[Blogs] ‘No Problem’ With Lardarius Webb Returning Punts

[BR News]

It can be worrisome to see a franchise cornerback also line up as a punt returner.

If he goes down with an injury on a special-teams play, then it’s a significant blow to both the return unit and the defense, and cornerback is one of the most vital pieces of a defense.

But last year the Ravens used starting cornerback Lardarius Webb as their main punt returner, and while they’re looking for other options to take over the job, Head Coach John Harbaugh said he has no problem with Webb staying in that role.

“You can’t sit there and play scared, so I don’t have a problem with [Webb returning],” Harbaugh said Wednesday.

“But I would rather have a backup doing it, yes.”

With Webb agreeing to a new six-year contract with the Ravens on Thursday, there may be some increased urgency to find another player for that role.
http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2012/04/05/ravens-lardarius-webb-reach-long-term-deal/

Webb was the Ravens’ main punt returner last year and ranked 16th in the league in average yards (10.0) per return. He also took one punt back for a touchdown.

As much as the Ravens like him returning punts, they are keeping their eyes out for an alternative. 

“If there is another option that is a better player or takes your starting corner and takes him off the punt return, that’s even better,” Harbaugh said.

Baltimore tried to bring in a punt returner with free agent receiver/return specialist Ted Ginn, but he opted to remain in San Francisco on a one-year deal.

“We tried to do something with a free agent or two, and it didn’t work out, but that’s OK,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll move on to the next opportunity.”

One place the Ravens will likely look is the draft.

Harbaugh didn’t provide specific names in terms of who they could target, but Ravens Director of College Scouting Joe Hortiz said the draft has some quality options for them to consider.

“There are some good ones out there,” Hortiz said. “There are some guys that are impactful guys in college, and there are some guys that maybe haven’t done a lot of it but have potential.”

In addition to a punt returner, the Ravens may also be looking for a player to do kickoff returns. David Reed is heading into his third season and is a candidate to re-claim the job, but he’s also coming off ACL surgery.

To find the answer in the return game, Harbaugh said they’ll continue to consider Reed and other options currently on the roster, but will also try to find players to come in and compete for the spot.

“The answer, you’ve got to consider it always being on the roster, because that’s where you’re at any given point in time,” Harbaugh said. “But, we’re looking.”

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2012/04/05/no-problem-with-lardarius-webb-returning-punts/]View the full article[/url]

[andyk]

I feel comfortable with Webb returning kicks in that he will make a smart decision whether to run it out or down it, and that he isn't going to fumble the ball. At the same time it scares me because he is such a valuable player and it is easy to get hurt returning kicks... what scares me the most is when I see #20 back there... please don't do that anymore

[Adriano]

I wouldn't make Webb do anything but play D! Get a returner in the draft or FA!

[ksk316]

Please don't use Webb for any other role than CB. Agree we don't want to play scared but we should also play smart. Why not use guys like Doss, Laquan? It's not like every punt return is going for a touchdown now.

[ravefan52]

Ill be suprised if we dont have a new returner either via draft or FA by our first game

[BloodyKnuckles27]

i dont like the idea of any starter returning punt/kicks. not only because they can get hurt but also because i would rather them be as fresh as possible when they go back on the field for their primary position.

[ravenmaniac1123]

Remember this name T.Y. Hilton WR and returner from Florida International. Guy has 4.3 speed.

[The Voice]

How many different ways can I say NO! Lets See

NO, Know, No, nO, Kno, no, NOOO!
Why would we let Webb Return Punts and we just paid him a bunch of money.
We don't have to play scared but we can play smart with our Starting Corner for the next 6 years.

[ravensnj]

Don't do it unless it's in the Super Bowl (period).....

[CharmCity85]

Im not okay with webb returning i hold my breath everytime he does it hes are best corner pick one up in draft or FA please

[fusuymada]

D Reed is a bust, Webb is too valuable, put out Tandon Doss or LaQuan Williams.

[CapoRocky]

No one wants Webb to return punts unless there is no other options. Let's wait until after the draft to debate this further.

