Returns Next Year

[Upstate]

Will Estime get the nod, at least on punts? I thought Desir has done a nice job back there, he pretty consistently didn't take too many risks and I felt pretty comfortable with him catching it. What about kickoffs? The young RBs bringing them back again?

 

[Rocco]

IMO, we need all the explosiveness we can get; therefore, Estime will get the job.

He has the natural wiggle and quick step that can cause downfield runners to completely whiff.

 

[xc84]

Will Estime get the nod, at least on punts? I thought Desir has done a nice job back there, he pretty consistently didn't take too many risks and I felt pretty comfortable with him catching it. What about kickoffs? The young RBs bringing them back again?

He will probably get punt return duties and the RBs will continue with kickoffs.

 

[Finwad32]

I'd have to imagine Estime will be on PR and possibly KR. I think you'll see a change to the KR unit bc both McFarlane and Morris will now be bigger pieces to the offense as opposed to more role guys or complimentary. It'll be interesting to see what candidates they'll have this summer.

 

[retro44]

With the depth and speed we are getting in W.R. dept. don't be surprised you see some true freshmen back there

 

[anomander]

I really can't see anyone other then Estime returning both kickoffs and punts the next 3 seasons. He is a weapon, we have no reason not to utilize him

 

[Upstate]

I really can't see anyone other then Estime returning both kickoffs and punts the next 3 seasons. He is a weapon, we have no reason not to utilize him

That was my thought, as well. Clemson put Watkins, their best playmaker back there, plus he's a freak. Estime's size is certainly a good thing on kickoffs, too.

 

[GoSU96]

One thing you can't do is make your regular kick returner a core piece of your offense that you rely on.

Look what happened to Wake last year. Kid got jacked on a PR and it killed off what little offense they had. I know injuries happen and can happen on any play, but returners, in particular kids who are trying to make plays, can be exposed to some pretty big shots.

I don't really want to see either TB returning this year because of numbers at that spot. I don't see Estime as being an irreplaceable piece of the offense, between guys returning and the recruits a good unit can go out there with or without him. No denying he has the potential to make big plays, but if he was out it wouldn't destroy the offense.

 

[upperdeck]

I think you have to see what the new kids bring to the table before you decide how much to add to the WR/RB group that will be bigger parts of the puzzle next year. I think you might see Gulley back on kickoffs more than Morris since I think Morris is now the starter at RB.
if 2-3 of the WR's that RS or come in can provide depth then I can see Estime returning punts. You also have to factor in the depth at DB as to whether Desir continues at that spot. Estime might be more explosive but that doesnt mean he is as consistent at catching the ball.

we also have Kelly who was great at Juco at punt return if we get some solid depth at safety.

 

[jr4750]

What about Avant or Winfield? Both solid athletes with a year in the system...

 

[SUFan44]

I feel like Estime was always viewed as a return guy that could change a game in that area. I think circumstances made it such that he needed a bigger role in the offense this year - but with the athletes we have coming in at WR I think splitting those two roles into a couple different guys will help keep everyone fresh and minimize the risk of injury.

Those two RBs should not be returning KOs next year, IMO. Too valuable now without Jerome.

 

[JoeSU]

I really can't see anyone other then Estime returning both kickoffs and punts the next 3 seasons. He is a weapon, we have no reason not to utilize him

He needs to work on holding onto the ball.

 

[TBCuse11]

Estime should have been back there from Day 1. But this is a horse that I beat to death on these forums, so lets just look to the future. he will flip field position on a weekly basis.

 

[BlazeOrange]

I think you might see Gulley back on kickoffs more than Morris since I think Morris is now the starter at RB.

I see Gulley as the "Take a knee!" reminder guy for our primary returner (Estime) when kickoffs reach the end zone, as he's also a good option when the kicks come to him. I'd also use Estime on punt returns. Unlike others, I'd slot him in this role first and only move him off of it IF others show that they can't provide sufficient depth for an occasional down or two while Estime catches his breath. Fine to work others in on returns during the course of the season, but I wouldn't hold our explosive guy back only due to fear of increased injury risk.

 

[Marroniac]

What about Erv on kickoffs? He fits the profile. Shafer likes RB's back there, he's shifty, and he's not on the 2 deep. I'm putting his name in the hat.

 

[cuseguy]

What about Erv on kickoffs? He fits the profile. Shafer likes RB's back there, he's shifty, and he's not on the 2 deep. I'm putting his name in the hat.

I want to see Erv qualify first before I figure him into next year's plans.

 

[ImperialOrange]

I really can't see anyone other then Estime returning both kickoffs and punts the next 3 seasons. He is a weapon, we have no reason not to utilize him

If he's a focal point in the offense and seen as head and shoulders above other WR options I can see him not being back there to avoid wear and tear. Only reason I can see but potentially a good one to avoid the freight train hits that kickoff and punt returners and coverage incur.

