I don't like Kearse to return kicks.

[Scottemojo]

Yes, I know, 107 yard return. I don't care. First, I don't think he wins the job, and second, I don't think he will be that good at it consistently.

I get the feeling the staff wants Christine Michael to win the KR job, but I think he has a fumbling problem, and the last place I want a fumbler is returning kicks.

My pick for the job? Will Blackmon. I like his size and speed, and he has some wiggle for a bigger guy. I trust his years of NFL experience, and I like having an extra DB on the gameday roster.

 

[RolandDeschain]

Can you explain the reasoning behind your dislike of Kearse in this role? I mean, you say you don't think he'll win the job or be good at it consistently, but what makes you say that?

 

[-The Glove-]

I'd be interested to see Jeremy Lane do it. Has he returned kicks here before? His experience as a gunner would be helpful IMO and he has some jets as well. Don't know how his hands are tho.

 

[Zowert]

I guess we will find out. With Harvin out, I see Kearse winning a spot on the 53-man roster. I'd rather Kearse return kicks than Golden Tate. Although Tate is a great return man, i'd rather he save his energy and be a consistent slot receiver. I would at least like to see Kearse split the return duty with Tate for returns, to take some of the burden [and chance of injury] off one another. Golden is good at punt returns. So maybe Kearse takes kickoffs and Tate takes the punts. With our defense, I see a lot of punt return opportunities this season.

Also, I know Earl Thomas is an extremely valuable starter and Pete would never risk putting ET out for returns. However, I would like to see him return one. If I remember correctly, he was a beastly returner while playing for Texas.

 

[Scottemojo]

Can you explain the reasoning behind your dislike of Kearse in this role? I mean, you say you don't think he'll win the job or be good at it consistently, but what makes you say that?

I don't see a lot of wiggle in Kearse, and even though that 107 yard return was fun to watch, it was hardly an exercise in good special teams by Denver.

 

[RolandDeschain]

I'd like to see him have a shot at it in the regular season. He looks every bit of that 4.4 speed.

 

[Obie]

I wouldnt expect Blackmon to be any better than Kearse. Blackmon has been average at best at kick returns in his career while fumbling a lot already. I dont really see a spot for him on the team

 

[HawkFan72]

I thought Blackmon would be the front runner for the job before Preseason started.

I don't think he would do any better than Kearse though.

 

[McGruff]

I guess we will find out. With Harvin out, I see Kearse winning a spot on the 53-man roster. I'd rather Kearse return kicks than Golden Tate. Although Tate is a great return man, i'd rather he save his energy and be a consistent slot receiver. I would at least like to see Kearse split the return duty with Tate for returns, to take some of the burden [and chance of injury] off one another. Golden is good at punt returns. So maybe Kearse takes kickoffs and Tate takes the punts. With our defense, I see a lot of punt return opportunities this season.

Also, I know Earl Thomas is an extremely valuable starter and Pete would never risk putting ET out for returns. However, I would like to see him return one. If I remember correctly, he was a beastly returner while playing for Texas.

Golden Tate doesn't play the slot.

 

[ImTheScientist]

I guess we will find out. With Harvin out, I see Kearse winning a spot on the 53-man roster. I'd rather Kearse return kicks than Golden Tate. Although Tate is a great return man, i'd rather he save his energy and be a consistent slot receiver. I would at least like to see Kearse split the return duty with Tate for returns, to take some of the burden [and chance of injury] off one another. Golden is good at punt returns. So maybe Kearse takes kickoffs and Tate takes the punts. With our defense, I see a lot of punt return opportunities this season.

Also, I know Earl Thomas is an extremely valuable starter and Pete would never risk putting ET out for returns. However, I would like to see him return one. If I remember correctly, he was a beastly returner while playing for Texas.

When have you seen Tate playing the slot?

 

[Smelly McUgly]

I don't particularly think much of Blackmon in any regard. I hope Michael wins the job, but I'm open to Kearse running them back too.

 

[TaterHawk]

They should continue to rotate and if they find a standout stay with it. Keep Tate out of it. The way he runs will not be good for his health. Yes he would be amazing, but tatertot seems to get himself in odd situations when he has the ball. A couple times last year he was lucky to live through the play.

 

[Throwdown]

I think Tate wins it honestly.

 

[12thMan1]

I don't even think Blackmon will make the final 53.

 

[ErikG803]

I'd rather let one of the more talented players who is already gonna be on the 53 man roster do it rather than having to worry about who to cut in order to make room for Will Blackmon. Tate, Michael, Lane, Kearse, Thurmond, all are good by me.

 

[Anonymous]

Tate: punt returns
Kearse: kick returns

I think Golden has the elusiveness to make better yards within the tighter constraints of the punt return. Kearse has that momentum-type speed and can change direction on a dime at full throttle like Leon could.

 

[Basis4day]

I don't really want anyone returning kicks but someone has to do it.

 

[DavidSeven]

Kick return and punt return are two different things. Tate has not been up for the KR position to this point, and I doubt he'll be up for the spot. PR is a perfect spot for an allusive, slippery runner like Tate. KR is better suited for someone with great initial burst. That's why people like Michael and Harvin in that role. Kearse's lack of wiggle isn't that big of a deal in the KR game IMO. Explosive plays in the KR game are about hitting a single hole in coverage quickly. PR is more about making the first few tacklers miss.

 

[Anonymous]

Kick return and punt return are two different things. Tate has not been up for the KR position to this point, and I doubt he'll be up for the spot. PR is a perfect spot for an allusive, slippery runner like Tate. KR is better suited for someone with great initial burst. That's why people like Michael and Harvin in that role. Kearse's lack of wiggle isn't that big of a deal in the KR game IMO. Explosive plays in the KR game are about hitting a single hole in coverage quickly. PR is more about making the first few tacklers miss.

Yeah...

that's what I was trying to say.

 

[RolandDeschain]

I don't really want anyone returning kicks but someone has to do it.

Why? It's only a myth, really, that returners get injured more.

http://www.advancednflstats.com/2011/09 ... educe.html

Kick returners have a VERY SLIGHTLY higher chance at injury than a pass or a run play. The "dangerous" perception in regards to returning kicks is just that; a perception, and a largely inaccurate one, to boot.