Steve Smith on Punt Returns

[RonnieDobbs]

Seriously...I was like "is that Steve Smith???" He had a couple good ones, and the rest were killed because there were 9er players all around him when he caught the ball. The 49ers punter is apparently really damn good as well. He booted the hell outta the ball! But still...that was awesome! At least there was always hope back there...no more "just catch the damn ball!"

[Guild]

It really showed that Smith is losing what made him special. I love Smith but he is slowing down and physically just isn't what he was in years past.

That said he is still a bad ass, but now he can't carry our team on his shoulders.

fug i hate this post, but it's how I feel at the moment.

[2plankingpanther]

he's recovering from a high ankle sprain and they are going to put him in punt return,what?Never liked the idea of him returning punts especially after an injury!

[Wither]

It really showed that Smith is losing what made him special. I love Smith but he is slowing down and physically just isn't what he was in years past.

That said he is still a bad ass, but now he can't carry our team on his shoulders.

f**k i hate this post, but it's how I feel at the moment.

As others have said, he is coming off an injury, and did well on PR's. What more do you want?

[Panthers128]

i think smith realizes he's been hurt a few times the past few months, even on a team where he rarely gets catches/ even playing flag football.

if you're gonna get injured, you're gonna get injured. all you can do is stretch, build muscles, try to land correctly, etc. also i don't think punt returners suffer injuries at a high rate, maybe i'm wrong on that, but half the time they can fair catch the ball or simply not catch it at all.

[chknwing]

and the other half of the time, they get laid the fu_k out.

[Floppin]

goodson has looked better overall. keep him back there, let smith be a WR.

Goodson's been returning punts? What game was that?

[Brooklyn Bully]

I'd much rather have Smitty return punts than Cap'n. Sure we all worry he'll get his clocked cleaned but I bet if you researched it, punt returners don't get as injured as we think they do. And Smith is a big boy, he can handle the abuse.

[CRA]

I'd much rather have Smitty return punts than Cap'n. Sure we all worry he'll get his clocked cleaned but I bet if you researched it, punt returners don't get as injured as we think they do. And Smith is a big boy, he can handle the abuse.

I agree. With Goodson and Smitty handling returns......we would actually be a threat. Captain isn't a threat.

Lots of studs do returns. Not sure why Smitty has been against it in recent history.

[Guild]

As others have said, he is coming off an injury, and did well on PR's. What more do you want?

I wanted him to outrun number ninety whatever on the 49ers, and he couldn't even though he had the space to accelerate.

He did well, and yeah just coming off of an injury that probably isn't fully healed affects him. I just want to see Smith make people miss like I believe he should.

[Snake]

I agree. With Goodson and Smitty handling returns......we would actually be a threat. Captain isn't a threat.

Lots of studs do returns. Not sure why Smitty has been against it in recent history.

Capt has done well if you ask me. Smith didnt do much else with the coverage he was given. Our dudes cant block worth a poo. That goes for KR also what ever is done its done by the returner not the blocking unit.

[thefuzz]

Smith looked OK, and that's just not what we are accustomed to with him.

I have a feeling it is a few different things that were slowing him down. Injured recently, out of practice, not in game shape, and age.

Still it was fun to watch.

[ElIngeniero]

When he called the fair catch, I really thought the gunner was about to pop him. Things like that are the reason Smitty shouldn't be KR.

[rayzor]

i'm not thrilled about the idea and wasn't incredibly impressed with how he did.

the capt had been doing well enough....better than anyone has in a few years for us.

smith is supposedly our most dangerous player. having him return punts just puts an injury prone player at greater risk. i'm not cool with that.