Gunner

[Steve102]

What if he punts it 80 yards, runs down the field while it's in the air, watches the ball bounce against the leg of a confused opponent, and scoops it up for a score?

 

[Doctor DDS]

He really came on late with his punt returns. Sure handed and appropriately aggressive. If he can somehow become a viable slot receiver option he could become an important player moving forward.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Gunner has shown that he has NFL abilities as a punt returner. He had a major leap in his quickness from last year to this year, and even during the year itself. He still tries to run through brick walls, but that also improved a lot as the season went on as he started to learn to follow his blocking better. He has that elusiveness that‘s needed.

The question is if it’s worth it to keep him in the roster for that alone given that he was a disappointing virtual non-entity on the offense. Given his performance at PR, if you’re ever going to keep someone for that role and nothing else, he’s the guy. The other thing about the offensive side is I keep thinking back to Jules and how he showed potential there from day one. But he was a college QB who knew all the plays; Gunner never even played on offense in college. In short, he has a much higher learning curve than Jules did.

It would be awesome and amazing to see if he can make that leap on offense next year. But we have to build the team assuming he can’t. Still, I think he’s worth a roster spot as a punt returner.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I think he made a huge year two leap. There is no doubt in my mind that this kid can contribute more in the passing game next year, if we have a decent qb.

his route running is still raw, his on field awareness is non existent and his hands are still iffy, but if he continues to grow, then next season, he gets quality slot snaps. And I am betting he contributes.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Gunner has shown that he has NFL abilities as a punt returner. He had a major leap in his quickness from last year to this year, and even during the year itself. He still tries to run through brick walls, but that also improved a lot as the season went on as he started to learn to follow his blocking better. He has that elusiveness that‘s needed.

The question is if it’s worth it to keep him in the roster for that alone given that he was a disappointing virtual non-entity on the offense. Given his performance at PR, if you’re ever going to keep someone for that role and nothing else, he’s the guy. The other thing about the offensive side is I keep thinking back to Jules and how he showed potential there from day one. But he was a college QB who knew all the plays; Gunner never even played on offense in college. In short, he has a much higher learning curve than Jules did.

It would be awesome and amazing to see if he can make that leap on offense next year. But we have to build the team assuming he can’t. Still, I think he’s worth a roster spot as a punt returner.

We do not have to build the team assuming he can't. Camp starts in July and the 53 is established the first week of September. We can open camp with 90 guys so there is no need to assume anything until the first week in September. At that point the Pats can make a decision, no reason to assume anything earlier.

 

[nextsuperstar]

Gunner has shown that he has NFL abilities as a punt returner. He had a major leap in his quickness from last year to this year, and even during the year itself. He still tries to run through brick walls, but that also improved a lot as the season went on as he started to learn to follow his blocking better. He has that elusiveness that‘s needed.

The question is if it’s worth it to keep him in the roster for that alone given that he was a disappointing virtual non-entity on the offense. Given his performance at PR, if you’re ever going to keep someone for that role and nothing else, he’s the guy. The other thing about the offensive side is I keep thinking back to Jules and how he showed potential there from day one. But he was a college QB who knew all the plays; Gunner never even played on offense in college. In short, he has a much higher learning curve than Jules did.

It would be awesome and amazing to see if he can make that leap on offense next year. But we have to build the team assuming he can’t. Still, I think he’s worth a roster spot as a punt returner.

Well it’s not just punt returns. plays on other ST plays. Clearly the Patriots are willing to carry multiple players merely for special team contributions such as Bethel, Slater, King, Eber, etc. I do appreciate that Bethel and Slater have higher ST snapcounts than Gunner, but he does contribute on ST besides returning punts.

 

[Jim Beankie]

The question is if it’s worth it to keep him in the roster for that alone given that he was a disappointing virtual non-entity on the offense. Given his performance at PR, if you’re ever going to keep someone for that role and nothing else, he’s the guy. The other thing about the offensive side is I keep thinking back to Jules and how he showed potential there from day one. But he was a college QB who knew all the plays; Gunner never even played on offense in college. In short, he has a much higher learning curve than Jules did.

Gunner's in the mold of my favorite of all time, would be UDFA today / 8th rounder Troy Brown (and Julian, too), as someone who can be a 3 way player in a pinch, which is exactly the kind of guy BB loves. Remember his recTD? He had to go right back out for KR coverage. Since he was a CB out of college, I have to believe they've been working on that as well just in case.

Edelman had 7recs in his 2nd year and 4 recs in his 3rd year. Brown had 2, 0, and 14 recs his 1st 3 years. They were pretty much just return guys even though Edelman had 37recs his rookie year.

Sidenote: for Gunner's draft, he was listed as 5'10" / 178lbs and on the Patriots page, he's 6'0" / 190lbs. I understand the weight gain, but did he really grow 2 inches? These height/weight listings are all over the place, sometimes.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Gunner's in the mold of my favorite of all time, would be UDFA today / 8th rounder Troy Brown (and Julian, too), as someone who can be a 3 way player in a pinch, which is exactly the kind of guy BB loves. Remember his recTD? He had to go right back out for KR coverage. Since he was a CB out of college, I have to believe they've been working on that as well just in case.

