Punt and Kickoff Returners 2010 (1 Viewer)

Nick Miller was the story of the Oakland Raiders 2009 training camp. He was an undrafted free agent wide receiver/kick returner out of Southern Utah and he made the team based on a strong camp and was expected to be the kickoff returner, but an injury prevented home from getting any playing time. Following the final preseason game, Miller was given a spot on the 53 man roster, and was diagnosed with shin splints and he was expected to be back in a week or two. Further examination revealed the injury not to be shin splints, but a fracture of the lower shin near the ankle. His prognosis was upgraded to four to six weeks. As it ended up happening, not only did Miller not play a single down during the regular season, he was kept on the active roster, but inactive on game days for 16 of the seventeen weeks. He was not put on the injured reserve to free up the space for a healthy body until immediately prior to the final game of the season.

Meanwhile, the Raiders receiving corps struggled, and the return teams were much worse. The Raiders were dead last in the NFL in kickoff returns, which was precisely the job that was planned for Miller. Instead, the Raiders used Louis Rankin (18 avg), Justin Miller (17.7 avg), Gary Russell (18.3 avg), and Jonathan Holland (19.6 avg.) None of the Raiders returners could get the ball further than a touchback. The team average was a woeful 18.2. What is remarkable was that despite the struggles of the team, where a healthy player could potentially have been an upgrade, they held a spot on the active roster for an undrafted free agent. They could have kept him bound to the team by putting him on the injured reserve earlier in the season and brought in another player to handle the returns. Instead, he kept being reported on the injury report week after week, but did not suite up for the entire regular season.

Look for Miller to be in the mix competing for a spot as a receiver and returner again during the minicamps and training camp for 2010.

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CaptainCrunch said:

Is Cribbs a lock to be a kick returner and punt returner next year?

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Football Critic said:

Does DeSean Jackson lose value if he is not the returner?I say yes! Discuss!

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Brandon Banks is training with Track Eastern Carolina club coach Dave Simpson in preparation for the NFL Scouting Combine, in Indianapolis. Banks, a former junior national champion in the 100 meters, has run 40 yards in 4.25 seconds, but he is working with Simpson trying to knock a couple of hundredths off and get attention from an NFL team with a 4.23. More than 600 NFL personnel are expected at the event, which starts Thursday and runs through Tuesday. Banks knows he faces an uphill battle to be drafted. He is 5 feet 7 and he weighs 156 pounds and would be one of the smallest players in the NFL. In December, he was arrested on charges of battery and unlawful possession of a stimulant. He said it was part of a domestic argument and that he has paid his fine and put the incident behind him.

Kansas State eventually offered, and he had a great career. He was the Big 12 return specialist and special-teams player of the year. He led the league with 2,097 all-purpose yards and tied C.J. Spiller of Clemson with four kickoff returns for touchdowns. Banks set Big 12 records with four kickoff returns for touchdowns this season, five kickoff returns for touchdowns in his career and two touchdown returns in a victory over Tennessee Tech.

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Titans Talk To Returner Rogan

Could the Titans search for a returner take them to Knoxville? University of Tennessee Defensive Back Dennis Rogan spent time visiting with the Titans at the NFL Combine. "I spoke to a couple of guys last night from their organization," Rogan said. "I guess they've got more studies to do on me and watch more tape and go from there." During the 15-minute interview Saturday night, Rogan said the Titans told him they liked some of the things he could do. The Titans generally use their Combine interview time to visit with juniors who they may not be as familiar with. Rogan declared for the NFL Draft in January, just days after Lane Kiffin left the University of Tennessee for Southern Cal. "That coaching change...was really icing on the cake," Rogan said. "This would have been my third coaching change since I've been there. I just didn't want to go through that again. Rogan said he had decided to stay in school before seeing the news about Kiffin on television.

