Who returns kicks and punts in 09?
Seeing as special teams (specifically fumbling) was a huge weakness of the 2008 team, who does everyone think is going to be returning kicks and punts this upcoming season?
I’m going to combine the two categories (hopefully someone will take after Breaston and lock down double-return duty) but for the sake of answering feel free to choose different guys for punts and kicks.
Also, If anyone has any actual info beyond speculation, that would be awesome too...
Likely candidates:
M. Odoms
T. Robinson
G. Mathews
Booboo
D. Warren
J. Gallon
Dark Horses:
V. Smith
J. Stokes
R. Roundtree
February 11th, 2009 at 1:09 PM ^
...Robinson.
However, I would personally prefer that Mathews handle the job, just so we don't have to re-live fumble hell, 2008. Near the end of the year Odoms or Cissoko fumbled at least once a game. If we cut out the fumbles the team will be in better shape.
February 11th, 2009 at 1:16 PM ^
I'd guess Booboo33 on kicks and Mathews on punts, I think Booboo was the only returner to show flashes of greatness in the kick return game while Mathews seemed to be the most comfortable with the punts, if you muff a kick you'll get bad field position to average, if you muff a punt you turn it over.
February 11th, 2009 at 1:22 PM ^
I could have told you to use him at the beginning of last year. He was the returner in my dynasty on PS3 and he was lightning.
It's just basic logic.
February 11th, 2009 at 2:18 PM ^
I had D Warren and he won returner of the year for three years in my dynasty. Unfortunately that didn't work out too great in real life.
February 11th, 2009 at 1:33 PM ^
Is anyone -- ANYONE -- who can (1) catch the football and (2) maintain possession of the football without dropping it. Those should literally be the only two prerequisites to returning kicks/punts. And anyone interested should apply to Rich Rodriguez.
This is a problem that absolutely must be fixed this year for the team to make significant strides. Fumbles and excessive turnovers in general were debilitating last year, particularly in close games. I still shake my head in wonder sometimes at the team's collective ability to fumble for no apparent reason.
February 11th, 2009 at 1:40 PM ^
Cissoko should return kicks.
Odoms should return punts, if he can hold onto the ball. If not, I'd like to see Mathews - who has got faster under Barwis - back there because of his sure hands.
February 11th, 2009 at 1:40 PM ^
becomes eligable. His shiftyness and playmaking ability should make punt returns something to see. I like BooBoo and Fitz for kickoffs assuming they can handle the football and not over run their blockers. Fast shifty little guys would be ideal for the return game, they'd get lost in the bunch and maybe be able to bounce outside or shoot a gap before anyone has a chance to lock in on them.
February 11th, 2009 at 2:16 PM ^
...but God help them if someone does lock on. KO returns feature some of the biggest hits in the game. Sam took some crushing blows on a few returns, and the last one put him out of the OSU game.
February 11th, 2009 at 2:28 PM ^
Little quick guys are obviously the best to put back there to return, but there is a huge risk of injury. If we can manage to find a quick, durable guy that would be ideal. Early reports say Vincent Smith may fit the bill - he is tiny, quick as hell, and supposedly pretty tough.
If the little guys can't handle the punishment I'll take anyone bigger with some speed but sure hands. Poor field position > fumbles or injuries.
February 11th, 2009 at 2:22 PM ^
I still like the idea of Cissoko on kicks, but only if he gets over his fumblitis. Maybe he should ask Minor how he got over his fumbling problems. He really showed flashes of greatness on a lot of his returns, and was just a fingernail away from breaking out for a big one.
February 11th, 2009 at 2:58 PM ^
I know injuries on returns aren't THAT common, but considering how incredibly thin we are on experienced CB's, I don't really want to see Booboo in on returns of any sort. Not sure the risk of injury is worth a few yards of field position.
I'd like to see KR be any of the fast receivers or Carlos Brown, and PR preferably Mathews. No guess as to who will actually fill either spot.
February 11th, 2009 at 7:27 PM ^
I think Big Will said he could do it...
February 11th, 2009 at 7:34 PM ^
... I wouldn't be surprised to see Big Will out there returning kicks.
