Return Yards *Discussion* (1 Viewer)

[Mike Herman]

With St. Louis droping M. Hagans and picking up JR Reed do you think that Reed would be the main KR person at the start? I had read that the coach wanted a designated "return specialist" and when he got rid of B. Pyatt I picked up M. Hagans. Now that he is also gone is Reed the man?Thanks,!

Probably J.R. Reed on kickoffs and Shaun McDonald on punts.

 

[Mike Herman]

HOUSTON

Signed two players with KR experience: Roc Alexander (Denver) and Edell Shepherd (TB), which would help them short term until Jerome Mathis returns. Wali Lundy is also a KR possibility. Phillip Buchanon will handle punts.

 

[Mike Herman]

from the FBG News Blogger:

SEATTLE

Signed Willie Ponder. He'll provide KR competition for Josh Scobey.

PITTSBURGH

"Santonio Holmes and Ricardo Colclough likely will share kickoff return duties Thursday."

Willie Reid is the primary punt returner.

 

[mektarus]

With St. Louis droping M. Hagans and picking up JR Reed do you think that Reed would be the main KR person at the start? I had read that the coach wanted a designated "return specialist" and when he got rid of B. Pyatt I picked up M. Hagans. Now that he is also gone is Reed the man?Thanks,!

Probably J.R. Reed on kickoffs and Shaun McDonald on punts.

The Rams website lists Kevin Curtis as the primary kickoff returner and Reed as the backup.

 

[Mike Herman]

MINNESOTA

The Minnesota Vikings hope running back Mewelde Moore can field punts to start the season, but they're not as confident in wide receiver Troy Williamson as a kick returner. "In a perfect world, I would say that a guy like Mewelde, provided that he has a good week of practice, would be back there sitting underneath punts," Childress said. "(Williamson) did a good job of pushing it back in there. But there are a couple of other candidates that remain to be seen right now." Moore, who missed the past three exhibition games with a knee injury, has just one punt return for 11 yards this preseason. But if last season is any measure, a healthy Moore should have no problem being ready. Moore didn't return any punts last preseason, but he led the Vikings during the regular season, scoring one touchdown on 21 returns and averaging 11.7 yards, the team's highest average in six seasons.

Williamson had only two kickoff returns during the preseason last year, but he became an adequate backup to Pro Bowler Koren Robinson as a rookie. Williamson's speed made him the top candidate to replace Robinson this year, but he fumbled his first kickoff in the exhibition opener against Oakland. He finished with just two returns for 35 yards in four exhibition games, but Childress believes he can at least rely on Williamson to hold on to the ball. "He has made progress from the standpoint that the ball is at the 50-yard line, not at the 20, and it's not on the ground, it's in his hands," Childress said. "That's the biggest progress." There's a possibility the Vikings could address their need for a kick returner before the season opener Monday night at Washington. They have another option besides Williamson, with cornerback Ronyell Whitaker, who had a 16-yard return last week against Dallas.

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ST. LOUIS

Coach Scott Linehan plans to install J.R. Reed as his primary kick returner for Sunday's season opener vs. Denver at the Edward Jones Dome. He also will serve as a backup safety. "We did a pretty extensive physical on him, and he came in and did a very lengthy workout as well," Linehan said. "He's certainly got every reason in the world not to be able to pass a physical. But there's something about his will and desire and want-to that impressed all of us."

linkINDIANAPOLIS

Waived T.J. Rushing, and then signed him to practice squad. Waived Dan Sheldon. That leaves Terrence Wilkins as the likely returnerguy.

 

[Mike Herman]

ST. LOUIS

Linehan said newly signed return specialist J.R. Reed had a problem with cramps in practice, but he looked comfortable returning kickoffs. "He got a lot of reps with the scout team, and then we finished up with our kickoff returns," Linehan said. "He looked fine. He's very comfortable back there. He knows the returns. He actually has been running a very similar return scheme (with Philadelphia) that we're running."

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NEW ORLEANS

Saints tailback Reggie Bush said Wednesday he will return punts in Sunday's regular-season opener against the Cleveland Browns. In special teams drills for the past five weeks, Bush has lined up as the No. 1 punt returner, but he has not returned a punt in New Orleans' four exhibition games. "I feel good about that," Bush said Wednesday. "I'm ready to return punts, get the ball in my hands and make a big play." Bush said he spoke with Saints coach Sean Payton about returning punts in the exhibition season, but Payton decided to be cautious and kept Bush on the sideline. "He just wanted to save me," Bush said. "He didn't feel it was necessary. He told me the story about (the Giants') Jason Sehorn returning a punt in the preseason and getting hurt and he was out for the season. It's all about keeping me healthy."

linkWASHINGTON

Although his coaches remain tight-lipped, Antwaan Randle El expects to return punts for the Washington Redskins against Minnesota in Monday night's season opener. Randle El did not field a punt during the preseason, following his customary approach the last few years in Pittsburgh. He has returned 168 punts in four seasons, scoring four touchdowns and averaging 9.5 yards. The Redskins are looking to improve their punt return game after ranking 28th in the league last year and averaging only 6 yards. Randle El hopes he gets a chance early in the Vikings game so he can begin the quick process of learning to work with his new blockers. "It won't take long, especially if you get a couple good punts to return early on," he said. "But if you get a couple shanked and you don't get to return one until late in the game, that may hurt things a little bit."

