Why Not Brian Witherspoon?

[Anybodyhome]

He returned punts in Detroit and Jacksonville:

Punt Return

Year Team G Ret RetY Avg Lng TD 20+ 40+ FC FUM

2009 Detroit 1 2 10 5.0 9 0 0 0 0 0

2009 Jacks 7 7 78 11.1 42 0 1 1 3 1

2008 Jacks 14 17 192 11.3 38 0 4 0 9 2

TOTAL 22 26 280 10.8 42 0 5 1 12 3

Sure, he fumbled three punts... over a 2-year period- not in one night.

[KillerKat]

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WithBr20.htm

I thought when we first got him, he would be the answer to all of our return problems. I just don't understand why we dont use him.

[gmonet]

Was there a jakedelhomme reaction here? That is when the coach says to himself and others, "hey he screwed up, but I have to show him I believe in him, and not show a willingness to try something new?"

[PandaMan]

Yeah I thought ST was the reason we picked the guy up to begin with. We used him a little last night but only for like 2 returns or so. I don't know why we don't just use him, he's definitely (at this point) a better option than AE, and probably more consistent than Munnerlyn.

[AceMan]

But....we gave up a future 2nd rounder for AE...

[Wither]

I contemplated that maybe the coaching staff was already confident in his abilities and were just testing the other guys, but I don't think he has even practiced returns, has he?

[KillerKat]

Its pretty sad a good portion of our roster was signed just purely for ST yet we still suck at it.

[CRA]

sometimes it is like Fox would prefer to be right instead of going with the immediate right move to correct issues.

Witherspoon is probably the most complete as far NFL return men go.....I think Fox would prefer to continue to experiment with AE, Moore, and Captain. All of who are proven liabilities to some degree as return men and none show the type decision making/confidence you like to see at the position.

If Fox doesn't attempt to realistically address the return game with Witherspoon getting reps or brining in a cut body.....then I think we know what Jerry is ready to part ways. imo.

[theedaddy]

spoon seems like the best option. cuts should add names

only way ae could be active(barring plague hitting QBs) is returner. other wise this is a 52 man roster. ae needs to be eric shelton'd.