I believe the Steelers were concerned about ball security with him due to his size and they were afraid that as he got beat up during the season he would become more of a liability in that area. He had 2 fumbles in 13 touches in the backfield in the preseason last year. I think they cut him and signed Jacoby Jones because Jones could both return punts and kicks and they were afraid to use Archer as Antonio Brown's backup on punt returns due to the potential ball security issues.
His skill set is very similar to Leon Washington's but he's smaller. I'm hoping they can throw 10-15 pounds on him. Archer was very dynamic in college and probably the fastest guy I've ever seen.
Thanks for posting those highlights, stokes. I was going to look them up. When the kid runs, he looks like he's been shot out of a cannon. He has great vision, instincts, elusiveness, and cutting ability. I can't find any record of how many fumbles he may have had in college at Kent State. Unless he fumbled a lot in the Steelers' training camp, I don't see why they would have been so afraid of his fumbling. If you get him a lane on a KOR or PR, not many people are going to be able to stop him if he has any space at all. Once he gets behind the defense, no one is going to catch him, and that's how most fumbles are created, when the ball is punched out from behind. He's an electrifying player. He may be too small for the NFL or have injury problems, but if he could give us 3-4 STs TDs a year and give opposing STs coordinators nightmares he'd be worth a roster spot even if he did cough the ball up a few times and missed some games with injuries. If he could contribute as a receiver in Gailey's offense, it would be gravy. His junior year at Kent State, he averaged 36.9 yards per return. That same season he averaged 9 ypc and scored 16 TDs as a RB/WR. He didn't return that many punts in college (only 6), and apparently wasn't very good at it. He had 5 returns his sophomore year for an average of 2.4 yards per return, and had one his junior year for minus 4 yards. Maybe it's due to his size, or they didn't have good blocking on the PR unit, or maybe that's just not something he feels comfortable doing. PRs can take some big shots, and that may be where he could get injured more easily.
i was hoping the jets would do this last year when Archer was cut. Glad to see it now. Solid addition to return competition. He brings an element of speed we simply don't have back there. And ya never know, Gailey may even find a scat role for him offensively.
I miss the days of having Santana Moss back returning punts. Since then I guess when Cotchery or Leonhard were back there it wasn't half bad... Let's give this Archer guy a shot and see. Anyone would have had a tough time surpassing Antonio "Drop Kick" Brown on the depth chart:
at 170 lbs, Archer isn't bigger than anyone in the NFL.........aside from Idzik's brilliant pick of Jalen Saunders of course.
Josh Cribbs was short lived, but what an effect he had on how opposing teams would kick to us. they were gladly sacrificing some field position just so he wouldn't have an opportunity to return. that's the type of impact I'd love to see again.. make opposing ST coordinators pick their poison. Archer is worth a look. he's got the speed for sure. he'll have to show he can be trusted to secure the ball first and foremost though. that's the number one job of a returner imo.
0 His highlight tape is incredible. It reminds me a lot of Noel Devine which is still one of the most impressive highlight videos I've ever seen.
That first few mins where he is tearing past defenders like they all have torn groins is incredible. _
I grew up with 3 brothers. As a joke we used to leave a dump or two for each other for shock/viewing spectacularity. I went into the bathroom one day and I thought my dog had drowned in the toilet. _
Intestines are about 25ft long so possible. I'm just not sure how well an NFL helmet would pass through Sproles' anus.
