Who should return punts if Thigpen is cut/with Leo out?

[GunnerBill]

Harvin. He is not going to be the receiver many expect so for him to play up to his contract he needs to have a major impact returning punts and kicks

[YoloinOhio]

Harvin. He is not going to be the receiver many expect so for him to play up to his contract he needs to have a major impact returning punts and kicks

hes never returned punts though. Does that make you nervous? He also hasn't taken any reps there at camp as far as I know. I'm less worried about guys justifying their contracts and more worried about winning - as we have seen all too often a fumbled PR can shift momentum and cost you games.

 

 

Found this -- pretty interesting

 

http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-5/Percy-Harvin-as-Punt-Returner-Well-See/3361add1-ab3a-46a8-a3e1-4aace3009719

 

From last year --

"Its difficult. Its a lot tougher being a punt returner than a kick returner and it is a lot different," head coach Rex Ryan said. "Does he have the skillset to do it? I think he probably does."

"I wouldnt ever say anything Percy couldnt do," said special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey. "Ive seen him do a lot of things on the football field and being able to make plays is something he can do, so well see."

Edited August 26, 2015 by YoloinOhio

[SCD]

For some reason, I assumed we had all sorts of punt returners - but after taking a gander, it looks pretty thin previous experience wise.

NFL PUNT RETURN EXPERIENCE

Leodis att-92, yds-1000, TD's-3, Faircatch-49, Long-88 (7seasons [89 games])

Thiggy att-76, yds-800, TD's-2, Faircatch-39, Long-75 (4seasons [41 games])

FredEx att-16, yds-190, TD's-0, Faircatch-10, Long-35 (4seasons [54 games])

COLLEGE PUNT RETURN EXPERIENCE

Woods att-37, yds-183, TD's-0, Faircatch-6, Long-31 (3 collegiate seasons) *only one NFL return for 11 yds

Sammy att-9, yds-23, TD's-0, Faircatch-3, Long-12 (3 collegiate seasons)

A.Willy att-14, yds-86, TD's-0, Faircatch-3, Long-25 (1 collegiate season)

Gilmore att-45, yds-206, TD's-0, Faircatch-17, Long-35 (3 collegiate seasons)

Robey att-27, yds-208, TD's-0, Faircatch-7, Long-44 (2 collegiate seasons)

Lankstr att-26, yds-171, TD's-0, Faircatch-6, Long-36 (1 collegiate season)

Was surprised Percy didnt receive any punts in his career, nor Mcoy, Bryce, Karlos, Easley, Goodwin. There was a BR writeup on this back in July - however it doesnt really offer much insight. Still, I no longer have wam fuzzies about PR game like I did before doing this research. Thigpen is our only dynamic punt return guy if the Irish guy is sitting. I guess Woods can take a crack at it since we have all sorts of WR depth????

[SWATeam]

Goodwin should be on the list

[YoloinOhio]

For some reason, I assumed we had all sorts of punt returners - but after taking a gander, it looks pretty thin previous experience wise.

 

NFL PUNT RETURN EXPERIENCE

Leodis att-92, yds-1000, TD's-3, Faircatch-49, Long-88 (7seasons [89 games])

Thiggy att-76, yds-800, TD's-2, Faircatch-39, Long-75 (4seasons [41 games])

FredEx att-16, yds-190, TD's-0, Faircatch-10, Long-35 (4seasons [54 games])

 

COLLEGE PUNT RETURN EXPERIENCE

Woods att-37, yds-183, TD's-0, Faircatch-6, Long-31 (3 collegiate seasons) *only one NFL return for 11 yds

Sammy att-9, yds-23, TD's-0, Faircatch-3, Long-12 (3 collegiate seasons)

A.Willy att-14, yds-86, TD's-0, Faircatch-3, Long-25 (1 collegiate season)

Gilmore att-45, yds-206, TD's-0, Faircatch-17, Long-35 (3 collegiate seasons)

