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Nonstopdrivel
14 years ago

Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Who will return kickoffs for Packers?  

When I asked Mike McCarthy after the draft if his kickoff returner for the 2010 season is on the roster, he replied: "Yes, because I don't think we drafted one. I would have to say he is on the roster. I think we're going to do some things a little differently on kickoff returns and I think that will definitely help our returners."

Perhaps McCarthy and special teams coach Shawn Slocum have come up with a creative new blocking scheme to help their returners.

But the question remains: who is going to be the primary kickoff return man this season?

I admit I've been down on Jordy Nelson, who handled the bulk of kick return duties last season after Will Blackmon went down with a season-ending injury. Nelson strikes me as a straight-line runner without enough burst to be dynamic.

But in looking at Nelson's raw numbers, he wasn't that bad. His 25.4-yard return average is the best in Green Bay since Allen Rossum in 2000, when considering return men who had at least 20 returns in a season. Nelson's average also ranked No. 11 in the NFL in 2009 among regular returners.

For the record, Dorsen Levens posted a 25.9 average in 14 returns in 2001, and Najeh Davenport had a 31.6 average in 16 returns in 2003. But beyond that, Nelson is on top of the Packers' list over the past decade.

Perhaps that's not saying much. The Packers haven't had a kickoff return over that span. But what are the alternatives for McCarthy this season?

He could put Will Blackmon back there, assuming he is healthy. But Blackmon is better suited to punt returns. He averaged just 21.0 yards on a whopping 55 returns in 2008, with his longest of just 45 yards. You would think someone could break something longer than that with so many attempts. At least Nelson had a 54-yard return last year among his 25 attempts.

If McCarthy or Slocum want a running back as the kickoff returner, the pickings are slim. Sixth-round draft choice James Starks has little special teams experience, and Brandon Jackson doesn't look the part.

There's no way the Packers would risk Tramon Williams, who was the primary kickoff returner in 2007 but is now too valuable as either the No. 2 or No. 3 cornerback.

Here is a list of the Packers' primary kickoff returners over the past decade:

2000 - Allen Rossum, 25.8
2001 - Rossum, 18.7
2002 - Javon Walker, 22.0
2003 - Antonio Chatman, 22.3
2004 - Chatman, 22.6; Robert Ferguson, 25.0
2005 - Ahmad Carroll, 20.5
2006 - Vernand Morency, 21.6
2007 - Tramon Williams, 22.8; Koren Robinson, 21.1
2008 - Will Blackmon, 21.0
2009 - Jordy Nelson, 25.4

--Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com


Dulak
14 years ago
I think someone posted this article in another thread ... interesting read thou.

I didnt think jordy did that good of a job last season but then looking at the stats. It appears he did a better job then what appeared.

Id like some competition at the position thou and personally if someone else can do it Id rather they do that; ie we remember when jordy went down with that knee injury or when he wiffed a few balls etc (ie seemed too hesitant at times).
IronMan
14 years ago
I think it should be Jordy. Yeah he struggled at times last year; but I think he deserves to have the job without any competition. Forcing him to compete for the job might rattle his confidence. :profileright:
Pack93z
14 years ago
Damn it.. another kitty today. 🙏
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
zombieslayer
14 years ago
If British is right and we only go with 4 WRs on the roster, then be sure to eliminate Jordy Nelson. Also Williams, forget it. Too valuable.

I'm going with Will Blackmon for both PR and KR.

I do miss Najeh Davenport returning kickoffs. I was always waiting for an opposing would be tackler to just fall into five pieces trying to tackle him. Najeh didn't just return KOs. He punished opposing ST players. :thumbright:
My man Donald Driver

(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
British
14 years ago

If British is right and we only go with 4 WRs on the roster, then be sure to eliminate Jordy Nelson. Also Williams, forget it. Too valuable.

I'm going with Will Blackmon for both PR and KR.

I do miss Najeh Davenport returning kickoffs. I was always waiting for an opposing would be tackler to just fall into five pieces trying to tackle him. Najeh didn't just return KOs. He punished opposing ST players. :thumbright:

"zombieslayer" wrote:



I must admit I'm beginning to think twice about the 4 WRs. I think Giacomini could make way for a 5th guy, although Brett Swain doesn't get me all that excited.

I think Pat Lee could be an option. He busted off a nice 40 yard return on the pre season play in which he got injured and put on IR.
zombieslayer
14 years ago
The 4 WR thing scares me as I have nightmares about the '05 season still. But then again, I understand where you're coming from. We'll have 2 TEs who are receivers and will start taking balls from our 5th WR if he exists. We'll need to keep at least one WR on the practice squad.

I'd love to see what Lee could do.
My man Donald Driver

(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
GermanGilbert
14 years ago

Damn it.. another kitty today. [-o<

"pack93z" wrote:



you have to worry, pack93z, the kitties just started to keep off ted thompson searching competition for jordy :icon_smile:


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Pack93z
14 years ago
+1 Gilbert... nice.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
earthquake
14 years ago
Thats a little surprising with Jordy's stats, i didn't think he did horrible back there as some people on here have said in the past, but i'll admit he does always sort of look slow there. He just isn't a flashy guy like Blackmon, but he runs straight ahead and gets better yardage than a guy who dances around a bit more it would seem.
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