Rogan, who weighed in at 185 pounds on his 5-9 frame, averaged 26.3 yards per kickoff return during his Tennessee career, 9.7 yards per punt return. As a sophomore, Rogan tallied 698 kickoff return yards, breaking the record set by Willie Gault. "You have to have good vision, being able to read where your blocks are, and be able to make the cuts," Rogan said. Rogan, who said he prefers kickoff returns, admits surprise that he never scored a touchdown on returns.

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ALABAMA

With an SEC-record seven punt returns for touchdowns, Javier Arenas might be known more for his agility, vision and acceleration as a return specialist, but these skills proved to be just as effective over his final two seasons as a starting cornerback -- which is why he's flying up draft boards. Highly touted as a prep athlete due to his return skills, Arenas made an immediate impact for the Tide as a freshman. He returned two punts for scores -- including an 86-yarder against Oklahoma State in the Independence Bowl that broke school and bowl records, but did not register a tackle.

He saw the field as a valuable backup in the secondary as a sophomore, registering 20 stops, including two tackles for loss. Again, however, his return skills earned him the most attention, as Arenas returned a punt 61 yards for score against LSU and averaged 24.3 yards per kickoff and 15.4 yards per punt -- both good enough for second all-time in Crimson Tide history.

Arenas was even better as a junior, returning three punts (87, 80 and 73 yards) for scores and emerging as an all-conference selection at cornerback with 63 tackles, eight passes broken up and an interception, which he naturally returned for a touchdown.

Arenas returned his record-breaking seventh punt for a score against Chattanooga as a senior, but otherwise saw his average drop slightly as teams simply refused to kick to him. If his production as a returner was disappointing in 2009, Arenas' play at cornerback and as an all-around defender certainly was not. Despite missing the South Carolina game due to bruised ribs, Arenas finished with a staggering 71 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and five interceptions. He was at his best in the big games, essentially ending the contest against Florida in the SEC Championship Game with an end zone interception of Tim Tebow and securing two interceptions in the national title game.

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Antonio Brown certainly didn't lack confidence at the annual NFL Scouting Combine. Despite leaving Central Michigan after his junior season and being projected as a middle-round pick in April's draft, the former Chippewas All-American receiver and return specialist decided it was time to test the NFL waters. "I bring so much to the table," Brown said during his media interviews. "There have been a lot of knocks on the little things, but I can do it all." Brown, who measured at 5-foot-10, 186 pounds, said the multitude of changes at Central Michigan also contributed to his decision to leave. Head coach Butch Jones took the job at Cincinnati and star quarterback Dan LeFevour is also turning pro. "Being that my coaches left and my quarterback left, that played volumes in my decision," Brown said. "I had three great years at CMU. I don't know how much better I could have gotten." Brown's potential as a receiver and return man could be intriguing to NFL coaches and scouts. NFLDraftScout.com has him projected as a fifth-round pick. He finished his college career with 305 receptions for 3,199 yards and 22 touchdowns. He rushed for four TDs and returned three punts and two kickoffs for scores.

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The drills from this past weekend's NFL Scouting Combine provided some insight for the 49ers in what potential players they might want to draft. One of hte biggest things the team has struggled with all last season was a solid punt return game. The 49ers ranked last in that category and finding an explosive player in the Draft will be an option the 49ers will explore.

Clemson running back CJ Spiller is one of the most talked about prospects on the 49ers' list. In fact, numerous draft boards have Spiller as the top running back in the Draft. His 40-yard dash time was impressive-- a 4.28 on his first run.

Another running back that could help the 49ers in the punt return game is California running back Jahvid Best. Best had a 4.35 in his 40-yard dash. Even Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate's 4.42 should be worth the attention of the 49ers.

The team understands that these three are just a handful of great potential returners that can be selected. The 49ers might be very inclined to look at a running back for the positiont, however. Both Spiller and Best are speedy backs that are extremely dangers in the open field. Looking for a balance in running styles, the 49ers will seek a back that provides something different than what current back Frank Gore's game provides.

