Saints released special teams ace JT Gray. Second team all pro last season. Definitely should take a look, and I’d sign if healthy. we did well last time we signed a Saints specials ace.
Gipson has a lot of haters here but someone has to catch the punts. Cimini reported that he caught something like 145 punts in a row in practice. I’d kept him too, mufffed punts are the worst. If it’s “close” I’m keeping the veteran that will never muff one
I would say he did deserve the heat from his performance previously. He had NFL high 3 muffed punts last season, and two the season before. Also 9 fumbles in just 34 career games. Wasn't very explosive either last year. So, I can definitely see why people want to give Pritchett a shot, and frankly that's what I would have done as well. However, I just don't know if there is a big difference between the two, which is why I am fine with Gipson on active roster. Also, it should be of note that Pritchett did muff the punt against the Eagles. Yes, he did recover and had a nice return later, but muffed punts are the worst as you said - he only returned 9, and muffed one of them. Also, Glenn did say this “There is a ton of practice time that Gip has done that is an outstanding job. We counted most of his reps as far as the punt returner and I think he was 145 strong without dropping a punt, and actually catching it the way that I see that a punt returner should catch it.” So to me if Glenn sees that Gipson perhaps improved in practice from what we have seen before plus Pritchett had a miscue in preseason and perhaps didn't do quite as well in practice, I can certainly see Gipson being AG's choice. Btw, that might change between now and Pitts game depending on practices or at some point later in the season, but I can see why Glenn currently wants to start the season with the vet at the position.
Gipson had 3 muffed punts last year and 3 returns of 20+ yards in his career. Some magic switch must have flipped because his body of work is flat out bad.
He is 24 years old, so improvement is possible, particularly in ball security, but yeah, I would not be surprised in J Pritchett eventually replaces him later in the year. It was a bit concerning when Jamaal muffed that punt against the Eagles though. He did not have that many returns (9) in preseason and still muffed one, which is not ideal.
I would just opt for upside over a known quantity on a team that’s likely not going to be very good. Gipson doesn’t bring much to the offense. He’s had one shining play in two seasons. He’s very small and outside of the one punt return I don’t remember him looking very shifty in the open field. He’s also not straight line fast. It’s nitpicky because it’s likely neither player makes an impact one way or another.
It’s not my intention to waive the Xavier Gipson flag because I do agree he’s not very good but he did show more as a receiver in 2023, without Rodgers, than he did in 2024. We know how Rodgers puts someone in his doghouse and it’s tough to get out. He could be a better receiver than he showed last season.