Edelman had 7recs in his 2nd year and 4 recs in his 3rd year. Brown had 2, 0, and 14 recs his 1st 3 years. They were pretty much just return guys even though Edelman had 37recs his rookie year.

Sidenote: for Gunner's draft, he was listed as 5'10" / 178lbs and on the Patriots page, he's 6'0" / 190lbs. I understand the weight gain, but did he really grow 2 inches? These height/weight listings are all over the place, sometimes.

Pro Day results say 5' 9.5".

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Well it’s not just punt returns. plays on other ST plays. Clearly the Patriots are willing to carry multiple players merely for special team contributions such as Bethel, Slater, King, Eber, etc. I do appreciate that Bethel and Slater have higher ST snapcounts than Gunner, but he does contribute on ST besides returning punts.

The way I see it, his career could easily follow one of two plausible trajectories: Edelman and Bolden.

The Patriots would love the former, but will be just fine with the latter. Others are possible, but those are likely ones, IMO.

 

[doesntmatter1]

I vividly remember Edelman before he became a reliable wr for us. At the same stage of their careers, I'd say Gunner looks better fwiw.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

The way I see it, his career could easily follow one of two plausible trajectories: Edelman and Bolden.

The Patriots would love the former, but will be just fine with the latter. Others are possible, but those are likely ones, IMO.

Bolden? Two different players.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I vividly remember Edelman before he became a reliable wr for us. At the same stage of their careers, I'd say Gunner looks better fwiw.

Agreed. Let's hope his hands are better. I think Edelman is quicker, but Gunner seems smoother.

 

[Chevy]

Bolden? Two different players.

Bolden's strength has been that he can do a lot of things well - especially blitz pickup. If Gunner becomes a reliable WR, returner, and a (no pun intended) gunner type on special teams he'll have a spot. He doesn't need to be a superstar at any of these positions, just someone who is reliable and avoids the mental errors.

 

[203Pat]

There isn't a single thing offensively that Gunner looks better than Julian did at this point in their careers. He looks great as a punt returner but if he can't get any playing time in this receiver group he may be in trouble as far as becoming an offensive player.

 

[notex]

The question, as mentioned above, is whether the Pats think its worth keeping a player on roster JUST to return kicks. Realistically you could have a player (for example: Corradelle Patterson) that can return kicks AND contribute to offense.

If we know anything, BB loves versatility in his players and even on a team with the worst group of WRs in the NFL, Gunner couldnt make a difference or earn playing time.

I think Harry deserves another year or two to develop (gasp!) and Meyers certainly earned his roster spot... so do we want to eat up 3 WR roster spots with those 3 players? With Edelman that makes 4 WR, so we have room to sign ONE WR to fix that position? He wasn't even returning kickoffs by the end of the year...surely there is someone else who can take over those 4/5 punts and add to the offense.

I know I come off as a Gunner hater, but I've never been a fan of eating up roster spots with "specialists". If he starts lighting it up at WR, I will admit I am wrong and he deserves a roster spot...

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Bolden's strength has been that he can do a lot of things well - especially blitz pickup. If Gunner becomes a reliable WR, returner, and a (no pun intended) gunner type on special teams he'll have a spot. He doesn't need to be a superstar at any of these positions, just someone who is reliable and avoids the mental errors.

Gunner type on special teams is usually a fast, straight line guy like Bethel or Slater. That is not Gunner. Edelman and Gunner are not like Bolden or Slater. Different skill sets.

 

[Chevy]

Gunner type on special teams is usually a fast, straight line guy like Bethel or Slater. That is not Gunner. Edelman and Gunner are not like Bolden or Slater. Different skill sets.

Agreed - I was talking more about versatility

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Agreed - I was talking more about versatility

Yes Gunner is versatile within his physical skill set, but that does not mean he can replace a straight line runner. Gunner might be an Edelman slot guy replacement. He will not be a gunner on special teams, or a running back picking up the blitz, or a wedge buster on special teams - wrong type for all of those positions - maybe in an emergency. I guess I missed your point.

 

[rochrist]

I vividly remember Edelman before he became a reliable wr for us. At the same stage of their careers, I'd say Gunner looks better fwiw.

I'll reiterate. In his rookie season, he was behind Welker. Welker was taken out with an injury in the next to last game of the season. JE replaced him in the season finale and had 10 catches for 103 yards and followed that up with 6 catches in his first playoff game.

 

[Chevy]

Yes Gunner is versatile within his physical skill set, but that does not mean he can replace a straight line runner. Gunner might be an Edelman slot guy replacement. He will not be a gunner on special teams, or a running back picking up the blitz, or a wedge buster on special teams - wrong type for all of those positions - maybe in an emergency. I guess I missed your point.

Gunner's focus needs to be on improving at PR and slot, and adding a third facet to his game - I was using Bolden as an example (since that's how he's been around for so long - reliability, doesn't make the mental errors). What that third facet is - who knows.