KR/PR Specialists (1 Viewer)

[Renegades of Funk]

Curious if anyone has a pulse on what drafted players are slated to return kicks and who will do the best job. Here are a couple that I see:

Devin Hester

Jeremy Bloom

Will Blackmon

Skylar Greeen

Domenik Hixon

 

[harrycarey]

I believe TJ Rushing DB Stanford could be the Colts return man

 

[3C's]

Willie Reid - Steelers. Speeed!

 

[Mike Herman]

The following have varied chances of varied roles on PRs and/or KRs:

Adam Jennings

DeAngelo Williams

Danieal Manning

Devin Hester

Skyler Green

Domenik Hixon

Greg Jennings

Cory Rodgers

Will Blackmon

T.J. Rushing

Maurice Drew

Willie Andrews

Reggie Bush

Sinorice Moss

Jeremy Bloom

Santonio Holmes

Willie Reid

Brandon Williams

Michael Robinson

Marques Hagans

 

[NY/NJMFDIVER]

Moss's brother on the Giants.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

dont forget Danieal Manning, he could be better than Hester. I was really baffled when the Bears followed up the Manning pick (who could actually be an excellent CB too) with the Hester pick, who is just a novelty player in my eyes.

 

[EBF]

I believe TJ Rushing DB Stanford could be the Colts return man

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rushing was a great return man at Stanford. I have to think that's why the Colts traded to get him. He's not much of a cover guy, but he has blazing speed and good return skills.

 

[Sopranos]

Willie Reid - Steelers. Speeed!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dude can fly

 

[Mike Herman]

dont forget Danieal Manning, he could be better than Hester. I was really baffled when the Bears followed up the Manning pick (who could actually be an excellent CB too) with the Hester pick, who is just a novelty player in my eyes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Manning should handle kickoffs, while Hester would handle punts. I suspect it will be the wave of the near future that teams finally focus on special teams, and put the dull and repetitive offensive and defensive stuff on the back burner.

 

[Mike Herman]

Sixth-round draft pick Adam Jennings from Fresno State is an undersized wide receiver and an ace special teams player. Besides being adept and punt and kickoff returns, he’s a tough tackler. If he can stick as a fourth or fifth wide receiver, that would be a bonus.

As a side note, Prez/GM Rich McKay said Allen Rossum isn’t in trouble, but that might not quite be true. If Rossum doesn’t emerge as the fifth cornerback/nickel back, which could be hard with Webster/Williams/Hall/Chris Cash/Omare Lowe/Kevin Mathis in the mix, it might be hard justifying a roster spot for him if Jennings emerges as a capable return man.

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[jurb26]

dont forget Danieal Manning, he could be better than Hester. I was really baffled when the Bears followed up the Manning pick (who could actually be an excellent CB too) with the Hester pick, who is just a novelty player in my eyes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hester may be a novelty player right now. Odds are if he had stayed in school though, he would have been a 1st round pick next year. The guy can flat out fly up and down the field and is more explosive than anyone in this class not named Bush (possibly Drew). The guy is raw as all heck, but that shouldn't matter on returns.

 

[Ruffrodys05]

Jeremy Bloom in Philly will be used as a KR/PR. I love his speed. Hasn't played in two years but I don't think that will be a factor. I'm hoping this kid turns out to be the steal of the draft for the Iggles (first two picks are gems already.) I'm not advocating drafting Bloom in a fantasy league unless he actually gets in some WR time and you're league is huge. He will make the Eagles D more valuable though & so I could see them being much more productive this year in the return area. I think Bloom could have the best stats out of this whole bunch at years end.

 

[Mike Herman]

Could be a new guy in Seattle

Seattle didn't get a kickoff and punt returner in the draft or free agency. The fact it will give seventh-round choice WR Ben Obomano a chance to do those jobs beginning this weekend - even though Obomano never did them at Auburn - shows Seattle isn't thrilled with incumbents Jimmy Williams or Peter Warrick returning kicks again.

linkOr could be a new version of an "old" guy

There was one Seahawk who was here last year, but who looks almost like a different man: Peter Warrick. Warrick came over at the start of last season, and now admits that his injured knee had limited him as both a receiver and returner. Saturday, Warrick moved with quickness and confidence, clearly comfortable with the system and the health of his legs. In the morning practice, against close coverage, he made a twisting, over-the-shoulder sideline catch with one hand. It was a spectacular grab. If he can contribute in both capacities this season, his resurgence could be a huge factor in the team’s success.

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[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

For a 2nd round pick, Hester better be returning kicks, punts and any ill-addressed mail received at Halas Hall.

 

[Mike Herman]

Brandon Williams, 49ers

"I'd like to think this guy can come in and be our starting returner," Mike Nolan said. "You're in a better position when you've had a guy that's done it before." Williams finished his career as the Badgers' all-time leading receiver with 202 catches and as a senior, he averaged 14.6 yards on 26 punt returns, including two that he returned for touchdowns. The 49ers struggled in the return game last year with inexperienced Rasheed Marshall, a former quarterback who endured a rocky transition to return man. He averaged 5.1 yards on 17 punt returns and made an ill-advised attempt to catch a fourth-quarter punt amid howling winds, leading to a fumble that helped Chicago secure a 19-7 victory last November.

linkJerome Harrison, Cleveland?

