Saints punt return battle still 'blurry': Where top names stand, none 'etched in stone'
 

Re: Saints punt return battle still 'blurry': Where top names stand, none 'etched in stone'
 

Sherels has been good with Minnesota and can be good here. We just have to make sure he has a few years left in the tank. If Sherels can't go, then we will have to experiment with more unknowns or expend Kamara. It's that simple.

Re: Saints punt return battle still 'blurry': Where top names stand, none 'etched in stone'
 

I think it's Sherel's job to lose ... he's long in the tooth but still very productive. HUUUGE improvement over Tommy Lee.

Speedster Cyril Grayson and the other rookie from Assuption college will get plenty of looks at camp.

Re: Saints punt return battle still 'blurry': Where top names stand, none 'etched in stone'
 

Grayson, that 4.33 speed is nothing to scoff at but neither is Sherel's experience and also speed but who knows, someone else could pull away. Likely a late PS decision. Sherel can play CB in a pinch so a little more value.

Re: Saints punt return battle still 'blurry': Where top names stand, none 'etched in stone'
 

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. Hmmm...Proven vet experience for a couple of years or the young speedsters? Cuts get tougher every year. We will lose some good talent to other teams. But what a great problem to have?

Re: Saints punt return battle still 'blurry': Where top names stand, none 'etched in stone'
 

it's not like we broke the bank on Sherels, but isn't he here to be the #1?

put Taysom back there

Re: Saints punt return battle still 'blurry': Where top names stand, none 'etched in stone'
 

Coach Payton, PLEASE whatever you do DON'T put AK back covering punts at all in 2019 for goodness sake. He's the featured back in this offense & we can't afford to lose him.

We got Sherels, Cyril Grayson, Deonte Harris and even Austin Carr covering punts now. If these guys don't cut it, bring someone else in.

Re: Saints punt return battle still 'blurry': Where top names stand, none 'etched in stone'
 

Notice the difference. Reggie returned punts all the time. Sproles returned punts all the time. Kamara is the special back that Payton has been looking for for years. He is what he hoped Bush and Sproles could be. Alvin will not be covering punts unless it is in an elimination game.

Re: Saints punt return battle still 'blurry': Where top names stand, none 'etched in stone'
 

Why is the focus on the punt returner for the solution to the punt return game & not the punt return team, or the coaching of the return team? TommyUnsmartLee Lewis went down in week 2 last year... can't blame him for last years dismal stats. After TommyLee, Kamara hauled in most of the punts.. can't deny his talent as a open field runner. I think the major problem for poor production in the return game is with the return team & the coaching, and less about the returner.
Just my highly accurate highly regarded opinion.

Re: Saints punt return battle still 'blurry': Where top names stand, none 'etched in stone'
 

Payton addressed that issue by hiring Dan Rizzi & brought in some guys to hopefully upgrade the return game.

Sherels is a massive upgrade over TommyLee who had 2 full seasons to get it done but failed. I think Marcus will give our offense a short field to work with more times that not.

Re: Saints punt return battle still 'blurry': Where top names stand, none 'etched in stone'
 

I can assure you the legendary Mike Westhoff was not the problem.

Re: Saints punt return battle still 'blurry': Where top names stand, none 'etched in stone'
 

Fun fact on coach Dan Rizzi ...

His 2018 Dolphins were one of only two teams in the NFL in 2018 with both a punt return and a kickoff return for touchdowns. In 2017, the Dolphins set an unofficial NFL record with four successful onside kicks.

Anyone remember that "fake" punt by the Rams last year vs Saints? Just the little things that will tick off a coach & swing the momentum in a tight game.

I'm willing to bet the Saints special teams group plays ELITE ball in 2019. Win the special teams battle, good chance you position yourself for a deep playoff push.