Punt Returns?

[Runnin Raven]

I know its way early but I'm not sure we fixed an issue we had last year - punt returns. Far as I can tell Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss are both kick returners, not punt returners. Is that correct?

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

I'd imagine Webb would be the returner. I'm assuming the only reason that he wasn't consistently fielding them throughout the earlier part of last season was his injury and the coaches not wanting to risk another.

[Ed_Reed20]

Webb was an amazing punt returner last season. I think he'll do it again next season.

Doss didn't return punts a lot at Indiana but he also has punt returning experience.

[FerrariFan87]

Depending on our corner situation, Harbs may not want to risk Webb, but I'm sure there will be a camp battle for that spot... assuming there is a camp.

[Dubs]

Ya Webb all the way, he is a terror of a returner..Zbi is a good punt returner and is a very safe player to put back there, very smart and doesnt force too much

[Runnin Raven]

Cool - thanks guys. How could I forget Lardarius?!

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Dubs' timestamp='1304289136' post='679214']
Ya Webb all the way, he is a terror of a returner..[b]Zbi is a good punt returner and is a very safe player to put back there, very smart and doesnt force too much[/b]
[/quote]

The punt he fielded in week one at the Jets where he ran backwards to try to get around the defenders, managing to run into our endzone, then fumbling it (luckily the play was ruled over) would suggest the opposite of just about everything you said there.

Not that I meant that personally against you or anything.

[Token]

The only person I can see in this draft class returning punts is Chykie.
I don't think he will take the job from Webb though.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Token' timestamp='1304292528' post='679246']
The only person I can see in this draft class returning punts is Chykie.
I don't think he will take the job from Webb though.
[/quote]

Brown didn't return a single punt at all at Texas though.

[Dubs]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1304291823' post='679240']
The punt he fielded in week one at the Jets where he ran backwards to try to get around the defenders, managing to run into our endzone, then fumbling it (luckily the play was ruled over) would suggest the opposite of just about everything you said there.

Not that I meant that personally against you or anything.
[/quote]


haha I agree fully with that..off the start of the season he did make some risks but as he progressed into the role he became much more reliable in calling the fair catch, rarely whiffed catching it and began running just upfield...But I do remember that moment being a little rough

[hawkprey]

Webb fumbled once against Atlanta. That's why he didn't see as many returns. But he hasn't fumbled since and he's the best for the job. He did improve towards the end of the year.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Dubs' timestamp='1304300383' post='679382']
haha I agree fully with that..off the start of the season he did make some risks but as he progressed into the role he became much more reliable in calling the fair catch, rarely whiffed catching it and began running just upfield...But I do remember that moment being a little rough
[/quote]

True. He certainly wouldn't be my preference at returner anyway. Webb improved to being at the very least solid on returns last season.

[Ngata92NT]

Could David Reed or Tandon Doss be options? Neither returns punts as far as I know but both are good kickoff return guys with speed, burst, toughness, and elusiveness. I'm sure both will be looking to get on the field in any way possible.

Assuming Torrey doesn't take over the #2 receiver spot, he could be an option. There's no guarantee he'll ever be a starter on this team so I don't see why we wouldn't try to get as much as we can out of him, be it at receiver, kick or punt returner, or (ugh) running reverses.

[lowrider]

[quote name='Ngata92NT' timestamp='1304356945' post='679867']
Could David Reed or Tandon Doss be options? Neither returns punts as far as I know but both are good kickoff return guys with speed, burst, toughness, and elusiveness. I'm sure both will be looking to get on the field in any way possible.

Assuming Torrey doesn't take over the #2 receiver spot, he could be an option. There's no guarantee he'll ever be a starter on this team so I don't see why we wouldn't try to get as much as we can out of him, be it at receiver, kick or punt returner, or (ugh) running reverses.
[/quote]
I don't see Torrey as the number two receiver. Mason will still be there. I think Torrey is more of a slot receiver at the number 3 spot.

Its good to see that we have some depth at kick returning and punt returning. Torrey Smith, David Reed, Webb, Chris Carr if he stays with the Ravens. But I don't know how much this new stupid rule of moving the kickoff 5 yards forward will effect the kick return game. If they really wanted the game to be safe they should remove kickoffs entirely and start at the 20 yard line. And play flag football instead, and make it two hand touch on the qb. Suggs would probably still get a roughing the passer flag on Brady though.......... not that I'm still bitter or anything

[indianstick]

webb should return punts if he doesn't start. Torrey smith should return kicks for sure, he wasn't the Maryland all purpose yard leader for no reason.

[big hits and ball hawks]

Webb, as everyone else has said, will most likely be the main guy for punt returns when training camp starts and through preseason. I think David Reed will still be at top for kick returner at the start of everything too.There's definitely gonna be some battles for these positions and during the season guys will be rotated, especially for PR depending on the situation. When the regular season starts I still think Webb and Reed will be the guys.