And looking at the extremely quick speeds of both Spiller and Best, these two might be worth considering for the 49ers. If Spiller is available at #13 when the 49ers make their first pick, I would expect the 49ers to draft him. For Best, he might be a second round type of guy.

Another running back that drew a lot of attention during the Senior Bowl practices was Ole Miss running back Dexter McCluster. Even though he finished with a 4.58 40-yard dash time, he still could be a player the 49ers can consider. Despite his small frame, he has a great eye for finding holes.

If the 49ers are focused on drafting a player solely as a return specialist, LSU's Trindon Holliday is their choice. Listed as a special teams player, Holliday ran 4.34 and could be still available in the second or third round.

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Mike McCarthy said on Sunday that the Green Bay Packers wanted cornerback/returner Will Blackmon back, and the coach apparently meant it. According to an NFL source, the Packers have decided to use the original-round tender on Blackmon. The qualifying offer is a one-year, $1.176 million deal that gives the Packers the right to match any outside offer Blackmon may receive on the open market. If they chose not to match an offer, they would receive a fourth-round pick from the signing team as compensation because Blackmon entered the league as a 2006 fourth-round pick out of Boston College. Blackmon is unlikely to generate much outside interest because he’s coming back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that he suffered in the fourth game of the season, Oct. 5 at Minnesota. McCarthy said during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis over the weekend that the team had been expecting big things from the explosive fourth-year return man, who is tied with Desmond Howard for the franchise record with three career punt returns for touchdowns. Blackmon has scored his three touchdowns in just 47 career returns, while Howard needed 70 returns for his three regular-season scores. Blackmon is doing his rehabilitation in Los Angeles and is well ahead of schedule, McCarthy said. “I thought Will Blackmon as a punt returner was ready to have a big year,” McCarthy said of Blackmon, who returned two punts for touchdowns in 2008 and one in 2007 after an injury-marred rookie season. “We did some things from a kickoff return (standpoint) that I thought he was starting to adjust to (when he got hurt). I was fully anticipating Will to have a big year.”

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This year, the Redskins are rumored to have interest in Chargers running back Darren Sproles. The Redskins “are going to be among those in the bidding,” said Kevin Acee, of the San Diego Union Tribune. The short running back is lightning in a bottle. He could be a great fit behind Clinton Portis and provide the burst none of the Skins backs can. Sproles can also help on special teams. Sproles would be an ugrade on punt and kickoff returns. Punt returns may have been the worst part of the game for the Redskins last season. Antwaan Randle El eventually got replaced, and then a rotation formed at the end of the season. The 5-foot-6 speedster finished the season with 800 plus yards in receiving and rushing. He did have his worst year in yards per carry in 2009. He averaged less than four yards a rush. He is a great third down back. He's got great hands and can turn a short gain into a huge play.

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Instinctive, elusive Florida A&M All-American kicker returner LeRoy Vann wasn't invited to the NFL scouting combine. There's still a growing buzz surrounding this sleeper from NFL teams who are eager to work him out on March 18. The Jacksonville Jaguars are going to help run the workout as well as conduct a private session with Vann, according to a league source. San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary has called to express interest, and 20 to 25 NFL teams are expected to attend the workout. Vann, who was featured on ESPN's College Gameday program during a segment with Desmond Howard, has been training in Atlanta and catching punts from former NFL punter Rodney Williams.

The questions about Williams are his lack of size (5-foot-9, 185 pounds) and what position he'll play. He has played some cornerback. Vann is expected to run the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. Vann put on a show at the HCBU all-star game, returning a punt 81 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, Vann returned five punts for touchdowns last season and owns the NCAA record for career return for touchdowns with 11, running back eight punts and three kickoffs for touchdowns in his career. Vann ran back two punts for touchdowns in the Rattlers' win over Howard University. He ran back two kickoffs for touchdowns the previous week. He was named a second-team Division I-AA All-American. At the all-star game, Vann practiced at cornerback and wide receiver. "I wanted to show everybody that I could play a bunch of positions," Vann said at the time. "Everybody is like, 'He is too small and he can't play this or play that.' I feel I could play anywhere you need me; prove that I can play the game of football."

