Roster Analysis: Punt Returner's

[RedskinsSuperBowl21]

http://x8a.xanga.com/10985a2b1223115700177/b11263198.jpg
If you can't beat em, sign them through free agency. -Dan Snyder



Antwaan Randle El aka the "East/West pest" has worn out his welcome among many Redskins fans as the primary punt returner. Unless Jim Zorn teaches Randle El to face the sideline while catching punts the chance of him moving up field is very slim.

Looking over the roster I was hoping to find a few young prospects that were returners in college, provide their stats and make a case to help to determine who, as fans, we should hope can be in the mix and compete at the position.

Devin Thomas/Rock Cartwright seem to be fan favorites to compete with Randle el because of their history as Kick returners but what I found out is the roster lacks experience returning punts.

Antwaan Randle El: 246 returns/2166 yards(8.8 avg) 5 TD's as a pro
Santana Moss: 95 returns/1092 yards (11.4 avg) 2 TD's as a pro
James Thrash: 42 returns/418 yards(9.95 avg) as a pro
Devin Thomas: 8 returns/35 yards(4.35 avg) in college
Kareem Moore: 4 INT returns/149 yards 2 TD's as a senior in 2007*
Justin Hamilton: 2 punt returns/46 yards with a long of 36 in college
Reed Doughty: 1 punt return/2 yards in college

* I consider INT returns to be similar to punt returns due to the limited amount of space to run after the ball is caught

No experience returning punts:

Ladell Betts
Rock Cartwright
Chris Horton
Malcolm Kelly
Laron Landry
Kareem Moore
Carlos Rogers
Fred Smoot
Leigh Torrence
Justin Tryon

[Ray Brown]

If anyone is going to take Randel El's spot its going to be Trash or Devin Thomas. Rock is not a PR

[RedskinsSuperBowl21]

If anyone is going to take Randel El's spot its going to be Trash or Devin Thomas. Rock is not a PR

I agree, but a huge misconception on this board is that Devin Thomas is a punt returner. In college, he was a kick returner with 39 returns for 1135 yards and he only posted a meager 8 punt returns for 35 yards.

[Hunter_R]

I doubt his replacement (if it happens) will do any better. Not with the blocking schemes (or lack thereof) of Danny Smith.

[helptheSKINS]

I think he needs to be replaced but not by Rock. He does not have the burst needed to be a punt returner. I admit I don't know who should take over. Thrash is the only option I know for now. I don't want rookie Thomas back there yet.

[Zarg]

Yes, for God's sake, please find a punt returner... where's Metcalf? Bet B.Mitch would come out if Snyder offered enough skittles...

[RedskinsSuperBowl21]

I doubt his replacement (if it happens) will do any better. Not with the blocking schemes (or lack thereof) of Danny Smith.

Good point. If you look at the bears the past 2 or three years Devin Hester is not the only one taking it to the house on that team. Chicago's special teams unit creates great lanes and doesn't leave it solely on the returners to make it happen.

[flexxskins]

Justin Tryon is a former sprint champion and experienced KR. I'd be all for trying him out at the position.

It could'nt hurt just to try him out.

[sideshow24]

His blocking is not the best but pick a lane and just go man! stop dancing and waiting to be hit.

[Jimbo]

Geez, Devin Hester has really spoiled you guys. Returners like that show up once in a blue moon. ARE hasn't done much thus far this year but I don't see anyone CURRENTLY on the roster who is capable of doing better. He hasn't had a whole lot of room to run but he can bust a long one at any time. I have a feeling you'll see a big improvement against the Cards.

[PalmettoRedskin]

I found myself cursing ARE yesterday and every other time he returns punts. IMO, we need to let Santana Moss return punts. Zorn needs to get him as many touches as possible, he's just too good of an athlete not to be back there.

I know people are concerned with the chance of an injury happening, but Zorn's style can't be to play scared.

Whenever Moss touches the ball, there is a sense of him taking it to the house.

OUT with Randle El.....IN with Moss!!!!!!!!

HTTR!

[Jimbo]

Putting Moss back there to return punts would be the equivilant of risking a guy like Darrell Green. Joe Gibbs didn't do it unless it was REALLY important. Just NOT a good idea, IMO.

ARE is more expendable than Moss.

[Cooley4President]

Give the job to Thrash. Who cares if he doesn't have world class speed, he'll make the right decisions, fair catch when it's smart, and run forward.

[panel]

Yeah, Thrash is the guy, he will get North South right away, he will not shy away from contact, and he if he needs to rest after returning a kick, he can do that.

[KCJDLJ]

I always cringe when El goes back to "return" a punt. He generally takes two or three steps to one side or the other then either dives to the ground or gets smacked. Plus he currently has a hand injury that has to make it harder to field the ball. Please get someone else back there ASAP. Thomas is big and strong with speed. Give him a chance. Even five steps forward are better than ten steps sideways.

[jbowman]

You know, maybe if we had enough blocking that there weren't three members of the opposing team right in front of him, he wouldn't feel compelled to run east/west to try and get around them. Just a thought.

[flexxskins]

Geez, Devin Hester has really spoiled you guys. Returners like that show up once in a blue moon. ARE hasn't done much thus far this year but I don't see anyone CURRENTLY on the roster who is capable of doing better. He hasn't had a whole lot of room to run but he can bust a long one at any time. I have a feeling you'll see a big improvement against the Cards.I was thinking the same thing Jimbo.

