Seahawks | Two candidates for punt return duties
Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:20:44 -0700

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said WR Golden Tate will be given the first opportunity to earn the punt return duties. RB Christine Michael will also be given the chance to earn the role.
Share: | Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Eric D. Williams
Read more: http://www.kffl.com/team/33/nfl#ixzz2RuJm8Io3

I am going with CM, I think he will bring more power and is more expendable then Tate.

Tough tough job! They have human bullets coming at them, and they are expected to move forward.

Both have the ability to be pretty darn good at it. I'd be fine with either.

Me too, keep our starting receivers out of that mess. (Especially you Percy).

I'm going with Tate (at the start) and Harvin on Kick offs.

I thought I actually read somewhere that Carroll promised Harvin he would be used in the return game. I don't think it would be returning punts, so I have to think KOs. I am curious as to how many injuries actually happen to return men in the punting game. I'll bet it's less than we think. How many years did (the great) Tim Brown do it?

HawkWow wrote:I'm going with Tate (at the start) and Harvin on Kick offs.

I thought I actually read somewhere that Carroll promised Harvin he would be used in the return game. I don't think it would be returning punts, so I have to think KOs. I am curious as to how many injuries actually happen to return men in the punting game. I'll bet it's less than we think. How many years did (the great) Tim Brown do it?

He said something along those lines. Not so much a "promise" IIRC. He did say something a long the lines of "He can do it all, WR, out of the backfield, return kicks and punts."

"Hey Tate - here is a great deal for you. If you work really hard we will put you in a position to get smacked really freaking hard at least 3 times per game"

"Sweet! Thanks coach!!! Since this is extra risk and more plays I assume I will get some more money"

"Nope not a dime but you can EARN this spot! That is like one if those gold stars you could get in school back in the days"

.......

Basis4day wrote:

HawkWow wrote:I'm going with Tate (at the start) and Harvin on Kick offs.

I thought I actually read somewhere that Carroll promised Harvin he would be used in the return game. I don't think it would be returning punts, so I have to think KOs. I am curious as to how many injuries actually happen to return men in the punting game. I'll bet it's less than we think. How many years did (the great) Tim Brown do it?

He said something along those lines. Not so much a "promise" IIRC. He did say something a long the lines of "He can do it all, WR, out of the backfield, return kicks and punts."

http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/a ... 6c6cdb4a1d

Closest i can find.

“Percy played in the backfield in college. He played in the backfield for the Vikings. … That’s a tremendous spread of talent that he brings to our club. He will get the ball in his hands a number of ways and he’s going to return kicks for us, too.” - PC

The only time you will see Harvin on a kick or punt returns is in really special situations (like forth quarter and we need good field position to make a drive).

Shock2k wrote:The only time you will see Harvin on a kick or punt returns is in really special situations (like forth quarter and we need good field position to make a drive).

I doubt that. PC said at Percy's introductory press conference that he was going to be handling the kick returns. He didn't qualify it by saying "some kicks" or anything like that. He's doing the kick returns.

As for punts, I'd kind of like to see Tate do it, if only for the fact that I think he's going to be jacked up trying to outdo Percy. You gotta believe he feels like he has something to prove this year with all the hype and attention Percy is getting.

Tate is really elusive when he has the ball so i can see why they would want him returning punts.

Its hard to imagine having better returners than leon washington though.

Basis4day wrote:

Basis4day wrote:

HawkWow wrote:I'm going with Tate (at the start) and Harvin on Kick offs.

I thought I actually read somewhere that Carroll promised Harvin he would be used in the return game. I don't think it would be returning punts, so I have to think KOs. I am curious as to how many injuries actually happen to return men in the punting game. I'll bet it's less than we think. How many years did (the great) Tim Brown do it?

He said something along those lines. Not so much a "promise" IIRC. He did say something a long the lines of "He can do it all, WR, out of the backfield, return kicks and punts."

http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/a ... 6c6cdb4a1d

Closest i can find.

“Percy played in the backfield in college. He played in the backfield for the Vikings. … That’s a tremendous spread of talent that he brings to our club. He will get the ball in his hands a number of ways and he’s going to return kicks for us, too.” - PC

Nice find. I knew I wasn't going crazy. I think I got the "promised" part outside of Hawk nation and this was said (basically) suggesting we sweetned the pot by "promising" Harvin he'd be in the return game. What I like best about this is that it is very clear Harvin wants the ball ...and he wants to score.

Also, I think the job should go to the person who's actually the best at it without regard to how "valuable" they are to the team. Percy is arguable the best kick returner in football, and Tate has shown game breaking ability as a punt returner in both college and the pre-season. The Seahawks are deep at wide receiver, and return men rarely get hurt on returns anyway. If someone gets hurt, so be it. This receiver group is deep enough to lose a guy for a few games. Maybe in the future when the core is a little thinner, you put less valuable pieces back there. But for THIS year, having the potential for explosive return plays multiple times a game, 16 times a year is too much to pass up with as much depth as we have to fall back on.

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.

mikeak wrote:"Hey Tate - here is a great deal for you. If you work really hard we will put you in a position to get smacked really freaking hard at least 3 times per game"

"Sweet! Thanks coach!!! Since this is extra risk and more plays I assume I will get some more money"

"Nope not a dime but you can EARN this spot! That is like one if those gold stars you could get in school back in the days"

.......

