[News] The Competition: Special Teams Returners

[BR News]

Michael Campanaro and Keenan Reynolds will compete with last year’s breakout performer, Kaelin Clay, for the returner duties.

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[ravensnj]

Clay brings more pop to the return game, a must come playoff time. Think Jermaine Lewis and Jacoby Jones. Neither of them were considered great receivers (Although, Jacoby blew up during the Super Bowl run), but they were fantastic in gaining field position and taking it to the house. I don't believe either Campanaro or Reynolds have the burst, cutting, or breakaway speed of Clay.

[The Greek]

camp is toast. will never stay healthy. clay was solid but will have to earn it. reynolds is a ?

[Ravensfansince03]

If Camp can stay healthy this season I think he can be a key player for us.

[Ravensfansince03]

With the influx of speedy young guys we have, I think they should use Camp strictly in certain passing plays. Remember the guy made a few spectacular catches.

[Ravensfansince03]

With the influx of speedy young guys we have, I think they should use Camp strictly in certain passing plays. Remember the guy made a few spectacular catches.

I said before that this team needed to sign a guy strictly for kick returns. Some might say you can save money by using a active WR, but I beg to differ with the way our WR's have been getting injured.

[Ravensfansince03]

Clay brings more pop to the return game, a must come playoff time. Think Jermaine Lewis and Jacoby Jones. Neither of them were considered great receivers (Although, Jacoby blew up during the Super Bowl run), but they were fantastic in gaining field position and taking it to the house. I don't believe either Campanaro or Reynolds have the burst, cutting, or breakaway speed of Clay.

That Super Bowl run was fueled by Ray Lewis. A lot of people forget that.

[harfordravenfan]

My gut says clay is on the bubble. Both camp and Reynolds show more potential as a slot receiver.

[eze17]

Other than who will be our starting ILB, easily the best competition of the pre season. Clay is the most experienced, but is pretty much a one trick pony who hasn't shown the required skills to play effectively as a WR. Hopefully the Raven's can get him involved more in the offense to see if he can be better utilized as say maybe a 4th receiver. If not, I think it would be hard to keep him over one of the other guys who have the potential to also grow as a WR.

Campanaro obviously has been bitten hard by the injury bug. The Raven's seem really, really high on him, however, so I would think he will get every opportunity to make the roster. However, from the limited time he has done return work I have to admit I've not been impressed. Granted, he's had little experience but he did not look sharp the times that he was back returning kicks. Mink claims he's been effective, but other than not muffing the ball I didn't see anything to tell me he's a good returner.

Reynolds is the wild card. He's never really played WR, much less returned kicks. But he has a dominant personality and freaky athleticism. To be honest, I think the job is his to lose. If he can handle the pressure and shows even modest ability, I believe the Ravens give him the benefit of the doubt. I've also been of the mindset that he would not clear waivers if we cut him. I've read several sources that the Pats were really high on him and were considering drafting him in the 7th round if he was still available. He's definitely a project, but if he can show that he has the necessary skills I think we keep him.

[robbie29]

If Camp can stay healthy this season I think he can be a key player for us.

Same goes for Perriman...and Suggs...and Smith Sr., and Flacco...and Jimmy Smith...and Webb...and so on and so on and so on.......

Unfortunately, that has become a painful tag line for nearly half the players on the Ravens roster over the last two years'- "If he can stay healthy"

[eze17]

Clay brings more pop to the return game, a must come playoff time. Think Jermaine Lewis and Jacoby Jones. Neither of them were considered great receivers (Although, Jacoby blew up during the Super Bowl run), but they were fantastic in gaining field position and taking it to the house. I don't believe either Campanaro or Reynolds have the burst, cutting, or breakaway speed of Clay.

While Lewis and Jones were not considered great WR, they were deemed capable WR, which as of now Clay is not. Maybe the Ravens give Clay more opportunities during camp and pre season to show he can play on offense, but if not I'd have to give the job to one of the other guys based on their potential to be not only returners but bring something to the WR position also. Right now, unless Camp or Reynolds show they can't do the return job, I think Clay is in trouble getting a spot on the roster. But, Harbaugh is an old special teams coordinator, so maybe he will see something Clay can do that the others can't and keep him as a return specialist. I'd put my money on the other guys however.

[757RavensFan]

 I think Reynolds will be that spark plug on offense that we never had.  I see him as a dynamic player like Percy Harvin and Antwaan Randle El.  Our offense was always boring IMO, I think he brings a little shock and awe to the offense. 

Edited July 25, 2016 by 757RavensFan

[AvianBrain]

 I think Reynolds will be that spark plug on offense that we never had.  I see him as a dynamic player like Percy Harvin and Antwaan Randle El. 

Our offense was always boring IMO, I think he brings a little shock and awe to the offense. 

I would like to see Trestman dial-up some trick plays with Reynolds. He was a quarterback and I could see him on an end around with the option to run or pass. If a safety to bites on the run one of the speedy WR's could be open for a quick score.

[sami]

 I think Reynolds will be that spark plug on offense that we never had.  I see him as a dynamic player like Percy Harvin and Antwaan Randle El.  Our offense was always boring IMO, I think he brings a little shock and awe to the offense. 

Reynolds isn't even a WR or PR/KR. Hes a college QB. Seems like a lot of you are giving him skills he hasn't acquired yet. Clay is the best returner and Camp is the best WR of the 3. Reynolds is the best QB of the 3.

[TheConquerorWorm]

  8 hours ago, 757RavensFan said:

 I think Reynolds will be that spark plug on offense that we never had.  I see him as a dynamic player like Percy Harvin and Antwaan Randle El.  Our offense was always boring IMO, I think he brings a little shock and awe to the offense. 

