Brandon Banks
 

Man, I hope this guy makes the team. At the very least have him return kicks/punts. 1049 yards in 2008 and 705 in 2009. Sub 4.3 40 time and at 5'7" and 142 lbs he's not afraid to go over the middle. Big things come in small packages, let's hope he turns out to be a big thing.


[YT]jKd2rQCGM_E[/YT]

Re: Brandon Banks
 

Totally agree. He was the shiftiest person I saw at training camp.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

KSU is like the breeding ground for little speedsters-Rock, Sproles, Banks (Ok well maybe Rock's not exactly a speedster)

He'll be exciting to watch in preseason for sure. Will be interesting to see if he can make the team

Re: Brandon Banks
 

I'm a fan of his abilities, just have to wonder what happens when he really gets popped

Re: Brandon Banks
 

Seems like a good kid. Spoke with him at TC for a few moments. He's a very small dude. Not just in height, he's slim. The little guys that have made it recently have been thick. I like the kid, but one real solid hit from an NFL 200 lber and he's done. I don't think he makes it, but with his speed the CFL is a real option for him.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

Brandon Banks and guys like him make the pre-season interesting. If you know all the side stories and what to look for the 4th quarter of a preseason can be very entertaining.

The casual fan misses out on this.

BTW Hard Knocks tonight on HBO!

Re: Brandon Banks
 

Saw him at training camp today, and tracked him a little bit because he was so short. Pretty sure he dropped two passes, and I remember saying to myself, "He's got to be kicking himself for those." They were catchable, and the whole crowd went "aaahh.."

I guess if he has 4.22 speed, perhaps we can overlook one or two drops, but...

Re: Brandon Banks
 

He sure is shifty. But if there were tackling in training camp he might already be dead.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=mredskins;719185][B]Brandon Banks and guys like him make the pre-season interesting. If you know all the side stories and what to look for the 4th quarter of a preseason can be very entertaining[/B].

The casual fan misses out on this.

BTW Hard Knocks tonight on HBO![/quote]


I agree with you.

Of course for most of us on this board w all know most of these storis, and even with some of the stories the end of some presason games are very hard to watch! I am very interested to watch our preseason this year though to see how this team is setup for depth. These past few years we all have seen that this team has had no depth and our preseasons have been extremely difficult to watch the 2nd and 3rd stringers to play.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

He definitely needs to add some weight and I'm sure he will...hell, once they have him working on his neck he'll easily add another 10lbs...if Sproles at 5'6" and 180 lbs can take a hit he'll be able to as well.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

Dude that kick return against Nebraska made me laugh. He just catches the ball follows the blockers and turns the corner. At that point the speed burst is Madden like. Holy cow that guy is freaking fast. The fact that he is so short only makes him look so much faster. I am legit stoked to see him on kickoffs now.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

yep. Saden he can play in the NFL and not get smoked.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;719180]Seems like a good kid. Spoke with him at TC for a few moments. He's a very small dude. Not just in height, he's slim. The little guys that have made it recently have been thick. I like the kid, but one real solid hit from an NFL 200 lber and he's done. I don't think he makes it, but with his speed the CFL is a real option for him.[/quote]

Would not surprise me if he made it in the CFL and had some success similar to say, Dominique Dorsey. The UFL would also be a potential landing spot. If Doug Williams sticks with the expansion team in the Norfolk area I wouldn't be surprised to see camp cuts start hitting there when they're part of the league next year.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

I think the way he makes it is the following

1. We carry two QB's, anymore then that and he's not making it.

2. We carry 3 RB's. In the past Shanny has carried 4 so it's possible that the extra spot left by the hypothetical no 3rd QB goes to a ball carrier.

3. Terrance Austin breaks into the starting lineup. Being a starter seriously reduces the effectiveness of kick returner as we all saw with a certain ARE.

4. We carry 6 WR's, Moss, Galloway, Thomas, Armstrong, Austin, Banks.

Right now though it seems that the practice squad is going to be as follows

Capers (OT), Cook (OL), Paulsen (TE), K. Williams (RB), Banks (WR), Hodge (WR), Morris (FB)

Re: Brandon Banks
 

From what I saw on Saturday, he won't make it.

