Who Would You Install As Kick Returner In 2012?

by Dave Choate on Feb 19, 2012 12:18 PM EST in Falcons Talk

That's our question of the day.

The Falcons are not locked in to bringing Eric Weems back. While kick returners tend to have seasons that wildly fluctuate—think relievers in baseball—Weems had a down year in 2011. The Falcons do like his familiarity with the system, and he had a Pro Bowl-caliber season in 2010, so I imagine this is being debated inside the organization as we speak.

The Falcons do possess other options. Dominique Franks is fast, powerful for his size and did well in limited looks in the 2011 pre-season. Antone Smith is a quality special teamer with terrific speed and agility, and if the Falcons think he's ready, it's one of his best shots of holding on to a roster spot in 2011. Both of them could be in contention for the returner gig, though Franks' will depend on where he winds up in the cornerback depth chart.

Let's debate this one and see what we come up with. Go go go!

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Any reports on Chris Owens ability to return

I realize speed isn’t all to kick/punt returning but he’s been a special teams star for a couple of years and a blazingly fast athlete. I think given some guidance he’d be able to hone his agility. Other than that, Antone Smith, Meier, D Franks are good candidates.

Atlanta sports have singlehandedly crushed my soul.

by Beachy Keen on Feb 19, 2012 12:34 PM EST reply actions

HD?

Wasn’t he returning kick/punts his rookie year? I remember him taking one back to the house, seems like he should get a shot if he stays that is

by DCOL on Feb 19, 2012 12:54 PM EST reply actions

Quiz or Chris Owens

would be fun to watch!

by grygrvin on Feb 19, 2012 1:39 PM EST reply actions

I tend to think he'll be back

Weems is an above average kick returner but,is exceptional in kick coverage.Since most kick offs result in touch backs,as of this past year,I expect that the market for kick returners will not escalate and may in fact lose a little value.

Weems 2011 salary was about $1.2 million.My guess is he is re-signed for about that same amount per year plus a modest signing bonus.

by dawg1060 on Feb 19, 2012 1:46 PM EST reply actions

I think Weems is still fine returning punts

But for kickoffs, we need to get a guy with some top end speed
Whoever replaces HD could be that guy, a slot reciever/kick return specialist

"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
http://twitter.com/#!/AShirkey

by TurnerTheBurner on Feb 19, 2012 2:09 PM EST reply actions

Some of his decision making last year cost us 10-15 yards

There were several drives inside the 5 that should have been inside the 20 beacuse of his inability to read the bounce, or his brainsnaps just letting a ball bounce which he should fair catch. I’d rather HD or Franks on punts for sure.

Follow @HarrisonN17

by Turner_The_Burner on Feb 19, 2012 8:28 PM EST up reply actions

Hey, it's my alter ego!

Question for you sir: how did you get that Twitter badge into your sig?
I haven’t figured it out yet because I’m a lazy s.o.b.

"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
http://twitter.com/#!/AShirkey

by TurnerTheBurner on Feb 19, 2012 8:52 PM EST up reply actions

Just played around on this

https://twitter.com/about/resources/buttons

Until I figured it out.

Follow @HarrisonN17

by Turner_The_Burner on Feb 20, 2012 8:29 PM EST up reply actions

Ah, I see. Thanks.

"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
Follow @AShirkey

by TurnerTheBurner on Feb 20, 2012 10:08 PM EST up reply actions

How About Bringing Back...

…Grady Jackson? Rule changes have made Kick Returners irrelevant. The job description now consists of catching the ball 9 yards deep in the endzone and taking a knee. Even ’ol Grady could do that….

by LifeLongBirdFan on Feb 19, 2012 2:39 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Dump Weems

Save Franks for playing on defense. Move David Drew or Kevin Cone up and let them do the return work. That is assuming a draft pick/FA won’t get the job.

by mwalex on Feb 19, 2012 3:24 PM EST reply actions

Anyone except for Weems

Although he is great in kick and punt coverage, I never really liked Weems as our punt or kick returner. I know it’s not the only attribute needed but speed is big on returns and Weems doesn’t give us that returning. I might like HD if he hangs around, if not, maybe a kid thru the draft who we take to replace him. But I honestly think he’s going to stick around. DF, as noted above, would definitely deserve a tryout.

by NJDirtyBird on Feb 19, 2012 3:32 PM EST reply actions

Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas

Adams returned 3 punts for TDs this year, 4 in his career. He hasn’t returned many kicks in his career, but I think it is something that he could easily adjust to. He is projected to go in the 3rd-4th round range, which is certainly worth using, especially if Weems and HD are both let to walk. He can play special teams and be a slot receiver. I wouldn’t mind having this guy on our team.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Feb 19, 2012 3:49 PM EST reply actions

I'm also a fan of T.J. Graham from N.C. State

However, Adams was recruited as a corner out of high school, so he has experience on both sides of the ball. Graham might be a bit faster and could have a higher upside as a returner and a wide receiver, but his value is also much lower as he could be considered more of a developmental player than an NFL-ready slot receiver and special teams ace.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Feb 19, 2012 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

Rec'd

by pierre02 on Feb 19, 2012 8:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Let Weems Go

In addition to his lack of top end speed, he made critical errors on punt returns. On more then one occasion he let punts hit the ground and roll toward our end zone. He also attempted to field and return punts inside the 10 and kickoffs that were eight yards deep. Those kind of risky returns are OK for guys like Hester and D Jackson but for someone like Weems its just a bad play.

He also runs his mouth after every play and is constantly talking trash to the other team. The little runt even got stupid unsportsmanlike penalty because he was running his mouth on a special teams play where he was not even close to the action. Granted, Weems is a very good gunner; but ,1.2 million is way to much to pay for what he brings to the team.

Get Antone Smith on the field and let him touch the ball. Kickoffs, punts and 3rd down.

by BlackBirdBlitz on Feb 19, 2012 4:07 PM EST reply actions

David Wilson

by Botchelism on Feb 19, 2012 4:14 PM EST reply actions

I'd guess someone they draft

Maybe a corner early to late, or a late round wide receiver or cornerback from a small school. I wouldn’t be surprised if they sign Weems again, and make it a camp competition. In either case, I doubt it matters that much since it takes a really elite returner to make something happen 9 yards deep in the endzone.

by TheAreopagite on Feb 19, 2012 6:24 PM EST reply actions

Anyone With Hands....

at this point imma echo what a lot of ppl said, kickoffs at this point are irrelevant with the new rule, now as far as punt returns, put someone like HD back there or Chris Owens, I remember Chris running down Percy Harvin this past season man is that guy fast, and ive seen Eric call for fair catch on a few punts i thawt he has a chance to return, yea he made the Pro Bowl 2 years ago i understand that but thats to much money for a return guy , less your last name is Hester

by c_hass_2 on Feb 19, 2012 7:53 PM EST reply actions