Devin Thomas kick returns??

[Trample the Elderly]

I like the VA Tech approach. Your primary job is special teams, you can play offense or defense later.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Its not a rock bashing thread at all. It does make total sense. I will break it down. Rock is a solid player. But he is not that versatile. He has a decent punt return average and returned one in 96. But last year when we needed someone to come in when Betts and Portis were injured. He didn't step up. We picked up tip toe burgular. Whether it is Mason or another RB. We need to find a third running back that has upside and can be there as an additional weapon. If we have say..5 WRs and Devin has blazing speed. Why not use Devin. If Devin doesn't get into a rhythm in these last 2 preseason games he might slip to the 3rd 4th or maybe even fifth WR spot (if Kelly continues to be solid and show his injury is a nonfactor and if Mitchell makes the squad). I think for the most part all other WRs have been solid as far as the top 5. If this is the case. Then he is perfect candidate for the returns. Rock as our third running back is a KR and that is his main duty on the team (special teams). Which doesn't do that well on coverage or on returns. But this same RB is not really a viable threat as a RB and doesn't have as much upside as Mason or Dorsey. Its basically a numbers game.

[dmvskinzfan08]

I didn't even know Rock was hurt. This may play into the roster decisions also. Unless someone takes his place until he gets healthy...

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by dmvskinzfan08

Dorsey is a good return man (eventhough he looks better than Rock). But not a good running back.

Right now it doesn't look like we really care how well a 3rd back runs it, that's why we have Cartwrights our 3rd back and that's why we called in Alexander. I think that we care how well he returns kicks more than anything.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Asking a question;

Which is more important on Kickoff returns:

1) consistency - knowing you will nearly always start at the 20 yardline or better

or

2) Homerun potential.

On Punt returns, I think you have to go with Homerun potential, simply because, you never know where the starting point will be, so you always want someone who can take it all the way. Do you see Kickoffs the same way, or is it better to know you will always get it out of the shadow of your own endzone?

Even Hester gets caught on the 5, 10, 15 every now and again... all of the great returners do. You give it to the guy that might break it unless you're getting to the 35-40 every time; 20-30 every time is good but Rock usually goes down on first impact and doesn't do well at avoiding impact. To me that speaks 1) for Rock's ability to get going in a line ASAP and 2) KR blocking; now if only our punt return unit could block like that.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

You ever read a thread and just say huh?

Huh?

If so I usually try my hand at pretentiousness

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by PennSkinsFan

You know what, at this point, you have to get something out of Thomas, so why not try it. Might be all you get.

Make him a RB on a few plays...especially if Rock is out for the next several weeks. Not really kidding here. Thomas' athleticism is pretty special, he just hasn't become a legit WR yet. But with the ball in his hands he's still dangerous...so find a way to get him a few touches anyway.

[dan_snyder69]

I agree with Goat, Thomas only really looked competent running the reverse for his touchdown last year, maybe we can get him more plays like that, screens, etc (where he won't have to run a route or separate from a defender which seems to be his problem.) Hopefully he catches on at receiver, but he needs more touches any way he can get them without offensive pass interference being called against him lol

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by gibbsisgod

Yeah, Cartwright plays on every part of ST except for the FG team. He plays them well too.

So that's.....KR, Kick offs, and are you adding punting cause he does not PR? I think we could get more out of Dorsey at this point maybe KR,PR, and RB. but don't forget we do have Thomas, Hall, Moss, Betts actually did KR/PR in the past also and did it very well.

[skinsnut]

The only way Rock is cut is if some of the backup RB's can prove they can pass block and catch too.

I really don't think a one dimensional home run hitting runner is enough to consider cutting a "rock" solid special teamer.

Remember last year?
Mason couldn't pass block, and screwed up his Special teams attempts....and I don't remember how he did catching passes.

The problem with some of these little RBs is this...they are way too small to effectively pick up a delayed blitz.
As much as I like the little guys...in order to get playing time, they need to protect the passer first and foremost

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by diehardskin2982

How would Thomas do on punt return

I don't know, but I was at the Detroit game last season and Thomas almost took out Moss on his punt return TD. If Moss would have gone down that game could have ended up in a loss. Not sure I would want Thomas returning punts.

[ChickenMonkey]

Thomas is a good athlete, if he cant break into the starting lineup at WR, put his ass at
KR, hes a 2nd round pick and hadnt been worth anything so far, get something out of him...At worst hes another Josh Cribbs

[NYCskinfan82]

Your mad at DT but you love Thrash explain to me. It takes some longer to develop than others and if you take Zorn by his word the battle is close between MK & DT. I want all our WR's to perform. HTTR.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Make him a RB on a few plays...especially if Rock is out for the next several weeks. Not really kidding here. Thomas' athleticism is pretty special, he just hasn't become a legit WR yet. But with the ball in his hands he's still dangerous...so find a way to get him a few touches anyway.

I really like this idea. As long as you have his athleticism, you might as well take advantage of it. Just a crack toss or two would add a wild-cat like wrinkle to the offense, without adding the wild-cat that Zorn hates.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by skinsnut

The only way Rock is cut is if some of the backup RB's can prove they can pass block and catch too.

I really don't think a one dimensional home run hitting runner is enough to consider cutting a "rock" solid special teamer.

Remember last year?
Mason couldn't pass block, and screwed up his Special teams attempts....and I don't remember how he did catching passes.

The problem with some of these little RBs is this...they are way too small to effectively pick up a delayed blitz.
As much as I like the little guys...in order to get playing time, they need to protect the passer first and foremost

I'm confused, are we talking about the same player? Rock Cartwright? The reason Rock is 3rd on the depth chart is cause he doesn't run as good as Portis and Betts. You mention "home run hitter" ....when? not at RB. He's never been that. So you must be talking about as a KR, which again I would challenge how many times he has run a kick off for a touch down. I'm not exactly sure myself but I'm betting it's only like 2 or 3 times in his 7 yrs in the NFL.

I'm not trying to be a butt hole, honestly, but I get all confused about the love fest for Rock. Yes he is a good KR, not great, but good. He constantly will get your team to the 30 yrd line.

If I had to pick between Betts and Rock I'd pick Betts. The yr Rock was our starting RB under Spurrier Betts did the KR/PR duties very well, because of this Rock is expendable. Yes Dorsey might get eaten up by a pass rush, but most pass rushes the QB has to have a dump off guy anyway. I would put Dorsey in the back field with Portis or Sellers to block. Slide Dorsey out into the open as the dump off guy.