I saw him fumble a return, trying to get an extra yard. Yes he's fast, but I don't think he has the strongest hands to hold onto the ball...or maybe they're just small.

I think Austin has a better chance to make the team as a returner, #5/6 WR.

We have plenty of potentially-capable returners in Moss, Thomas, Buchanon, Hall...maybe even Keiland Williams, Tryon and Torain.


Sure I'm rooting for him and would love to see him make it as a little guy, but up to this point...he won't.

Of course, I'm sure he'll get plenty of chances in the preseason games to do something.


The coaches were really testing him and Austin on returns...sending everyone at them. The vets weren't even getting tackled, but the rookies were.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=saden1;719175]Man, I hope this guy makes the team. At the very least have him return kicks/punts. 1049 yards in 2008 and 705 in 2009. Sub 4.3 40 time and at 5'7" and 142 lbs he's not afraid to go over the middle. Big things come in small packages, let's hope he turns out to be a big thing.


[YT]jKd2rQCGM_E[/YT][/quote]


Dude, at 5'7" 142 he would be destroyed if he took a really good ST type of lick!!! I am 5'9" 165, so we would have similar stature/build I would think. I am sure he can smoke me and run circls around me if we were to run a 200m dash, but if he gets drilled, lights out baby!!

Re: Brandon Banks
 

Hope he makes team/PS I think he would be a good PR/KR/3rd down back IMO, he just needs to bulk up a little.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

bbanks16

Starting at punt returner time to ride!!

I'm guessing that this means for the game Friday, but wasn't sure, asked him.. waiting for a response back

Re: Brandon Banks
 

OK, you can all forget about Moss or Thomas returning kicks/punts on the regular...you just don't have your starting WR or even your 3rd WR returning kicks in the NFL. As for this guy being too small, anyone can add muscle mass with the right diet/training and we know the NFL is good at that. Wes Welker is 5'8" and 180 lbs and he's doing just fine catching the ball and avoiding hits.

If this Banks kid can work on his fumble issues he's going to bring some magic into Skins special teams unit.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

Banks is a few pounds short of 180, he's solid in the fact that his speed and somewhat elusiveness make it to where more guys hit him from the side just bouncing him off. Don't think for one second he'll have the separation on crossing routes in the NFL that he has in his videos.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=tryfuhl;719254]Banks is a few pounds short of 180, he's solid in the fact that his speed and somewhat elusiveness make it to where more guys hit him from the side just bouncing him off. Don't think for one second he'll have the separation on crossing routes in the NFL that he has in his videos.[/quote]

It seems that he's listed at 155 on ESPN and 150 on the Redskins.com...whatever he is I'm pretty sure separation on crossing routes will be the least of his issues...catching the ball, not getting popped and holding on will be for sure.

If you look at Wes Welker you will see that SOB folds to the ground faster than a Decepticon. Sproles does the same shit too, as he should. Maurice Jones-Drew, not so much, dude is 5'7" 210 lbs wrecking ball.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=saden1;719257]It seems that he's listed at 155 on ESPN and 150 on the Redskins.com...whatever he is I'm pretty sure separation on crossing routes will be the least of his issues...catching the ball, not getting popped and holding on will be for sure.

If you look at Wes Welker you will see that SOB folds to the ground faster than a Decepticon. Sproles does the same shit too, as he should. Maurice Jones-Drew, not so much, dude is 5'7" 210 lbs wrecking ball.[/quote]

You're still talking guys that weigh 30 and 40lbs more.. 20-25pct heavier.. Welker does fold but there are always times where you can't see the hit coming. Maybe he'll benefit from catching some air but at his height he's more likely to get what the NFL is now deeming a "defenseless" hit. He's going up against guys taller and bigger than him. At his height he's very likely to take hits to the head, even unintentionally from the forearm/shoulder/head area.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=tryfuhl;719258]You're still talking guys that weigh 30 and 40lbs more.. 20-25pct heavier.. Welker does fold but there are always times where you can't see the hit coming. Maybe he'll benefit from catching some air but at his height he's more likely to get what the NFL is now deeming a "defenseless" hit. He's going up against guys taller and bigger than him. At his height he's very likely to take hits to the head, even unintentionally from the forearm/shoulder/head area.[/quote]

His weight is an issue right now but then again he did shit on Oklahoma twice and it doesn't get bigger than those beef jerks. You don't put up the numbers he did without playing big.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

he puts the ball on the ground? no thank you

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=tryfuhl;719236]bbanks16

Starting at punt returner time to ride!!

