Special Teams

[SkinsRock]

A lot of people are down on Morton, and think A. Brown was awesome. Well, what about the theory that it was more that the return game blocking improved over the couse of the year, and Morton was injured and Brown was able to step in, especially being that he had played for Williams and Smith in Buffalo and was familiar with Smith's schemes. It seemed to me that our return game overall improved towards the end of the season, no matter who the returner was. Provided Morton is fully recovered and they don't cut him for cap space, it should be a pretty good battle in training camp. We could see Rogers in the mix too, at least until he becomes a starter...

As for kickers, as long as he's healthy, Hall is the man.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I'd have no qualms at all seeing both Morton AND Brown deep on kicks.

[SonnySamFrank]

You also have Thrash, Moss, and Patten who can return kicks/punts...

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I was thinking Moss too, but someone brought up that he's kind of fragile. We already have a couple good returners. I'd leave him for kickoff duty.

[giacomo2]

Originally Posted by Red Robert

I agree that Hall will be fine. Bigger focus needs to be on the return and coverage teams. I think we need bigger returns and will see that this season. Morton has been a let down so far. If we could get an extra 10 yards on kick and punt returns it would help alot. I think with the moves on special teams this off season we will get just that and more.

Special teams is by far the most improved area of our team with the O-line a close second in my opinion. I see two more wins next year because of our upgades on special teams.

it amazes me that we never use thrash to return kickoffs...he consistantly gets good yardage. we need to get rid of morton, and maybe use moss as the punt returner. HTTR!!!!

[SkinsRock]

I could see Moss and/or Rogers playing the "Darrell Green role" when a critical good return is needed towards the end of a game....but not returning kicks on a regular basis.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Or as a Deion-like decoy?

[CRT3]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I'd have no qualms at all seeing both Morton AND Brown deep on kicks.

You should about Morton

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Why is that? Everyone is discounting him so quick as though he had no talent. Now if you're talking about him being cut, that is very possible. I don't doubt his abilities as a return man though.

[CRT3]

Ok so what makes you think that Morton is good. He has punt return for a TD as a Skin. 2 kickoff returns in one game for the Jets. But his avg. return is 24 for Kick offs and 9 yards for punts. So if the other team kicked to him and he recieved on the 1 yard line it would be as good as a touchback. 9 yards on a punt, that is sad. That does not even put him in the top 10 in either catagory. In fact his numbers are quite inflated based on 1 good year in 2002 with the Jets, if you took away that year his numbers (avg.) are dismal. It does take talent to get on a NFL field I grant you that, but there are much better players to pay this type of money to.

[skinnyfan]

Originally Posted by CRT3

You should about Morton

I agree.....Morton has gotta go....us cutting him and saving cap space is better than retaining him........he is way OVERRATED as a returner! Brown is going to be an absolute beast! I can't wait to see him this year!

[rickmmrr]

agreed. Brown is much more explosive. He's like a rocket.

[Daseal]

We have had such dismal blocking for special teams the last few years there's only so much a returner can do when he has 3 guys on him and no wedge.

[That Guy]

i'm with daseal on this one...

[MTK]

Morton is a straight up baller, he has MVP potential