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[Mike Herman]

DENVER

The final roster cutdown leaves receiver David Kircus as the only Broncos player to return a kickoff in the preseason remaining on the 53-player roster. He's listed as the starter on the team's depth chart and could handle that role Sunday. "At this point in time he might be the guy, unless something changes," special teams coach Ronnie Bradford said. "He's got the ability to do it and he's a bigger receiver, which is what you look for." However, the final call might be made today. Mike Bell, Charlie Adams and Cecil Sapp are possibilities, but their game-day availability and offensive roles have to be considered in the decision-making process.

linkSEATTLE

The Seahawks signed Willie Ponder to be the team's kickoff-return specialist. That's the role Ponder will play, if nothing else, when Seattle takes the field against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. It's a role he could share with the man he replaced at the position, Josh Scobey. "Josh is our top special-teams player. Nothing changes for him," special-teams coach Bob Casullo said. "He'll be back there on kickoff returns. They'll be back there together." Which is to say that Scobey, the Seahawks' kickoff returner last season, hasn't completely surrendered the job. It is also to say that Ponder, however much he'd like to catch passes, is with the Seahawks because they wanted to improve their return game. "Willie Ponder has a chance to be a dangerous return man, and we will see," coach Mike Holmgren said. "We have a dependable return man, I would say, in Josh Scobey." Casullo assumes Scobey, who is the Seahawks' most dependable gunner on the kickoff- and punt-coverage teams, will handle the switch well. Even if there is a little disappointment about not getting to return every kick. "He's an all-around good, sound special-teams player," Casullo said. "You lose a guy like Alex Bannister and you pick up Josh Scobey, and you don't miss a beat."

linkPITTSBURGH

Coach Bill Cowher pulled a surprise when he made rookie wide receiver Willie Reid inactive for the game, even though he announced Saturday that Reid would return punts. Rookie Santonio Holmes and Ricardo Colclough rotated returning punts.

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[Borat]

Thanks for the updates, Mike Herman. Any idea when Mathis will be back for Houston? I know he was placed on the PUP list, which puts him out until late October at the earliest, but I'm wondering if he's even worth the roster spot at this point.

 

[Mike Herman]

Thanks for the updates, Mike Herman. Any idea when Mathis will be back for Houston? I know he was placed on the PUP list, which puts him out until late October at the earliest, but I'm wondering if he's even worth the roster spot at this point.

I'm assuming he'll be back after six weeks... if they were concerned about it being longer that that, they probably would have put him on IR. In his absence, Lundy, Morency, and/or Roc Alexander are the likely KRs.

 

[rvarnell]

Any word on Tennessee? Will Pacman or Bobby Wade be returning kickoffs?

 

[moleculo]

good info here.

 

[Mike Herman]

Any word on Tennessee? Will Pacman or Bobby Wade be returning kickoffs?

Last I heard, Pacman is PR and Wade is KR

 

[Grandville]

Does anyone know if David Kircus is the 3 or 4 WR for Denver. Looking at the depth charts on nfl.com and orlands he is listed behind Rod Smith but I can't tell if he would be the 3rd WR. I would love to get a Wes Welker type player on my roster. After watching Welker last night that would be a big boost in our scoring system. Return yards count a lot. I do already have D. Hall.

 

[rvarnell]

Thanks for the info on Wade.

 

[secretid]

Welker's Week 1 = Hooray!

Great return day and the top yardage WR for MIA??

 

[intrinsic]

damn, wish i saw this before i did all that work last night!

hahaha

good info here

 

[intrinsic]

btw, i had posted this in the Welker thread, it has some value here, or is open to discussion so i thought i would bring it over from the other thread

"After Welker went off in the first half i went a step further than just grabbing him, i starting researching return specialists from the last 2 or 3 years as well. I found that a lot of the high yardage returners are not going to be the go to guys this year.

Drummond is not going to return this year from what ive seen, Mathis is on the PUP until late October with a fractured foot, Swinton is gone, etc...

Justin Miller and Terrence Mcgee are still in it for KR for their respective teams but probably wont see the field a whole lot.

The guys with a real chance to rack it up in leagues that award return yardage are Dante Hall, Welker, and Bryant Johnson in AZ. He is also listed as the sole KR, PR, & #3 WR as well.

Stecker in NO will have some KR and RB duties also.