[BleedingPurple52]

hahaha calling D Reed a bust.. the kid was what a 6th round draft pick.. thats not a bust... a bust is brady quinn, or ted ginn... a guy that was drafted in the first two rounds you call a bust.. anything after that is just cannon fodder for special teams.. and if they turn into a good nfl player its a break from the norm, unless you are the ravens and then those gems in the rough are the norm.. IE Pernell McPhee, Adalius Thomas, Bart Scott, Jameel McClain..

[jrs034]

get LaQuan back there he looked explosive on punt returns in the pre season

[The Voice]

Wait a minute, David Reed had one bad game and we are calling him a bust. He was running pretty fast when he returned that kick in Houston a couple years ago. Plus we haven't even seen him on the field as our 3rd reciever yet.
Maybe its just me but I really believe in this kid!

[sami]

our problem isnt our returners its the scheme of the guys that are suppose to be blocking. Same with when we kick the ball away.
We seriously need to rethink our kick-off and punt stagety.

[Dumbo of Rome]

David Reed is an excellent kick returner - yes, we all saw that disaster in the two-fumble game, but he is very very good, and I wish he gets healthy soon and reclaims his spot as one of the top returners in the NFL.
As for Webb, I seriously doubt he will be returning punts - he already got injuried two years ago, then in preseason of 2010 we busted Stallworth, and last year Reed got his ACL torn. Let's keep our key players as healthy as possible.

[mettro79]

I'm not convinced yet that David Reed isn't our guy. Yes that Seattle game will be hard to ever forget, but the dude is no joke at returns. If he can bounce back from the surgery as expected we will be good to go.

[Grapple Raven]

This gives me Jimmy Smith flashbacks!!! Just say noooooooo Harbs!

Let D. Reed go and move up Philip Livas off future/reserves, and get a back up in the draft for Livas.

I don't feel we have enough depth at safety and CB to be risking this with starters...play smart please,,,I am tired of holding my breath on PR/KR's,

[purpletruck52]

Its not playing scared as much as it is playing smart.

[NCMan]

If we're going to keep DReed on the roster, then I'm for giving him another shot at the job. If he screws up a few times, cut him. There is great potential there.

[RavenAllDay]

Sorry John I have a problem with Webbie returning punts! Find someone else.

[stixfix69]

Lets draft someone like Maze, Raines or even Adams, and resolve the PR issue....Webb is to valuable to lose, like we did 2 years ago when he blew his ACL in a non contact fluke on Punt coverage duties.....

[jravens13]

Draft a return specialist. Your best CB doesn't return kicks. This isn't High School Harbaugh. This is the NFL: Returners get hit and Returners get hurt.

[Purple Dawg 96]

Hey, if he wants to do it, let him. He is a good open field runner and has done pretty good. Thats if HE wants to. What about Phillip Livas, this kid stats are a page long. Save the money and Let The Kids Play. Tandon Doss got experience at that spot also.

[Ravens_Flock]

Harbaugh is a moron. You DO NOT have a starter at any position on your team as a return man also. It just isn't smart. There is no reason to risk a key player getting hurt on special teams. We HAVE guys on the roster that could return punts, including LaQuan Williams who showed he could do it well last pre-season. Having Webb do it not only risks him getting injured, which I do believe already happened to him at least once, and it also runs the risk of him getting exhausted late in a game when he needs that extra bit of energy to keep up with a speedy WR.

It just isn't smart football, period.

[Reed_Fence_20]

Everytime last year when I saw him about to return kicks I prayed. Literally

[e_rodz8]

if this is still a problem after the draft, someone is not doing their job

[Raven Zack]

Absolutely Ridiculous !!!! If they allow Webb to return a single punt/kickoff, our entire coaching staff needs to be TERMINATED...... Webb is on his way to ELITE/SHUTDOWN ststus and he is being paid to do just that.... Webb is our #1 cb... That's his job....

[JaKeDaSnaKe]

im thinking maybe my favorite player EVER!! should not have been returning punts too and maybe he wouldn't have the injuries he has imo!! punt returner should return punts and specialize in just that safety should stay a safety and so on especially a shut down corner or such