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Connecticut cornerback Robert McClain had a strong showing today at his pro day, turning in a 40-yard dash time of 4.42 seconds and turning heads with a 38-inch vertical jump and 23 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds. A second team All-Big East selection this past season after tying for second in the league for interceptions with four, McClain is a little on the small side at 5-9, 194 pounds, but he’s got some versatility that NFL teams like. He was third on the Huskies in tackles last season and has played nickel back in the past. His real value could come on special teams, particularly as a punt returner. He was sixth in the nation among seniors with an average of 12.6 yards per return, including an 87-yard touchdown vs. Cincinnati. McClain has already had a visit with the New England Patriots, according to a league source. He has a visit scheduled with the Jacksonville Jaguars and will conduct a private workout for the San Francisco 49ers.

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The Colts do a pretty decent job looking within their own state for talent. So, it is not surprise that Ray Fisher is someone likely on the Colts radar. According to National Football Post (who we are now partnered with; yay!), Fisher is expected to meet with the Colts in the next view days. Fisher is a converted wide receiver who had tremendous success as a special teams returner in college. He led the nation in kick-off return average and set a Big Ten single-season record. Fisher scored two TDs on 18 returns for 650 yards. He also averaged 9.7 a return on punts. As a wideout, Fisher was certainly no slouch, catching 118 passes for 1,070 yards and nine touchdowns in 19 starts. However, at 5'8, 171 pounds, that ain't going to cut it as a WR in the pros for very long. Converted WRs can make good corners (see Kelvin Hayden).

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Steven Turner's sparkling performance at last month's CFL evaluation camp did more than just turn the heads of Canadian football officials. It also caught the attention of teams south of the border. Turner set a camp record with a 40-yard dash time of 4.31 seconds, shattering the previous mark of 4.39 seconds set last year by former Bishop's teammate Jamall Lee. Turner's blistering run came a day after the five-foot-nine, 185-pound Gaiters receiver posted a vertical leap of 43.5 inches -- just a half-inch shy of Lee's '09 record jump -- and a camp-best shuttle run of 4.03 seconds. Turner's results certainly boosted his stock for the CFL's Canadian college draft, which will be held May 2. But they also put him in pretty good standing in comparison to the top prospects for this year's NFL draft.

Turner had 11 catches for 207 yards and one TD last season with Bishop's but was also Canadian university football's top punt returner, averaging a stellar 20.4 yards per return. He took two back for touchdowns. That versatility is attractive to CFL coaches, who can only dress 42 players per game so are always on the lookout for those who can perform multiple tasks. Turner's speed, though, makes him appealing as a punt and kick returner in the NFL. And while Turner would love nothing more than to play in Canada with the hometown Toronto Argonauts, it would make much more economic sense for him to give the NFL a try.

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Mike Herman said:

Antonio Brown certainly didn't lack confidence at the annual NFL Scouting Combine. Despite leaving Central Michigan after his junior season and being projected as a middle-round pick in April's draft, the former Chippewas All-American receiver and return specialist decided it was time to test the NFL waters. "I bring so much to the table," Brown said during his media interviews. "There have been a lot of knocks on the little things, but I can do it all." Brown, who measured at 5-foot-10, 186 pounds, said the multitude of changes at Central Michigan also contributed to his decision to leave. Head coach Butch Jones took the job at Cincinnati and star quarterback Dan LeFevour is also turning pro. "Being that my coaches left and my quarterback left, that played volumes in my decision," Brown said. "I had three great years at CMU. I don't know how much better I could have gotten." Brown's potential as a receiver and return man could be intriguing to NFL coaches and scouts. NFLDraftScout.com has him projected as a fifth-round pick. He finished his college career with 305 receptions for 3,199 yards and 22 touchdowns. He rushed for four TDs and returned three punts and two kickoffs for scores.

