So I guess Reggie Bush, taken #2 overall, should never return kicks for the Saints.... he only kicks ass doing it. I'm glad the CS runs this team and not this board.
From what I can tell, Wilson's punt returning has been so excellent because of his acceleration and elusiveness at Boise State. I'm worried that he doesn't have the patience on punt returns in letting blocking develop in front of him -- a lot more evident/important in the NFL. A lot of his long returns showcased Wilson sprinting past his blockers and outrunning defenders down the field, especially against weak conference opponents. Maybe I'm overanalyzing, I don't know. I'm hoping he has the ability to run with the same talent while routing through and around blocks.
Reggie Bush is an offensive player and is way more used to evading hits than a DB does. Instinctively a WR or RB is going to be better than a DB at avoiding hits while returning punts...
his point is that Bush was not just a first round pick, he was deemed the second most wanted player in the draft, by being selected second overall. If we are scared of Wilson (selected at the end of round 1) getting hurt, than Bush should never be placed back there because he is worth far more. Wilson being the PR, gives us the best chance to win games, thus its worth it. Yes injuries happen, but injuries happen to corners as well. Football is a game where injuries happen, get over it. Wilson is going to help us win games.
That's a reach. It'a beynod dispute even for a rookie Wilson has experience returning punts. More to the point he's not a starter, so using him keeps him in whatever role they can keeps him in the game, feeling like he's contributing. The main thing, though, is it is great he's back at nickel. Starting at cb would have been too much out of the box. Not to mention I feel MUCH better about him at nickel than Lowery.
are people really complaining about KDub returning punts? It wasn't that long ago when we drafted S.Moss in the 1st round....and he returned punts (quite beautifully, i might add) with great efficiency. some of you need to calm down.
Exactly!! Who do you want returning punts Cotchery? Our depth in week 1 at WR sucks. Wilson is an excellent special teams player. I trust Westy to make the right call and he knows K DUB is their best option.
I'm betting Wilson will be starting opposite Revis by midseason or thereabouts. I think the no-tackly thing that Cromartie has going is going to drive Ryan, Pettine and Thurman nuts and Wilson is going to be too talented not to be on the field in Cro's place in that situation.
Great article, and yeah it was valuable experience for K-Dubs to get those reps with the 1st squad while Revis was out. To those who have concerns about Wilson returning punts... His punt returning skills are part of why we drafted him.
Jeez there is no need to jump all over the guy because he said he would prefer not to have a first round pick returning punts (and as a result he will automatically be running a (slightly) greater risk of being injured). Yes you want your best guy out there but if there was an "as good", less valuable option, available we would all surely rather stick them out there instead of Wilson. Just a pity McKnight isnt there (yet).
There was a huge upside to the holdout: almost all the darksiderism was confined to one massive thread where you couldn't find it with a searchlight and Cray-powered search engine.
It's a positive that he got more experience, but at the same time it was at the wrong position. I would have preferred to have seen him get the bulk of his reps at nickel back.
Not to dispute, but I personally can't recall losing a starter due to an injury occurred returning a kick. Can anyone else? How about on another team? My thought is - get the ball in talented hands, someone with a chance to score as often as possible. I am more concerned with fumbles than injuries. Remember Aaron Glenn? He led the NCAA in punt returns while at A&M, then he got here, fumbled away two of three in the preseason and that was it. Santana Moss was spectacular returning kicks while at Miami too...
