ARE: Punt Returns

[rypper11]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Ok this may sound like a knee jerk from yesterday, but what about Horton? He looked good catching the tipped up balls, and he seems to have a certain savvy, plus it gets him on the field more!!

Yes, it is knee jerk. Catching a punt is not as easy as it looks and Horton isn't a returner (or wr or rb or OL). Thrash won't break a big return but he's consistent. ARE has always been a boom or bust returner and now that it is mostly bust he needs to focus on offense solely.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by rypper11

Yes, it is knee jerk. Catching a punt is not as easy as it looks and Horton isn't a returner (or wr or rb or OL). Thrash won't break a big return but he's consistent. ARE has always been a boom or bust returner and now that it is mostly bust he needs to focus on offense solely.

I certainly didn't say catching a punt is easy, my main point was that he seems to be able to see the ball in space, all three turnovers required what I think a punt returner needs, mainly an awareness of the ball and taking it in. I was impressed with his pickup of the fumble, you could tell he was watching the ball the whole way and still knew the field, and the two pop ups again required the type of focus that a punt returner needs. He is a safety which requires a whole field awareness. I know he is not the first option,(or 2nd or 3rd) but Certainly you don't want your main receiving threat in Moss as a primary punt returner, and other than Thrash (who would be my first choice) I don't see any other player standing out for it.

[mike340]

What do you need for someone to have a big return?
Thrash returned only 2 punts last year and one was about 70 yards. (He had 71 yards in 2 punt returns.)

Originally Posted by rypper11

Yes, it is knee jerk. Catching a punt is not as easy as it looks and Horton isn't a returner (or wr or rb or OL). Thrash won't break a big return but he's consistent. ARE has always been a boom or bust returner and now that it is mostly bust he needs to focus on offense solely.