KR/PR Specialists (1 Viewer)

[Mike Herman]

Denver minicamp news

Darrent Williams is almost certainly the Broncos' best punt returner and, perhaps, the team's top option to run back kickoffs. He also happens to be a starting cornerback, whose value defensively was demonstrated when he missed the final month of the 2005 season because of a right groin injury. Whether he should coexist in both realms in 2006 will be one of the key questions to be answered when the Broncos report to training camp July 27. "If he ends up being the best returner, it'd be great to have him back there, but that's obviously a (coaching) decision, whether or not you want to risk one of your starting corners over there," Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist said, referring not only to coach Mike Shanahan but defensive assistants Larry Coyer and Bob Slowik. "But Darrent's certainly got the talent to do that."

During the Broncos' minicamp last week, only Williams and receiver Charlie Adams were back to receive the ball during punt-protection drills. Several other players figure to at least get practice repetitions to sort out the situation. Rod Smith and Champ Bailey have the requisite skill set but, like Williams, are starters. Receiver David Terrell is inexperienced fielding punts but, special-teams coach Ronnie Bradford said, "has shown a real knack," thus making him a candidate. Rookies Brandon Marshall and Domenik Hixon, who has missed most of the team's organized offseason practices because of a left foot problem, also figure to get looks.

Bradford maintained he has no marching orders from Shanahan to find an option other than Williams. "Absolutely none," he said. "I mean, Jake Plummer's my starting holder. It's one of those things where (Shanahan) says, if it's going to make us successful, let's go with it." Still, Bradford conceded, there must be a balance so Williams doesn't get worn out. It could lead to a scenario in which the cornerback gets his wish on punts but is held off the kickoff return team. As Bradford noted, kickoffs are "one of those things where we have more guys that can catch the ball end over end than catching spirals out of the sky."

The Broncos were sure-handed in that situation last season but never got much explosiveness once the ball was fielded. They averaged only 20.7 yards per kickoff return, better than only seven teams, and their resulting average starting point per drive was the 25 1/2-yard line, which ranked in a tie for 28th with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Only six of 47 returns netted 30 yards or better, with Williams responsible for four on 18 attempts. Cornerback Roc Alexander and Adams also handled the role and will get auditions again in camp, with running backs Cedric Cobbs, Mike Bell and Ron Dayne likely joining that group.

The dark-horse option to possibly protect Williams is Hixon. A fourth- round pick out of the University of Akron, Hixon was one of five college players to score on a kickoff and punt return two years ago. His 705 kick-return yards last season were third-most in Division I-A. He's expected to be full speed once training camp opens. "As far as explosiveness and speed goes, he certainly has the tools to do that," Sundquist said of Hixon's abilities as a returner. "Whether or not he can transfer that remains to be seen."

link

 

[Mike Herman]

Philadelphia news

An MRI exam taken Thursday revealed that Eagles rookie wide receiver Jeremy Bloom has a torn hamstring. Bloom, a fifth-round draft pick, is the most seriously injured of the three players the Eagles have placed on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. He said he was unable to comment about the specifics of the injury because of team policy, but Bloom explained the chronology of the problem. "I did it in the first minicamp, and then I came back and did it again," Bloom said. "I thought it was just a matter of getting into football shape, but when it happened again in Arizona, I knew something wasn't right." It happened again earlier this month while Bloom was working out with quarterback Donovan McNabb in Phoenix.

This is the first time Bloom has played football since his 2003 season at the University of Colorado. The NCAA banned him from playing football after his sophomore year because he received endorsement money to help sponsor his participation on the U.S. ski team. Bloom, 24, competed in the Olympics in February, then turned his focus to football, attending the scouting combine in Indianapolis before the Olympics had concluded. "I probably didn't have enough transition time coming right from the Olympics and going to the combine," Bloom said. "You use totally different muscles when you're running than when you're skiing. But this is just a bump in the road."

If Bloom remains on the PUP list at the start of this season, he will not be eligible to rejoin the team until after the ninth week of the season. It's possible he could end up on injured reserve and be out for the season.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

PHILADELPHIA

Jeremy Bloom is off the PUP list and practiced today

 

[Eraser]

Michael Pittman to Return Kick-Offs in Tampa!

