I don't like Kearse to return kicks.

[chris98251]

Agred on Kick returning, being able to recognise coverage and take it left right or middle and take advantage of the wall and angles and then have the high gear burst to seperate from the pack. Guys that do a lot of juking as Kick returners don't do as well, taking advantage of the coverage being spread out is done with coming up while they are still spread and having your blocker wall off the 5 to 6 guys in that part of the field to get past them. Once all 11 converge your not going anywhere most times.

 

[Fuzzman55]

Doesn't Kearse have just the one return? We need to see him there more before anyone can really decide.

I'd like the top 2 for the job split reps the rest of the preseason.

It's a good thing having the 5th or 6th WR taking the kick returns. That Kearse has at least shown he has the speed to take it the distance is a big bonus.

 

[Coug_Hawk08]

If he can take a knee, and/or score 107 yard TDs, I am down with Kearse on KR.

 

[rideaducati]

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.

There are a lot of kick returners that don't have a lot of wiggle. Ted Ginn, Jacoby Jones, Brad Smith, they don't have wiggle, but all three are pretty good returners. I prefer a returner that gets up the field in a hurry instead of dancing around. Kearse seems like he'll get up the field in a hurry.

 

[Sarlacc83]

I might change my mind after watching tonight, but I disagree for right now. There are only a few guys who can be special when the opposing coverage is good, and our guy is hurt, and the other couple of guys are on different teams. At this point, given who we have, I think Kearse is the most dependable option while also having the ability to break it long when the opposing ST breaks down.

 

[McGruff]

The two best kick return men I ever saw we're Mel Gray and Brian Mitchell. Neither were shifty, but both made good decisions, could accelerate, and didn't waste any movement. I think Kearse would be just fine.

 

[chris98251]

Add Billy White Shoes Johnson also to McGruffs list. speed and a cut and gone.

 

[formido]

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.

Yep, and returns are valuable, too, so it's not like something where you just want to put your head down and get through it so you can get to the real football. Harvin averaged 36 yards per kick return last year, which was I think 6 more yards then whoever came in second. That's a real field position advantage.

 

[Hawken-Dazs]

I highly doubt Blackmon makes the team.

 

[ivotuk]

I wasn't impressed with the Kearse return because it was so well blocked that just about anybody could have run that back. That doesn't mean Jermaine can't be a very good kick returner, I just didn't see anything in that long return that indicated potential. Hopefully we get to see him on a couple of them tonight and see how he does.

Does Thurmond do KR? Or just PR?

 

[Anonymous]

The two best kick return men I ever saw we're Mel Gray and Brian Mitchell. Neither were shifty, but both made good decisions, could accelerate, and didn't waste any movement. I think Kearse would be just fine.

I agree.

Catch the ball, take a quick look, decide, and take off burning tires. Instead of slowing to try and juke somebody, just make a turn without losing speed and give him the "baby" stiff arm and keep going. Like a freight train.

True, we have only seen one return, so far, and this one had inept special teams play written all over it, but it was telling. That stiff arm deflected dude effortlessly, and that looked so beautiful to me. I'd like to see a few more to be sure, but the first one was freakin awesome.

 

[kearly]

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.

Kind of agree, kind of don't.

#1: Kearse didn't show much lateral movement on that return. He pretty much ran straight up the field. I'm pretty sure Brandon Browner could have taken that kick 107 yards. However, that doesn't mean that Kearse is incapable of making lateral moves, he just didn't have to because he had a huge lane in a straight line ahead of him.

What it did tell us is that Kearse's 4.43 forty time at the combine (correction: pro-day) looks pretty legit. I didn't not expect him to look quite that explosive, either. Michael is faster on the field than he is in track shorts, but I doubt he'd be any faster than Kearse (though his agility, explosiveness, and balance/resilience are obviously very special). Unfortunately, we have very little data on either returner, because Seattle's defense has only surrendered 20 points in two games.

Also, I really liked the stiff arm he used to beat the kicker. People forget, but Kearse is a tall WR, 6'2" and he's got some decent strength. A sample size of one isn't enough to judge either way, and this was a flawed sample, but there were some things to like about Kearse in a KR role from that one play.

#2: Michael did have a fumble problem at college, but didn't have a fumble problem in the Chargers game. I haven't heard of him being plagued by fumbles in practices. I agree 110% about not wanting a fumble prone player on KR though, because it seems like a disproportionate number of fumbles happen on KRs so ball security is of high importance.

#3: I can't really see us keeping a 7th DB just for KR, though I agree that Blackmon has looked solid in all phases. I wonder if Turbin can return kicks? He has speed and his running ability has some similar traits to Leon Washington.

 

[ImTheScientist]

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.

What it did tell us is that Kearse's 4.43 forty time at the combine looks pretty legit.

Kearse Ran 4.58 at the combine bra....just sayin.

 

[Tical21]

I guess Turbin was returning some at practice this week and figures to get a look. Blackmon looks good in the return game but our quality young depth at CB figures to take him out of the picture. I'm sure they want to get another look at Lane again.

Kearse just doesn't seem the type to me. He's never seems to accelerate the way a KR does, doesn't seem tough to bring down, and doesn't seem to have really quick feet. I dunno, I hope I'm wrong, I really like the kid, and have always defended him. Who knows. I would think the first choices would be Michael and or Lane, just to get them on the field more often, but if Kearse is going to excel, you don't have a choice. Hopefully we learn a lot, but not too much, over the next two weeks.

 

[kearly]

Kearse Ran 4.58 at the combine bra....just sayin.

We're both wrong. He had a 4.50 official time at the combine, 4.43 at his pro-day.

 

[kearly]

He's only gotten a couple of reps so far, but I thought Perez Ashford looked very promising as a kick returner and was equally as good on kick coverage. Doesn't look bad as a backup slot WR either.

 

[-The Glove-]

Well I wanted to see Lane, and he's back there but no chance to bring it out yet.

 

[Hawks46]

It's going to be tough.

Until tonight, Blackmon wasn't going to win the job based purely on returns. But he had a very good night in coverage, and that could help him.....problem is, he's trying to break into the deepest spot in our team, and very possibly the deepest roster spot in the league.