KR upgrade?
 

With Cadet and Sproles ranked 13th and 27th last season seems like there is much room for improvement. I'd like to see Saalim Hakim or Kenny Stills back there for a change. I just don't see Sproles or Cadet giving us any real upside other than average consistency.

Re: KR upgrade?
 

Why compare two RBs to two WRs?

I would also hardly call Sproles production "average consistency".

Re: KR upgrade?
 

Sproles is starting to get gunned from behind more. I just think it's an area that could be improved with some real speed. The highest average yards on KR's last season were WR's.

Re: KR upgrade?
 

If I had a choice, I would too would prefer to not see Sproles covering kick returns. Not because of 'speed' but because he is way too valuable and such a integral part of our offensive game plan.

Re: KR upgrade?
 

I'd like to see what Morgan could do in a full time role back there... but I have no issues with Sproles returning kicks. He's average 27 yards per return since he's been here right up there with some of the top returners in the league. Cadet is not that far behind either.

Re: KR upgrade?
 

Cadet was 7th in the league last year in Ave KR yards.... and only 1 yard from being 3rd.

Our return game has more to do with blocking that the ball handlers in my opinion. No one can out run poor blocking.

Sproles was 23rd in PR ave yardage... down from 15th in 2011.

Re: KR upgrade?
 

Exactly, it is the blocking.... For years there was nothing more tedious in Saints football than watching Courtney Roby go running out the end zone and smack into a solid wall of people at the 19 or 20....

My only beef with Sproles is that -- like a lot of football players of course -- he's kind of a "type A" guy, and if not much is happening in the return game, if the game is close or if the Saints fall behind, he gets kinda antsy, and he tries to "make something happen" and sometimes he winds up trying too hard, to make a play, then he often runs one out the way back of the end zone that he probably shouldn't, and then we end up starting a crucial drive on the 12 or something. This has happened a few times.

Re: KR upgrade?
 

Some people try to sprint it out before their blockers have even made their blocks

In big games SP always put pierre thomas back there, why? Because just like a screen play, PT is great at reading blocks - vs falcons 2008 - 90 yard run back, PT scored on a run play the next play, won the game

NFCCG vs vikes - overtime PT opens with a 40 yard kick return

Special teams is a mixture of things - just look at the bears when hester returned one every week, he was patient, he allowed the blockers to set up but he knew when to turn on the speed

Re: KR upgrade?
 

I believe that the new ST assistant will help tremendously.

Re: KR upgrade?
 

I like Joseph Morgan

Re: KR upgrade?
 

They r both better than reggie the side steping bush !

Re: KR upgrade?
 

I agree on the idea, that sometimes speed is not all you need back there... The ability to hit the right seems, follow blocks, and hold onto the ball are also essential.... I can't count how many times Sproles "almost" took it back though... Usually stopped on a shoestring tackle...

Re: KR upgrade?
 

I don't care for Sproles back there. Besides being a critical part of the offense he's also slowing down. I'd rather have someone with the ability to break one. I believe we will see some experiments in pre-season with different people.

Re: KR upgrade?
 

Bush is long gone, no reason to bring him up. Start a separate forum called B&B (Bush & Brooks) go there and wallow in the past.

Re: KR upgrade?
 

I'm with K on this one. He does fine back there, I just don't want to lose Sproles on a return. We've picked up a couple of burners this year. I'd like to see them take over the return duties as long as they can keep the ball off the ground...