Robey att-27, yds-208, TD's-0, Faircatch-7, Long-44 (2 collegiate seasons)

Lankstr att-26, yds-171, TD's-0, Faircatch-6, Long-36 (1 collegiate season)

 

 

Was surprised Percy didnt receive any punts in his career, nor Mcoy, Bryce, Karlos, Easley, Goodwin. There was a BR writeup on this back in July - however it doesnt really offer much insight. Still, I no longer have wam fuzzies about PR game like I did before doing this research. Thigpen is our only dynamic punt return guy if the Irish guy is sitting. I guess Woods can take a crack at it since we have all sorts of WR depth????

i thought I saw Karlos has returned punts at FSU - no?

 

Edit: I saw it here--

http://www.tomahawknation.com/2015/5/2/8505277/karlos-williams-drafted-by-get-florida-state-running-back

 

Any FSU fans out there who can confirm?

Edited August 26, 2015 by YoloinOhio

[jumbalaya]

maybe we should keep Thigpen. then we only have to carry two running backs.

[SCD]

i thought I saw Karlos has returned punts at FSU - no?

Looks like kickoffs only. But Its not a bad idea if he can learn. I wouldn't wanna take him down...

[I'm Spartacus]

I forgot about Goodwin. Blazing speed.

[GunnerBill]

maybe we should keep Thigpen. then we only have to carry two running backs.

 

I floated the other day rather than the consensus "keep 4 backs" if they feel good about Williams could they keep McCoy, Williams and FredEx with Thigpen as the return specialist / 4th choice emergency back?

[Rocky Landing]

I forgot about Goodwin. Blazing speed.

There is that. But, PRs do take some hard hits, often by several players simultaneously. I don't necessarily have the durability concerns that others do regarding Goodwin as a WR, but PRs have to be quite sturdy. But, an equal concern for me is his ability to reliably catch an end-over-end punt with players bearing down on him. Not sure if that's really in his wheelhouse.

[JB_55]

Austin Willis

[YoloinOhio]

Austin Willis

you think he makes the team?

[Kelly the Dog]

HArvin is a returner first and foremost

He's never returned a punt in the NFL and I don't think in college either but maybe some. None of his bio of any accomplishment included PR. Last mention was as a junior in high school.

[NoSaint]

He's never returned a punt in the NFL and I don't think in college either but maybe some. None of his bio of any accomplishment included PR. Last mention was as a junior in high school.

i saw an article about him doing some in practice in seattle but thats it for nfl mentions

[YoloinOhio]

i saw an article about him doing some in practice in seattle but thats it for nfl mentions

i linked an article earlier today about him practicing it with jets as well but he never ended up doing it in a game from what I can tell

[LeGOATski]

I guess my initial punt-return assessment for Harvin was wrong. Now, I'm turned off from the idea of him in that role.

 

Keep Thigpen.

[Rocky Landing]

I guess my initial punt-return assessment for Harvin was wrong. Now, I'm turned off from the idea of him in that role.

 

Keep Thigpen.

If we keep Thigpen, who do you think is most on the bubble: Easley, Goodwin, Hogan, or Thompson? In order?

[QuoteTheRaven83]

Hogan. I hear he's Wes Welker-like.

Why, because he's white?

Edited August 26, 2015 by QuoteTheRaven83

[NoSaint]

I guess my initial punt-return assessment for Harvin was wrong. Now, I'm turned off from the idea of him in that role.

 

Keep Thigpen.

and cut who?

[QuoteTheRaven83]

Karlos Williams

[LeGOATski]

If we keep Thigpen, who do you think is most on the bubble: Easley, Goodwin, Hogan, or Thompson? In order?

Goodwin, Thompson, Easley, Hogan.

 

I haven't seen Goodwin improve his route-running or catching issues. Maybe he has, but I haven't seen it. He's lost KR reps to Thigpen and Percy also fills that role when he's healthy.