LINK

 

[Toads]

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

1.) Dante Hall2.) Good Luck

It's so up in the air at this time of year . It's not of how much but more a matter of who.

In Leagues where PR/KO yardage are scored generously, figuring out who does both and has a "real lineup roll" nets big dividends.

Example is Terrence McGee BUF-CB who's a top of the line DB, also returns KO's. If his roll goes South as a KO returner, he's a middle of the pack type of guy. Example next is Wes Welker WR-MIA who managed 30 some odd catches as a #3 WR and returned both PN's and KO's in '05. If he's no longer the #3 WR, and just a returner, he has no value. If he retains his #3 roll, he's golden.

Same with Justin Miller, NYJ-CB who's penciled in as a weak starter at CB and is the the probable KO returner. If he starts at CB, he'll be targeted often, resulting in 70 solos + 20 assists....that McGee country. If he also returns KO's he's a top flight CB in KO returner leagues.

The key is finding out if he'll continue to return KO's....he's the best in the league in '05....or if Tim Dwight will surface as the punt returner and cut into Miller's KO return opportunities.

So....it's too early to nail down a lot of the KR/PR rolls. When it comes down to cut time, the big question is where will the information be when it's developed?

Where will this information appear when we need it? The key is to find a real roster contributor that functions in both rolls, as a KO and PN returner.

 

[Mike Herman]

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

1.) Dante Hall2.) Good Luck

It's so up in the air at this time of year . It's not of how much but more a matter of who.

In Leagues where PR/KO yardage are scored generously, figuring out who does both and has a "real lineup roll" nets big dividends.

Example is Terrence McGee BUF-CB who's a top of the line DB, also returns KO's. If his roll goes South as a KO returner, he's a middle of the pack type of guy. Example next is Wes Welker WR-MIA who managed 30 some odd catches as a #3 WR and returned both PN's and KO's in '05. If he's no longer the #3 WR, and just a returner, he has no value. If he retains his #3 roll, he's golden.

Same with Justin Miller, NYJ-CB who's penciled in as a weak starter at CB and is the the probable KO returner. If he starts at CB, he'll be targeted often, resulting in 70 solos + 20 assists....that McGee country. If he also returns KO's he's a top flight CB in KO returner leagues.

The key is finding out if he'll continue to return KO's....he's the best in the league in '05....or if Tim Dwight will surface as the punt returner and cut into Miller's KO return opportunities.

So....it's too early to nail down a lot of the KR/PR rolls. When it comes down to cut time, the big question is where will the information be when it's developed?

Where will this information appear when we need it? The key is to find a real roster contributor that functions in both rolls, as a KO and PN returner.

Check the weekly FBG Camp Updates for the latest on who the leading candidates are for KR and PR duties.

 

[Toads]

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

1.) Dante Hall2.) Good Luck

It's so up in the air at this time of year . It's not of how much but more a matter of who.

In Leagues where PR/KO yardage are scored generously, figuring out who does both and has a "real lineup roll" nets big dividends.

Example is Terrence McGee BUF-CB who's a top of the line DB, also returns KO's. If his roll goes South as a KO returner, he's a middle of the pack type of guy. Example next is Wes Welker WR-MIA who managed 30 some odd catches as a #3 WR and returned both PN's and KO's in '05. If he's no longer the #3 WR, and just a returner, he has no value. If he retains his #3 roll, he's golden.

Same with Justin Miller, NYJ-CB who's penciled in as a weak starter at CB and is the the probable KO returner. If he starts at CB, he'll be targeted often, resulting in 70 solos + 20 assists....that McGee country. If he also returns KO's he's a top flight CB in KO returner leagues.

The key is finding out if he'll continue to return KO's....he's the best in the league in '05....or if Tim Dwight will surface as the punt returner and cut into Miller's KO return opportunities.

So....it's too early to nail down a lot of the KR/PR rolls. When it comes down to cut time, the big question is where will the information be when it's developed?

Where will this information appear when we need it? The key is to find a real roster contributor that functions in both rolls, as a KO and PN returner.

Check the weekly FBG Camp Updates for the latest on who the leading candidates are for KR and PR duties.

OK, I'll do that.What part of the site do I go to to find the FBG Weekly Camp Updates, say starting with last weeks Weekly Camp Updates? I'm assuming that they come out the Monday following the week in question?