Huh?

The more plays he makes the better the contract he earns when/if he re-signs.

If you were only putting Harvin in as a situational returner, you don't get rid of Leon Washington, who is still one of the best in the league at returns.

I can see us going with Harvin since he's so explosive, but also, with how many weapons we have on offense, and how run heavy we are as a team, we want the ball in his hands as much as we can and in as many different ways. It's not like this wasn't anticipated....it was obviously planned.

As for punts, I remember Tate was pretty good at them.

As for Michael, is he really that fast ? I don't remember the last time I've seen a 220 + lb RB on punt return duties. That alone would intrigue me. Michael is becoming more and more intriguing to me; anyone can look pretty good in youtube highlights, but the way people are talking him up on this site, he's the second coming.

Also look at Austin Coleman, he's a guy that got a rookie mini camp invite

I read somewhere that he doesn't have that breakaway speed, he's more of a bruiser in the mold of Lynch. I may be wrong, but that doesn't sound like any kind of punt returner I ever heard of. But if Pete thinks he's worth looking at, then maybe he's faster than the source I read thinks.

I'd be very excited with Golden as our punt returner. With him and Harvin on returns, I think it'd be the ultimate maximization of the Seahawks abilities on returns. Sure, there's an added risk for injury and yeah it's true that if Golden goes off on returns like I think he would, you'd have to show him even more $. I'm okay with that though.

As for Golden, I've always loved it when he returns punts. He was pretty bad when he was younger because he'd run backwards, laterally, but hardly went forwards, which was pretty frustrating but you could still tell that the potential was there with his ability to make people miss and his amazing ability to bounce off of tackles and stay not only on his feet, but moving forwards after taking hits. He's developed in a big way since those early days and I think now, with his excellent hands and even more amazing (at this point) ability to create after contact. That 3rd preseason game wasn't just the game that showed everyone Russell Wilson wasn't holdin no clipboard. Golden had a 92 yard punt return and it was at that moment I knew we were fine if Leon ever needed to be cut.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000054629/Golden-Tate-returns-one-for-a-92-yard-TD-run

With Harvin returning kicks, and Golden returning punts, there's no reason the Hawks shouldn't have the #1 return team in the NFL. Even if teams start to try and kick away from them, their average will still be insanely high, so when they do get a chance they'll likely make the most of it. Loads of return talent back there.

Now watch Michael end up the PR after all that Golden gushing.

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.

Just rotate both, no pun intended. It's simple if Tate has to start then go with Micheal, if Micheal has to start go with Tate. If both start go with Tate, no need to gas out the RB before the drive even starts.

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

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

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.

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 wrote: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

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 wrote: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.

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

HoustonHawk82 wrote: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.

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.

mikeak wrote:"Hey Tate - here is a great deal for you. If you work really hard we will put you in a position to get smacked really freaking hard at least 3 times per game"

"Sweet! Thanks coach!!! Since this is extra risk and more plays I assume I will get some more money"

"Nope not a dime but you can EARN this spot! That is like one if those gold stars you could get in school back in the days"

.......

You do realize guys want to be the return man right? It's not a burden.

That Austin Coleman guy was exciting to watch on his videos... I'll let Pete decide on his chances.
And yes, Walter Thurmond III was a very good return man at Oregon.

I think it will be a pretty big upset if we don't have Harvin on kicks and Tate on punts next season 90% of the time. That said, I'm really interested to hear that Seattle wants Michael in the mix too. He might be the most explosive/athletic runner on the team, so it makes sense to have a look.

The person who ends up with the job, no matter who it is has my respect. That must be the scariest job in the game. I couldn't do it. I'd be bringing an extra 10 or so britches and baby wipes to every game and be making a trip to the locker room after every punt.

Golden Tate

If Tate wants to do it, it's his job to lose, IMO.

As I said... Anybody, but a player we're going to rely on to start on defense or offense.

So.... No to Harvin or Tate. Keep them out of the trainwrecks and try to make sure they stay healthy for the majority of the season... if not the entire season.

SalishHawkFan wrote:I read somewhere that he doesn't have that breakaway speed, he's more of a bruiser in the mold of Lynch. I may be wrong, but that doesn't sound like any kind of punt returner I ever heard of. But if Pete thinks he's worth looking at, then maybe he's faster than the source I read thinks.

You're pretty much wrong. Michael is going to have one of the fastest *20* times of anyone on the team, probably behind only Harvin and maybe ET. Michael has unbelievable acceleration. What he doesn't have is unbelievable absolute TOP speed. If Michael were to break free at the 20, with ET 3 yards behind him, ET would run him down and tackle him about 60 yards later, at the other 20. However, one zig-zag that ET doesn't read and react to correctly, and Michael takes it to the house.
Watch Michael's 97 yard TD run in college to get the picture of what I'm talking about. It starts 24 seconds into the video. He outruns the DB up the sideline, and by the time the DB realizes what he's up against and starts sprinting with good form, it's too late. Michael started slowing down a bit too as he neared the end zone; it's a damn long way to run at full speed. Michael outruns DBs in his college highlights, time after time. Plus he is clever enough to make a move and create that separation, and with a little separation, and it's OVER, he's GONE.