Can We Finally Dedicate A Pick To A Return Specialist?!

[kelvin31063]

I don't know about you guys but we haven't had a return specialist since Eric Weems and he was more quick than fast. Better field position instantly makes Matt Ryan better as well as the playcalling. Smitty needs to stop just playing around with that position and just tend to it. The only bright spot on special teams we've had in the last few years is Antone Smith's coverage. If this get's ignored yet again I am really going to start questioning Smith's ability to put together a complete team.

[rugger8]

I don't know that you really target those guys. I think you target WRs RBs and CBs who may have return experience, but hope they work out in their positions, but they turn out to be great returners.

Rarely do you just get a guy who is just a return specialist.

[AndySG]

We definitely need somebody who can return. I wanted Sanders last year, but Jacksonville reached for him in my opinion. I'd have liked him in the 5th or 6th.

[DurtyBurdz155]

We definitely need somebody who can return. I wanted Sanders last year, but Jacksonville reached for him in my opinion. I'd have liked him in the 5th or 6th.

I wanted Ace Sanders too. We always start from our 20.

[Ethos]

McClain is solid IMO.

[Falconsfan567]

Sorry didn't see this thread. Will delete mine. Falcons need to draft Christion Jones. Last year I wanted Ace Sanders. This year I want Christion Jones.

Edited November 25, 2013 by Falconsfan567™

[Karst41]

To answer the OP's question.

Not in this years draft.

We have developed amazing depth at WR, so next year when

hopefully everybody returns, we will need the guys on the depth chart

to have a bigger role in the games.

[hjerry]

Sorry didn't see this thread. Will delete mine. Falcons need to draft Christian Jones. Last year I wanted Ace Sanders. This year I want Christian Jones.

Had to look up who you were talking about. Just make sure that you spell it right: Christion, otherwise it gets confused with that LB from FSU.

[Falconsfan567]

Had to look up who you were talking about. Just make sure that you spell it right: Christion, otherwise it gets confused with that LB from FSU.

I didn't know it was an O instead of an I.

[DawgKramer]

Not sure Jones comes out. Has a chance to be more of a feature receiver next year if he stays.

If we pick up say an extra 5th or 6th then I would not mind spending a 5th on someone like a Dri Archer if doesn't shoot up the draft boards.

[Falconsfan567]

Not sure Jones comes out. Has a chance to be more of a feature receiver next year if he stays.

If we pick up say an extra 5th or 6th then I would not mind spending a 5th on someone like a Dri Archer if doesn't shoot up the draft boards.

Yeah. I didn't know Jones was only a Junior.

[hjerry]

Not sure Jones comes out. Has a chance to be more of a feature receiver next year if he stays.

If we pick up say an extra 5th or 6th then I would not mind spending a 5th on someone like a Dri Archer if doesn't shoot up the draft boards.

It's always possible. After all, Sanders declared.

[Falconsfan567]

It's always possible. After all, Sanders declared.

Yeah and that was a surprise.

[kelvin31063]

Even a chance there might be someone in Free Agency that will come dirt cheap. Ginn will never be an elite receiver or even average one but he sticks around because of his return abilities. I know we will have an opportunity to address this need while addressing everything else...yet Smitty will continue to ignore it and continue to have a fair catch specialist in the return game.

[Falconsfan567]

Even a chance there might be someone in Free Agency that will come dirt cheap. Ginn will never be an elite receiver or even average one but he sticks around because of his return abilities. I know we will have an opportunity to address this need while addressing everything else...yet Smitty will continue to ignore it and continue to have a fair catch specialist in the return game.

Sometimes all you want back there is a sure handed guy. I'm sure the Broncos would have appreciated Wes Welker calling for a fair catch last night.

[RYNE]

Yes we need to. I was going to actually post on this the other day. But never got around to it. It is time to find someone who is a threat of taking a return to the house.

[kelvin31063]

Sometimes all you want back there is a sure handed guy. I'm sure the Broncos would have appreciated Wes Welker calling for a fair catch last night.

There is a risk at every position so I don't think we should continue to sacrifice having an asset at the return game for security. Harry Douglas was supposed to be sure handed and he lost us the Dolphins game. Every position will always create an opportunity for a turnover no matter how seasoned you are at the position. Julio fumbles more than any receiver we've had...yet he does so much more that we give him a pass. I would like for us to have a return specialist that does so much that we can excuse an occasional fumble.