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JuSt CuZ said:

Football Critic said:

Does DeSean Jackson lose value if he is not the returner?I say yes! Discuss!

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Absolutly

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KellysHeroes said:

JuSt CuZ said:

Football Critic said:

Does DeSean Jackson lose value if he is not the returner?I say yes! Discuss!

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Absolutly

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whaaaaa, why would they take him off?

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There may be only one kicker, one punter and one deep snapper selected in this draft, all in the third and final day on Saturday. But this is a rich draft for kick returners, with more than 30 who have scored touchdowns.

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Noteworthy

KR Javier Arenas Alabama 5-81/2 197 SEC all-time PR leader

KC Riley Cooper Florida 6-3 222 Drafted by Rangers in baseball

KC Cody Grimm Virginia Tech 5-101/2 203 Son of a Hall of Famer

P Zoltan Mesko Michigan 6-41/2 240 2-time all-Big Ten

KC Matt O'Hanlon Nebraska 5-101/2 207 Former walk-on

KC Kurt Coleman Ohio St. 5-10 192 4-year punt gunner

K Brett Swenson Michigan St. 5-71/2 178 71 career field goals

DS Clint Gresham TCU 6-21/2 236 Oklahoma transfer

KB Barry Church Toledo 6-11/2 222 Blocked 3 kicks in 2009

KR LeRoy Vann Florida A&M 5-8 177 8 career PR for TDs

KO Austin Signor East. Ill. 6-4 230 Iowa transfer

K Garrett Lindholm Tarleton St. 5-71/2 185 2-time all-Lone Star

KR Trindon Holliday LSU 5-5 161 15.0-yard career PR average

DS Lowell Dyer North Carolina 6-3 280 Also started at center

KR Brandon Banks Kansas St. 5-61/2 149 5 career KR for TDs

K - kicker; P - punter; KO - Kickoff specialist; DS - deep snapper; KR - kick returner; KC - kick coverage; KB - kick blocker

THE BEST

Javier Arenas, Alabama

Arenas set SEC punt return records with his 1,752 yards and seven touchdowns. He fell 10 yards short of setting the NCAA record as well. He set a school record with 650 punt return yards in 2008 and was an all-SEC selection in 2009 as both a cornerback and return specialist. Three of his seven career touchdowns came on returns in excess of 80 yards: 87 versus Tulane in 2008, 86 versus Oklahoma State in 2006 and 80 versus Mississippi State in 2008.

Sleeper

Aaron Higdon, Charleston

Higdon set a school season record for all-purpose yardage in 2009 with 1,487, including 192 yards on punts and 265 on kickoffs. He would have led the NCAA Division II in punt returns with his 21.3-yard average but fell four returns shy of qualifying. He also averaged 9.9 yards in his 66 rushing attempts with 10 touchdowns. Higdon (5-9, 185) is slippery and explosive.

Notable"

---Returners: LeRoy Vann became only the fifth player in NCAA FCS history with 1,000 career yards in both kickoff and punt returns. He tied the NCAA record with 11 career touchdowns on returns, including an NCAA-record eight with punts. The former walk-on added an 81-yard punt return in the HBCU Senior Bowl to capture game MVP honors. Here's a list of the top touchdowns producers in kick returns in the 2010 draft:

Player School KO PR Tot.

LeRoy Vann Florida A&M 3 8 11

C.J. Spiller Clemson 7 1 8

Javier Arenas Alabama 0 7 7

Akwasi Owusu-Ansah IUP 3 4 7

Reggie Smith Eliz City 2 5 7

Perrish Cox Okla. St 4 2 6

Brandon Banks Kansas St. 5 0 5

Brandon James Florida 1 4 5

Mardy Gilyard Cincinnati 4 1 5

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Donnybrook said:

Will Armanti Edwards do any kick returning for the Panthers?

