until his back gave out

I hope he makes it.

At least you know he's not going to be a player that cries to the NFLPA about the coaches actually wanting the players to work...

[Eaglesfan27]

He had fits of rage in New Orleans as well. Remember, he tore his helmet off and threw it down the field at least once. From watching him around here back in the day, I strongly suspect he was using Steroids. This significant weight loss certainly doesn't alleviate my concerns.