[Falconsfan567]

There is a risk at every position so I don't think we should continue to sacrifice having an asset at the return game for security. Harry Douglas was supposed to be sure handed and he lost us the Dolphins game. Every position will always create an opportunity for a turnover no matter how seasoned you are at the position. Julio fumbles more than any receiver we've had...yet he does so much more that we give him a pass. I would like for us to have a return specialist that does so much that we can excuse an occasional fumble.

Dude. I never said I didn't want a great punt returner. I was just talking about in some situations like overtime on your own 10 yard line all you want is a guy to be sure handed and call for a fair catch. And there is nothing sure handed about Harry Douglas. I don't know where you got that idea from.

[kelvin31063]

Dude. I never said I didn't want a great punt returner. I was just talking about in some situations like overtime on your own 10 yard line all you want is a guy to be sure handed and call for a fair catch. And there is nothing sure handed about Harry Douglas. I don't know where you got that idea from.

I don't foresee Smitty using anyone at punt return without proving to be a sure hand...he is way to conservative. No way in God's green earth did Smith expect Douglas to be explosive at punt return. Also great returners tend to be very mediocre receivers as well as DBs with some exceptions. Either way the point of the topic is for Smith to stop ignoring obvious flaws on the team which definitely isn't limited to just special teams.

[Falconsfan567]

I don't foresee Smitty using anyone at punt return without proving to be a sure hand...he is way to conservative. No way in God's green earth did Smith expect Douglas to be explosive at punt return. Also great returners tend to be very mediocre receivers as well as DBs with some exceptions. Either way the point of the topic is for Smith to stop ignoring obvious flaws on the team which definitely isn't limited to just special teams.

Smith has had 6 years to change and he hasn't. It is what it is. That's one of the many reasons he should be fired.

[hakim24]

Yea Smith is too conservative and it shows with his loyalty to Quizz as our KR. He has like a 0% chance of taking one to the house and is most likely back there just because he is sure handed.

[Gold4425]

I hope we do! Dri Archer KR/WR/RB is lighting things up and might fall to 5th because of size but he is 4:3 fast and tough like Spoles and can do a lot of things. Auburn has a CB who is a good corner and a good KR who is projected to go 5-6, I like Jeff Scott Ole Miss like Archer can get it done and will go 6-7. Jemea Thomas Ga. Tech is a very good CB/S better then people think because he plays for Ga. Tech but also can KR and will probably go 6-7 round. These guys would upgrade us at KR but also do other things and won't coast a high draft pick.

[Cam Topdrew Bottom]

I hope we do! Dri Archer KR/WR/RB is lighting things up and might fall to 5th because of size but he is 4:3 fast and tough like Spoles and can do a lot of things. Auburn has a CB who is a good corner and a good KR who is projected to go 5-6, I like Jeff Scott Ole Miss like Archer can get it done and will go 6-7. Jemea Thomas Ga. Tech is a very good CB/S better then people think because he plays for Ga. Tech but also can KR and will probably go 6-7 round. These guys would upgrade us at KR but also do other things and won't coast a high draft pick.

Really really want Archer. I'd be surprised if he fell all the way to the 5th but stranger things have happened. He is incredible. I thought last year he was a better prospect than Tavon Austin and nothing he has done this year, aside from getting hurt for a few games, has changed my mind.

[Falconsfan567]

I hope we do! Dri Archer KR/WR/RB is lighting things up and might fall to 5th because of size but he is 4:3 fast and tough like Spoles and can do a lot of things. Auburn has a CB who is a good corner and a good KR who is projected to go 5-6, I like Jeff Scott Ole Miss like Archer can get it done and will go 6-7. Jemea Thomas Ga. Tech is a very good CB/S better then people think because he plays for Ga. Tech but also can KR and will probably go 6-7 round. These guys would upgrade us at KR but also do other things and won't coast a high draft pick.

I have never even heard of Dri Archer and that CB for Auburn is Chris Davis. He's been incredible on punt returns this season.

[Cam Topdrew Bottom]

I have never even heard of Dri Archer and that CB for Auburn is Chris Davis. He's been incredible on punt returns this season.

Go watch Archer on youtube. He is incredible. Has put up about 10 yards a touch over his last 300 touches with 230 of those being rushes.

To small to hold up as a RB in the NFL but he is already a solid slot receiver. Just as quick and fast as Tavon but way more toughness.

Plus he has 4 TDs in just 19 kick returns in the last 2 seasons.

Edited November 26, 2013 by Cam Topdrew Bottom