Kick Returners?

RayClay said:

He also fumbled a kick return in the playoffs. He would have led the league in fumbles if he fumbled every kick return during the season.

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True enough, there's plenty of danger in extrapolating from a small sample. BUT: Woodhead's improvement in KRs at the end of the season coincided with an overall rise in his game. For most of the season he was injured and just didn't looke like the same player as 2010. At the end of the season, he finally started to look like himself again. I'm fine with a healthy Woodhead at KR. (I also second Ken's point about the relative insignificance of the KR position. Given the percentage of kicks that are unreturnable today, and the expected performance of the team, the position just isn't that big a weapon.)

At PR, I got the impression on Thursday that Edelman was approaching punts with the full knowledge that it was preseason. E.g. "Hey, why not get some live practice picking up the wild roller? It's not like it counts!"

patchick said:

True enough, there's plenty of danger in extrapolating from a small sample. BUT: Woodhead's improvement in KRs at the end of the season coincided with an overall rise in his game. For most of the season he was injured and just didn't looke like the same player as 2010. At the end of the season, he finally started to look like himself again.

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I'll concede that, but i'm not as enamored with his potential as some. I really question his explosiveness and durability as time goes on. I'd like to develop more kick returners, at the least.

pencilneckgeek said:

I did not know this. I've always thought that Woody has the quickness for PR, but not the straight-line speed for KR. Given that SoB and BB know a thing or two about ST, maybe I'll give him another look (although I still won't rule out an excess emphasis on ball security to the exclusion of big play potential - maybe that playoff fumble will give someone faster a chance).

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You do know that Woodhead did a 10.5s 100 meters in NCAA competition? Which is .1 seconds faster than (say) Vereen? And a 4.3s 40 at his pro-day? It's actually not clear who's faster on the team.

Camp Observations: Day 18 - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

jmt57 said:

Camp Observations: Day 18 - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Arrington returns kick. Saw cornerback Kyle Arrington returning kicks today, something that could suit a player with his skill set well. Arrington showed in 2011 that he has good ball skills with his seven interceptions and is a difficult player to bring down because of his speed and make-you-miss ability.
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Like the skillset and depth.
Do not like a likely starter risking injury.

That's why Dan Connolley isn't our KR.

PatsWickedPissah said:

Like the skillset and depth.
Do not like a likely starter risking injury.

That's why Dan Connolley isn't our KR.

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Ummmm NO....I don't think that's why Connolly isn't our KR

Jeff Demps? Anyone?
Had time under Charlie Weis as OC at Florida. World-class speed.

As Mike Reiss said in his blog, why not?

Olympian Jeff Demps hopes to play in the NFL in 2012 - NFL.com

MetalBleachers said:

Jeff Demps? Anyone?
Had time under Charlie Weis as OC at Florida. World-class speed.

As Mike Reiss said in his blog, why not?

Olympian Jeff Demps hopes to play in the NFL in 2012 - NFL.com

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About as fast as fast gets. Him and Rainey were possibly the fastest backfield of all time.

MetalBleachers said:

Jeff Demps? Anyone?
Had time under Charlie Weis as OC at Florida. World-class speed.

As Mike Reiss said in his blog, why not?

Olympian Jeff Demps hopes to play in the NFL in 2012 - NFL.com

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As a Gator fan, I would love that pick up. But the second that Demps absorbs a big hit, he's done for the year.

TriplecHamp said:

About as fast as fast gets. Him and Rainey were possibly the fastest backfield of all time.

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Aye. Too bad they couldn't break tackles, though.

KontradictioN said:

As a Gator fan, I would love that pick up. But the second that Demps absorbs a big hit, he's done for the year.

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This most likely, i've heard several different sizes ranging from 5'7 170, 5'8 180 and 5'9 185 ...all of those are pretty small to be a true threat in the NFL.

KontradictioN said:

Aye. Too bad they couldn't break tackles, though.

