Punt and Kickoff Returners 2009 (1 Viewer)

[whitem0nkey]

It would be nice if we could have that info used in the VBD Sheet.

 

[drew726]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=476614

 

[Mike Herman]

TIER RANKINGS

Revised grouping of the returners into tiers of relative value. It gives KR higher value over PR. It does not take offensive or defensive production into account. Still wide open competitions or likely return-by-committee situations are not ranked.

2. KR & PR

CB Chris Carr, Bal

CB Will Blackmon, GB

DB Brian Witherspoon, Jac

RB Stefan Logan, Pit (IF he continues to impress in preseason)

DB Allen Rossum, SF

WR Mark Jones, Ten

He continued last night

Some more Logan love in this article

 

[SSOG]

TIER RANKINGS

Revised grouping of the returners into tiers of relative value. It gives KR higher value over PR. It does not take offensive or defensive production into account. Still wide open competitions or likely return-by-committee situations are not ranked.

No DeSean Jackson. Oversight, or do you think he's not going to be returning this year?

 

[Alonso de Cordoba]

TIER RANKINGS

Revised grouping of the returners into tiers of relative value. It gives KR higher value over PR. It does not take offensive or defensive production into account. Still wide open competitions or likely return-by-committee situations are not ranked.

No DeSean Jackson. Oversight, or do you think he's not going to be returning this year?

I would be surprised if he does.

 

[egg413]

TIER RANKINGS

Revised grouping of the returners into tiers of relative value. It gives KR higher value over PR. It does not take offensive or defensive production into account. Still wide open competitions or likely return-by-committee situations are not ranked.

No DeSean Jackson. Oversight, or do you think he's not going to be returning this year?

Who do you think is returning kicks for the Giants? Should Dominik Hixon or Ahmad Bradshaw be on this list?

 

[captbly]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/...ws_up_at_r.html

"The most important part of a punt returner's job is catching the ball cleanly. If Williams doesn't start proving he can handle that part of it on a more consistent basis, the odds are good that we'll see Phillip Buchanon returning punts in New Orleans on Sept. 13."

Other musings from Saturday's game:

• Aveion Cason didn't return a single kick against the Colts. The Lions used several of their younger players to get a better evaluation on them.

 

[Eph]

Mark,

Is Jamaal Charles off the list?

I thought I read that he's still likely to get most of the KRs?

Eph

 

[detox]

 

[the spanker]

Mark,Is Jamaal Charles off the list?I thought I read that he's still likely to get most of the KRs?Eph

No as far as I know he's gonna get KR. He's on my waivers and I wanna pick him up so badly because my league adwards PR/KR. But I already have Leon, Sproles, Harvin, Ginn, and Cribbs. Who would I drop for him?

 

[Mike Herman]

Who do you think is returning kicks for the Giants? Should Dominik Hixon or Ahmad Bradshaw be on this list?

I didn't list any for now, presuming it will be more of a committee situation. Bradshaw and Danny Ware have both been lining up deep on kickoffs to start the last two games.

 

[yashi]

Charles returned the opening kick Saturday for 35 yards, which was easily the best return of the preseason for the Chiefs. But because Davard Darling has a torn ACL, Quinten Lawrence might make the 53 man roster and end up returning kicks since he was really drafted to be a return specialist.

It's definitely a situation to watch because Charles is definitely going to be the 3rd down back and should be more involved in the offense than last season.

 

[Knobs]

Did I really see Sheftler return a kickoff in the Broncos game last night? Wasn't paying a lot of attention so I could have had a temporary touch of the crazy.

 

[the spanker]

Charles returned the opening kick Saturday for 35 yards, which was easily the best return of the preseason for the Chiefs. But because Davard Darling has a torn ACL, Quinten Lawrence might make the 53 man roster and end up returning kicks since he was really drafted to be a return specialist.It's definitely a situation to watch because Charles is definitely going to be the 3rd down back and should be more involved in the offense than last season.

If you can, please keep us informed of that situation.

 

[Buffaloes]

Did I really see Sheftler return a kickoff in the Broncos game last night? Wasn't paying a lot of attention so I could have had a temporary touch of the crazy.

Peyton HillisETA: I think Sheffler returned the opening kick because he was one of the up-man at the 20 and the ball was kicked short to him.

 

[Eph]

You guys think Eddie Royal will get more PR chances like he did last night?

 

[Knobs]

That makes sense. Was about to move Scheffler to my mega utra uber sleeper list. Thanks Buffaloes.

 

[Mike Herman]

RELEASED

Dexter Jackson, TB

Ryne Robinson, Car

 

[Balance]

Sproles still slotted for returns in SD?