Look out for Tab Perry & Antonio Chatman for the Bengals. Both are going to see some WR duties and also share KR and PR.

If Cleveland is as horrible as some predict, then Josh Cribbs may load up on return yardage and might see the field a bit as a #4 WR.

Same with Tennessee, Bobby Wade is the KR and #3 WR

Hope this helps some of you in return yardage leagues

good luck"

Also, Pittman and Betts are listed as #1 KR for the Bucs and Skins, could be some value there as well if they see the field on top of their KR stats...

 

[JetsJetsJets]

Bergen Record (NJ) listed "starting" PR and KR for each team. The ones I am going to key on are the players holding both jobs - therefore getting the most total yards. I know KRs offer more yards, but it seems PRs get more chances.

Welker with the Miami games last night was a great guy to take a flyer on - he became the #3 guy in 3 wideout sets with the injury. He will probably show up on everyone "waiver radar" this week.

 

[Grandville]

Bergen Record (NJ) listed "starting" PR and KR for each team. The ones I am going to key on are the players holding both jobs - therefore getting the most total yards. I know KRs offer more yards, but it seems PRs get more chances. Welker with the Miami games last night was a great guy to take a flyer on - he became the #3 guy in 3 wideout sets with the injury. He will probably show up on everyone "waiver radar" this week.

I'm not familar with Bergen Record. I went to bergenrecord.com and tried to find a listing for teams starting positions and they only had football info for New York Jets and Giants. Am I missing something? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Mike Herman]

btw, i had posted this in the Welker thread, it has some value here, or is open to discussion so i thought i would bring it over from the other thread"After Welker went off in the first half i went a step further than just grabbing him, i starting researching return specialists from the last 2 or 3 years as well. I found that a lot of the high yardage returners are not going to be the go to guys this year.Drummond is not going to return this year from what ive seen, Mathis is on the PUP until late October with a fractured foot, Swinton is gone, etc...Justin Miller and Terrence Mcgee are still in it for KR for their respective teams but probably wont see the field a whole lot.The guys with a real chance to rack it up in leagues that award return yardage are Dante Hall, Welker, and Bryant Johnson in AZ. He is also listed as the sole KR, PR, & #3 WR as well.Stecker in NO will have some KR and RB duties also.Look out for Tab Perry & Antonio Chatman for the Bengals. Both are going to see some WR duties and also share KR and PR.If Cleveland is as horrible as some predict, then Josh Cribbs may load up on return yardage and might see the field a bit as a #4 WR.Same with Tennessee, Bobby Wade is the KR and #3 WRHope this helps some of you in return yardage leaguesgood luck"Also, Pittman and Betts are listed as #1 KR for the Bucs and Skins, could be some value there as well if they see the field on top of their KR stats...

Troy Walters and J.J Arrington should get most of the work for Arizona

 

[jerseydevil20]

Any last minute info on PR/KR for the Jets today? I can't get a consistent reading on Miller vs. Cotchery?

 

[railman305]

who is the saints kick returner today?, is it bush with stecker out?

 

[JetsJetsJets]

Bergen Record (NJ) listed "starting" PR and KR for each team. The ones I am going to key on are the players holding both jobs - therefore getting the most total yards. I know KRs offer more yards, but it seems PRs get more chances. Welker with the Miami games last night was a great guy to take a flyer on - he became the #3 guy in 3 wideout sets with the injury. He will probably show up on everyone "waiver radar" this week.

I'm not familar with Bergen Record. I went to bergenrecord.com and tried to find a listing for teams starting positions and they only had football info for New York Jets and Giants. Am I missing something? Any help would be appreciated.

From the Thursday, 9/7 paper edition - players listed as pulling double duty as both a starting KR and PR...Chad Morton - NYGRasheed Davis - BearsEddie Drummond - LionsAllend Rossum - FalconsBryant Johnson - CardsWes Welker - MiamiWillie Andrews - PatsBJ Sams - RavensTJ Rushing - ColtsDante Halll - KCChris Carr - RaidersBergen Record is a northern NJ paper - very much of a focus on Giants and Jets.

 

[mektarus]

Does anyone know if Wimbush played for the Jags on Sunday? On their website he is listed as the starting FB and the primary KOR guy but he had no stats in the Dallas game.

 

[secretid]

Picked up Bobby Wade 76 yds through the air 76 yds on kick returns (or something like that).

He only got about half the KRs though. Anyone have more info on that?

 

[bullitt]

Picked up Bobby Wade 76 yds through the air 76 yds on kick returns (or something like that).He only got about half the KRs though. Anyone have more info on that?

Bobby wade was cut from the Bears last season becuase he dropped too many punts, you may want to consider that.

 

[secretid]

Well, they have him strictly on KRs it appears. Those are generally less fumble prones/less costly to fumble.

For my league they usually need to be KR/PR to have value but if he catches several passes a game he should be gold. Worth taking a shot at least.