 

Thompson has been a nice surprise, but shown catching issues as well, with a lack of awareness to the ball in the air.

 

Easley has ST value and I'm not aware of any replacement gunners on the roster that can do it like he's done the past two years.

 

Hogan is a quality backup. I contribute the hiccups he's had this off-season to the challenges of learning a new system and getting familiar with the new QBs (the drop in the Carolina game, for example). As long as he's healthy, he should be fine.

[BmarvB]

It's not exactly like we have a shortage of return men, but I'd definitely go with Harvin. He's always a threat to score with the ball in his hands.

[boyst]

has hogan ever returned punts? i think i remember him trying, at least in camp?

[Rocky Landing]

Goodwin, Thompson, Easley, Hogan.

 

I haven't seen Goodwin improve his route-running or catching issues. Maybe he has, but I haven't seen it. He's lost KR reps to Thigpen and Percy also fills that role when he's healthy.

 

Thompson has been a nice surprise, but shown catching issues as well, with a lack of awareness to the ball in the air.

 

Easley has ST value and I'm not aware of any replacement gunners on the roster that can do it like he's done the past two years.

 

Hogan is a quality backup. I contribute the hiccups he's had this off-season to the challenges of learning a new system and getting familiar with the new QBs (the drop in the Carolina game, for example). As long as he's healthy, he should be fine.

A lot of hay was made over that drop-- mostly as an excuse for EJ. But, IMO, that was a poorly placed ball. Hogan was on a full speed crossing route, like what, 8 yards out? EJ hit him in the shoulder. Yes, Hogan should have caught it. BUT, on a route like that, the ball really has to be out in front of him, and it needs to be an accurate throw. Hogan had to twist around to grab it. At that short a distance, at full stride, it's an easy drop.

[GunnerBill]

A lot of hay was made over that drop-- mostly as an excuse for EJ. But, IMO, that was a poorly placed ball. Hogan was on a full speed crossing route, like what, 8 yards out? EJ hit him in the shoulder. Yes, Hogan should have caught it. BUT, on a route like that, the ball really has to be out in front of him, and it needs to be an accurate throw. Hogan had to twist around to grab it. At that short a distance, at full stride, it's an easy drop.

 

It was Cassel not EJ. But I agree it was far from an easy catch.

[Luxy312]

Why not Marcus Easley? He's been a good kick returner in the past and if he's not going to have a role on the offense, they could get some use out of him on KR's too.

[Nanker]

I can add Karlos Williams to the poll. He returned punts at FSU. Anyone at camp see whether he took reps there prior to his mystery nut surgery?

Who was the Buffalo Bills Linebacker that nearly died from getting a nut crushed in a goal line stand? It was a long time ago, I think in the 80s.

[YoloinOhio]

Why not Marcus Easley? He's been a good kick returner in the past and if he's not going to have a role on the offense, they could get some use out of him on KR's too.

did he returns punts too or just KO?

[Rocky Landing]

Who was the Buffalo Bills Linebacker that nearly died from getting a nut crushed in a goal line stand? It was a long time ago, I think in the 80s.

Karlos Williams?

[dwight in philly]

They are claiming all our cuts!

LOL!. i agree, it seems no matter who we cut i e: hogan, thigpen, cassel , bellicheat will grab em!

[nonprophet]

Harvin must have problems catching punts or judging the fair catch call.

 

He is one of the most elusive players in the league, a kick return ninja, there must be some reason he doesnt field punts.

 

Im in disbelief when we trot out Robert Woods to return punts instead of Percy or Thigpen.

Yeah, sure hands and ball-handling skills are probably favored over elusiveness and speed since a punt returner typically has less time to field the ball before he has gunners in his face. A kickoff returner may have time to recover a muffed ball but a punt returner seldom does.

[Manther]

Harvin

 

Best open-field running and speed combo who's potential injury wouldn't devastate the offense.

Agreed! No brainer and he has returned them before to the house.