Reynolds isn't even a WR or PR/KR. Hes a college QB. Seems like a lot of you are giving him skills he hasn't acquired yet. Clay is the best returner and Camp is the best WR of the 3. Reynolds is the best QB of the 3.

Navy runs the flexbone where the QB is basically a direct snap RB, so I would say Reynolds is more RB than QB. The biggest skill for the QB in a flexbone is being able to find the hole in the defense while running with the ball in your hands - a skill that a successful Returner must have.

[sizzlingdoom]

  13 hours ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

If Camp can stay healthy this season I think he can be a key player for us.

Same goes for Perriman...and Suggs...and Smith Sr., and Flacco...and Jimmy Smith...and Webb...and so on and so on and so on.......

Unfortunately, that has become a painful tag line for nearly half the players on the Ravens roster over the last two years'- "If he can stay healthy"

So true. And so painful for the fans, and I'm sure the whole organization. Huge ??? about whether everyone will be healthy this year and back to form. When we are 100% healthy, or even 95, I still sincerely believe we have the most talented roster in the league

[sizzlingdoom]

I hope we're able to keep Reynolds and Camp. They can both contribute as wrs and more as well. I don't see how Clay would ever make the team just as special teams contributer, especially with the talented and deep roster we have. Lets use Camp and Keenan 50/50 on returns, to help keep each fresh. Both are electric. Buck can be the emergency returner and a db could really fill in if needed. I think that works esp. since Dixon and Forsett should be getting most of the running back time. Buck is a perfect true back up and it really seems as if he can contribute on both sides of special teams

[sizzlingdoom]

  17 hours ago, 757RavensFan said:

 I think Reynolds will be that spark plug on offense that we never had.  I see him as a dynamic player like Percy Harvin and Antwaan Randle El. 

Our offense was always boring IMO, I think he brings a little shock and awe to the offense. 

I would like to see Trestman dial-up some trick plays with Reynolds. He was a quarterback and I could see him on an end around with the option to run or pass. If a safety to bites on the run one of the speedy WR's could be open for a quick score.

agreed. time to use him like Antwan Randell Ell and others. Time to get more creative on both sides of the ball. Hue Jackson was so good at that on O in Cincy, Glad he's not there anymore

[757RavensFan]

12 hours ago, sami said:

Reynolds isn't even a WR or PR/KR. Hes a college QB. Seems like a lot of you are giving him skills he hasn't acquired yet. Clay is the best returner and Camp is the best WR of the 3. Reynolds is the best QB of the 3.

 

You don't score 88 TDs by mistake. I'll leave you with the note below.

 

Ravens sixth-round rookie Keenan Reynolds is "further along" at receiver than the team anticipated at this point.

ESPN Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley calls Reynolds the "most intriguing rookie on the team" and expects him to get a shot to return punts and see snaps on offense. Reynolds was a triple-option quarterback at Navy and set an FBS record with 88 rushing touchdowns. He has a good shot to make the team.

[January J]

Tough BC they're all 3 better at different things. Clay is explosive - camp is a better receiver + more experienced and Reynolds has the best vision . may the best man win. Cant see them keeping even 2 of any of these guys with how stacked we are at other positions.I think most ppl are expecting either camp or Reynolds- but I will say I wouldn't be so quick to write clay off. 

[sami]

  12 hours ago, sami said:

  19 hours ago, 757RavensFan said:

 I think Reynolds will be that spark plug on offense that we never had.  I see him as a dynamic player like Percy Harvin and Antwaan Randle El.  Our offense was always boring IMO, I think he brings a little shock and awe to the offense. 

Reynolds isn't even a WR or PR/KR. Hes a college QB. Seems like a lot of you are giving him skills he hasn't acquired yet. Clay is the best returner and Camp is the best WR of the 3. Reynolds is the best QB of the 3.

Navy runs the flexbone where the QB is basically a direct snap RB, so I would say Reynolds is more RB than QB. The biggest skill for the QB in a flexbone is being able to find the hole in the defense while running with the ball in your hands - a skill that a successful Returner must have.

then why don't we use a RB to return the ball? We have several with sure hands. Theres a big difference between running the ball thru the line and catching the ball and returning a punt or KO.

[sami]

  12 hours ago, sami said:

Reynolds isn't even a WR or PR/KR. Hes a college QB. Seems like a lot of you are giving him skills he hasn't acquired yet. Clay is the best returner and Camp is the best WR of the 3. Reynolds is the best QB of the 3.

 

You don't score 88 TDs by mistake. I'll leave you with the note below.

 

Ravens sixth-round rookie Keenan Reynolds is "further along" at receiver than the team anticipated at this point.

ESPN Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley calls Reynolds the "most intriguing rookie on the team" and expects him to get a shot to return punts and see snaps on offense. Reynolds was a triple-option quarterback at Navy and set an FBS record with 88 rushing touchdowns. He has a good shot to make the team.

if one of our coaches had said that it might carry some weight but Hensley?

[757RavensFan]

1 minute ago, sami said:

then why don't we use a RB to return the ball? We have several with sure hands. Theres a big difference between running the ball thru the line and catching the ball and returning a punt or KO.

There's not a RB on our roster that can do what Reynolds can do in open space.  If there was, we wouldn't have drafted him.  

If you haven't yet, go watch the film on Reynolds. 

[burnstr19]

Hester just became available... Him and Trestman had a 'publicly' rocky relationship but might be worth a look - not sure how much he has left in the tank.