Denver Broncos blog, news and rumors


FB

[hype it up!]
[Share with Yardbarker]

Published on 05/06/2012 at Sun May 06 12:41.
Tagged: ,,,,,.



Paging a punt returner

Posted Sun May 6th by

Eric Page at Toledo

Eric Page may be the only option for the Broncos at punt returner.

“Hello, Broncos training campers! Who here would like to return punts?”

Bueller? Bueller?

Wuebb-ler?

We don’t foresee the Broncos’ undrafted guard volunteering for punt return duty, so the fact remains: there isn’t a single player on the Broncos’ 90-man roster with legitimate experience returning punts at the NFL level.

Eric Decker has done it, but he’s a #2 wide receiver now, and he was too tall anyhow. Cassius Vaughn is a kick returner.

Of the rookies the Broncos brought in, only one, undrafted WR Eric Page, has any collegiate punt return experience.

And that wasn’t exactly Page’s forte, either, as Mike Klis noted on Twitter. Page averaged 102 catches in three seasons at Toledo, and had more success returning kicks (five touchdowns) than returning punts (one).

Still, the Broncos have seen an undrafted rookie make their roster in six consecutive seasons. We expect the Broncos will also try a healthy Omar Bolden in the role, but he has no experience there. If Page grabs this duty of punt returner by the horns, he’s a shoo-in for a roster spot in September.

  • millertime

    Do you think the Chargers had this in mine when they signed Royal? They have plenty of return men, but still signed Royal to a large deal. I don’t think there is a free agent out there that would be a upgrade, lets hope someone emerges during camp! 

  • millertime

    Do you think the Chargers had this in mine when they signed Royal? They have plenty of return men, but still signed Royal to a large deal. I don’t think there is a free agent out there that would be a upgrade, lets hope someone emerges during camp! 

  • Strawdog

    Monty I’m going to plead ignorance. What skills differentiate a kick returner verses a punt returner?

  • Kawike

    Sydquan Thompson was returning punts early last year prior to his injury. Seemed pretty good at it too. Also, I have the same question as Strawdog above. Does a punt returner need to be more explosive and shiftier in close quarters than a kick returner?

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    Syd’Quan had a total of three punt returns as a rookie in 2010. Not his thing… though he may need to add it to his repertoire to ensure a roster spot this year.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    Exactly Kawike. And to strawdog as well. NFL teams generally prefer shorter, shiftier players in punt returners. 6-foot-plus guys are just generally less athletic (and easier to see).  I remember how weird it was seeing Decker practicing punt returns in training camp in 2010. It just *looks* weird to see a 6-3 guy hauling in punts.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    I could see the Broncos trying Ronnie Hillman at PR as well.

  • Kawike

    Also FWIW, Syd’Quan had 5 returns in 2011 preseason  averaging 12.2 yards per return, although that is skewed by returns of 29 and 19 yards. Definitely agree on him needing to develop that skill set. He’s up for some tough competition at DB with Vaughn, Bolden, et all.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    Good eye!

  • Strawdog

    Thanks man. Both seem to require sighting the ball, making a good decision, catching the ball, picking up your blocking, and evading as many flying bodies as possible. Is it that punt returners generally have less space and time to operate than kick returners…favoring smaller, tight space guys? 

  • crazykid

    I know I’ve already said this on several other articles, but I think Robinson and Page are the most likely to make the team or stick around!

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    I wrote it in the Undrafted Rookie Report that just published. I think Robinson is a prime candidate for the practice squad. He’s there to help bring Osweiler along, who isn’t expected to play for two years.

    http://broncotalk.net/2012/05/35533/broncos-blog/gerrell-robinson-wr-broncos-undrafted-rookie-report/

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    Yeah. These are all generalizations, but yes.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    Wish we would’ve kept Eddie. Had he known we were signing Peyton Freaking Manning I’m guessing he would have been more likely to stay.

  • Rickashay09

    “Rocket Fan” I cheer for some Underdogs
    Eric Page 3.98 sec. 20yd Shuttle (best in the combine), Good Vision, Stop, accelerate, turn, dip, wiggle, all on a dime. That makes a return man. Can he do it at the next level? I Hope So.
    Teams mostly kicked high & short or away from Eric, but he still ran them down. Lots of “Fair Catches” on Punts.