Redskins.com: News & Notes: Banks Still Eying a Roster Spot

[Oldskool]

http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles...pot_150009.jsp

By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
Posted: September 1, 2010

Brandon Banks provided the first big play of Redskins’ preseason.

Remember his 77-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 13?

The big play had everyone excited about the 5-7, 150-pound wide receiver and kick return specialist.

Well, the Redskins’ preseason is winding down, first roster cuts have come and gone, and Banks is still in the mix.

He made a great first impression.

Now he hopes to make his final impression a lasting one.

Banks, an undrafted rookie out of Kansas State, is expected to see plenty of action in the Redskins’ preseason finale this Thursday night against the Arizona Cardinals.

In three preseason games, Banks has returned six punts for an 18.0-yard average. He has returned two kickoffs for a 17.0-yard average.

On offense, Banks has caught three passes for 64 yards, including a 29-yard catch against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 21 and a 20-yard grab against the New York Jets on Aug. 27.

He had a fumble – his second of preseason – on a kick return against the Jets, though.

Banks said he quickly put the gaffe behind him.

He said Clinton Portis pulled him aside and told him to put his energy and focus on the next play.

“I knew I was holding the ball a little bit loose, I should have held it tighter, my mistake,” Banks said. “[Special teams coordinator] Danny smith told me that you can’t make it in this league turning the ball over.”

No matter what happens, Banks believes he has improved in his time with the Redskins.

“I feel like I’m a better player now than I was before I got here,” he said. “All I can do is go out there and continue to do my job. Hopefully I can catch the coach’s eye.”

The Redskins’ final roster cut-down to the league-mandated 75 players is Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.


-- GO WEST, REDSKINS

When the Redskins’ preseason scheduled came out last March, many were scratching their heads about the road trip to Arizona.

Typically in preseason, non-divisional teams in the same geographic area face off against each other in preseason games.

Thursday night’s game against the Cardinals is the Redskins’ longest trip for a preseason contest in the United States since they played at the Los Angeles Raiders in 1992.

(In 2002, the Redskins traveled to Osaka, Japan in preseason to play the San Francisco 49ers in the American Bowl.)

Asked about the long road trip to close out preseason, Mike Shanahan was not concerned.

“It is a little unusual traveling that far, but nowadays, it is not as bad as it seems,” Shanahan said. “You have five hours, or five-plus hours to relax, so you have no choice. With the type of planes we fly and the comfort, it is not quite as bad as you would think.”


-- ON PUNT RETURNS

Phillip Buchanon is expected to serve as the Redskins’ primary punt returner once the regular season starts – even though he has not returned a punt this preseason.

Branon Banks and fellow rookie Terrence Austin are expected to continue to share punt returns in the Redskins-Cardinals preseason game.

“I know what Phillip can do,” Mike Shanahan said. “I’ve watched him his whole career, his pro career. I want to evaluate some of these younger guys.”

Buchanon has a 9.1-yard career punt return average in eight NFL seasons.

[Checmate101]

As bad as I want him to make the team...I just don't know

[Oldskool]

Phillip Buchanon-DB-Redskins Sep. 1 - 1:52 pm et

Phillip Buchanon is expected to be the Redskins' primary punt returner this season, according Gary Fitzgerald of Redskins.com.
Undrafted rookie Brandon Banks is easily the team's most explosive return candidate, but he doesn't have a role on offense. If the 'Skins opt to keep Roydell Williams or Bobby Wade as a fifth receiver, Buchanon will handle punts while Banks gets the roster squeeze.
Source: Redskins.com
Related: Brandon Banks

[we_want_56]

As bad as I want him to make the team...I just don't know

Yeah exactly...The fumbles haven't helped, but you can't teach speed...I think it's 50-50.....If he can break a good one on thurs. he'll make it....If he fumbles again, that might be it.

[Long n Left]

While he cerainly is exciting, dude has made 1 play against a number of guys who will not even be in an NFL uniform next week. At his size, he is a non factor in covering kicks, so the ONLY thing he can provide is return ability. I see him as a practice squad keep.

[GaryGreenMonk]

why don't they try him at a spot besides WR?

like at tailback, vis-a-vis Sproles.

you could use him in creative plays like end arounds, draws, screens...

situations he could use his size and speed to his advantage.

[Oldskool]

why don't they try him at a spot besides WR?

like at tailback, vis-a-vis Sproles.

you could use him in creative plays like end arounds, draws, screens...

situations he could use his size and speed to his advantage.

He's a 150lbs with pads on who has a case of the fumbles and you want to try him at tailback?

[Hunter_R]

I just can't see Banks making it. It didn't seem like an ordinary fumble. He had the ball tucked in close, and the defender easily pulled Banks' arm away. He desperatly needs any chemical substance that ends with "bol." Maybe he didn't get the memo in college (perhaps high school these days).

[RenegadeTK]

I hope he makes this team. It would be nice to have someone that you honestly feel could take it to the house (without risking Santana).

[McD5]

You go Banks!

We always ***** about speed......he's a true burner.

[GaryGreenMonk]

He's a 150lbs with pads on who has a case of the fumbles and you want to try him at tailback?

Sproles is 5 ft. 6 and 170.

just sayin.

you could put 20 lbs on the kid.

[Long n Left]

You go Banks!

We always ***** about speed......he's a true burner.

There are a lot of guys as fast as him in this league, and they outweigh him by 70 pounds!

[Oldskool]

Sproles is 5 ft. 6 and 170.

just sayin.

you could put 20 lbs on the kid.

Sproles is listed at 190lbs, playing weight is probably closer to 200lbs.

http://www.nfl.com/players/darrenspr...e?id=SPR711296

Just sayin.

[McD5]

There are a lot of guys as fast as him in this league, and they outweigh him by 70 pounds!

Very few are that fast.

4.3ish speed?

And none are on our team. No reason to wait another year. What's the worst thing that can happen?

He totally blows? So does Stephon Heyer.

Give him a spot.

[Jimbo]

While you can't help but root for the guy, Austin is bigger, stronger, is more of a receiving threat and also play special teams. I think he has the edge over Banks.

That said, I would LOVE to find a way to keep them BOTH. Banks reminds me a little of Dante Hall. He always scared the crap outta me.