Billy Turner excited to tackle new role on Packers' offensive line

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Turner has been in constant motion since entering the league in 2014 as a third-round pick out of North Dakota State, which remains the last time the former FCS All-American left tackle started at the same position in consecutive seasons.


Since then, Turner has started 28 times at right guard, eight at left guard, five at right tackle and even made one spot start at left tackle in 2016.


So it shouldn't come as too big a surprise Green Bay tapped into Turner's positional flexibility against the Saints, starting him at right tackle while Lucas Patrick stood the right guard post that Turner held down throughout last season.


"What we're taught is to know multiple positions," Turner said. "(When) I got drafted and they're like, 'We're gonna make you a guard,' so then I'm playing guard and then next thing you know I'm playing tackle.


"The moral to that story is we all have to be molded into something that can be used like a Swiss Army knife. It's rare that you just call offensive linemen a tackle or a guard."


The Packers shuffled through a lot of personnel the first three weeks, losing starting right guard Lane Taylor in Week 1 to a season-ending knee injury, but they're in position to bring the same starting five offensive linemen into a second straight game, Monday vs. Atlanta, for the first time this season.


Patrick, the hardnosed former undrafted free agent, has started all three games this year between the left and right guard positions.


"Honestly, man, it was like a plant. Growth. From the ground up," Turner said. "You're able to grow with the guy next to you. You're able to kind of develop that connection and once you get into a game-like situation with a guy like Lucas Patrick, who has played multiple positions, you know it's just full steam ahead. You don't really think about anything else because you have trust in that guy next to you."