 

[MadNY3]

Will Estime get the nod, at least on punts? I thought Desir has done a nice job back there, he pretty consistently didn't take too many risks and I felt pretty comfortable with him catching it. What about kickoffs? The young RBs bringing them back again?

Playing off that, I hope next year we see the return of special teams swagger.

We have a punter. We have a fifth-year former All-American Frosh PK. We have Estime and some MacDonald's Playmakers coming in. Really hope to win and sometimes dominate the ST game next year.

 

[sufandu]

One thing you can't do is make your regular kick returner a core piece of your offense that you rely on.

Look what happened to Wake last year. Kid got jacked on a PR and it killed off what little offense they had. I know injuries happen and can happen on any play, but returners, in particular kids who are trying to make plays, can be exposed to some pretty big shots.

I don't really want to see either TB returning this year because of numbers at that spot. I don't see Estime as being an irreplaceable piece of the offense, between guys returning and the recruits a good unit can go out there with or without him. No denying he has the potential to make big plays, but if he was out it wouldn't destroy the offense.

I can't disagree with this more. Ismail did it for us. His brother did it at Notre Dame. As someone else said, Watkins did it for Clemson. You put your playmakers in a position to make plays, and special teams is one of the best opportunities for that.

 

[sufandu]

I'm kinda surprised at the number of posts saying we shouldn't put starter in as returners. Our good teams have always had starters in as returners. Kevin Johnson and Qadry Ismail were kick returners. Shelby Hill, Marvin Harrison, and Quinton Spotwood were punt returners as starters. That's what made our special teams special. We put our best players in to give them the opportunity to make plays. We can't lament having mediocre special teams in one breath, and say we shouldn't put our best players in there in the next breath. I'm not going to worry about a guy getting worn out. I would rather give him the opportunity to bust a 50 yard return than save him for a pass play that gets 15 yards.

We're not the only teams that do it either. LaMichael James did it at Oregon. Watkins did it at Clemson. Much of the time your most explosive return guy is going to be one of your best players, especially on the college level. Many complained that Marrone took too much of an "NFL" approach to special teams, now many of these posts are suggesting we do just that with our returners.

 

[bnoro]

I'm kinda surprised at the number of posts saying we shouldn't put starter in as returners. Our good teams have always had starters in as returners. Kevin Johnson and Qadry Ismail were kick returners. Shelby Hill, Marvin Harrison, and Quinton Spotwood were punt returners as starters. That's what made our special teams special. We put our best players in to give them the opportunity to make plays. We can't lament having mediocre special teams in one breath, and say we shouldn't put our best players in there in the next breath. I'm not going to worry about a guy getting worn out. I would rather give him the opportunity to bust a 50 yard return than save him for a pass play that gets 15 yards.

We're not the only teams that do it either. LaMichael James did it at Oregon. Watkins did it at Clemson. Much of the time your most explosive return guy is going to be one of your best players, especially on the college level. Many complained that Marrone took too much of an "NFL" approach to special teams, now many of these posts are suggesting we do just that with our returners.

Starters should always be on special teams. Special teams is not a throwaway unit.

 

[sufandu]

Starters should always be on special teams. Special teams is not a throwaway unit.

Agreed. I understand we've had some non-starters that were great coverage guys, to the point that became their specialty, but our best returners when we had very good special teams have always been starters.

 

[bnoro]

Agreed. I understand we've had some non-starters that were great coverage guys, to the point that became their specialty, but our best returners when we had very good special teams have always been starters.

I'm not only talking about return men.

 

[GoSU96]

I'm kinda surprised at the number of posts saying we shouldn't put starter in as returners. Our good teams have always had starters in as returners. Kevin Johnson and Qadry Ismail were kick returners. Shelby Hill, Marvin Harrison, and Quinton Spotwood were punt returners as starters. That's what made our special teams special. We put our best players in to give them the opportunity to make plays. We can't lament having mediocre special teams in one breath, and say we shouldn't put our best players in there in the next breath. I'm not going to worry about a guy getting worn out. I would rather give him the opportunity to bust a 50 yard return than save him for a pass play that gets 15 yards.

We're not the only teams that do it either. LaMichael James did it at Oregon. Watkins did it at Clemson. Much of the time your most explosive return guy is going to be one of your best players, especially on the college level. Many complained that Marrone took too much of an "NFL" approach to special teams, now many of these posts are suggesting we do just that with our returners.

Depends what your depth is at a particular position and where that player fits in your plans.

It's a risk reward calculation. Again I have no problem having Estime returning, because of the depth at WR.

I'd have a big problem with Morris returning kicks. Same with Eskridge for an example.

 

[sufandu]

Depends what your depth is at a particular position and where that player fits in your plans.

It's a risk reward calculation. Again I have no problem having Estime returning, because of the depth at WR.

I'd have a big problem with Morris returning kicks. Same with Eskridge for an example.

I guess we disagree there. Harrison was our stud WR and best player on the team in '95, and he still returned punts. I think the potential reward is worth the risk.