"He's a terrific candidate to be a changeup, third-down style of back," Browns general manager Phil Savage said. "We're impressed not only with his production, but the personality and the demeanor he brings to the game." Savage said the Browns will also use Harrison as a punt and kickoff returner. Harrison is ready to play in any capacity, saying, "I won't be surprised if I win rookie of the year."

He thinks a lack of wins and media attention in Pullman hurt his draft status. Savage said Harrison's 5-foot-9, 202-pound size worked against him, as did the number of quality backs in the draft. Harrison tries to be philosophical, but there's disappointment in his voice. "Maybe God knew I wasn't ready to handle millions of dollars yet," he said. "But I'll find a way to get a whole bunch of 'em."

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[Mike Herman]

Willie Andrews, New England

earned first-team All-Big 12 honors from the league's coaches in 2005 as a defensive back to become the first two-time, first-team All-Big 12 player in school history (he was tabbed as a return specialist in 2004 after leading the Big 12 in kickoff returns at 24.7 ypr). He finished his four-year Baylor career with 2,654 all-purpose yards (2,596 kick return, 51 interception return and 7 rushing), good for eighth-place on the school's all-time list. Andrews became the first player in school history to crack the school's all-time all-purpose list with fewer than 10 total or rushing yards. He owns Baylor career records for total kick returns (164), total kick return yards (2,596), kickoff returns (67), kickoff return yards (1,647), and punt return yards (949), while ranking No. 2 in punt returns (97), No. 4 in yards per kickoff return (24.58 ypr) and No. 5 in yards per punt return (9.78 ypr). All-told, Andrews averaged 15.82 yards per kick return (24.58 on kickoffs and 9.78 on punts) over his career, but did not have a touchdown return. Forty-two (31 kickoff, 10 punt and one interception) of his career returns went for 25-plus yards.

linkSkyler Green, Dallas

Shortly before the Cowboys drafted Skyler Green, they called him with the good news. Skyler stumbled, calling Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones “Coach Jones.” Cowboys coach Bill Parcells sounded a bit awkward when he told Green, “We got a couple of your homies down there ...” before he got to his point and asked, “You ready to return kicks?”

Aside from the offense receiving the obvious shot of Terrell Owens, it is the special teams that underwent the most radical makeover this off-season. The Cowboys not only paid real money for a kicker, but they spent a fourth-round draft pick for a punt and kick returner to upgrade their special teams.

First thing on the to-do list, however, before Green returns a single kick for the Cowboys: Drop the excess baggage. “You’re a fat boy,” Parcells told Green. Only in the NFL is 5-foot-9 and 198 pounds of mostly muscle considered fat. Parcells told Green to turn the 198 to 189. “He’s too fat,” Parcells said. Immediately after LSU’s season ended, Green worked out both in the weight room and at the dinner table. “I’ll be on a diet after this weekend,” Green said. “I haven’t been eating the right things. A lot of fried food. I’m from the South, so I like red meat.”

Assuming Green sheds those unwanted pounds, it is assumed he will be returning kicks and punts for the Cowboys next season. After one season with Patrick Crayton returning punts and Tyson Thompson kicks with only middling success, the Cowboys didn’t spend their first pick of the second day of the draft on a fourth-string receiver. The last time Parcells selected a player almost specifically to return kicks was Dave Meggett.

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[Mike Herman]

Green Bay minicamp update

Rookies Corey Rodgers, Will Blackmon and Greg Jennings joined Charles Woodson as punt-return candidates. Rodgers, anointed on draft day by special teams coordinator Mike Stock as the man to beat, dropped too many balls the first two practices but looked better the final two workouts. "I'm excited about (Woodson) as a punt returner, he's very natural back there. Him and Jennings both," McCarthy said. "You can never have too many good returners, so that's obviously an opportunity to get (Woodson) the football because he is an exciting player with the ball in his hands."

linkSan Francisco minicamp update

One young guy who’s job really, really looks in jeopardy, and it’s only May: Rasheed Marshall. Marshall was the daily recipient of Jerry Sullivan tongue-lashings after dropping passes and running ambiguous routes. And, on the first punt to come his way in minicamp, Marshall dropped it.

Rookie Brandon Williams caught his. Williams, in fact, looks like the real deal in the return game. His hands stick to the football, he has this effective way of making basket catches of somersaulting punts, and he’s already into his first step down the field as the ball gets tucked away.

The 49ers have Arnaz Battle back there fielding punts, too, just in case.

linkSeattle minicamp update

Seventh-round draft choice Ben Obomanu was working with veterans Josh Scobey, Marquis Weeks and former Oregon Duck Keenan Howry as kickoff returners. Obomanu said he never returned kicks in a game at Auburn, but special teams coach Bob Casullo said Obomanu has a chance to win the job. Holmgren called the returner competition "interesting." Peter Warrick, who re-signed after replacing Jimmy Williams as the punt returner for last season's NFC championship and Super Bowl, appears likely to keep that job.

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[Mike Herman]

"He has pretty good skill catching punts and kickoffs, I can see that. Whoever was coaching him at LSU in that regard, I would look to as someone who knew what they were doing because he had a lot of good information. I asked him what we knew and he said this is what I know about this and a lot of it was good."

