Props to Bryan Walters on Punt Returns

Don't know if he makes the 53 cutdown as competition at reciever is strong,

but he certainly contributed to good field position on punt returns

unlike other returner's, he seems to gauge the flight of the ball and catch it on the move and get up to full speed immediately

whereas others wait on the ball to arrive to them / take off from a dead start and take a bit to get up to speed

I think if the season started next week, he'd be our #6 WR.

He certainly looks far more competent than Thomas. I certainly don't like putting Thomas in a position to get rocked when he is so vital to this team. Please please use someone else.

Why Didn't Bates return any punts?

Natethegreat":1kojiog8 said:

He certainly looks far more competent than Thomas. I certainly don't like putting Thomas in a position to get rocked when he is so vital to this team. Please please use someone else.

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Im not worried about Thomas getting hurt as much as I am worried about his stamina for punt returns.

Lets say they come off a 8 play drive where he was sprinting all over the place, to then turn around and have to return a punt. I know hes in great shape and would run just fine, but would he have that last gear? Would he be just a half a step to slow?

When its a WR, they are coming in fresh for the return. A defensive player has the potential to be winded before returning a punt.

Hasn't Richardson returned punts before? I feel like while he hasn't shown it Earl is going to be good at returning punts, at the same time i don't want him back there. Walters did a good job but i'd just don't see him making the team.

Earl juked a gunner so hard that he slid across the turf on his face.

Right now, I think I'd be fine with giving Walters a spot on the 53 and letting him be a punt return specialist + emergency WR. I'm not that concerned with Earl getting hurt on punts, but he hasn't really flashed much as a returner either. His speed/elusiveness doesn't seem to be translating to that aspect of the game.

Walters looked pretty damned good out there. I would rather see him doing it than #29 even tho I know Earl really wants to do it.

Punt returning is very important. Whoever is the best at it should get the job.

253hawk":1f36c3ws said:

Earl juked a gunner so hard that he slid across the turf on his face.

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Ahahahahahahahahahaha! That is the funniest damned thing I've seen in a while!

When E.T. juked/jumped over that guy, it seemed like he was floating haha. I think he spent so much time in the air it let the defenders get in a better position to tackle him. He is very twitchy, and seems to go to almost a standstill when he is trying to juke someone. Which is awesome that he can change direction that quickly, but Walters looked to do a much better job being shifty while still on the run up the field. Obviously this is only from a small sample though, so anything can change and maybe ET is just finding his feet offensively. He's not trying to tackle people while on the run with the ball so that is a positive :th2thumbs:

getnasty":2thzlxwd said:

Hasn't Richardson returned punts before?

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No Richardson did not return punts at Colorado.

Walters looked a lot like tate to me. His size, stature, the way he moved and ran. He reminded me of tate. If Seattle can hone in on his ball skills for catching and what not I think he could be that "tate replacement" who is like tate.

Earl doesn't look smooth or natural returning punts. I'd rather have Walters do it at this point.

I think Walters would be a serviceable PR/KR but I'm thinking he's return fodder. I think he won't make the team and the KR/PR duties will fall on Baldwin/Harvin unless Thomas suddenly wows the staff in the next week.

Bates fits into the toughness mold the Hawks love. Lockette has made great strides as a receiver and ST star, and the last WR spot will likely come down to them. Walters can't provide that kind of depth.

remember this KR?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGzayJnYux0

Tech Worlds":ccm97ho9 said:

Earl doesn't look smooth or natural returning punts. I'd rather have Walters do it at this point.

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Agree. I was pro ET as a returner but gave realized he doesn't have the instincts. At this level you have to be very comfortable at catching the balls and Earl just looks awkward out the.

Then again Turbin looked very awkward Wk 1 then had a great game this week.

I was impressed with Walters. He seemed to hit the holes quicker than Tate.

Hoping Walters does get the spot, ZERO reason for Thomas to be back there.