Punt Returner

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:25 pm

The fumble aside, is anyone else sick of seeing ARE dance around and run backwards on punt returns? I still like ARE on offense, I do, but watching him return punts is painful.

I know Thrash had a nice return last year, but who else on this team could return punts? Any thoughts?

Hoss · Post by **Hoss** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:26 pm

what about Rock?

Haven · Post by **Haven** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:45 pm

I agree, we need someone fresh back there. Antwan hasn't done anything spectacular since Pittsburgh, returning kicks.

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:45 pm

Quite frankly, that isn't a bad choice. Rock is tough and you know he wouldn't dance around. If I was Danny Smith, I'd at least try a few guys out back there. ARE may still have some game returning punts, but it's been a while since we've seen it.

I don't know, I just get so frustrated watching ARE run backwards. I still believe he's valuable on offense, but damn...

hailskins666 · Post by **hailskins666** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:55 pm

he used to light it up in p-burg. makes you wonder.......... is he focusing too much on being a WR, or is it coverage problems, is danny smith earning his paycheck.

when we signed him, his return skills were the thing that excited me most.

roybus14 · Post by **roybus14** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:56 pm

Either put Rock back there or put one of the rookies back there. ARE and "Dancing With The Stars" ain't working anymore. It worked in Pittsburgh but not here.

Gibbs4Life · Post by **Gibbs4Life** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:02 pm

Let rock do it, or devin (might as well get somethin for all that dough)

redskindave · Post by **redskindave** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:17 pm

I agree, I would like to see Devin Thomas back on punts

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:23 pm

I think you have to make a change there, Randle-El is a liability at this point. It's not just the lost yardage or the fumble, he's also displayed poor judgment when determining whether to field a punt.

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:25 pm

Devin does have some return skills, but because of his size, I'd just hate to see the kick coverage teeing off on him.

I believe Zorn is taking it slow with Thomas and Kelly for several reasons. The injuries in camp have a lot to do with it and I also think Zorn wants them to earn their stripes in practice before incorporating them into the offense on a full time basis. But it will come, and I believe Thomas and Kelly will eventually be a big part of our game plan on offense.

Again, I'd just hate to see Thomas get hurt returning kicks. I guess ARE could get hurt as well, so I don't know. My guess is that they'll stay with ARE. I'd just wish Smith would get that boy going forward and stop that dancing crap.

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:27 pm

One thing though, if Devin Thomas returns punts and gets a high ankle sprain, or turf toe, or something more serious then the coaches are idiots for letting a first round talent return kicks.

Randle El was okay returning kicks in 06, but last season he really struggled and had one of his worst return seasons yet. This season he looks positively awful.

Rock has never returned a punt in the NFL, Trash hasn't in a little while, and was never that great when he was a regular return man.

I wonder if Justin Tryon would be a good option. He returned a few kickoffs in college. Maybe he could bring back punts?

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:32 pm

Fios wrote:I think you have to make a change there, Randle-El is a liability at this point. It's not just the lost yardage or the fumble, he's also displayed poor judgment when determining whether to field a punt.

Yeah, I agree.

I also thought it was poor judgment on Rock's behalf not to take a knee six yards deep in the end zone on one of the kickoffs.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:48 pm

SkinsFreak wrote:
Fios wrote:I think you have to make a change there, Randle-El is a liability at this point. It's not just the lost yardage or the fumble, he's also displayed poor judgment when determining whether to field a punt.

Yeah, I agree.

I also thought it was poor judgment on Rock's behalf not to take a knee six yards deep in the end zone on one of the kickoffs.

Agreed, I was surprised by that ... for the record, I'm not advocating for one of the young wideouts to handle the duties. I'd like to think ARE is still coachable in this regard, but based on the recent track record, something has to give.

Hoss · Post by **Hoss** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:53 pm

I'm not justifying his decision on that return, but I think he felt he needed to try to spark the team after being down 9 pts. He should have downed the ball in the EZ.

welch · Post by **welch** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:12 pm

Rock.

However, we don't see the films. We can't see the pursuit, and we can't see much of the blocking. If the kick hangs in the air, if the blocking can't hold off the tacklers, then there won't be much of a run-back unless the Redskins persuade Darrell Green to come out of retirement just to hurdle tacklers...

Still, I'd say Rock, just to keep some positive yardage.

In reverse, somebody has to cover better. Bush is not "The Invisible Man".

SKINFAN · Post by **SKINFAN** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:32 pm

I'd love to see Thrash take over on Punt Returns. Rock is not a good choice here IMO, he handles the bulk of the KO returns I think he'd be better off handling that than PR's. I wish we kept that 4th RB, what's his name...I'd stick that guy there.

Gibbs4Life · Post by **Gibbs4Life** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:38 pm

One thing though, if Devin Thomas returns punts and gets a high ankle sprain, or turf toe, or something more serious then the coaches are idiots for letting a first round talent return kicks.

A first rounder like Devin who makes no significant contribution on offense is worth the risk, again we might as well get something for all that moolah.

Who had a better game today Devin Thomas or Brandon Lloyd...nuff said

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:15 pm

Gibbs4Life wrote:
One thing though, if Devin Thomas returns punts and gets a high ankle sprain, or turf toe, or something more serious then the coaches are idiots for letting a first round talent return kicks.

A first rounder like Devin who makes no significant contribution on offense is worth the risk, again we might as well get something for all that moolah.

Who had a better game today Devin Thomas or Brandon Lloyd...nuff said

gibbs4president · Post by **gibbs4president** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:38 pm

SKINFAN wrote:I'd love to see Thrash take over on Punt Returns. Rock is not a good choice here IMO, he handles the bulk of the KO returns I think he'd be better off handling that than PR's. I wish we kept that 4th RB, what's his name...I'd stick that guy there.

I'd be ok with Thrash taking over the punt return duties. He probably won't break too many deep, but he'll hold onto the ball and won't lose any yardage.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:57 pm

hailskins666 wrote:he used to light it up in p-burg. makes you wonder.......... is he focusing too much on being a WR, or is it coverage problems, is danny smith earning his paycheck.

when we signed him, his return skills were the thing that excited me most.

Actually, all of my friends who were Steelers fans kept joking that we'd just love ARE's dancing when he returns a punt.

He's done it his entire career.

Wahoo McDaniels · Post by **Wahoo McDaniels** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:48 pm

redskindave wrote:I agree, I would like to see Devin Thomas back on punts

Before he starts returning punts, I would like to see Devin Thomas consistently on offense!

Also, Devin Thomas only returned 11 punt in 23 games at Michigan State.

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:37 am

Hoss wrote:what about Rock?

AMEN!!!

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:09 am

Fios wrote:
Gibbs4Life wrote:
One thing though, if Devin Thomas returns punts and gets a high ankle sprain, or turf toe, or something more serious then the coaches are idiots for letting a first round talent return kicks.

A first rounder like Devin who makes no significant contribution on offense is worth the risk, again we might as well get something for all that moolah.

Who had a better game today Devin Thomas or Brandon Lloyd...nuff said

Last time I checked, he was a 2nd round pick, 34th overall...

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:16 am

They need a change at that position.

My 1st choice would be Rock. He's not a homerun threat but he'll get you whatever the blocking allows for, be it 10 yards or 15.

I'd coach up Devon or Tryon to take over eventually.

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:27 am

I don't like the idea of someone we're hoping to start doing PR. Isn't that the reason why Moss isn't doing PR/KR?