The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

When he watches film of practices and preseason games, and then looks back at the 2010 and 2011 versions of himself, Washington Redskins receiver/return man Brandon Banks sees a very different player.

Already a talented punt/kick returner, Brandon Banks expects to make strides at wide receiver as well. (Washington Post/John McDonnell)

As an undrafted rookie out of Kansas State, Banks was a fast kid capable of reeling off big returns, but he knew very little about being a pro wide receiver. The 2011 version of Banks was fast, but not as quick – still hobbled by a balky left knee that needed surgery during the previous season – and he knew the pass routes of Washington’s offense. But lacked the knowledge of how to properly run them, or deal with certain coverages.

Now entering his third season, Banks says his knee at last has fully healed, giving him the ability to make cuts with ease. Meanwhile, his understanding of the receiver position is growing. Banks admits he remains far from a finished product, but he – and his coaches, by evidence of his inclusion on Washington’s 53-man roster – believe that he is on the right track.

As has been well-documented, Banks received a challenge from coach Mike Shanahan to prove that he could make the team as a pass-catcher, and not just a special teams player. After Banks rebounded from early struggles to close out the preseason strongly, Shanahan said the Redskins need to get the ball in Banks’ hands more this season.

“I’m just happy that he recognizes that I have the ability, and he’s got trust in me to put the ball in my hands,” Banks said on Monday. “I feel like that’s the kind of play-maker I am. I want the ball.”

Although only 5-foot-7 and 153 pounds, Banks never doubted his ability to play receiver in the NFL. But he admits that although he was listed as a receiver at Kansas State and as a junior in 2008 led the team in receiving yardage (67 catches for 1,049 yards and nine touchdowns), he wasn’t asked to run a wide range of pass routes. And then as a senior – once Josh Freeman was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kansas State began running a lot of Wildcat formations featuring Banks.

“I was never a receiver til I got here,” Banks said before later explaining. “I was more of a wideout my junior year when Josh Freeman was there. My senior year, they had a different quarterback, and I ran a lot of bubble screens. I never ran a lot of real routes.”

When new Redskins receivers coach Ike Hilliard observed Banks this past offseason, he noticed Banks was lazy with his hands as he tried to get off the line, and other times, Banks was actually running his routes too fast. Together, they have begun correcting those problems.

“I really am getting a lot of detail. I give a lot of credit to Ike,” Banks said. “He taught me a lot of things with press coverages, how to slow down in my routes and stuff instead of trying to run everything full-speed and being out of place.”

Banks believes the increased knowledge has him poised for greater production as a receiver. Not having to worry about his knee (last year he would feel stabs of pain when trying to change direction) also should help, both on offense and special teams.

“What hurt me the most was I was still trying to run through that knee injury,” Banks said. “I kept trying to run on it when it was still hurt. I kept playing and playing and playing. It brought me down a lot. It was always on my mind, so I wasn’t fully into football. I was worried about getting healthy. I’m a totally different person now. I’m 100 percent healthy. I’ve talked to the coaches and I feel like I’m going to get the opportunities this year.”

I never ran a lot of real routes

Banks was actually running his routes too fast. Together, they have begun correcting those problems.

“What hurt me the most was I was still trying to run through that knee injury,” Banks said. “I kept trying to run on it when it was still hurt. I kept playing and playing and playing. It brought me down a lot. It was always on my mind, so I wasn’t fully into football. I was worried about getting healthy. I’m a totally different person now. I’m 100 percent healthy. I’ve talked to the coaches and I feel like I’m going to get the opportunities this year

cowboykillerzRGiii wrote:Ok, so why him? Why not cut Clos rogers taught me had to catch Briscoe? BB is the least of our worries right now so I'm gonna call BS on the clamour to give him the boot.
I'll agree he's been nothing special, but who knows he effect he has just being on the field to open up the OPTIONS. He's been better with mutts and fumbles so I think this is uncalled for. Find someone better, or someone we need at a different position... That we can't make room for by cutting someone else, then ill give ya some credit. As of now he isn't even in the discussion of issues on this team

ATX_Skins wrote:I am bringing the Banks debate back to life. I want him gone. He is awful.

Enough of the speed kills crap this guy is not only a liability he's a terrible returner.

Red_One43 wrote:

ATX_Skins wrote:I am bringing the Banks debate back to life. I want him gone. He is awful.

Enough of the speed kills crap this guy is not only a liability he's a terrible returner.

I was wondering where ATX was.

No doubt Banks' value as a kick returner is nil at this point. He is either fielding punts when he is not supposed to and not fielding punts when he is supposed to. When he does field them, he seems to have lost his vision. I thought he had the wide side of the field and a blocker on that last one, but he turned it up. He has no jittery moves. Finally, he has fumbled the ball to the point, Shanny warned that he ever loses one to the opposition, he is gone.

Value as a special teams player? I have to side with you on this one ATX that he is now a liability.