- Bill Parcells regarding Skyler Green

 

[Bri]

"He has pretty good skill catching punts and kickoffs, I can see that. Whoever was coaching him at LSU in that regard, I would look to as someone who knew what they were doing because he had a lot of good information. I asked him what we knew and he said this is what I know about this and a lot of it was good."

- Bill Parcells regarding Skyler Green

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just after that he said he's going to have to show that he can make a few plays at WR.I took the above quote Mike posted as a real good sign for Green. I hope he's an OK WR

 

[Sexican]

For a 2nd round pick, Hester better be returning kicks, punts and any ill-addressed mail received at Halas Hall.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think the latter will be too difficult for "Pookie".

 

[BigRed]

Supposedly the guy the Colts got in the 7th is a good one (TJ Rushing I think).

 

[Mike Herman]

Philadelphia news

Sorry, Jeremy Bloom fans, but Reno Mahe remains the front-runner for starting punt returner. "Reno's earned it," Harbaugh said. "He was the leading punt return man in the league last year, so he's our punt returner, and I think there's some great competition for the job right now."

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Reno Mahe faces competition for the punt-return job even though he led the league last year with a 12.8-yard average. Special-teams coach John Harbaugh is looking at cornerback Dexter Wynn, who averaged 5.0 yards returning punts last year, along with rookies J.J. Outlaw (Villanova) and Jeremy Bloom, and veteran J.R. Reed. "We are just trying to work on the fundamentals of catching the ball," Harbaugh said.

Reed continued to practice despite a sore hamstring in his stunning comeback from nerve damage to his left leg. "I don’t think we’re going to know until we suit up and he has to change direction and hit people," Harbaugh said. "But he looks good to me. I think he is fine as far as changing direction and speed."

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Special teams coordinator John Harbaugh said Reno Mahe and Bruce Perry are the first-team punt and kick returners, respectively. Last year, Rod Hood was the first-team kick returner, but Hood is the Eagles’ third corner, so they would like to reduce his workload, especially considering that starting corners Lito Sheppard (leg) and Sheldon Brown (shoulder) are recovering from injuries.

Hood was pressed into duty because safety J.R. Reed missed last season with nerve damage in his leg suffered during the off-season. Reed, who is also battling a slight hamstring injury, is participating in this camp, but whether he can play this season remains to be seen. “I don’t think we are going to know until we suit up and he has to change direction and hit people. But, he looks good to me,” said Harbaugh, who didn’t expect Reed to play again. “Honestly, ‘hope’ was the best. I didn’t think he would be back – just because of the nature of the injury. I hope for his sake as much as our sake that he comes back. It’s a great story. He loves football.”

The Eagles hope rookie receiver and Olympic skier Jeremy Bloom, a fifth-round pick, boosts the return game. Bloom is returning to football after spending the last two years focusing on freestyle skiing. “His change of direction and burst is being redeveloped. He has to get that back. I guess when you are in those [ski] boots – it’s like being in a cast,” Harbaugh said. “To me it’s exciting, because he runs a 4.49 [forty] coming right out of skis, and you can see he does not have the ankle flexibility. Three months from now, when our trainers and weight coaches get through with him, I think he is going to be really exciting. What you see with him right now is just a shadow.”

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[Mike Herman]

New England news

So while the 5-foot-10, 193-pound Willie Andrews was drafted as a defensive back, the real reason the Patriots took a chance was due to his prowess in the return game. “Well he’s done it,” coach Bill Belichick said. “He’s returned collegiately. We have a number of guys on our roster that have returned either punts or kickoffs and we’ll certainly take a look at them in those spots. Whether they’re better or not as good as people we have or other players that do that role, we’ll have to see.” The Patriots currently have very few veteran players, capable or not, in either role. Tim Dwight, who is now with the Jets, handled 32 of New England’s 40 punts last year. Bethel Johnson was the primary kick returner. Enough said.

Andrews may have returned more balls than anyone in college football the last three seasons — although, remarkably, not one for a touchdown. He brought back 97 punts at an average of 9.8 yards and 67 kickoffs at an average of 24.5 yards. For now, Andrews is smart enough to realize one has to show the Belichick Brass he can catch the ball before he can run. It sounds simple enough, but some of the rookies have already been pushed aside because of their inability to do just that. “You can’t get up the field unless you have the ball,” said Andrews, a Texan who was an all-state selection in high school. “I’m showing them I’m going to get to the ball, I’m going to catch it. That’s my first priority and then I’ll go from there.” Andrews has been clocked over 40 yards in 4.51 seconds and claims to be sure-handed because Baylor had a left-footed kicker and a right-footed punter. That allowed him the unique opportunity to practice catching balls with the spin coming both ways.

In the end he went to the Patriots, who wasted little time informing their last pick what his first priority should be. “When Belichick first called when he was drafting me, he told me, ‘Make the team on special teams then work your way to the defense,’” Andrews recalled. Then Andrews, too new still to realize the CIA level of secrecy that engulfs the Patriots organization, revealed the type of information that might topple Western Civilization. “Everybody that’s running around (this weekend) is going to look to play special teams, even (No. 1 pick Laurence Maroney),” Andrews said. “He’s going to be on special teams so I know I have to be on special teams.” So it would seem Maroney will get a shot at returning kicks and Andrews, with many others, will see some punted balls. He has a professional attitude, soon we’ll see if he has professional talent.

