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All-pro team (as a punt returner on historically one of the best ST teams in the league).
I appreciate Gunner but I certainly wouldn't describe him as having tremendous upside. He has the ability to carve out a role with the team depending on how dominoes fall elsewhere but I haven't seen anything outstanding about him other than his work ethic.
The best comparison for him is Edelman. IMHO, Edelman (as this stage of his career) looked more developed as both a punt returner and a receiver. It seems Edelman is about 15-20% more athletic (fast/quick) than Gunner, with a slightly more robust frame to build on.
I'll pull like heck for Gunner to help the team, but I wouldn't be shocked if his time is nearing an end. His value to this team is as a punt returner, and while he's good at that, I don't think he's transcendent.
It’s a mistake sometimes to look at pro day/combine stats years later and treat them as gospel That’s a mistake I make occasionally.
Gunner has gotten bigger, quicker, faster and stronger since coming to NE. He basically lives at Gillette. There’s no way Bill cuts him.