If we lose Tate who returns punts?

I agree with many commentators here that Tate is a #2 receiver and next year might fall to #3 in a run heavy offense but.. not many have conceded he did extremely well on punt returns last year. Percy doesn't return punts and we saw what Turbin did with kick returns... who would we field for punt returns if Tate becomes too expensive?

Your right, I think that's where Tate is most valuable. He is phenomenal on punt returns, every time he catches the ball something exciting will happen, whether it's good or bad Getting an explosive punt return, even if he doesn't take it to the house, creates a huge boost and swings momentum. However, he has a $ value, just like everyone else, they'll set a number and stick to it, if he goes, he goes.

Too early to tell it may be Baldwin or even a draft pick.

Devin Hester is available...

Interesting but too limited for us.

Baldwin.

Kearse? Michael?

I will.

So you bastads better block.

Michael would be my choice, if he will be let out of the doghouse.

A bit more left field, Lockette?

Probably a player who isn't on the roster right now.

Devin Hester

Robert Turbin, because ball security.

Returning punts is a specialized skill set. It's hard.* Turbin and Michael have never done it before. Baldwin was Stanford's primary punt returner back in '08 but he wasn't very good (he averaged five yards per return with a 25% fair catch rate). Lockette will be 28 and IIRC has never returned a punt in the NFL.

If Tate is lost in FA they'll draft someone late or bring in a specialist, IMO.


*Just for reference, LaMichael James spent over a year learning how to do it, and was still shaky. This doesn't mean someone on the Hawks might have a less steep learning curve, but they're too good of a team to cross their fingers and hope for the best when a much easier solution is to draft a guy late or bring in a low-paid specialist.

XxXdragonXxX":12ghc34i said:

Robert Turbin, because ball security.

Click to expand...

HAHAHA, please tell me that was a joke. :roll:

400WattHPSHawk":bycznix5 said:

I will.

So you bastads better block.

Click to expand...

I dont think ya are allowed a walker on the field. :twisted:

(or I would volunteer).

:thirishdrinkers: :thirishdrinkers: :thirishdrinkers:

How hard can it be to catch the ball and then run?

Lane.

Me.

UK_Seahawk":2t5hzwwp said:

How hard can it be to catch the ball and then run?

Click to expand...

Punt returner

Nerves of steel

Fearless

Tough as nails

Be able to concentrate and focus on a object knowing someone is coming at you full speed hoping to take your head off and cause a fumble

Sure handed

Able to think quickly and make microsecond adjustments to a situation such as catch it, let it go over my head and get away from it, fair catch, catch it and run and while doing so see where the hole is to make that attempt to advance the ball.

Elusive and strong, hard to bring down, able to make cuts as well as break tackles.

Speed to run away from the pack once in the open

Able to read blocks and cut off those blocks

Able to take hits and get back up and do it again


Thats all you really need as a good punt returner.