I'm guessing that this means for the game Friday, but wasn't sure, asked him.. waiting for a response back[/quote]

For Friday, right now Buchanon is penciled in as the regular season starting punt returner

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=saden1;719253]OK, you can all forget about Moss or Thomas returning kicks/punts on the regular...you just don't have your starting WR or even your 3rd WR returning kicks in the NFL. As for this guy being too small, anyone can add muscle mass with the right diet/training and we know the NFL is good at that. Wes Welker is 5'8" and 180 lbs and he's doing just fine catching the ball and avoiding hits.

If this Banks kid can work on his fumble issues he's going to bring some magic into Skins special teams unit.[/quote]

What about Devin Hester, DeSean Jackson, Percy Harvin...

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=SmootSmack;719297]What about Devin Hester, DeSean Jackson, Percy Harvin...[/quote]

Wes Welker, although maybe not for 2010-2011.
ARE was a #2 here, if only by default.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=saden1;719266]His weight is an issue right now but then again he did shit on Oklahoma twice and it doesn't get bigger than those beef jerks. You don't put up the numbers he did without playing big.[/quote]

If he bulks up though, he could slow down...no longer a threat.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

5'7 142 lbs isn't going to cut it in the NFL.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

He has Jermaine Lewis (Ravens) potential, maybe...but even the tiny Lewis was 5'7" and 183.

[URL="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LewiJe00.htm"]Jermaine Lewis NFL & AFL Football Statistics | Pro-Football-Reference.com[/URL]


It's really depends on what he does in these first few preseason games. He needs to break a few long ones and HOLD ONTO THE BALL. If he doesn't really "wow" us, Austin will likely make it ahead of him.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=SmootSmack;719297]What about Devin Hester, DeSean Jackson, Percy Harvin...[/quote]

There's always an exception to the rule....all of these guys have been doing special teams and made their names in ST before establishing themselves as WRs. These teams have game changers and they see the risk vs the reward of playing them on ST favorable. It should be interesting to see what the Eagles do with DeSean Jackson this year.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=saden1;719360]There's always an exception to the rule....all of these guys have been doing special teams and made their names in ST before establishing themselves as WRs. These teams have game changers and they see the risk vs the reward of playing them on ST favorable. It should be interesting to see what the Eagles do with DeSean Jackson this year.[/quote]

What are you talking about? Harvin and Jackson both established themselves as WRs and STs their rookie season.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=SmootSmack;719363]What are you talking about? Harvin and Jackson both established themselves as WRs and STs their rookie season.[/quote]

You're right about Jackson, he was a star receiver and returner from the get-go. I believe Harvin earned the slot WR spot after couple of games into the season having earned the punt return duties during the pre-season.


Who is the best returner on the Skins?

p.s. DeSean Jackson is 5'10" and 175 lbs.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=saden1;719366]You're right about Jackson, he was a star receiver and returner from the get-go. I believe Harvin earned the slot WR spot after couple of games into the season having earned the punt return duties during the pre-season.


Who is the best returner on the Skins?

p.s. DeSean Jackson is 5'10" and 175 lbs.[/quote]

I don't know, I thought Harvin was in the lineup from the get-go. As for who the best returner is, I don't know the answer to that either

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=saden1;719366]You're right about Jackson, he was a star receiver and returner from the get-go. I believe Harvin earned the slot WR spot after couple of games into the season having earned the punt return duties during the pre-season.


Who is the best returner on the Skins?

p.s. DeSean Jackson is 5'10" and 175 lbs.[/quote]Harvin was a kick returner from the beginning, if I remember correctly.

175 - 150 = 25 / 150 = Banks would need to add 16.7% more lean body mass to reach 175. And I'm telling you, I shook hands with the kid....that ain't happening, he's got a small frame. He'd be a great story if he could beat the odds, but bottom line it's a real long shot.