Is it a point of discussion for the FBG's staff to compile this information into a topic thread that's devoted to the subject so that you don't have to go to 32 camps to find out the best PN/KO returner options?

 

[Mike Herman]

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

So....it's too early to nail down a lot of the KR/PR rolls. When it comes down to cut time, the big question is where will the information be when it's developed? Where will this information appear when we need it? The key is to find a real roster contributor that functions in both rolls, as a KO and PN returner.

Check the weekly FBG Camp Updates for the latest on who the leading candidates are for KR and PR duties.

OK, I'll do that.What part of the site do I go to to find the FBG Weekly Camp Updates, say starting with last weeks Weekly Camp Updates? I'm assuming that they come out the Monday following the week in question?

Is it a point of discussion for the FBG's staff to compile this information into a topic thread that's devoted to the subject so that you don't have to go to 32 camps to find out the best PN/KO returner options?

Here's the LINK to last weeks. This week's should hopefully be posted later today. There's nothing planned specifically on returners during the preseason, although I'll keep that request in mind if I get a little free time. There will be weekly Returner features during the regular season.

 

[wannabee]

Packers | C. Rodgers struggling to field punts

Published Fri Aug 11 11:22:00 a.m. ET 2006

(KFFL) Rob Demovsky, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers WR Cory Redding has been having trouble in practice fielding punts. With the poor job Redding has done so far in training camp, head coach Mike McCarthy is likely to name CB Charles Woodson his No. 1 punt returner unless Redding has a complete turnaround.

 

[dudaman]

Atlanta homers: Is DeAndrea Cobb going to return kicks this year? IIRC, that was going to be one of his main gigs last year, but that didn't come to fruition.

I see that the 8/2 camp update has him listed as a KR on the depth chart, but nothing in the ST notes.

Thanks.

 

[Eraser]

Atlanta homers: Is DeAndrea Cobb going to return kicks this year? IIRC, that was going to be one of his main gigs last year, but that didn't come to fruition.I see that the 8/2 camp update has him listed as a KR on the depth chart, but nothing in the ST notes.Thanks.

I heard Rossum was going to be handling KR duties....no link to back it up though!E

 

[Mike Herman]

Atlanta homers: Is DeAndrea Cobb going to return kicks this year? IIRC, that was going to be one of his main gigs last year, but that didn't come to fruition.I see that the 8/2 camp update has him listed as a KR on the depth chart, but nothing in the ST notes.Thanks.

I believe Cobb would be next in line if Allen Rossum doesn't make the final roster, and if rookie Jerious Norwood doesn't pan out on kickoffs.

 

[Mike Herman]

CHI Devin Hester has looked very good.

DAL Skyler Green looks like he could handle both kickoffs and punts this year.

GB After a very rough start (ball handling problems), Cory Rodgers is showing signs of life.

 

[Bobcat10]

Need to find another McGee this year.

 

[Bobcat10]

This list is just guys that will be key returners but also play roles (some major) on defense/offense. Not guys that are the best returners (or necessarily from the draft), although some of these guys are pretty good. Seems to me the best guys to bump up are the following:

Defense:

Terrence McGee - history with Buffalo and will at least be teams KR

Darrent Williams - good shot at main PR in Denver

Nate Clements - maybe PR with Buffalo, but he is high on DB lists as it is

PacMan Jones - probably main PR in Tenn

Devin Hester - long shot here to get value outside of PR/KR, but a guy to keep an eye on as he could play in all three phases of the game

DeAngelo Hall - more b/c he might see time on offense per Mora, although we also know he can return

Offense:

Reggie Bush - obviously could be even more valuable if he is PR or KR

Antwaan Randle El - should be #3 WR and PR in Washington

Wes Welker - if he can land the #3 or #4 WR in Miami, his value will be pretty good as he should be KR and PR

Tim Dwight - sorta same as Welker, but not as valuable imo

Dante Hall - should be PR and KR while seeing decent time on offense

Dennis Northcutt - starter until Braylon returns then #3 with lots of playing time, very solid PR, watch out for Cribbs though

Then you got a few guys like Betts, Pittman, Mew Moore, and Mike Turner who have some value, but if they become starters due to other player's injuries, it's questionable as to whether they would continue in their return roles.

