“It’s Probably Not Fair To Everybody Else”
August 6th, 2014
Lovie Smith weighs in on the standard for returners
The positions where Lovie Smith says he doesn’t have a “starting rotation” yet are punt returner and kick returner.
Every other position? Well, Lovie at least has one starter — for now.
Joe wondered whether perhaps Lovie has set such a high standard for his potential returners, given that he coached likely future Hall of Famer Devin Hester for so many seasons in Chicago.
Joe got a chance to ask Lovie today about how coaching Hester might be affecting his evaluation of the position.
“It’s probably not fair to everybody else that comes next, to put it bluntly,” Lovie said. “Once Devin was there, he had excellent hands catching the ball. I hate talking about a player [in the division] so it’s a little odd for me to talk about Devin. But for him I’ll make a special occasion.
“But you know when you’re getting him back there you know you’re having a definite weapon. Atlanta has a weapon at the punt return position with him. I think he’s the greatest returner to play our game.
“So that’s what not having that, but Devin is better than most guys out there. Saying he’s the greatest to play the game, everybody is after him. So, we need that next guy. But there was a time when [Hester] wasn’t. So we’re looking for the next guy to come up.”
Lovie went on repeat his promise that many guys will get looks at fielding punts and kicks during the preseason. If training camp is any indication, Eric Page will be the lead option out of the gate.
August 6th, 2014 at 6:20 pm
While I can see that having a Devin Hester can spoil you, but coaches have to have the same mentality as players. Forget the last play/player/game/season. Only use the experience to build something/someone better. It sounds like he is trying to do just that. If Page can be ‘like’ Hester, I’ll take it, and it sounds like Lovie feels the same. Let’s hope the defense gives Lovie a lot of chances to see who rises to the top.
August 6th, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Its a tough position!
Gladiators with track star speed are barreliling down on you!
Spartans of sports speeding savagely in your direction!
Punt returning in the NFL is tough business!
The ball is punted so high. The lights. The noise. The pressure.
Its scary!
I want to see aome of you couch potatoe haters go try sometime to return an NFL punt! In real time speed!
Most of you would be crushed to death! Lol.
August 6th, 2014 at 6:43 pm
My idea punt returner would be LEGARRETTE BLOUNT. My reasoning is field position. I think with his size he would constantly give you the ball between the 35 and 45 yard line. will he break any, probably not. but I think he is so difficult to bring down once he has a head of steam that the potential for great field position is overlooked.
August 6th, 2014 at 6:44 pm
scratch that, i meant kick offs.
August 6th, 2014 at 7:15 pm
Ill never forget Hester taking the opening kickoff in the Super Bowl all the way for six.
After Dungy and company had all that time to prepare to stop him. Tony had a look of absolute disbelief.
He was just plain old unstoppable that season.
We haven’t exactly been the great return capital of the league. Just average would be nice.
August 6th, 2014 at 7:58 pm
Forget the practices…. its getting chippy on this website. I think all of us couch potatoes need to finally see some football. Some of us are starting to show major signs of off season madness.
August 6th, 2014 at 7:59 pm
And all around ball baggery
August 6th, 2014 at 8:16 pm
Page is the safest choice.
It’ll be interesting to watch
August 6th, 2014 at 8:55 pm
@Eric….I put a $200 bet on that game that Hester would return either a punt or kickoff for a TD. 22-1 Odds. Don’t remember too much of the game after the opening kickoff. I went into Rock star party mode. lol
August 6th, 2014 at 9:40 pm
Lovie had a chance to go get the “greatest return man to play the game” this offseason. He passed.
August 7th, 2014 at 4:38 am
If Lovie loved him so much, then why did he pass him up, when he was available in the offseason?
August 7th, 2014 at 6:32 am
Man I wish Demps could hold onto the football. It would be so cool if they could use his speed.
August 7th, 2014 at 9:09 am
passthebuc` Says:
August 6th, 2014 at 6:43 pm
My idea punt returner would be LEGARRETTE BLOUNT. My reasoning is field position. I think with his size he would constantly give you the ball between the 35 and 45 yard line. will he break any, probably not. but I think he is so difficult to bring down once he has a head of steam that the potential for great field position is overlooked.
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Actually, being a great punt returner has no correlation to being fast. Great kick returners are usually fast, great punt returners (Vai Sikahema, Brian Mitchell, many others) just have to be quick. A punt returner has 2 seconds or less to catch the punt, look up field, and make a move to avoid the first man. Blount has more than enough speed to be a great punt returner but he lacks the quickness needed to be anything more than a guy.
August 7th, 2014 at 10:37 am
I also believe that Jeff Demps has to become that guy. He can also play running back and a little receiver whereas Eric Page is really only going to return punts. He would be a waste of a roster spot to me. Plus, page does not have big play potential. He will certainly never be compared to Devin Hester.