Pick your punt returner

Throw this guy into the mix: Austin Coleman - UDFA camp invite

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I really would like to see dynamic play makers running back kickoffs and punts, however, I do not want to see Tate or Harvin getting injured on these plays.

GoHawks":1gez05ws said:

Throw this guy into the mix: Austin Coleman - UDFA camp invite

[youtube]oTLXe4j6Ep4[/youtube]

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The guy's got virtually no chance to make this team. There's just no room at RB/WR on the roster and there's no way we're going to keep a return sprecialists.

Honestly, I hope it's neither. I'd really like to see Christine Michael completely rehabilitate himself and I don't see punt returns helping the cause. Golden Tate has become one of our more reliable playmakers in the receiving game. May not get targeted as much as Rice, but he doesn't drop the ball and he's deadly after the catch. Perhaps this is something we could let Thurmond and Maragos have a shot at, seeing how they were both tagged as electrifying return men when they entered the NFL.

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I like Harvin on kicks and Michael on punts. The way Micheal has that extra gear, even if he seems to be on full speed already, could do wonders.. Plus he can run through tackles. Harvins talents should not be wasted by sparing him on anything.

Tate seems to have a tiny bit of Barry Sanders, in that sometimes he likes to take steps backwards and sideways to find that seam and when returning punts that usually gets you killed or poor field position. I am cool with whomever they decide.

I'm so indecisive on this. I really don't want Harvin doing it, even though he's fantastic at it. That's a lot of dough to put a guy in the cross-hairs like like.

Tate was more featured at WR last year. Assuming he progresses, what about Baldwin?

No for Harvin...way to much invested. Tate has tried it , but to be honest he looks shaky catching punts. Try one of the rookie backs . Maybe Lane? I know he is a DB but he has great speed and good hands

Happypuppy":lv0nqfik said:

No for Harvin...way to much invested. Tate has tried it , but to be honest he looks shaky catching punts. Try one of the rookie backs . Maybe Lane? I know he is a DB but he has great speed and good hands

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I actually voted for Tate, but you're right. Until the ball is firmly in his hands, he looks uncertain and not overly confident. But like anything else, I think reps will solve that problem. The good news is I totally trust our coaching staff to field the right player. Damn, it's fun to say that.

I want a battle royale with cheese. Let the winner have the job.

Harvin is more likely to get mauled on a drag route across the middle than he is to get obliterated on a return. Players tend to get hit hard, (once in awhile) on punt returns with sloppy coverage, but I've rarely seen someone hurt by one.

As for the punt returner, either one is fine.

Either would be fine but my hope is for Christine to take it because I don't want any starting WR returning kicks. That duty is tailor made for rookies and players trying to make their mark by being Special Teams Aces.

Christine Michael did not return a single punt at Texas A&M, doesn't mean he can't do it, but it's not as if he has a history of it.

I'd like to see Tate in some sort of 1/3 to 2/3 time share with someone. We had 42 punt returns last year, I don't want Tate taking more than 15 or so because he seems to have a return style that sets him up for a lot of potential big hits.

I'm fine with anyone else for the remaining 30 or so.

Wasn't Walter Thrummond a return guy in college? Seem like he was. Probably not a good idea to put a guy who can't stay healthy for a week back to return punts, so i guess my vote goes to Golden.

Blitzer88":3phc8ba6 said:

Christian.....mainly because I want to see what he can do as well as see him on the field as much as possible since he may not see many carries and we used a 2nd rd pick on him.

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Yes my adopt a rookie needs to get on the field.

HoustonHawk82":2ckjd69u said:

Mmmmmm, this is going to be interesting.

I agree with the camp saying Harvin should not play ST's, and I'm not sure Tate has the breakaway speed to avoid being caught from behind. Golden is elusive, but I don't see him as a sprinter. Harvin is fast, no doubt about it, but the tackles made on returns can be brutal. Let's preserve Percy for offense, please.

I want to see what Michael can do.

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Tate is perfect for punt returns, punt returns are about being elusive. Kick returns are the one you need breakaway speed.

Teams load up their punt teams with big guys because they have to first protect the punter. Kickoff teams are mostly smaller quick guys -- especially since wedges are being cracked down on.

I genuinely can't remember the last time someone got seriously hurt on a punt return.
The biggest chance of getting hit hard is immediately after catching the ball (if no fair catch called for), but that's usually a really speedy but not so big guy.

Guys are probably more likely to get hurt on offense or defense on a snap by snap basis I reckon

Justin Veltung... I watched him play at U of I and when the ball is in his hands... it's aways a TD threat... type in Justin Veltung in You tube... yes he has little chance... 4.4 speed / 10' 9" broad jump / 42.5" vertical / but no contract and as such...

We wouldn't have let Neon Leon go if Harvin wasn't our new KR guy. I'm sure Michael and Tate will both see time returning punts, as they bring different styles. Michael seems like Leon in that he'll be fast and hard with good vision/cuts, which is better suited for KR, IMO. Tate is the shifty make-you-miss guy, which I think is better suited for PR.