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[Mike Herman]

Miami

One writer's opinion:

Although the Miami Dolphins already have a great No. 3 receiver/return specialist in West Welker, the younger Vick could have the upper hand on several fronts. First off, Marcus Vick is flat out faster than Welker, which means that he could turn those 20+ returns that Welker is so good at, into electrifying touchdown jaunts. Also, as a slot receiver, Vick becomes a legitimate threat to run option-style trick plays where he can choose to pass if the opportunity arises (Welker could do that too, but he doesn’t have Vick’s throwing arm).

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[Donnybrook]

Found this on JS-onlne.

Draft Preview: SpecialistsHester seen as top kick returnerPosted: April 28, 2006On the Packers Bob McGinnGreen Bay - This is a terrific draft for kick returners, the best in years according to one grizzled special-teams coach in the National Football League.To be ranked No. 1, Miami's Devin Hester has to be good.And he is."This guy is freakish; he's Deion Sanders freakish," one AFC special-teams coach said. "He's as dangerous as they come and tougher than (expletive). (Maurice) Drew isn't even close to this guy athletically, and I like Drew."A Journal Sentinel poll of seven special-teams coaches and personnel men showed Hester with 2½ votes as the top return specialist. Drew, the UCLA running back, was next with two.Wide receiver Sinorice Moss almost never returned kicks at Miami because of the presence of Hester but drew one vote, as did Wisconsin wide receiver Brandon Williams. The other half-vote went to wide receiver Skyler Green of Louisiana State.Growing up in Riviera Beach, Fla., Hester admitted that he patterned his game after Sanders'. Nicknamed "Any Time" by one media outlet, Hester hoped to make plays from any number of positions but ended up failing as a cornerback, wide receiver and running back."They made a tape of every play he was in on for three years," Tennessee Titans director of player personnel Rich Snead said. "You come away with nothing. You see some athletic ability but there's nothing close to being any technique."One special-teams coach suggested that Hester could serve as a team's fifth or sixth running back, a la Michael Bates or Mel Gray from out of the past, and be featured on a few specialized plays each week.The problem, according to several scouts, is Hester's ability to learn. Although he scored 18 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test, he is deficient in this area."When you talk to this kid, he struggles," an NFC personnel director said. "Don't worry about the Wonderlic. He struggles with who he is. I really question his self-confidence when things go bad. The game might be too big for him."Sometimes Hester tries too hard as well, which has led to his share of fumbles and poor decisions."He scares the (expletive) out of both coaches: his own and the opponent," Minnesota scout Jerry Reichow said. "He's one of these pitter-patter guys. He might break it. But he also might catch the ball on the 2-yard line."...

Also Minnesota signed UNDFA RJ Cobbs to a 3 year contract. He is a Hester type player, a former RB/WR/CB at UMass.

 

[Mike Herman]

Chicago news

Although the Bears signed cornerback Ricky Williams on Tuesday, it’s his talent as a returner that interested the team. The undrafted free agent out of Bethune Cookman has an uphill battle to make the team. Williams participated in Chicago’s rookie mini-camp from May 5-7 on a tryout basis. The five-foot-10, 190-pounder is an All-American return specialist who averaged 31.4 yards on 21 kick returns, with a pair for scores. He averaged 23.9 yards on 18 kick returns as a junior. Even though he’s listed as a cornerback, he only occasionally saw the field in defensive situations.

In an attempt to shorten the field, the Bears invested both of their second rounds picks on return specialists. Danieal Manning and Devin Hester had great numbers as returners in college and are expected to compete for the kick and punt return duties in training camp. CB Dion Byrum signed with the team as an undrafted free agent and also has the ability to handle both kicks and punts. Receivers Bernard Berrian and Rashied Davis will challenge the group of rookie returners. The Bears will host their first full team mini-camp June 2-4 at Halas Hall.

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[Mike Herman]

Green Bay news

McCarthy said rookie wide receiver/kick returner Cory Rodgers, who was arrested last week on weapons charges after a bar fight in Fort Worth, Texas, will attend the OTAs. "I had a long visit with him (Tuesday)," McCarthy said. Rodgers, a fourth-round pick from TCU, faces misdemeanor charges of unlawfully carrying a firearm and unlawfully discharging a firearm.

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[Mike Herman]

Indianapolis news

they lacked a veteran presence, especially at the punt returner spot with the departure of Troy Walters to the Arizona Cardinals. So the Colts used the vacated spot to sign familiar veteran wide receiver and returns specialist Terrence Wilkins. The former Colt was last in the NFL during the Miami Dolphins 2004 training camp. Last year he returned punts and kickoffs for the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL. Wilkins is likely going to help bring some experience and tutoring ability to a group of young players who are trying to land the punt and/or kickoff returns specialist role in Indianapolis this season. That group includes Dan Sheldon, who was on the Cardinals practice squad last season. Three rookies are also going to try to stake a claim to those jobs, including 7th-round draft pick T.J. Rushing out of Stanford, Gerran Walker out of Lehigh University, and Ashlan Davis out of Tulsa.

