We need another gunner like Ricardo Lockette!

Is it just me or does it seem like we have really been missing something special teams wise since Ricardo's tragic injury. His intensity and pursuit set the tone for the whole special teams unit, He was always the first one down colliding and disrupting the receiving team. I know he wasn't a huge fan fave for a few reasons, but I really feel like we lost an integral component of our team.

I think it's important to find someone in his mold that can bring that back to us. Any projections or ideas on who is best suited to potentially take on the role from this year? Is their someone on the outside looking in whose best shot at making the squad is fulfilling the gunner role?

I don't feel like Special Teams has been a weekness or anything. I know Ryan is really good at getting big hang time so that helps.

add in blair walshs big leg and I think our ST's will be just fine.

Lane was an outstanding gunner. McCray seemed to be at least okay. Neiko Thorp makes a lot of plays (perhaps without Lockette's splash). This past draft seemed to place a priority on special teams potential, and I could see someone from that class rise to become a quality gunner. There are lots of athletic young DBs on the roster right now.

Special teams will be a huge factor in deciding who gets cut, and we have a lot of talent on the backup WR/RB/DB crews right now. I suspect we will come out of this well. Delano Hill could be an intriguing gunner.

Kasen Williams seems to be taking on this role. Lockette was a huge loss in this arena. For a team like ours, who lives or dies in the field position battle, the gunner is key.

Lane and Thorpe are still quite good at that role.

Team still looks very solid in this respect. Williams flashed in that capacity as well.

Didn't we add DJ Alexander expressly for that purpose?

onanygivensunday":1x3p6uxk said:

Didn't we add DJ Alexander expressly for that purpose?

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Yes, I'm anxious to see him play.

Yes, it would be terrific to see a new gunner show up big time tomorrow night. Should be plenty of young receivers and defensive backs looking to claim a special role to make this 2017 team.

These late, pre-season games always make me nervous. Only NFL player I ever took care of was a young Viking who was going all out to make the team in pre-season. Watched the injury on TV and knew it would be coming to us.

He turned out ok, but didn't make the team.

That would be great, but it turns out that dudes who are 6'2", 210 lbs that run a 4.3 do not just grow on trees. Ricardo was a special, special athlete. The Hawks do not have a player on the roster with that size and speed combo. Griffin might be the closest.

Griffin will be a likely starter on D as RCB if Lane is moved.

I agree with the above post as Ricardo was a special athlete and a valuable ST player. Replacing his size and speed is not something easily accomplished.

onanygivensunday":2kqp4wk3 said:

Didn't we add DJ Alexander expressly for that purpose?

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Yes.

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Missing_Clink":2r2nz9vj said:

That would be great, but it turns out that dudes who are 6'2", 210 lbs that run a 4.3 do not just grow on trees. Ricardo was a special, special athlete. The Hawks do not have a player on the roster with that size and speed combo. Griffin might be the closest.

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Well, there are guys out there is those vitals, but what separated Ricardo was that he developed a blood thirst for hitting people. Once he got that first great knockout shot he turned into a weapon.