 

[mrspree15]

Charles returned the opening kick Saturday for 35 yards, which was easily the best return of the preseason for the Chiefs. But because Davard Darling has a torn ACL, Quinten Lawrence might make the 53 man roster and end up returning kicks since he was really drafted to be a return specialist.It's definitely a situation to watch because Charles is definitely going to be the 3rd down back and should be more involved in the offense than last season.

If you can, please keep us informed of that situation.

+1, any info on this would be great

 

[Grandville]

TIER RANKINGS

Here’s my first stab at grouping the returners into tiers of relative value, to get the discussion started. It gives KR higher value over PR. It does not take offensive or defensive production into account. Wide open competitions or likely return-by-committee situations are not ranked.

1. ELITE KR & PR...

Mike- Are there plans anytime soon for an update on this list?

I'm planning to put together a pre-season Returnerguys article next week.

Mike,When do you think you will be posting the return article that you talked about? My draft is Friday and am hoping you have the article ready before then. Thanks!

 

[JoeyJoeJoeJr]

Carolina Panthers:

Rookie Mike Goodson becomes the No. 1 kickoff returner and rookie Captain Munnerlyn the top punt returner.

Per this link

 

[footballnerd]

Draft is over, and I think it went well. Sure was strange seeing Draft Dominator ranking some of these guys so highly. I had to hold my draft finger on most of them, as I did not want to over-reach for guys that had high ADP's. The first guy I was targeting was Sproles, and I was planning to reach for him in Round 6. Unfortunately, some guy grabbed him about 7 picks before my turn. (Post draft, it was clear that he had done his homework on returners as well and had been targeting some of the same guys I was). In the end, I managed to grab the following return guys:Leon Washington (Rd 7)Tedd Ginn (Rd 8)Percy Harvin (Rd 11)Jerious Norwood (Rd 13)Josh Cribbs went undrafted, and I have a waiver wire request in trading my backup QB for him.BTW, my draft had 12 teams, going 16 rounds.Your thoughts on this question?I grabbed Ryan Grant in Round 4, and as I mentioned, Sproles went in Round 6. Would I be crazy to offer a trade of Grant for Sproles? Draft Dominator has them ranked so:Sproles: 134.8 pts (ADP 09.05)Grant: 105.6 pts (ADP 03.09)

How did you get your Draft Dominator to include return yardages? I ended up just tacking on 84 more points to Leon and Sproles FBG totals.In my league where we get 1pt/10yds punt and 1pt/25yds kick, Washington ended the 2008 season RB#9 (ahead of Brian Westbrook and Chris Johnson) and Sproles RB#13 (ahead of Gore and Barber). With the increased opportunities these guys are supposed to get at running back this year, I think they are in for a bigger year, especially Leon. You're getting great value if you can land them mid rounds while people are sleeping. I was planning on taking Leon in the 5th, but waited til the 7th, great value.Eddie Royal ended up WR#4, wonder where Harvin ends up, although his WR numbers wont be as impressive his KR/PR may bump him up a lot. Contemplating trading for him right now.

 

[SSOG]

How did you get your Draft Dominator to include return yardages? I ended up just tacking on 84 more points to Leon and Sproles FBG totals.

I just include return yardage in with receiving yardage. If punt return yardage is worth the same as receiving yardage, I just add the punt return yardage to the receiving yardage (i.e. if Devin Hester is predicted for 800 receiving and 300 on punt returns, I'll predict him for 1100 receiving). If kickoff return yardage is worth 25 per point, while receiving is 10 per point, then multiply projected kick return yardage by 2, then divide by 5, then add it to receiving yardage (i.e. if Cribbs is projected for 300 receiving and 1250 returning kickoffs, I'll predict him for 800 receiving).

 

[brownies19]

Thanks for posting the article for all subscribers! Great stuff!

 

[jpeace121]

Thanks for posting the article for all subscribers! Great stuff!

Agreed. Thanks Mike.Link for the lazy

 

[Mike Herman]

PITTSBURGH @ CAROLINA

That happened shortly after Stefan Logan made a claim for the return job, bringing back a punt 80 yards for a touchdown as the Steelers built a 14-0 lead....

The Panthers may be searching for a punt returner on the waiver wire this weekend. Kenny Moore, Captain Munnerlyn and Larry Beavers all fumbled. "Believe it or not we do practice catching punts," Panthers coach John Fox said.

link

 

[Kirby]

Any insight on who takes over for Mark Jones?

 

[brownies19]

Any insight on who takes over for Mark Jones?

Cornerbacks Ryan Mouton (16 ypr) and Jason McCourty (19.3 ypr) each returned 3 kicks this preseason. RB Javon Ringer (37.0 ypr) fielded two, including a 51 yard return. Last night, it was all Mark Jones, so who knows?

