The Return Man Debate!

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Mark Jones was one of the top returners in the league last year. He gave us plenty of success in the return game. I think it was a bad move to let him go in favor of the injured, less-than-impressive Robinson. Now we're back where we were in '07, scrambling around trying to figure out which guy on the roster will suck the least at returns.

Though I also suspect Goodson will beat Robinson out for the return man spot, I think it's a little unfair to label Robinson a pansy, especially with just a year of play under his belt. I don't want to discredit what Jones did at all last year, but I'd like to see what Ryne (or any of the other guys, for that matter) can do running behind the same special teams unit. Much of Jones' success can be attributed to his vision, but I think the blocking had a lot to do with it as well. Let's see if some of the team's new speedsters can beat the kickers that gave Jones so much trouble.

Also, I think Robinson has much more potential at the receiver position than Jones does.

[CRA]

Ryne by most accounts was doing great last year before he was injured. Had he not gotten injured there would have been no Mark Jones. I think Ryne is the man to beat but I am intrigued by Beavers. Should be fun to watch the battle.

by most accounts he simply sucked though when he had the job for a full season.

Fox needs to avoid falling into standard Fox mode and sticking w/ someone just b/c. The return game was a big help last season and the last thing Carolina needs to do is going back to sucking in that department...especially w/ a suspect D heading into the season. We need to be as good as we can be in all other aspects.

I think we should start someone new each preaseason game....and the best performer gets the job.

[hdevonxz]

I'd really like to see Beavers on KR, the guy ran a 4.39 40 time. I do think that you're right, this will be stiff competition, but it is an area that we haven't had a lot of sucess in lately. I'm glad t see them address it.

4.39 is not that fast considering he only weighs 167lbs. Is there anyone in the NFL that weighs that? DeSean Jackson maybe?

The coaches are proably thinking Ryne will develop into a slot receiver, is why they cut Jones.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

4.39 is not that fast considering he only weighs 167lbs. Is there anyone in the NFL that weighs that? DeSean Jackson maybe?

The coaches are proably thinking Ryne will develop into a slot receiver, is why they cut Jones.

Desean Jackson is listed at 178 lbs. It is interesting that you would bring Jackson up, however, as he was one of the league's best returners last year.

[monstercat]

4.39 is not that fast considering he only weighs 167lbs. Is there anyone in the NFL that weighs that? DeSean Jackson maybe?

Yeah, Beavers has to prove he can take a hit and hold on to the ball, or that speed won't mean squat.

[CRA]

4.39 is not that fast considering he only weighs 167lbs. Is there anyone in the NFL that weighs that? DeSean Jackson maybe?

The coaches are proably thinking Ryne will develop into a slot receiver, is why they cut Jones.

they also probably cut Jones b/c Jones, while he was an effective returner, was ONLY a returner at the end of the day. Hard to keep a guy of his caliber when he really isn't a threat in any other aspect and takes up a spot on the active roster. I think they hope they have a returner they can be used also on offense.

[Sloth]

Man, if Jones had a 5th gear, he'd have had a monster season (instead of *just* a good one). I was sad when we dropped him, even wanting someone who could squeeze by a kicker now and again.

Ryne is all TC hype at this point. Guy was a disaster at returning, but has more potential at slot then Jones did.

Carter is the same, TC hype. He looked slow/lackluster in pre-season and not too great at returning. I'm not sure he makes the team.

My money is on Goodson, provided his college game translates. Good agility, good vision, cutback ability, and elusive.

Return duty is actually one of the few wide-open competitions this year, I think.

[panthers55]

Goodson and Robinson have the inside tracks as they are being thought of as having multiple purposes and each roster spot will be precious this year. Carter may slip in as well for the same reasons. On the other hand if someone like Beavers comes out and breaks a few in preseason, he will be definitely worth a roster spot. We have already shown with keeping Lloyd that we will keep a guy who gives us a distinct advantage on special teams.

It is really going to be tough this year and final cuts wil likely be difficult.

[OneBadassCat]

Ryne Robinson is going to kick ass.

[CRA]

Ryne Robinson is going to kick ass.

I bet you were one of those guys who thought Colbert and Carter were going to finally come around also. I think Ryne has potential as a WR.....but returners either have it or they don't.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

I don't understand why people are so quick to write off Ryne Robinson. As a rookie, he started out slow sure, but he really started to come on late in the year. So he's garbage because he didn't look like a Pro Bowl return man day 1 as a rookie? Because he got injured? I don't get it.

I still think he can be a very good return option for us. I'm only worried about his injury lingering and holding him back, he definitely has the talent.

[dmo4455]

R. Robinson

[CRA]

I don't understand why people are so quick to write off Ryne Robinson. As a rookie, he started out slow sure, but he really started to come on late in the year. So he's garbage because he didn't look like a Pro Bowl return man day 1 as a rookie? Because he got injured? I don't get it.

I still think he can be a very good return option for us. I'm only worried about his injury lingering and holding him back, he definitely has the talent.

I'm hard on him b/c he didn't start off slow...he flat out stunk up the joint. Granted, the last 3 games of a season he improved slightly....but improving slightly from being a disaster doesn't speak volumes.

He had a full season as our #1 return man. That is a lot of time. It isn't a position like WR or LB or whatever where it takes a while to get use to playing the position in the NFL. Good return men in the NFL are good from the start(as rookies when given legit time)......Robinson had a legit shot to display what he had and it wasn't much. I'll give him time to work on being a WR b/c he showed potential....but it is already time to look for a new option at returner.

[OneBadassCat]

I bet you were one of those guys who thought Colbert and Carter were going to finally come around also. I think Ryne has potential as a WR.....but returners either have it or they don't.

I only liked Colbert his rookie year and after that he just looked like he half assed all the time. Carter had some real potential but he wasn't physical enough. I think Ryne will be a good WR, he had a rough start his rookie year and he started to really improve later in the season. Then he gets hurt the next year. I want him to be our future slot guy eventually. Goodson is a better play maker and I think he'll do KR.