More exceptions (from ESPN Depth Charts):
Cardinals: PR - Steve Breaston, starting WR
Bills: KR - Fred Jackson, currently listed as #1 RB
Browns: KR/PR - Josh Cribbs, starting WR
Titans: KR - Kenny Britt, #3 WR
Saints: PR - Reggie Bush, #2 RB (#1 in some packages)
Jets: PR - Jericho Cotchery, # 3 WR
Bears: PR - Devin Hester, starting WR
Cowpukes: KR - Felix Jones, #2 RB
Broncos: KR/PR - Tim Tebow, he can do anything (LOL)....really Eddie Royal. starting WR
Jaguars: KR/PR - Mike Thomas, starting WR
Chiefs: KR - Jamaal Charles, currently listed as #1 RB
Dolphins: KR/PR - Davone Bess, starting WR
49ers: KR - Ted Ginn, #3 WR
Seahawks: KR/PR - Justin Forsett, #2 RB
Eagles, Vikings, Chargers - already mentioned

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=saden1;719366]Who is the best returner on the Skins?[/quote]
We'll have a better idea at about 10:30pm tomorrow.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

We're gonna find out. He's probably gonna get a real good look to see if he can hold up. As quick and fast as he is he can probably avoid 98% of the kill-type shots but hopefully he'll get lit up once or twice and we can see if he can handle it. If he can then I don't see how we let the guy off our roster. He's got special speed and quickness. Essentially if he was 4 inches taller and weighed 30 lbs more he is a top 3 draft pick. He reminds me so much of Hester in the way he just has crazy joy-stick like speed.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

Joy-stick?

Wha? :D

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;719373]Harvin was a kick returner from the beginning, if I remember correctly.

175 - 150 = 25 / 150 = Banks would need to add 16.7% more lean body mass to reach 175. And I'm telling you, I shook hands with the kid....that ain't happening, he's got a small frame. He'd be a great story if he could beat the odds, but bottom line it's a real long shot.

More exceptions (from ESPN Depth Charts):
Cardinals: PR - Steve Breaston, starting WR
Bills: KR - Fred Jackson, currently listed as #1 RB
Browns: KR/PR - Josh Cribbs, starting WR
Titans: KR - Kenny Britt, #3 WR
Saints: PR - Reggie Bush, #2 RB (#1 in some packages)
Jets: PR - Jericho Cotchery, # 3 WR
Bears: PR - Devin Hester, starting WR
Cowpukes: KR - Felix Jones, #2 RB
Broncos: KR/PR - Tim Tebow, he can do anything (LOL)....really Eddie Royal. starting WR
Jaguars: KR/PR - Mike Thomas, starting WR
Chiefs: KR - Jamaal Charles, currently listed as #1 RB
Dolphins: KR/PR - Davone Bess, starting WR
49ers: KR - Ted Ginn, #3 WR
Seahawks: KR/PR - Justin Forsett, #2 RB
Eagles, Vikings, Chargers - already mentioned[/quote]

Special teams folks moving into WR/RB position or guys that excel as specialists. It's risky but I'd risk all of these guys except DeSean Jackson.

If you're the Skins and you want talent, experience, and speed back there your options are Moss, Hall, Thomas, Galloway (I hear he's still a burner and did return punts for the Bucs), and Buchanon IMO. Who would you want to risk? Thomas could return kicks but lets face it, he's nothing to call home about. Are Galloway/Buchanon expendable? I don't know at this point.

There's not a single Redskin player from last year that is capable returner I would want to put back there so let's hope we get some fresh blood that's capable.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=saden1;719403]Special teams folks moving into WR/RB position or guys that excel as specialists. It's risky but I'd risk all of these guys except DeSean Jackson.

If you're the Skins and you want talent, experience, and speed back there your options are Moss, Hall, Thomas, Galloway (I hear he's still a burner and did return punts for the Bucs), and Buchanon IMO. Who would you want to risk? Thomas could return kicks but lets face it, he's nothing to call home about. Are Galloway/Buchanon expendable? I don't know at this point.

There's not a single Redskin player from last year that is capable returner I would want to put back there so let's hope we get some fresh blood that's capable.[/quote]I'd risk all but Moss. None of the guys listed are difference makers.