Return Specialist

theduke85 · 2014-03-15T11:33:09-07:00

I feel like something our team lacks is a true return specialist. Someone who is a threat to take it all the way on any given play. He didn't always look comfortable back there, but LaMichael James was at least more explosive than Kyle Williams. He had a handful of decent returns. However, he just doesn't have the elite speed/agility that some of the premier return guys have (in pads, he doesn't feel as fast as I thought he was). What options are there in the draft? I see the Dri Archer thread. What other candidates are there? It seems every year I hear people touting up players as elite return guys, but it seems like the league only ever has a handful of truly good ones. Do these guys just not pan out or what? What skills, aside from speed/agility, are requisites for being a solid return guy?

Mar 15, 2014 at 12:21 PM

NinerSickness
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Posts: 8,897

Dri Archer or Deanthony Thomas would both be much better options to return kicks than LMJ IMO.

Odell Beckham JR's a pretty good KR too.

Mar 15, 2014 at 12:37 PM

ilikecows699
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Posts: 847

hester sign yet?

Mar 15, 2014 at 1:22 PM

Since07
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There's maybe 3 guys I can think of that have consistently affected a game by returning kick and 1 of em is in the market but I think James is an above average return man and Hester won't even cross thier minds.

Mar 15, 2014 at 2:35 PM

60sFan
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Dri all the way.

Mar 15, 2014 at 7:32 PM

MC9BEAT
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James is fine as a KR but he is not a good punt returner. He has enough trouble just catching the ball. As a rookie he muffed so many they dropped the idea. Last year he caught the ball but it took so much out of him there was nothing left for a return. He fair caught the ball most of the time. He feels very unnatural as a PR. We should draft a return specialist.

Mar 15, 2014 at 8:06 PM

scooterhd
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Posts: 1,688

DeAnthony Thomas.

Mar 17, 2014 at 1:40 PM

DeUh
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LaMichael James punt return avg. 10.9 yrds last season.

Odell Beckham LSU punt return avg 9.1 yrds (2012) 8.4 yrds (2013).

DeAnthony Thomas Oregon punt return avg 17.1 yrds (2012) did not return punts last season.

Josh Stewart OSU punt return avg 16.7 yrds last season. ( for those you dont know him look here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O78xe3k_WMA )

Dri Archer did not return punts.

[ Edited by DeUh on Mar 17, 2014 at 2:03 PM ]

Mar 17, 2014 at 3:40 PM

DeUh
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Posts: 4,006

LaMichael James kick return avg 26.8 yrds last season.

Odell Beckham LSU kick return avg 26.4 yrds last season.

DeAnthony Thomas Oregon kick return avg 24.4 yrds last season

Josh Stewart OSU only returned 1 kickoff for 24 yrds last season.

Dri Archer Kent State kick return avg 34.8 yrds (2012) only returned 2 kickoffs last season for 128 yrds.

Mar 17, 2014 at 3:48 PM

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 132,897

I think Archer would be great as a kick returner, has so much explosion and accelerates so quickly that if he finds even a slight opening he could be taking it all the way to the house.

Mar 17, 2014 at 3:55 PM

#10

jersey49er
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Posts: 7,674

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
I think Archer would be great as a kick returner, has so much explosion and accelerates so quickly that if he finds even a slight opening he could be taking it all the way to the house.

yes I agree.. I gave you the credit for me knowing him..i was unaware about him until you mentioned him and I started watching film on him and then the combine..he is who I want in the 4th..or our comp 3rd assuming we get 1..