[YoloinOhio]

Agreed! No brainer and he has returned them before to the house.

he actually hasn't. We are talking about punts, not kickoffs. He is certainly a no brainer for KOR.

[You herd it hear last]

Perhaps occasionally they should try for a mismatch and put a large person back there, creating mismatches.

 

Obviously it takes the home run out of it, but there might be instances where it may work.

 

Anyone aware of the history using a strategy such as this?

[LeGOATski]

A lot of hay was made over that drop-- mostly as an excuse for EJ. But, IMO, that was a poorly placed ball. Hogan was on a full speed crossing route, like what, 8 yards out? EJ hit him in the shoulder. Yes, Hogan should have caught it. BUT, on a route like that, the ball really has to be out in front of him, and it needs to be an accurate throw. Hogan had to twist around to grab it. At that short a distance, at full stride, it's an easy drop.

That's Cassell for ya. I actually think there were two options on that pass, where Hogan had the CB shadowing him from behind and a LB reading the pass in front.

 

#1. Cassell could've gunned it in there, threading the needle into Hogan's chest.

#2. Put it where Cassel put it - slightly behind Hogan where no defenders could make a play and hope he catches it.

 

Only the elite talents make throw #1 consistently.

 

We're getting sidetracked, though. None of this has to do with returning punts.

[Steve Billieve]

I probably would have voted for Harvin but I wonder if he's not a little too fragile for punts. He was so good at kick offs that punt returning must be a big problem or he would have done it before.

 

I voted Williams.

[mountainwampus]

As I mentioned earlier, Kluwe goes into detail about the differences between punt and kick returners and why Harvin can't do it:

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/2k1sjo/percy_harvin_has_never_retuned_a_punt_not_in_the/

[Steve Billieve]

Found this -- pretty interesting

http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-5/Percy-Harvin-as-Punt-Returner-Well-See/3361add1-ab3a-46a8-a3e1-4aace3009719

From last year --

 

Comment on this article was pretty funny, text to follow:

 

In the first half Greeno Smith is 6 of 30 for 2 yards and 3 pick sixes... one of which is thrown to a Bills fan sitting in the first row who then runs it back for a TD... the refs allow TD because they knew Greeno would just throw another pick six on the next play anyway... Jets fans agree.

Puzzy Harvin fumbles his only two kick returns in end zone which gives the Bills 14 points within a span of 5 seconds... Harvin then leaves game because of a migraine headache due to a broken fingernail... when Harvin arrives in the locker room he starts a fight with Mark Sanchez (who shows up every game to plead for his job back) ...Harvins boo boos put him on the bench for the rest of the season until he is traded to the CFL in exchange for a pound of canadian back bacon.. Canadian newspapers proclaim that Rex Ryan is a masterfully shrewd negotiator... CFL fans agree.

In the second half Michael "beat a dog with a stick" Vick is 9 of 45 for -50 yards and sacked 26 times... but is still named the Jets starting Quarter Back over Greeno Smith ... Jets fans agree

After the blow out loss to the Bills, Rex "foot sex" Ryan gets a migraine headache of his own because his defense was made to look like five year old school girls by Sammy Watkins and Bryce Brown... in the post game news conference Rex asks Doug Moron if they could switch teams for the remainder of the season... Doug thinks about the offer for a few days because... well lets face it... Doug Marrone isnt very smart... but Rex Ryans decides to stay with the Jets because his new Geno Smith tattoo could still pass as a Michael Vick tattoo... A week later Doug Marrone is forced by Terry Pegula to remove his EJ Manuel tattoo... Buffalo fans agree.​

[HalftimeAdjustment]

We could also just have a "punt catcher". I nominate Cyrus Kouandijo.

[dulles]

Fred ,hands down.

BTW, speaking of Freddy. I saw him playing punt coverage during Tuesday's practice. I thought that was interesting - an old vet playing Special Teams. He was the right "tight end" in the formation.