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Mike Herman said:

NFL Draft Countdown - return specialists rankings

1. Trindon Holliday Louisiana State

2. Brandon Banks Kansas State

3. Brandon James Florida

4. Kyle Williams Arizona State

5. LeRoy Vann Florida A&M

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From their second-round pick (Kindle) to one in the fifth round (Utah wide receiver David Reed), Harbaugh can envision the newest Ravens running down the field on coverage teams, returning kicks and even blocking them. Reed, the first of two fifth-round picks for the Ravens, could find his way onto the field as a returner. As a junior, Reed averaged 25.4 yards on kickoff returns, third in the Mountain West Conference. With Lardarius Webb (knee) possibly out for the start of the regular season, Reed might compete with Jalen Parmele to be the primary kickoff returner. Director of college scouting Joe Hortiz referred to Reed as "a receiver who can return kicks." Asked about his return ability, Reed said: "I love having the ball in my hand. I feel like I can make people miss. That's what I love to do."

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Football Critic said:

Does DeSean Jackson lose value if he is not the returner?I say yes! Discuss!

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Armanti Edwards, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds at his pro day, is working out at punt returner, too, along with Captain Munnerlyn and newly signed Trent Guy. Edwards said Saturday was the first time he’s felt comfortable back there. "It took him one day to learn how to catch punts. Yesterday he was all down here," Munnerlyn said, dropping his arms below his waist. "Today I was impressed. I told him to keep just working hard. I know it’s not going to be easy from playing quarterback, but he should be a pretty good player."

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Despite his rare speed, Sam Shields wasn’t used as a kick or punt returner with the Hurricanes — the return against UW was on a set play. But he said he handled those assignments in high school, and returned kicks on the scout team at Miami. The Packers seem interested in seeing how Shields would fare in that role. He said the team spoke to him about working in the return game before he signed, and he fielded kicks and punts during Friday’s practice, the only workout open to reporters during this weekend’s rookie orientation camp. “That’s someone that jumped out at everybody, just talking with (cornerbacks coach) Joe Whitt as we were walking off the field,” Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. “He has exceptional speed, and he looked very natural as far as catching the ball as you move forward and really attacking the landmark. I thought just the number of balls he did catch, that did jump out to me.”

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Sixteen days ago, the 49ers may have been wondering who, exactly, would be returning punts and kickoffs in 2010. They're probably still wondering — but now it's because they suddenly have a wealth of options, rather than a lack. Ted Ginn, Kyle Williams and LeRoy Vann, all of them newcomers, could provide some of this team's most spirited competition over the next few months. And that would suit the 49ers just fine. Last year, kick returns were a clear sore spot in San Francisco. The team ranked dead last in the NFL in punt returns with a miserable 4.4-yard average, and 23rd in kickoff returns at 21.8. The return men fumbled 10 times, tied for most in the league. Three of the four players who handled the bulk of the returns — Michael Robinson, Josh Morgan and Brandon Jones — are still here. But Morgan is getting to be too valuable as a receiver, and Robinson and Jones underperformed. That's why the 49ers traded a fifth-round pick to Miami for Ginn on Apr. 16, drafted Williams out of Arizona State in the sixth round and signed Vann, an undrafted free agent from Florida A&M, shortly thereafter....

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Ray Fisher and Brandon James spent the weekend learning their way around the Indianapolis Colts' West 56th Street complex. There were meetings to attend, positional drills to attack and meals to consume as part of the three-day rookie minicamp. Yet Fisher, a seventh-round draft pick out of Indiana, and James, an undrafted prospect out of Florida, were quick studies regarding their potential roles. It's their charge to inject life into the Colts' kickoff and punt return games that have provided an occasional burst, but lacked consistency over the past several seasons. It's as simple as that.