I didn't read too much of this thread, so much of this could have been said.

Missing anything/anyone important?

 

[mektarus]

Does anyone have any updates on the return situation of their local teams?

 

[Mike Herman]

Does anyone have any updates on the return situation of their local teams?

Check the weekly FBG Camp Reports for updates on every team.http://subscribers.footballguys.com/2006/06campupdates.php

 

[Grandville]

Anyone have any insight as to Devery Henderson (New Orleans) possibly winning the job as the KR for the team? With Stallworth leaving he should start at WR and he has done some KR in the pre season. Bethel Johnson sprained his MCL on Aug. 26. We score points for return yards and if he is as fast as some are saying he might be good on the KR.

 

[tombonneau]

FYI, Lawrence Maroney could be returning kicks for the Pats. If/when he becomes the starter, he prob. won't, but until then expect him to get some time as KR.

 

[Mike Herman]

Anyone have any insight as to Devery Henderson (New Orleans) possibly winning the job as the KR for the team? With Stallworth leaving he should start at WR and he has done some KR in the pre season. Bethel Johnson sprained his MCL on Aug. 26. We score points for return yards and if he is as fast as some are saying he might be good on the KR.

RB Aaron Stecker is a more likely choice, once he returns from his ankle sprain injury. This also all assumes that WR Michael Lewis doesn't re-enter the picture.

 

[Grandville]

Anyone have any insight as to Devery Henderson (New Orleans) possibly winning the job as the KR for the team? With Stallworth leaving he should start at WR and he has done some KR in the pre season. Bethel Johnson sprained his MCL on Aug. 26. We score points for return yards and if he is as fast as some are saying he might be good on the KR.

RB Aaron Stecker is a more likely choice, once he returns from his ankle sprain injury. This also all assumes that WR Michael Lewis doesn't re-enter the picture.

Thanks Mike!I was hoping that it would be Henderson but I was afraid that Stecker would step in. What do you think are the chances that M. Lewis makes the team? I know that there was talk about "if" he makes the team earlier on this preseason. With Stallworth gone I think his chances have increased.

 

[Mike Herman]

Anyone have any insight as to Devery Henderson (New Orleans) possibly winning the job as the KR for the team? With Stallworth leaving he should start at WR and he has done some KR in the pre season. Bethel Johnson sprained his MCL on Aug. 26. We score points for return yards and if he is as fast as some are saying he might be good on the KR.

RB Aaron Stecker is a more likely choice, once he returns from his ankle sprain injury. This also all assumes that WR Michael Lewis doesn't re-enter the picture.

Thanks Mike!I was hoping that it would be Henderson but I was afraid that Stecker would step in. What do you think are the chances that M. Lewis makes the team? I know that there was talk about "if" he makes the team earlier on this preseason. With Stallworth gone I think his chances have increased.

Lewis' injury recovery seems to be going very slow. Any time HC Sean Payton discusses the topic, there is a pessimistic undercurrent to the requisite coachspeak. I don't think Lewis will be a factor this year.

 

[Mike Herman]

Rookie returnerguys recently placed on Injured reserve:

DEN - Domenik Hixon

PHI - Jeremy Bloom

 

[Mike Herman]

"I think he's a 12- to 15-carry guy, then five catches and a few punt returns. But I don't want to make him our every-down punt returner. I'd probably use him like Bill (Parcells) uses (Terence) Newman – when a team is backed up, punting from its own end zone and we've got a chance to catch it at the 50 and make something happen. Reggie is so explosive."

- HC Sean Payton on Reggie Bush

 

[Donnybrook]

Atlanta homers: Is DeAndrea Cobb going to return kicks this year? IIRC, that was going to be one of his main gigs last year, but that didn't come to fruition.I see that the 8/2 camp update has him listed as a KR on the depth chart, but nothing in the ST notes.Thanks.

I believe Cobb would be next in line if Allen Rossum doesn't make the final roster, and if rookie Jerious Norwood doesn't pan out on kickoffs.

Falcons | Cobb waived injuredTue, 29 Aug 2006 14:28:04 -0700AtlantaFalcons.com reports the Atlanta Falcons have waived/injured RB DeAndra Cobb.