When I found myself grinding my teeth every time El got back there to recieve a punt, I asked myself; why is this happening?

I actually did considered what you brought up; that I am spoiled watching highlights of Mr. Hester every week. But, it's not really that so much. It's more of watching El not making a decision of what lane to take, giving the opposition time to cover the kick (by jitter buggin) and eventually make the tackle. Most of the times for little to no gain at all. And some times for a loss.

I hope your feeling about El is right though. Because I don't think that there is going to be a switch there anytime soon.

[Monte51Coleman]

Unless Jim Zorn teaches Randle El to face the sideline while catching punts the chance of him moving up field is very slim.



That's very funny.

Sad, but funny. :OLS:

[Durant35]

Justin Tryon is a former sprint champion and experienced KR. I'd be all for trying him out at the position.

It could'nt hurt just to try him out.

I would like to see Tryon more than anyone because I think that type of role should be reserved for non-starters. Yes, the blocking is not the best but he looks small and elusive.

[RedskinsSuperBowl21]

I would like to see Tryon more than anyone because I think that type of role should be reserved for non-starters. Yes, the blocking is not the best but he looks small and elusive.

Kareem Moore 4 INTs for 149 yards and 2 TDs intrigues me...I would like to see him get a shot also

[RypienUmApart]

Please let Thrash return punts.

Or have Randle El watch tape of Roscoe Parrish who is averaging 17.3 a punt return!!

Whats Randle El have... 0.6 a return I think...not even a yard. wow. JT should get this guy on Dancing with the Stars.

[JeepRyder]

I dont really want somebody back there who has never done it before. We play in to many close games to be holding tryouts for PR and having guys dropping punts and causing easy points for the other teams. Like Philly did last year in the first game. It was a mess. As much as I would hate to see Moss out there I think mixing him in here and there is ok. Steve Smith does it for Carolina, Reggie Bush does it for New Orleans, now Philly has Deshean Jackson doing it and he is quickly becoming the number 1 WR for McNabb. Doesnt Terence Newman return punts for Dallas some? Deion did it for Dallas and Washington forever. If Moss is a threat to take it to the house let him. He wants to do it!

[Mothmonsterman]

Antwaan Randle El: 246 returns/2166 yards(8.8 avg) 5 TD's as a pro
Santana Moss: 95 returns/1092 yards (11.4 avg) 2 TD's as a pro

No experience returning punts:

Fred Smoot


Moss has some pretty impressive stats by comparison & Zorn mentioned him as an alternative today... i'd hate to see him get banged up on a PR though... Randle El will probably take one in and shut everybody up here soon.

fred smoot at PR = worst thought ever

[JeepRyder]

How about Carlos Rogers? If he can catch the Punt he would be a Pro Bowler back there for us. :D

[Blondie]

Putting Moss back there to return punts would be the equivilant of risking a guy like Darrell Green. Joe Gibbs didn't do it unless it was REALLY important. Just NOT a good idea, IMO.

ARE is more expendable than Moss.

Definitely agree.

Moss can't be compromised.

The kickers are kicking lots of line drives to Rock lately. I believe he should be given an opportunity to return.

If it is a failed experiment, then so be it. And we look at someone else.

If not, we have a new punt returner.

[RedskinsSuperBowl21]

Moss has some pretty impressive stats by comparison & Zorn mentioned him as an alternative today... i'd hate to see him get banged up on a PR though... Randle El will probably take one in and shut everybody up here soon.

fred smoot at PR = worst thought ever

The no experience list wasnt meant as a suggestion but just as a reference. Generally, CB and WR's handle punt duties but our Corners arer fragile...Smoot, Carlos, and Springs...

[Laron Burgundy]

Yeah, this team has practically no real punt returners. I think part of the issue is that ARE is our 2nd receiver whereas in pittsburgh (where he was good at returning punts) he was the 3rd receiver. Hopefully one of our young receivers can stop getting injured and get good enough to replace him in the starting line-up. Not sure if that would solve it but it couldn't hurt.

[expensivegift]

I would not entrust a rookie like Thomas to be a PR. Hester was lightning in a bottle. Besides I would rather groom Thomas to be a top possesion WR than a PR. If you put him as a PR that will take time away from being a WR.

Give PR duties to Rock because he rarely sees the field as a RB. He's also very strong and dependable to hold on to the ball and not fumble. Finally he is a north/south runner which is what we want in a PR. That is how PR tds are made with the exception of Dante Hall's incredible TDs a couple years ago.

[guinnesscrazy]

Let Sellers or Cooley return it. No one can tackle those guys anyway. :silly:



Seriously though, I don't think ARE even wants to return punts. He sorta just freezes when he catches the ball. As the Campbell bashers would say, "make up your dang mind!"

I think Thrash would be ok. He did return back in the day, no? Moss would be great, but I always have this notion that one of the rooks should have that job. It gives them an extra chance to make an impact, helps them learn to avoid tackles in the open field, and increases their ball-handling skills. Only problem is, I think Kelly and Thomas are both too big. Chalk up another reason why Moss should be the guy.

I guess perhaps because Moss is Campbell's go-to guy, and they probably don't want to risk injury, the coaches are avoiding having him do it.

[zskins]

Cowboys tried to use Adam Jones for a punt return tonight. He didn't get very far though. Could you imagine LL returning? How many people would be scared of him.

[MonkFan8]

I think at the very least Tryon should get some PR's during practice or something. He's probably the lowest risk guy with the biggest potential reward.