"The idea is to put Peyton (Manning) in the best situation possible,'' said Fisher. James' attention has been drawn to the Colts the past several seasons by their propensity for winning, but suggested he has been less than impressed with their return games. "That's an area I can help in,'' he said. "If not making big plays, then putting them in good field position. If you put the offense at the 40- or 50-yard line, the chances (of scoring) are a lot greater than if it starts at the 18 or 20. "That's what I feel like I'm here for.'' Either James or Fisher -- it's unlikely the team will reserve two spots on its 53-player active roster for return men -- will be given every opportunity to provide an upgrade. The Colts ensured as much when they chose not to retain last year's returners. Kick returner Chad Simpson was waived last month and punt returner T.J. Rushing was not offered a contract as a restricted free agent.

Coach Jim Caldwell hasn't been overly dissatisfied with the team's work on punt returns. In that area, ball security is paramount. "If we catch the ball and make certain that it doesn't hit the ground, if we don't gain an inch . . . we're still not in bad shape,'' he said. The problem has been on kickoff returns. "It's been lacking,'' Caldwell said. Simpson had a 93-yard touchdown last season at Jacksonville but still averaged a modest 23.6 yards per return. The Colts routinely rank in the lower third in the league in average drive start following a kickoff -- the 25.1-yard line in 2009, No. 22 in the league -- and improving that is an offseason priority. "It hasn't been quite as explosive as we'd like,'' Caldwell said, acknowledging that better blocking also is needed.

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In Javier Arenas’ absence, Dexter McCluster took most of the work as the punt returner but he had company in Jackie Bates and Ricky Price. But Bates dropped one of his chances while Price fought the ball on a couple of his tries. So Arenas and McCluster are the only serious candidates here and the Chiefs might wind up giving both some turns when the regular season begins.

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Power Monster said:

CB Nathan Vasher – Chicago (from San Diego)I think that you may have wanted this to be the other way around. Just an FYI...

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The Jaguars have returned only three punts and four kickoffs for touchdowns in their 15-year history. Five of those have come from two players: Reggie Barlow (two punts) and Maurice Jones-Drew (two kickoffs). Bobby Shaw is the only other player with a touchdown return, taking a punt back 69 yards for a touchdown against Philadelphia in 2002 - the last time a Jaguar has returned a punt for a TD. The latest to get a chance are sixth-round draft picks Deji Karim, a 5-foot-8, 209-pound running back, and Scotty McGee, a 5-8, 182-pound cornerback. "We had some good returns last year, but we thought we could be more aggressive and more confident going and catching the ball," special teams coordinator Russ Purnell said. "We were looking to bring a couple guys in that had those characteristics."

McGee returned three kickoffs and one punt for a touchdown at James Madison. His 30.5-yard kickoff return average was second in the Football Championship Subdivision last season, and he'll be given every chance to be the Jaguars' punt returner. McGee averaged only 5.4 yards on 18 punt returns last season, but averaged 12.9 yards on 23 returns in 2008. "When you start to develop a reputation as a younger player they start kicking the ball away from you, so he was better as a punt returner as a junior," Jaguars general manager Gene Smith said. "But we did a lot of work on him the last two years. We had our special-teams coaches work him out as a returner. We brought him in here for a visit. ... He's got home run ability. "He can do both. ... I think it's more difficult to do punt returns. I think that's the No. 1 courage position on the football field. When I look at the position, it takes a very confident, decisive individual to be a punt returner in the NFL."

Karim returned kickoffs only one season at Southern Illinois and averaged 30.9 yards on 14 returns and returned one for a touchdown. He also led FCS with 1,694 yards rushing, and his 20 total touchdowns were second in the FCS. "I'm excited about just the whole thing, to be able to come in here and help anywhere possible," Karim said. "I'm looking forward to doing whatever they ask me to do." Karim said the reason he has been successful is being decisive once he gets the ball. Hesitating means a poor return. "I like to get it and go," he said. "If there's one hole there, get out in the open and just hit it as hard as I can."

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