Leroy Vann-NCAA Career Record Holder for Return TD's Is a Niner

OMF*CKNLORD!!!

Desmond Howard and Don Bebe have NOTHING on this kid.

Question is who loses their spot to this cheeta in pads?

He better make it to the 53 man roster and if he does he better F*N be on the starting PR squad.

~Ceadder

Originally posted by teeohh:
has Zeigler ever made the team or is he just practice squad?

Practice squad and has been his whole career. Zeigler.

~Ceadder

Originally posted by zillabeast:
Guys labled as "return specialists" generally don't get drafted period due to the fact that's all they have to offer. Teams much perfer to have a guy who can both return and perform at his assigned position if called upon. Vann is a pure returner, that's it.

Some view a guy like this as a burning hole on a roster. If he can get the job done though, I will gladly take a guy who performs return duties and nothing else.

Look at it this way.

In a typical game a PR may touch the ball as many as 8 times or more (if the defense is doing its job). That's more than most wideouts will. Granted, wideouts have other jobs like blocking and decoying, but still, with field position being such an important part of the game, someone who *averages* 5 yards more per return than someone else will pick up maybe 35-45 yards *more* during the course of a game than the guy who doesn't.

It doesn't hurt to be able to take it to the house occasionally, but a return man doesn't need to to still be very effective and make the game easier for his team to win. Oh, and he needs good hands, too...muffs and fumbles are game changers in the *wrong* way.

If Vann can demonstrate he's a cut above everyone else on the team returning punts -- and not turning it over on changes of possession -- he may get a spot as a specialist if the team projects him contributing ~40 yards a game just doing that.

[ Edited by 49erThrowback on May 2, 2010 at 06:39:59 ]

Originally posted by 49erThrowback:

Originally posted by zillabeast:
Guys labled as "return specialists" generally don't get drafted period due to the fact that's all they have to offer. Teams much perfer to have a guy who can both return and perform at his assigned position if called upon. Vann is a pure returner, that's it.

Some view a guy like this as a burning hole on a roster. If he can get the job done though, I will gladly take a guy who performs return duties and nothing else.

Look at it this way.

In a typical game a PR may touch the ball as many as 8 times or more (if the defense is doing its job). That's more than most wideouts will. Granted, wideouts have other jobs like blocking and decoying, but still, with field position being such an important part of the game, someone who *averages* 5 yards more per return than someone else will pick up maybe 35-45 yards *more* during the course of a game than the guy who doesn't.

It doesn't hurt to be able to take it to the house occasionally, but a return man doesn't need to to still be very effective and make the game easier for his team to win. Oh, and he needs good hands, too...muffs and fumbles are game changers in the *wrong* way.

If Vann can demonstrate he's a cut above everyone else on the team returning punts -- and not turning it over on changes of possession -- he may get a spot as a specialist if the team projects him contributing ~40 yards a game just doing that.

His size was why he didn't get drafted at 5'8 177. He also came from Florida A &M a small school that didn't play tough competition. He seems to have a knack for finding the crease and exploding through it but those holes close quicker in the NFL. I agree with you Throwback, he is going to have to show he can protect the football while still being able to have a nice return average in order to make the roster. He also played some offense as a wR and RB in college as well as his primary cb position. Maybe he can contribute in other ways to the offense as well.

[ Edited by E-49er on May 2, 2010 at 09:21:16 ]

Originally posted by Ceadderman:

Originally posted by teeohh:
has Zeigler ever made the team or is he just practice squad?

Practice squad and has been his whole career. Zeigler.

~Ceadder

He's been elevated 2 years in a row.

Wooow I'm pretty impressed with this kid, why I didn't bother watching his tube highlights till now I have no idea. This kid seems to have great vision on the field to go with his speed. What I wanna know is, how many times has he dropped a punt or kick return??

I'm gonna love watching this kid in Preseason.

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Wooow I'm pretty impressed with this kid, why I didn't bother watching his tube highlights till now I have no idea. This kid seems to have great vision on the field to go with his speed. What I wanna know is, how many times has he dropped a punt or kick return??

I'm gonna love watching this kid in Preseason.

You won't learn much from those highlights (except that there are a lot of really bad special teams coaches and players in the college ranks -- lack of discipline to prevent return lanes, mediocre hang time on punts, lack of speed on the covering teams, etc.). Still, Vann shows he's decisive, usually picks the optimal route to run, and accellerates very quickly. I don't think he's going to find it's such easy going at the pro level, but he does have the ability to punish any punting team that makes a mistake.

Originally posted by 49erThrowback:

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Wooow I'm pretty impressed with this kid, why I didn't bother watching his tube highlights till now I have no idea. This kid seems to have great vision on the field to go with his speed. What I wanna know is, how many times has he dropped a punt or kick return??

I'm gonna love watching this kid in Preseason.

You won't learn much from those highlights (except that there are a lot of really bad special teams coaches and players in the college ranks -- lack of discipline to prevent return lanes, mediocre hang time on punts, lack of speed on the covering teams, etc.). Still, Vann shows he's decisive, usually picks the optimal route to run, and accellerates very quickly. I don't think he's going to find it's such easy going at the pro level, but he does have the ability to punish any punting team that makes a mistake.

Your right I agree, but what I've noticed about RS transitioning to the Pro's is that they have a hard time catching the ball. Could it be its because they're nervous and haven't worked out the rookie jitters or is it because they've had that problem in college?? Look at David Allen, Yamon Figurs, Chad Owens and that kid from Appalachian St. forgot his name, but all were good returners in college who muffed A LOT of punts and kick returns in the Pro's, all have speed and are just as quick as Devin Hester. If those RS mentioned could hang onto the ball they'd solve anyone's ST's problems.

Yep. Kyle Williams will also compete for the PR duties, I think (although he had one terrible muff that probably cost them the Arizona game). See Barrow's article just published (link in Kyle Williams discussion).

Originally posted by Ceadderman:

Originally posted by teeohh:
has Zeigler ever made the team or is he just practice squad?

Practice squad and has been his whole career. Zeigler.

~Ceadder

(2008) 8 games: 5rec/97yds/19.4avg/31lng

I will predict that Vann makes the squad and will be the primary punt returner.

Ginn will be the primary kick returner and 3rd WR.

Waste of a signing! We already have Brandon Jones to return kicks/punts!

Originally posted by 49erDan:
He didnt get drafted for a reason.

yeah..

size, we all know how well that logic has worked out for passed return men in the league..

Originally posted by doc_brown_:
Waste of a signing! We already have Brandon Jones to return kicks/punts!

Are you being sarcastic? Did you not see Jones return punts last year?

Heck, Brandon Jones may not make the team with Ginn bumping him down the depth chart.

Originally posted by fanmusclecars:

Originally posted by doc_brown_:
Waste of a signing! We already have Brandon Jones to return kicks/punts!

Are you being sarcastic? Did you not see Jones return punts last year?

Heck, Brandon Jones may not make the team with Ginn bumping him down the depth chart.

Of course I'm being sarcastic bro! C'mon, get it together!