Thomas or Sherman ranked 1/2 to return Punts?

[HumanCockroach]

WTF? Carroll said on air today that if the were to start the season, they would have Thomas as the returner with Sherman as the second. I'm not entirely sure how too feel about that. Both players I believe could do it, and probably more than adequately, that said, I don't want either doing so.... I'm not even sure how I feel about guys like Kearse, Baldwin, Robertson doing it, much less two players VITAL to the defense. Suppose I should just trust that there will be no injuries doing so ( typically punt returners don't have a ton to begin with, even less than kick returners) but thought I would get your opinions..

I really do think Thomas would be fantastic at it, but think it's an unnecessary risk.

[Hawk Sista]

I didn't hear him; I would suspect he's making a joke related to their sizable new contracts.

[HawkDawg]

Maybe they'll put Thomas into a #81 jersey, just to screw with everyone.

[c_hawkbob]

It doesn't matter what the job is or who you are ... if you do it better than everybody else, you're Pete's guy!

[Hawktawk]

ET makes sense from a weapon standpoint. Hes shifty and super fast. Sherm? I dunno I think hes a little long and lanky for the role. PCs philosophy has always been to play some of your best players on special teams. Injuries are obviously a concern but those can happen anytime. ET would also have time to rest up after his return unless he houses it, which could happen. ET and Harvin returning KO's and punts. I like it!!!!!!!!!!

[HumanCockroach]

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blog ... .com%22%7D

not a joke. though I wish it was...

[Eaglehawk]

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=nfcwest&id=113744&src=desktop&rand=ref~%7B%22ref%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%22%7D

not a joke. though I wish it was...

I am speechless. How long can you come back from an ACL injury again? Not happy with it. I see the reason, but I am not happy.

[RiverDog]

Deion Sanders used to return punts and kickoffs. I see no reason why Earl can't do the same if he's so inclined. Besides, if a team runs a fake, which player on our 53 man roster would you want to have back in center field?

I hear ya about the injury risk. It's a consideration.

[NorthHawk]

Deion Sanders never tackled anyone either. He avoided contact as much as possible.
ET tries to hit the ball carrier hard.
I sometimes worry that with his size, ET will end up like a Bob Sanders with all the accompanying injuries.

[PasadenaHawk]

I never really thought of ET returning punts but now that it is out there, I like the idea. Give him a chance.

[RiverDog]

Deion Sanders never tackled anyone either. He avoided contact as much as possible.
ET tries to hit the ball carrier hard.
I sometimes worry that with his size, ET will end up like a Bob Sanders with all the accompanying injuries.

Deion Sanders took more dives than Greg Lougainus.

[HumanCockroach]

For all of Deion's brillance at the corner position ( believe me, his footwork and technique was flawless) whenever I see the man, or his name, I always remember him running AWAY from a RB, the dude avoided that portion of his job like it was the plague.

[RiverDog]

Gawd, remember how Cow Pie used to trumpet Neon Deion as the best cornerback in the history of the game? It's like he totally ignored the fact that Sanders was one of the worst DB's against the run to have ever played the game.

[c_hawkbob]

I never really thought of ET returning punts but now that it is out there, I like the idea. Give him a chance.

Exactly, it's not as though it's being pushed on him:

“I’m very excited,’’ said Thomas, who had four punt returns for 58 yards in two years at Texas but has not returned a punt in the NFL. “I’ve been waiting on this opportunity. This is what I do. I’m an athlete. I’ve been trying to tell coach Carroll to put me back there for the longest (time). I always try to go back there during walk-throughs, just to try to sneak a punt return, show them who I am and I want to score a touchdown. So this is a perfect opportunity for me ... I’m an offensive guy at heart. That’s why I don’t try to go out of bounds when I catch interceptions.”

Let the man play with the ball in his hands a bit, he's earned that much.