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[P Boy]

Wow. Mike Herman = return guru!

That's some really good info, and especially helpful for leagues that reward individual return yards in addition to other more conventional stats.



BTW - wait 'til you all get a load of Bloom. He's a scawny looking white midget in a football uniform, but man has he got jets to burn, and he's a much tougher tackle than he looks (leg strength is incredible). He's a treat to watch & he's just damn likable.

 

[ManODaHour]

Also Minnesota signed UNDFA RJ Cobbs to a 3 year contract. He is a Hester type player, a former RB/WR/CB at UMass.

They also signed UDFA CB (and part time WR) Charles Gordon from Kansas. I think he has an outside chance of seeing sometime on return duties if (when) Mewelde Moore gets injured. Gordon was an electric return man for the Jayhawks.

What turned people off from Gordon during the draft was a subpar 40 time, but straight forward speed does not make a return man great. Got's to have vision and quickness. I'm sure the Vikes saw that when they were quick to sign him after the draft ended. Dude was a playmaker.

 

[Mike Herman]

Chicago news

The first hour Saturday at Halas Hall was spent on special teams. Bernard Berrian and rookie Devin Hester were the only two players to field punts. Rashied Davis joined them on kickoff returns. “Watching Devin in college (at Miami, Fla.), he was an exciting player,” Berrian said. “He’s going to do the same things here. A player with that type of ability isn’t going to slack off at another level.”

linkSan Francisco news

Wide receiver/returner Brandon Williams (5-9, 175) fielded punts in textbook fashion nearly every time. However, when the wind swirled late Saturday afternoon, Williams struggled -- just like everyone else -- catching kickoffs fired from a machine.

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[Mike Herman]

Philadelphia news

The training room has become his home away from home. Jeremy Bloom knew there was going to be a price to pay in his transition from freestyle skiing to football, knew there would be some bumps on the road back to the sport he always has loved best. "I think he's tweaked every muscle in his leg so far,'' Eagles special-teams coach John Harbaugh said yesterday, that familiar smirk on his face. "Groin, hamstring, quad, ankle and Achilles'... I'm hoping to keep the calf out of it.'' As Harbaugh spoke, Bloom was undergoing an MRI. Later, after it came back negative, he resumed his return to football from a forced 2-year exodus, running in a pool, getting treatment. Maybe in a couple of days, he may even run around on the field again. Catch a punt or two. "I knew coming into this thing that there was going to be a transitional period,'' said the Eagles' fifth-round pick. "To come here a week after the draft and to go through these minicamps, and the number of repetitions going full tilt... It's just a matter of breaking myself down and building it back up again.''

Type in jeremybloom.com and you will enter a Web site that Terrell Owens can only dream about. There's seven, count 'em, seven major apparel companies with links on his site. Watch the video of him churning down a hill on his way to World Cup gold. Watch a video of him churning through Colorado State for a touchdown on one of his five college plays of 75 yards or more. There is a striking similarity. "Visually, to be able to react instantly to things like ice underneath, lights, things coming at you 25, 40 miles an hour,'' Bloom said. "There's definitely a parallel there with returning a football. But that's the only crossover. Physically they are very different. Just in the muscles you use, it's different.'' He runs a 4.2 40-yard dash, and, at 5-9, has both the cuts and balance of a man trained to dart in the straightest line possible between icy mounds of snow - tossing in a few jumps and flips for good measure.

"I'm in great physical shape,'' he said. "Just not in football shape yet.'' No big deal. Training camp is almost 2 months away. "He can be the starting returner,'' Harbaugh said. "Will he be is dependent on him. He's going to have to earn the job. He's going to have to be ready to be our guy.''

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[Mike Herman]

San Diego minicamp news

Darren Sproles: Again the darling of the offseason. The 5-foot-6 Sproles wows spectators and even teammates with his moves in noncontact drills. He does appear more sure of himself than he was his rookie season, and it is not difficult to see him having a breakout year as a kick returner.

link

Pittsburgh thoughts, via the FBG News Blogger

Antwaan Randle El the receiver can be replaced, though he improved dramatically in four years and was integral to the team's playoff success (think of the touchdown catch at Indianapolis). Randle El the returner is another story, though the Steelers can't be accused of ignoring the issue of replacing him. They made an inspired move by drafting Florida State return man Willie Reid in the third round. All you need to know is that Reid broke Deion Sanders' single-season punt return record at Florida State.

Still, Randle El's just plain different when it comes to darting around in tight spaces. We're talking about the only player in college football history who passed for 6,000 yards and rushed for 3,000 -- and he didn't do it in a rinky-dink league (he played quarterback for Indiana in the Big Ten). Nobody in Steelers history -- not Louis Lipps or Rod Woodson -- had four punt-return touchdowns in his career. Randle El did. Last season, he was the only player in the NFL to return two for TDs. Simply put, he changed games (think of the win at Minnesota), giving the Steelers an advantage most teams didn't have.

Punt return average has been declining across the NFL, to the point where the league-wide average last season (8.10) was the lowest in nearly 30 years. That spurred a run on return men in this year's draft and was part of the reason the Redskins lavished Randle El with a seven-year, $31 million contract that included $11.5 million in bonuses.

