DC.COM Blog: Don't See Dez As Long-Term KR/PR Answer

[speedkilz88]

Don't See Dez As Long-Term KR/PR Answer
Posted by nickeatman at 6/3/2010 5:23 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com






As it stands currently – and since we’re in very early June, nothing is standing too solid – the return specialist for this team seems to be Dez Bryant.

And that especially is the case with Patrick Crayton serving his little OTA boycott.

But you have to wonder just how long Dez will be the return guy if he keeps up his prowess at the receiver position. Sure, it’s only OTA practice without pads, but the guy is turning in a highlight catch just about every practice here, if not three or four.

Yeah, they may open the season with Bryant as the kickoff and punt returner, but he’ll also be the third receiver. One 54-yard touchdown catch or a one-handed snag in the end zone later and it won’t be long before Bryant will be just too good for that role.

No offense to special teams coach Joe DeCamillis because obviously we know the importance of the kicking game. But we’ve seen it before. Miles Austin was supposed to be the kick return guy and that changed once he become a regular on offense and then eventually a starter.

Felix Jones was drafted to handle those duties considering he was a college All-American kick returner. But now that he’ll have a more expanded offensive role, he doesn’t seem to be the primary choice on kick returns.

So while Bryant is handling them now, you wonder if he might play his way off of those duties.

Now that will only truly happen if the Cowboys have a logical replacement at both spots. So far, no one has emerged. Then again, how can anyone emerge in June?

Some of the guys who have been practicing back there include Kevin Ogletree, rookie cornerback Bryan McCann and wide receiver Titus Ryan. I would assume Orlando Scandrick will at least get some reps when he comes back from injury and Terence Newman will always be a candidate for punt returns. And who knows, maybe the Cowboys realize that Patrick Crayton will have some more value as a punt returner if Bryant isn’t the answer.

All I’m saying is that Bryant sounds good now. But he might just play himself off of that role in time.

 

[Jon88]

I wouldn't risk him as a returner.

Let someone else do it.

 

[Hostile]

I think Ansah is the answer.

 

[evarc]

I think Ansah is the answer.

this...

 

[jswalker1981]

I think Ansah is the answer.

Ding ding ding!!!

I keep waiting for the lunch break cast to figure that out. Dez will be the punt returner for the start of the season, if/when he plays himself out of that role, AOA will be ready for it.

AOA or Ogletree could do the kickoff return job.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Deion Sanders never played his way out of returning punts. If hes electric then you have him do it. This is football not women's softball. I HATE it when they don't play players in games that count for fear of them getting hurt.

 

[BAT]

Could be how either Ryan or McCann make the team.

 

[Eskimo]

Returning punts is okay.

There is no way a starter should be returning kickoffs - the collisions are too violent.

 

[Apollo Creed]

I'd like to get Dez involved early and often in the return game. There isn't much of a learning curve involved in returning punts or kicks, therefore he'll have an opportunity early on to showcase his instincts as a player.

As a receiver he's going to take his lumps, especially in this offense - but as a return man its a pretty simple concept.

Let him get extra touches, let him make something happen, and build up his confidence.

I'd also rather have a rookie WR battling for the 2nd WR position returning kicks and punts than our most explosive back and one of our very highly paid cornerbacks.

 

[jchocolate82]

Deion Sanders never played his way out of returning punts. If hes electric then you have him do it. This is football not women's softball. I HATE it when they don't play players in games that count for fear of them getting hurt.

I'm so with you on this. The only way I think it should only be consider for discussion is if somehow becomes a starter until then its a non discussion for me

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Deion Sanders never played his way out of returning punts. If hes electric then you have him do it. This is football not women's softball. I HATE it when they don't play players in games that count for fear of them getting hurt.

A really poor example. Not only did he make “business decisions” regarding tackling, he also did very little on defense because nobody would throw his way. He had to get some exercise and earn his paycheck somehow.

 

[Hoods]

A really poor example. Not only did he make “business decisions” regarding tackling, he also did very little on defense because nobody would throw his way. He had to get some exercise and earn his paycheck somehow.

Deion Sanders returned punts because he needed to exercise and earn his paycheck? So being a super athlete and the only shutdown corner the NFL has ever seen isn't enough? I don't buy that logic.

 

[ZeroClub]

Deion Sanders never played his way out of returning punts. If hes electric then you have him do it. This is football not women's softball. I HATE it when they don't play players in games that count for fear of them getting hurt.

Deion Sanders was so incredibly good at returns that it made sense for him to do it. He offered a uniquely high reward. In the past 15 years, you can count on 1 finger the number of returners who have had Sanders-like return ability (Devin Hester).

Guys like T-New and Austin just aren't the unique elite threats that Sanders was in the kicking game and so are not worth risking in the return game, IMO.

If Dez truly has Sanders-Hester like elite return ability, you have to let him do it at least in given situations. Short of that, though, it is better to have an AOA or Titus Ryan handle the returns.

 

[BAZ]

he also did very little on defense.

In fairness.

 

[Doomsday101]

For this season I fully expect Dez will be in the return game, he is too good at it not to use him. Down the road that may change but I don't think that is a question the Cowboys will need to deal with this year.

 

[big dog cowboy]

All I’m saying is that Bryant sounds good now. But he might just play himself off of that role in time.

This

I think Ansah is the answer.

And this!

 

[Jed_70]

It'd be great if we had a shifty and speedy 4th WR who we could throw back there.

Someone who's used to running with the ball and wouldn't be too much of a loss if injured.

 

[CATCH17]

Deion Sanders never played his way out of returning punts. If hes electric then you have him do it. This is football not women's softball. I HATE it when they don't play players in games that count for fear of them getting hurt.

I agree somewhat.


If the guy eventually is a starter for us then I would like to see his Punt Returns limited and not a full time job.

 

[TheCount]

I wouldn't risk him as a returner.

Let someone else do it.

How often to returners get injured, really?

Also Felix turned into a TERRIBLE returner or he'd still be doing it, had very little with his "expanded" role.

 

[JonJon]

I always thought Choice would be a good candidate to return kickoffs. I'm intrigued by AOA, though. I don't know much about him returning kicks.