BUUUUUUT, I disagree with you that he should be gone. Last week, when they did the fake reverse against the Eagles, it showed that teams are still focused on him when he is on the field. There is a reason that they are. They know that Shanny is cooking up something all the time to exploit Banks' speed. I look for Banks to start getting routes like Aldrick got last night that took advantage of the play action and Aldrick's speed.

So, at this point, I sit Banks down as a punt returner until I think he has got his head right and start using him more in the deep passing game. Even if he is not the primary receiver, he will get notice as he is blowing by defenders.

DarthMonk wrote: the look on Coughlin's face would rival "No Danny, no!"

DarthMonk wrote:I'm not clamoring for his release but I think we can improve at the flex he currently occupies in the draft or with a free agent. I have no doubt we can find a guy with equal explosion and more meat who can play WR or DB. My guess is this is his last year as a Redskin.

“There’s a common sense that prevails and then there’s a mindset of you have to fair catch it or keep it in the end zone. It’s tough with a guy that believes he can make plays. We’ll take a hard look at it and make sure he makes the best decisions in the best interests of our team. … The reason we have him on offense is we know the potential he has to make plays and he made big plays for us. He’s a guy that has all the energy. He can make plays.”

Chris Luva Luva wrote:

DarthMonk wrote:I'm not clamoring for his release but I think we can improve at the flex he currently occupies in the draft or with a free agent. I have no doubt we can find a guy with equal explosion and more meat who can play WR or DB. My guess is this is his last year as a Redskin.

This is how I feel. I realize his contribution. However, I can see how we need improvement. We need someone that can bring his speed but with more size. He can't break arm tackles without significantly being slowed down or rerouted.

It’s a bit amazing that Brandon Banks’ blunders haven’t hurt the Redskins in a big way, between fumbles in other games and trying to return a punt from the goal-line. But now that the games will start becoming more important, how nervous will he make you back deep?

“The one thing Brandon will do is he’ll look at the punt, he’ll look at the coverage – sometimes he’ll take his eye off it at the last second and still get on the football,”

Taking a shot at Brandon Banks over the player's fumbling problems, Shanahan said: "What Banks usually does a good job of is recovering his own fumbles. He's got some experience fumbling the ball, but he always seems to get it. I told him once the opposition gets it, then he won't have those opportunities."

HEROHAMO wrote:Ok I found a highlight video of Banks. Now from what I see on his successful plays vs now. Banks is hesitating too much instead of just making up his mind and going for it.

Maybe we shouldnt give up on him so soon. He may find his way and then we will have a great returner. Just so long as he shows progress. I think he will get together. Lets just give him more time. After all we are still rebuilding. Its not like there are great returners out there that we can get now. I think before seasons end he will take one to the house.

Red_One43 wrote:

HEROHAMO wrote:Ok I found a highlight video of Banks. Now from what I see on his successful plays vs now. Banks is hesitating too much instead of just making up his mind and going for it.

Maybe we shouldnt give up on him so soon. He may find his way and then we will have a great returner. Just so long as he shows progress. I think he will get together. Lets just give him more time. After all we are still rebuilding. Its not like there are great returners out there that we can get now. I think before seasons end he will take one to the house.

I agree with your assessment that he is hesitating. My guess is his early fumbles and Shanahan's warning about his fumbles has him playing not to lose his job instead of playing to win.

HEROHAMO wrote:Banks looks a lot slower now. I have to think he is not 100 percent healthy. What else could have caused him to be so much slower other then injury?

I think we have all noticed this right? He was probably one of the fastest guys in the league when he came in. Now he looks nothing like he used to and its only been two season?

HEROHAMO wrote:Ok I found a highlight video of Banks. Now from what I see on his successful plays vs now. Banks is hesitating too much instead of just making up his mind and going for it.

Maybe we shouldnt give up on him so soon. He may find his way and then we will have a great returner. Just so long as he shows progress. I think he will get together. Lets just give him more time. After all we are still rebuilding. Its not like there are great returners out there that we can get now. I think before seasons end he will take one to the house.

Red_One43 wrote:John Keim relates to ATX's frustration with Banks

It’s a bit amazing that Brandon Banks’ blunders haven’t hurt the Redskins in a big way, between fumbles in other games and trying to return a punt from the goal-line. But now that the games will start becoming more important, how nervous will he make you back deep?

I like Banks and I hope he gets that big return agains the Giants, but I have to admit, I get nervous everytime he touches the ball.

Shanahan on why Banks was muffing punts

“The one thing Brandon will do is he’ll look at the punt, he’ll look at the coverage – sometimes he’ll take his eye off it at the last second and still get on the football,”

Shanahan saying if Brandon fumbles a ball to the opposition, he's gone

Taking a shot at Brandon Banks over the player's fumbling problems, Shanahan said: "What Banks usually does a good job of is recovering his own fumbles. He's got some experience fumbling the ball, but he always seems to get it. I told him once the opposition gets it, then he won't have those opportunities."

SkinsFreak wrote:Red... I'm happy to see you're acknowledging both sides of the debate. I know you're a fan of Banks', but remaining objective is nice to see around here.