Punt returner options

[Angelpats]

We just need somebody to fair catch it. That’s the most important job and the first job a returner needs. I would like to see a replay but it looked like he closed his eyes on the catch. He reminds me of Harper, and doesn’t look confident as a returner.

 

[Patsgofor4]

The Pats would need 5.411M in cap space to add Benjamin. According to OTC, they have 5.9M So they'd have just 500K left.. I don't see them doing that.

Oh yeah, there is a salary cap. I’ll just show myself out.

PS. Mccarron still blows. He’s not the answer, to any of their problems.

 

[scout]

We just need somebody to fair catch it. That’s the most important job and the first job a returner needs. I would like to see a replay but it looked like he closed his eyes on the catch. He reminds me of Harper, and doesn’t look confident as a returner.

Thought that was what Mccarron was out there for after a no return on a previous punt. Then.......

 

[DarrylS]

Do not understand the logic and wisdom on spending most of our cap reserve on a PR... that makes no sense.

McCarron is not the answer, but there are other options on this team.. OTOH McCarron is essentially a rookie and yesterday was his first NFL game so he may get a reprieve...

Always interesting that most of the arguments on this board are about player #50 + on this roster, IMO that is a nice luxury..

 

[VegasGuy]

Chung is my choice. Especially if we are just going to put someone back there to fair catch them.

 

[maineman209]

It seems to me that the Pats are likely to be experimenting with different players back there for most of this season, if not all of it.

At this point, we may well see Edelman fielding some, perhaps Patterson, maybe Burkhead after the RB situation is sorted out. IDK if they've tried Crossen, but he seems to have the athleticism for it.

Maybe Billingsley. Maybe they bring back Reedy (if he's still available).

Still it's interesting that the Pats have kept putting McCarron out there. He saw 15 snaps on offense, while Patterson saw 16. Seems that the coaches see more potential in the kid than we do. Maybe he proves them right at some point, or maybe he's already out of chances.

The whole punt returner thing seems like it will continue to be an interesting C-plot for quite awhile yet.

 

[Love The Drake]

Id like to see Billingsley.

 

[long distance]

Id like them to make a move but i'm doubtful at this point. Plenty of options to improve critical position (well the bar is not that high )

Cyrus would certainly be an option after Dawson went on IR and with Hill likely clearing a spot (although that might be for a RB that is becoming thin position). He is getting just a PS minimum on Ravens PS so should be available.

They had 2 RB punt returners for tryouts - Barner and Dayes - both with more experience and likely upgrades over McCantcarry at PR and O.

Knile Davis is a vet RB/PR option available. Abdullah was reportedly on trading block in DET.

On the WR/PR market Khalif Raymond had a very solid preseason and is a FA.
Brandon Tate could make sense since his salary wouldn't be guaranteed and could serve as immediate upgrade and bridge serviceman + WR backup.


For a legit and possibly longer term option Id call KC about DeAnthony Thomas. Returns both punts and kicks and is a very good gunner (made a huge play in coverage yesterday) and could develop into a nice WR weapon under McD&co. He is on a 1y minimum contract there but his price tag might be too high at this point since he is the perfect backup/insurance for Tyreek showing he can be productive in versatile jobs in the meantime.. They do have Dieter who emerged in preseason on PS though..

Maybe Tommylee Lewis from Saints could be available as well..

 

[captain stone]

Chung is my choice. Especially if we are just going to put someone back there to fair catch them.

Chung plays nearly every snap on defense as it is; can we at least let him have an extra couple of minutes rest and let somebody else younger and with more time on his hands such as - oh, I don't know - a backup CB with major-college production returning punts, and for whom we used the 60th overall draft position barely 2 years ago?

 

[BelizePats]

I don't want Edelman out there catching punts. He's the Pats most dynamic receiver even if he's not 100% recovered from his ACL. Better to have someone else doing it than open Edelman up to additional potential injury.

This. I don't want Edelman running back punts. The reward is not worth the risk.

 

[zydecochris]

To be honest, I wouldn’t necessarily cut him after this mistake, but I think the situation is still very muddy - even if they keep him as the PR until Edelman returns, do you really want to run Edelman out there that often and risk his health? But once Edelman returns, McCarron is surely gone. So, if you only run Edelman out 60% of the time, then someone else is going out there the rest of the time, and if they’re good enough for that duty during that time then why aren’t they good enough to be the primary PR during Edelman’s absence? Maybe I’m wrong and Bill still sends Jules out there 90% or more of the time and just calls for the fair catch as needed, though.

Agree 100%, with Edelman coming back from injury there is no way I want to see him return punts, except maybe in playoff games. Edelman is just too valuable.

 

[Froob]

I don't want Edelman out there catching punts. He's the Pats most dynamic receiver even if he's not 100% recovered from his ACL. Better to have someone else doing it than open Edelman up to additional potential injury.

Agreed, don’t use him there unless it’s a big game or playoff game (barring someone else not emerging).

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Are people really hoping the Patriots sign Cyrus Jones??? Ha ha ha ha ha! Let’s fill a roster spot with a punt return specialist who was probably the worst, most mistake prone punt returner we’ve ever had.

I’m sure there’s plenty of guys who aren’t in the NFL right now who would do just fine if their ONLY duty was to fair catch punts.

 

[Deus Irae]

Cyrus would certainly be an option

 

[Brady6]

To be honest, I wouldn’t necessarily cut him after this mistake, but I think the situation is still very muddy - even if they keep him as the PR until Edelman returns, do you really want to run Edelman out there that often and risk his health? But once Edelman returns, McCarron is surely gone. So, if you only run Edelman out 60% of the time, then someone else is going out there the rest of the time, and if they’re good enough for that duty during that time then why aren’t they good enough to be the primary PR during Edelman’s absence? Maybe I’m wrong and Bill still sends Jules out there 90% or more of the time and just calls for the fair catch as needed, though.

I would not cut him because of the mistake but I would cut him because he cannot catch a football with his hands. He uses his shoulder pads, helmet, anything but his hands to catch the ball.

 

[TomPatriot]

Give the Bears a seven for Demarcus Ayers?

 

[DaBruinz]

Give the Bears a seven for Demarcus Ayers?

Ayers was cut. Why would they need to give the Bears a 7th rounder for him?

Also, he didn't return punts for them last year. That was Tarik Cohen..

That being said, Ayers had a 10.y YPR as a Jr for the University of Houston.
Demarcus Ayers College Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

 

[Gwedd]

I'd have no problem cutting McCarron and rehiring Cyrus Jones. It'd be the smart move.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'd have no problem cutting McCarron and rehiring Cyrus Jones. It'd be the smart move.

Re-hiring a guy who struggled with returns is the smart move in dealing with a guy who just struggled with returns?

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Re-hiring a guy who struggled with returns is the smart move in dealing with a guy who just struggled with returns?

I'll bite. He already knows the ST calls. He seemed to have improved last preseason and this preseason at hanging on to the ball. I could see it as a short term option. I'm not advocating for it as the best long term solution, but I could see why it somewhat makes sense.