The Steelers believe they got a steal in Reid, who was fourth in the country in punt return average (17.5) last year and tied for first in TDs (three). Watching him in the Orange Bowl was kind of like watching Randle El. Every time a ball was kicked in the air, you got the feeling it could be returned very quickly in the opposite direction. Reid busted one for an Orange Bowl-record 87 yards. You could say that, because of their well-fortified depth chart, the Steelers were positioned to make a "luxury pick" in the third round. I'd call it a necessity pick, even if first-rounder Santonio Holmes also could return punts. It'll be a bit unnerving with a rookie back there, but Reid, who says he has run the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds on a track, already has imagined taking one to the house at Heinz Field. "You have to picture in your head what you'll do before it happens," Reid said. "So, hopefully, I can bring one back for the Steeler crowd and have the crowd go crazy -- and they'll love me." He'll have to earn their love. Randle El sure did.

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[Mike Herman]

Carolina news

First-round draft pick DeAngelo Williams probably won't start at running back for the Carolina Panthers this season, but his coaches believe he could play a major role on special teams. The Panthers hope Williams shows enough in the preseason to warrant being named the team's primary kick returner and bolster a unit that finished 30th in the league in kickoff return average last season. "As long as DeAngelo's role puts him in a position where he can (return kickoffs) and he's not overwhelmed with the offense, it will be a good thing for us on special teams," said special teams coach Danny Crossman. In other words, as long as starting running back DeShaun Foster can stay healthy and Williams isn't needed to carry the ball 20 times per game, then the Panthers like the idea of having another big-play threat on special teams.

Steve Smith, one of the game's more exciting receivers, doubles as the team's punt returner. He was fourth in the league in punt returns last season. Smith has only returned only 14 kickoffs the past three seasons after returning 82 during his first two seasons in the league. Rod Smart, who has been released, averaged just 21.2 yards per kickoff return last season while Jamal Robertson didn't do much better, averaging 21.4 yards. It makes sense for the Panthers to turn to Williams. Robertson, whose longest return was 42 yards last season, is no lock to make the 53-man roster now that the Panthers have Williams.

The Panthers are also working out second-round draft pick Richard Marshall, a cornerback from Fresno State, and receiver Keary Colbert on kickoff returns. But clearly the Panthers want to see Williams play that position. They believe his ability to make quick, precise cuts on the run could help him elude tacklers and lead to great field position. The only problem is that neither Williams nor Marshall have returned many kickoffs. Williams returned only 13 kickoffs at Memphis. Marshall returned a handful of kickoffs last season, but hasn't done it full-time since his freshman season at Fresno State. "Both of those kids can run," Crossman said. "It's a matter of starting from scratch and training them. Having an opportunity to work with talented guys gives you a chance. We have some talented guys back there. Now we have to get them greased up."

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[bigreese82]

 

[Mike Herman]

More Eagles news

Even when training camp opens, though, assessing special teams is still difficult because there is no tackling of return men. John Harbaugh, the Eagles' special-teams coordinator, pays attention to how closely the players follow advice. He also looks at how good a player's feet are. And, surprisingly, he always checks a player's punching ability. "You know we punch bags and [look for] how well they can time a punch," he said. "All those little football techniques, things, we can see that."

One of the Eagles' big questions on special teams is whether fifth-round pick Jeremy Bloom can be an explosive punt returner the way he was during his two seasons at the University of Colorado. Bloom has been hampered in the minicamps by a hamstring injury and said he tweaked it slightly yesterday. The receiver said he expected to be ready by July 20, when rookies are due to report to training camp at Lehigh. "There is a lot you can learn about special teams now, but as a returner, it's tough to show really what you can do until you get in game situations," Bloom said. "You can show you can catch the ball and head toward the right lanes, but the true test is performing during game action."

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John Harbaugh said J.R. Reed continued to look impressive in his bid to return from a career-threatening leg and foot injury, but added that Bruce Perry has the inside track to remain the team's kickoff returner.

link"I have not noticed anything different from where he [J.R. Reed] was two years ago. He looks just as fast, just as quick. But in time, I'm sure he will be the first one to tell you that when he has to change direction to go make a tackle, return the kick and make a cut, or maybe run through a tackle, maybe coming off the hash, making a play on the sideline, that is probably where we will see it. But he looks good right now."

- special teams coach John Harbaugh

 

[Mike Herman]

New England minicamp news

Chad Jackson, Laurence Maroney, Bam Childress, Willie Andrews, Reche Caldwell, and John Stone have been practicing on kickoff returns.

Willie Andrews, Chad Jackson, Bam Childress, Vernell Brown, Reche Caldwell, Troy Brown and Kevin Faulk have been practicing on punt returns.

Seattle minicamp news

Bobby Engram, Peter Warrick and Kennan Howry have been practicing on punt returns.

 

[Mike Herman]

Miami speculation

Chris Chambers, Marty Booker and third-round draft pick Derek Hagan are virtual locks to make the roster. Wes Welker is valuable as a return man and slot receiver, but he could be pushed because Kelly Campbell, Frank Murphy and seventh-round pick Devin Aromashodu are capable returners, too.

linkNew England minicamp wrap-up

Willie Andrews was the cream of the crop at returning kicks. If the rookie can show some promise at defensive back during training camp, he could earn his way onto the team as a return specialist and backup cornerback. Andrews has great speed and it doesn’t take him long to find the crease and explode through it. Once he’s in the open field, Andrews in gone.