 

[Mike Herman]

Any insight on who takes over for Mark Jones?

Cornerbacks Ryan Mouton (16 ypr) and Jason McCourty (19.3 ypr) each returned 3 kicks this preseason. RB Javon Ringer (37.0 ypr) fielded two, including a 51 yard return. Last night, it was all Mark Jones, so who knows?

link

Releasing Mark Jones on Friday leaves the Tennessee Titans with few options to return kicks and punts even though coach Jeff Fisher insisted his returner is on his roster. Most of those options have no NFL experience outside the preseason. The Titans refused to comment when asked about any of the players cut Friday. But the only player known to still be on the roster as of Friday night who handled a punt return in the preseason was rookie cornerback Ryan Mouton, who is recovering from a high ankle sprain. Mouton also was among a group of rookies who handled kickoffs this preseason along with Jason McCourty and running back Javon Ringer. The All-American from Michigan State had the best average on his two kickoffs thanks to a 51-yarder he had. "We have returners," Fisher said. "I'm not concerned about that. We've got guys on the roster that can do it." Rookie receiver Kenny Britt was a backup punt returner at Rutgers, but he likely will start in the opener with Nate Washington recovering from an injured hamstring. All Pro cornerback Cortland Finnegan led the Ohio Valley Conference in punt return average while at Samford, but he's too valuable and the Titans' depth behind him too thin to risk him much.

 

[mrspree15]

Anybody know the story on the Bengals returners? Antonio Chatman was placed on IR. Is it Andre Caldwell as KR and Quan Cosby as PR?

 

[AB in DC]

OAKLAND

Oakland also released kick returner Justin Miller...

Miller set a franchise record with two kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2008 but struggled as a backup cornerback this preseason. His departure likely means rookie Nick Miller will handle the kick return chores.

N.Miller over Johnny Lee Higgins?

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Any insight on who takes over for Mark Jones?

Cornerbacks Ryan Mouton (16 ypr) and Jason McCourty (19.3 ypr) each returned 3 kicks this preseason. RB Javon Ringer (37.0 ypr) fielded two, including a 51 yard return. Last night, it was all Mark Jones, so who knows?

link

Releasing Mark Jones on Friday leaves the Tennessee Titans with few options to return kicks and punts even though coach Jeff Fisher insisted his returner is on his roster. Most of those options have no NFL experience outside the preseason. The Titans refused to comment when asked about any of the players cut Friday. But the only player known to still be on the roster as of Friday night who handled a punt return in the preseason was rookie cornerback Ryan Mouton, who is recovering from a high ankle sprain. Mouton also was among a group of rookies who handled kickoffs this preseason along with Jason McCourty and running back Javon Ringer. The All-American from Michigan State had the best average on his two kickoffs thanks to a 51-yarder he had. "We have returners," Fisher said. "I'm not concerned about that. We've got guys on the roster that can do it." Rookie receiver Kenny Britt was a backup punt returner at Rutgers, but he likely will start in the opener with Nate Washington recovering from an injured hamstring. All Pro cornerback Cortland Finnegan led the Ohio Valley Conference in punt return average while at Samford, but he's too valuable and the Titans' depth behind him too thin to risk him much.

Crazy off-seaon/pre-season for the Titans return game. Anyone else suprised they would enter the regular season with that much uncertainty? Jones returned every opportunity in the final pre-season game, isn't it a little odd that they wouldn't give anyone else some returns back there if they knew Jones was a likely cut?

 

[captbly]

Looks like the Detroit Lions might have just picked up their KR/PR guy

John Niyo, of The Detroit news, reports the Detroit Lions have claimed free-agent WR Yamon Figurs (Ravens) off waivers.

 

[pesh]

The Steeler's returner Logan is looking really good, he's putting up better numbers than Hester so far. Looking forward to seeing him in action, he looks bad.

 

[Mike Herman]

Anybody know the story on the Bengals returners? Antonio Chatman was placed on IR. Is it Andre Caldwell as KR and Quan Cosby as PR?

"On Saturday, head coach Marvin Lewis said Cosby is going to return punts in the Sept. 13 opener at Paul Brown Stadium."

 

[jagerbomb]

Any chance of getting returner projections for subscribers? (for the lazy like me)

 

[jagerbomb]

With Courtney Roby getting cut, does that mean that Pierre Thomas will get all the Kick Offs?