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Or throw..

FWIW, Demps listed as 5-foot, 7.6 inches, 191 pounds. Jeff Demps*|*Florida,*RB*:*2012 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile Compare to Woodhead at 5-8 (?), 200.

While I'm more than happy with the Pats' current 4 RBs (pleasantly surprised at Vereen's output last week and Bolden's play in general), would love to see something resembling a spark in the return game. Starting at the 30 to begin drives instead of the 19 could make a difference.

MetalBleachers said:

Jeff Demps? Anyone?
Had time under Charlie Weis as OC at Florida. World-class speed.

As Mike Reiss said in his blog, why not?

Olympian Jeff Demps hopes to play in the NFL in 2012 - NFL.com

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You read my mind, the olympics are over. BB likes his Gators, be exciting to watch.

The TB Bucs are apparently very interested in Demps, according to Schiano.

Per profootballtalk.nbcsports.com.

On this team,already,they have the fastest guy in the NFL,Matthew Slater.....Don't get your panties in a bunch,I'm talking football speed,not those ridiculous combine numbers.

For a guy always facing double team blocks,Slater gets to the returner faster than anyone I've ever seen......I know,I know......The FUMBLE!......It was a middle return and he got sandwiched by 2 tacklers,it wasn't a strip.

Time to give him another chance......Believe me,the opposition will take notice,when he's out there.:rocker:

KontradictioN said:

As a Gator fan, I would love that pick up. But the second that Demps absorbs a big hit, he's done for the year.

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I'm not so sure that we can come to that determination, can we Kontra?

There have certainly been other smaller backs that have done just fine. That said, I would agree that he wouldn't be well off as a lead back or anything, but that wouldn't happen anyway.

Maybe you know more about his injury-proneness situation from following the Gators more closely than I have.

As far as Rainey goes, that kid has looked awesome in TC for the Steelers and in the preseason game vs PHI last week. I think they grabbed a steal in the 5th round with him. He is quick and explosive--everything you could want in a small shifty back. He may not have to break tackles...he can just make people outright miss a high percentage of the time.

italia44 said:

On this team,already,they have the fastest guy in the NFL,Matthew Slater.....Don't get your panties in a bunch,I'm talking football speed,not those ridiculous combine numbers.

For a guy always facing double team blocks,Slater gets to the returner faster than anyone I've ever seen......I know,I know......The FUMBLE!......It was a middle return and he got sandwiched by 2 tacklers,it wasn't a strip.

Time to give him another chance......Believe me,the opposition will take notice,when he's out there.:rocker:

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Definitely agree that he should see more chances, but I don't know the reprecussions of him being taken away from his main spot as well as BB does either. I'm sure it has been/will be considered, but you certainly have a point.

MetalBleachers said:

FWIW, Demps listed as 5-foot, 7.6 inches, 191 pounds. Jeff Demps*|*Florida,*RB*:*2012 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile Compare to Woodhead at 5-8 (?), 200.

While I'm more than happy with the Pats' current 4 RBs (pleasantly surprised at Vereen's output last week and Bolden's play in general), would love to see something resembling a spark in the return game. Starting at the 30 to begin drives instead of the 19 could make a difference.

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I'd be a bit skeptical about the listed weight unless it is very recent. Although I don't have a link, I recall during draft time that Demps Said he had lost 20+ lbs to convert his body from football to track. I think it is fair to say he' significantly less than 191 lbs right now. Maybe a factor or not.

Lamanai said:

I'd be a bit skeptical about the listed weight unless it is very recent. Although I don't have a link, I recall during draft time that Demps Said he had lost 20+ lbs to convert his body from football to track. I think it is fair to say he' significantly less than 191 lbs right now. Maybe a factor or not.

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Hard to tell (far right here):
http://www.iaaf.org/mm/Photo/06/73/41/67341_FULL-LND.jpg

In any case, a silver medalist should get a look. Just sayin'.