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[Mike Herman]

Green Bay news

The Packers' continued search for potential punt and kickoff returners will extend well into training camp, and special teams coordinator Mike Stock is fine with that.

Right now, rookie receivers Corey Rodgers and Greg Jennings are Stock's top candidates on punts, followed by cornerback Charles Woodson, who hasn't shown up for any OTAs. Stock said Robert Ferguson and Donald Driver are his "hole cards."

On kickoffs, Rodgers and Jennings are again the primary options, while Samkon Gado, Ahmad Carroll and Chaz Williams also are possibilities. Undrafted rookie Leo Bookman is intriguing, but Stock said two injured players - Najeh Davenport and cornerback Will Blackmon - could jump up if they can stay healthy. Blackmon suffered a foot injury at the end of the second minicamp in May, but is expected to be back for training camp.

Stock inherits return units that ranked 12th in punt return average (8.5 yards) and last in the 32-team league in kickoff return average (18.9 yards).

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[bigreese82]

 

[Mike Herman]

Q: What’s your take on WR Dante Hall, is he focusing more on the special teams side?

HERM EDWARDS: “No, he’s going to the get the ball in our offense, trust me. He’s not going to be just a punt returner. He’s too explosive; we need to get the ball in his hands. And we say that he’s too small, I don’t think he’s too small, I believe you just need to design plays for the guy, get him in space. If we get him in space in the secondary, he’s hard to tackle, so he can make big plays. Obviously we’d like teams to punt five or six times and maybe he can return three for sure and get some positive yardage. Then we need to get him the ball on offense three or four times a game. You need him to touch the ball because he’s a home run guy, and he can make guys miss. He understands that he’s going to be part of this offense.”

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[bigreese82]

Titans' News

(on Bobby Wade’s trouble handling punts last year in Chicago and if he will have a chance to return kicks with Titans)

I don’t have any difficulty with Bobby handling punts. Those 80 mph winds in the San Francisco game last year would give anybody problems. Bobby has shown out here that he can catch and we have worked on some minor changes at the ball and he certainly has run skills.

(on taking away some of the responsibility of Pacman Jones)

I don’t think when the season starts he will be handling both duties full-time. He is still going to return for us, but we want to really let him focus on the corner spot.

(on if that depends on how other guys do)

He showed last year that he can do both. It will most likely be one or the other. With Bobby’s (Wade) ability to handle the punts and his decision making process, if we started the season today, Pac would probably handle kickoffs and Bobby would handle punts, but there is a lot of time between now and then.

http://www.titansonline.com/news/newsmain_....php?PRKey=3837

 

[Mike Herman]

NY Giants

When team general manager Ernie Accorsi stole University of Miami receiver Sinorice Moss in the second round, he added much-needed speed and flash to the Giants' offense. Plus, in the Giants' minicamp last week, Moss got extensive work as both a kick and punt returner, where he will make an immediate impact on special teams.

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[Mike Herman]

Titans' News

(on Bobby Wade’s trouble handling punts last year in Chicago and if he will have a chance to return kicks with Titans)

I don’t have any difficulty with Bobby handling punts. Those 80 mph winds in the San Francisco game last year would give anybody problems. Bobby has shown out here that he can catch and we have worked on some minor changes at the ball and he certainly has run skills.

(on taking away some of the responsibility of Pacman Jones)

I don’t think when the season starts he will be handling both duties full-time. He is still going to return for us, but we want to really let him focus on the corner spot.

(on if that depends on how other guys do)

He showed last year that he can do both. It will most likely be one or the other. With Bobby’s (Wade) ability to handle the punts and his decision making process, if we started the season today, Pac would probably handle kickoffs and Bobby would handle punts, but there is a lot of time between now and then.

http://www.titansonline.com/news/newsmain_....php?PRKey=3837

"There were some tough times. My confidence isn't shaken at all. If anything it's a lot better. To have somebody back there who really wants to do it as opposed to a guy who has to do it is a big difference. Ups or downs, I want to be back there."- Bobby Wade

"It's easier to score touchdowns."

- Pacman Jones on why he'd prefer to return punts if he had the choice

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[Mike Herman]

Miami editorial

As I drove home from a Sunday afternoon out on the town, I picked up some local sports-talk chatter on one of the local AM radio stations. The topic of discussion? How the arrival of Marcus Vick will "thankfully" end the Wes Welker era in terms of returning kickoffs and punts for the Miami Dolphins.

Huh?

In recent days, I've noticed various comments posted on the site calling for Welker's ouster, but I chose to dismiss these claims because I thought that they represented the minority as opposed to the majority. However, now that some local radio personalities are echoing the sentiment I feel that its time to set the record straight. Wes Welker is one of the most solid and dependable returners in the league.