 

[Mike Herman]

MINNESOTA

Darius Reynaud's postgame prediction proved to be true. Hoping to earn a spot on the Vikings 53-man roster, the second-year wide receiver/returner said he "sealed the deal" with an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown in a 35-31 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Friday. Reynaud figured to be in good shape to make the team even before the game, but that return seemed to cement his spot. Not surprisingly, the Vikings decided to keep six receivers when they made their final cuts Saturday. Reynaud and Jaymar Johnson both got the nod after making impressive strides this offseason. They joined Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, rookie Percy Harvin and veteran Bobby Wade in the receiving corps.

Reynaud and Johnson are now competing for the punt return job. Reynaud got his first opportunity of the preseason in that role Friday night and he took full advantage of it. He broke three tackles and made two other Dallas players miss in the open field on his touchdown return. Reynaud previously had only returned kickoffs, but he showed that he's a dangerous punt returner too. "To tell you the truth, I feel more comfortable on punt returns," he said. "If you make the first guy miss, you can take it the distance. That's what I did [against Dallas]." Johnson, who spent last season on the practice squad, was the primary punt returner in the preseason before Friday's game.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

CAROLINA

Running back Tyrell Sutton – cut by the Green Bay Packers on Saturday – will give the Panthers depth at that position and at kick returner. But he doesn't appear to give the Panthers a solution at punt returner, where other players struggled in the preseason. sutton rushed for 191 yards (4.8-yard average) and a touchdown as an undrafted free agent for the Packers in the preseason. He came out of Northwestern as the Wildcats' second all-time leading rusher with 3,886 career yards. But he didn't returned punts in college or with the Packers. He did return five kickoffs for a 24.4-yard average for Green Bay. For now, that seems to leave the Panthers' punt-returning duties to either Kenneth Moore or rookie Captain Munnerlyn, both of whom fumbled in Thursday's exhibition loss against the Steelers. general manager Marty Hurney said the team will continue to look for a punt returner. "We constantly do that, so we'll see," Hurney said. "Right now we have Kenny and Captain, but it's something we'll continue to address."

link

 

[Knobs]

To a couple posts above me...I thought Harvin was going to return punts/kicks?

Why would Pierre Thomas return kicks Especially because he's not healthy right now?

 

[Knobs]

Do we have any update on Charles?

 

[Weiner Dog]

Hibbs has won the KR duties in Philly over Demps. To make matters worse, Demps is no longer running with the 1st-team D. Demps owners in IDP leagues have just been kicked twice.

 

[Mike Herman]

To a couple posts above me...I thought Harvin was going to return punts/kicks?

I believe Harvin is more so kickoff returns, while Reynaud and/or Johnson are more so punt returns.

 

[jpeace121]

Hibbs has won the KR duties in Philly over Demps. To make matters worse, Demps is no longer running with the 1st-team D. Demps owners in IDP leagues have just been kicked twice.

Assuming you mean Hobbs. You have a link for this? If so, Hobbs might maintain his stud status in IDP leagues that give return yards. Thanks.EIDT: found this. Big news for Hobbs.

 

[The Noid]

Anything settled on the PR situation in Pittsburgh? Logan doing those, too? Is Burnett still in the hunt?

 

[yashi]

Do we have any update on Charles?

Nope. Haley is very tight lipped about giving any information away. Quinten Lawrence and Dantrell Savage both made the 53 man roster, which makes it less likely that he'll be returning kicks.Also, Deion Branch was returning kicks for the Seahawks during special teams drills yesterday. Source

 

[Knobs]

Do we have any update on Charles?

Nope. Haley is very tight lipped about giving any information away. Quinten Lawrence and Dantrell Savage both made the 53 man roster, which makes it less likely that he'll be returning kicks.Also, Deion Branch was returning kicks for the Seahawks during special teams drills yesterday. Source

Branch, huh? Guess I'll go drop some scrub to pick the guy up...

 

[Knobs]

With Courtney Roby getting cut, does that mean that Pierre Thomas will get all the Kick Offs?

 

[Mike Herman]

With Courtney Roby getting cut, does that mean that Pierre Thomas will get all the Kick Offs?

From Sean Payton Press Conference Transcript:

How did Rod Harper stand out over the other receivers in making the team?"He had the two punt returns - which is one thing - but when you spend time watching him in practice and in the games, you see that he's someone that can run, someone that catches the ball pretty well. He still has a lot of room for development. There are a number of things that he has to improve upon but we did like what we saw from his speed and we liked what we saw in the returns and his consistency in catching the football."Would you be looking at him to possibly return kickoffs?"We'll see as we get closer to the game who we'll feature back there. He's certainly a guy that's comfortable and has good ball security and can handle that part of it."Who are other options for that role of kickoff returner?"Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson, Rod Harper - we'll look at a bunch of these guys. Potentially one of the running backs - certainly Pierre Thomas has had a lot of experience doing it so he would be another lead candidate."

Probably Thomas once healthy, and Meachem in the interim.