Re: Brandon Banks
 

Banks reminds me of that guy who played for KC and Stl. The X factor/human joystick. I had to laugh when they said he ran a 4.4 40 with a pulled Hammy.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=Pocket$ $traight;720312]Banks reminds me of that guy who played for KC and Stl. The X factor/human joystick. I had to laugh when they said he ran a 4.4 40 with a pulled Hammy.[/quote]

Dante Hall? I remember him. He was Devin Hester before Hester was Hester.

Even though he returned a punt for a touchdown tonight, I don't know if Mike Shanahan would be willing to use a whole roster spot for a guy who can only return punts. I don't think Banks offers a lot of value as a wideout, like someone mentioned he'd be jammed too easily at the line to even start his route. And I'm pretty sure he'd get injured after all the kill shots he's gonna take returning punts. You can say he's too fast to take kill shots but that doesn't make it true, playing punt returner he's gonna get exposed to kill shots no matter what.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

Dante Hall was the X-Factor
[IMG]http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/193117/dantehall.jpg[/IMG]

Good times. Ironically that makes me hold out hope that we're going to be able to duplicate the Chiefs offense from earlier this decade. Now if we can only avoid duplicating the Chiefs defense.

Still I think the main thing that I feel is promising about Banks performance tonight is unlike offense and defense where you either play disinterested starters or the children of the poor is that special teams is usually stocked with a similar talent level as that seen in the regular season. On top of that, since the units are stocked with players fighting for roster spots you usually see regular season type intensity on special team plays.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=mooby;720313]Even though he returned a punt for a touchdown tonight, I don't know if Mike Shanahan would be willing to use a whole roster spot for a guy who can only return punts. [/quote]

Using up a whole roster spot or not -- I still think he's worth a chance. After Devin Thomas made the key block (which few announcers mentioned), Banks had 3-4 people to beat. If Randle El was running it, he would have just slipped and fallen down. If Rock Cartwright ran it, it would have been another 15-20 yards. But Banks did a quick juke to freeze one guy and then turned on the burners.. I'd love to see that speed on our team.

Austin also had a good return or two, but I think someone like Banks could be a game-changer. If we get 2-3 touchdowns from special teams this year, that could change those games for us. He just needs to make sure he doesn't drop the ball.. Guess we'll have to see how it goes for the next few games.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=ethat001;720330]Using up a whole roster spot or not -- I still think he's worth a chance. After Devin Thomas made the key block (which few announcers mentioned), Banks had 3-4 people to beat. If Randle El was running it, he would have just slipped and fallen down. If Rock Cartwright ran it, it would have been another 15-20 yards. But Banks did a quick juke to freeze one guy and then turned on the burners.. I'd love to see that speed on our team.

Austin also had a good return or two, but I think someone like Banks could be a game-changer. If we get 2-3 touchdowns from special teams this year, that could change those games for us. He just needs to make sure he doesn't drop the ball.. Guess we'll have to see how it goes for the next few games.[/quote]

I say yes. Teams do reserve 2 or 3 spots for special-teams only players. He can be used to stretch the field on offense too. Defenses would have to respect his 50% chance of catching a pass still.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=diehard;720340]I say yes. Teams do reserve 2 or 3 spots for special-teams only players. [B]He can be used to stretch the field on offense too.[/B] Defenses would have to respect his 50% chance of catching a pass still.[/quote]

NOOOOOOOOO!!! Darth Vader reference aside I think it's safe to say that if Banks makes this team it should be used exclusively on special teams. Smith was right, when you use a returner on offense their productivity goes down. I've seen it with Hester, Hall, and our very own ARE.

Maybe the wildcat if they decide to use that formation but not much further then that. There's no shame in being a special teams only guy, just ask Brian Mitchell. Hopefully we would have enough playmakers on offense where we won't have to distract Banks from his future special team duites.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

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Re: Brandon Banks
 

Personally I think if he keeps himself from any major fumbles and gets a few more good run backs I dont see how you could really leave him off the team.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

Seeing what Banks can do, (and assuming he can keep it up) it just makes you wonder why we held on to Cartwright and Randle El for so long.

With those guys, it was always about "locker room leadership." Eff that. Put something on the field. Banks did that. And he represents more of what we need: Young, hungry guys who are desperate to prove themselves.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=Beemnseven;720382]Seeing what Banks can do, (and assuming he can keep it up) it just makes you wonder why we held on to Cartwright and Randle El for so long.

With those guys, it was always about "locker room leadership." Eff that. Put something on the field. Banks did that. And he represents more of what we need: Young, hungry guys who are desperate to prove themselves.[/quote]

I agree. Randle-El and Campbell apologists say the exact same thing, "Well if we would just block better....blah blah blah" The fact is that neither could get it done and that is why they needed to go. I think Rock was pretty productive as a returner for a while but he had no upside and is on the downside so that move was easy too. I like the fact that they are trying some fast, young, new blood instead of over-the-hill "character" guys.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

Banks has some serious speed, what's his 40 time??

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=Mattyk;720408]Banks has some serious speed, what's his 40 time??[/quote]

They said he ran 4.4 in the 40 with a pulled hammy and he supposedly beat Chris Johnson in multiple sprints.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

It was reported the team used him in the Wild Cat during practice also....

I can see him being on the team. Especially if he keeps up making TD's. I'm betting one of the WR's or RB's gets dropped for a roster spot for him. Hell they did the same thing with Rock. He was not used as a RB until the 1st and 2nd went down. Out of all the yrs with the team (what- 8) Rock only played RB 2 times.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=Pocket$ $traight;720410]They said he ran 4.4 in the 40 with a pulled hammy and he supposedly beat Chris Johnson in multiple sprints.[/quote]

It didn't even seem like he hit full speed on that punt return, he was just coastin'. Gotta think that Shanahan finds a spot for him for special teams.

Re: Brandon Banks
 

[quote=Mattyk;720414]It didn't even seem like he hit full speed on that punt return, he was just coastin'. Gotta think that Shanahan finds a spot for him for special teams.[/quote]


He may be one of those guys like Darrel Green. They run as fast as they need to. Banks is a blur.