Yeah I said it. And the stat book agrees with me, especially when it comes to returning punts. Welker was ninth in the league in that category, returning 43 punts for 390 yards (9.1 yard average), finishing ahead of well-respected returners like Tim Dwight and Dante Hall. And while Welker was mediocre in terms of kick returns (20th in the league with 22.6 yard average) he proved to be, at worst, a serviceable option in that role. Also, remember that he broke a 95-yard touchdown jaunt back in 2004, so its not like Welker is incapable of making big plays in this role. However, what might be the most telling stat of all is the number of fumbles that he has lost. Although he did let the ball hit the turf five times in 2005, he lost just one of those. That's big when you consider the long list of butter fingers that the Miami Dolphins have fielded in recent years (remember Lamont Brightful?)

In the end, Marcus Vick might very well earn the starting spot in both roles, but in the meantime I have a suggestion for fans and local radio personalities. Lay off on the Wes bashing. Its uncalled for.

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[Mike Herman]

Carolina news

Not only is Panthers first-round pick DeAngelo Williams expected to return kickoffs for the Carolina Panthers this season, he actually volunteered to do it. Williams said he went to the Panthers coaching staff and told them he wanted to return kicks the way he did during his junior year at Memphis. The Panthers were more than receptive to the idea. They now expect Williams to do it. "I'm stoked about it," Williams said. "Can't wait to do it."

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[Bri]

NY Giants

When team general manager Ernie Accorsi stole University of Miami receiver Sinorice Moss in the second round, he added much-needed speed and flash to the Giants' offense. Plus, in the Giants' minicamp last week, Moss got extensive work as both a kick and punt returner, where he will make an immediate impact on special teams.

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Step 1 for him replacing Amani. G-men should have some real solid special teams with Tyree doing his Tasker impression, Feagles, Moss, and Feeley. Feeley was better than most expected esp if you blow off one game as a bad day.Mike who is the other KR? Taylor or Carter?

 

[Mike Herman]

NY Giants

When team general manager Ernie Accorsi stole University of Miami receiver Sinorice Moss in the second round, he added much-needed speed and flash to the Giants' offense. Plus, in the Giants' minicamp last week, Moss got extensive work as both a kick and punt returner, where he will make an immediate impact on special teams.

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Step 1 for him replacing Amani. G-men should have some real solid special teams with Tyree doing his Tasker impression, Feagles, Moss, and Feeley. Feeley was better than most expected esp if you blow off one game as a bad day.Mike who is the other KR? Taylor or Carter?

Kick Returners: Chad Morton; R.W. McQuarters; Sinorice Moss; Derrick Ward; Brandon Jacobs; Willie PonderPunt Returners: Chad Morton; R.W. McQuarters; Sinorice Moss; Amani Toomer; Curtis DeLoatch (The Giants webpage depth chart is also listing Corey Webster on punt returns)

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[bigreese82]

Mike, Do you have a top 5 KR and PR ranking for us?

 

[Mike Herman]

Green Bay news

Dacor “Cory” Rodgers, 23, reached an agreement with prosecutors Monday in which he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor gun-possession charge and received 15 months’ deferred adjudication probation. He was also ordered to pay a $500 fine. Deferred adjudication probation means that if Rodgers successfully completes his probation, the case will be dismissed and a conviction will not appear on his record.

As part of the deal, prosecutors agreed not to pursue a misdemeanor charge of firing a weapon. Rodgers will also not be required to report regularly to a probation officer, since he will be traveling with the Packers if he makes the team. In exchange for that accommodation, prosecutors said, Rodgers must return to Fort Worth after the football season and perform 80 hours of community service with at-risk youths. “He needed to be able to go ahead and do his job, which means traveling around the country with the Green Bay Packers,” said prosecutor Kurt Stallings, chief of the pre-trial services division of the Tarrant County district attorney’s office.

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The Packers need Cory Rodgers to not only make the team, but make an impact. While it’s asking a lot for Rodgers to step in at wide receiver, no matter how poor the position, the Packers desperately need him to improve a return game that has been a big-time weakness since Allen Rossum left a few years ago. Antonio Chatman gave the Packers a set of good hands, but he didn’t provide many big swings in field position and momentum. Big plays in the return game will be particularly necessary this coming season given the weaknesses and questions surrounding the Packers’ offense. The Packers need as many “free” yards as they can get, and that’s something Chatman didn’t provide nearly often enough. In his three seasons in Green Bay, Chatman had just three kickoff returns of 40 or more yards and seven punt returns of 20 or more yards. It’s a wonder he didn’t dislocate an arm, given his league-leading 63 fair catches the past three seasons.

Definitely more quick than fast, Rodgers comes with a stellar collegiate pedigree. In three seasons at TCU, he averaged 12.0 yards per punt return and 24.6 per kickoff return, including two touchdowns. He struggled catching the ball during the minicamps and organized team activities, but perhaps that will improve now that he can focus on football instead of his legal woes. It had better.

He’s far from guaranteed a roster spot, despite his draft status. Look for the Packers to keep six wide receivers. One will be Donald Driver and another will be second-round pick Greg Jennings. Perennial underachiever Robert Ferguson probably has a job, too, given the Packers have nobody else with experience. Veterans Marc Boerigter and Rod Gardner certainly will account for one, if not two spots. That leaves little room for Rodgers if he isn’t delivering as a returner. To be polite, he’s a project as a wide receiver, and he’s facing a cavalcade of young, raw-as-frozen-steak prospects, one of whom could rise up and steal a roster spot.

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