Emmanuel Sanders as the Return Man

The Steelers plan to use Emmanuel Sanders as their primary punt and kickoff returner in 2012.
This is assuming restricted free agent Mike Wallace stays on the roster; Sanders might have to start and focus on offense if Wallace leaves. In his two-year career, Sanders is averaging 24.0 yards per kickoff return and 11.7 yards per punt. This is a note to keep in mind for return-yardage leaguers going forward. Feb 23 - 2:24 PM

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/588 ... el-sanders

 

I like Brown better as the return man, but naturally as he has become an every down WR we can't have him back there to return.

I wonder if we will use AB for returns in tight situations when we need a big one as other teams do with their dangerous return guys.

 

They used Holmes that way. Can't see why they wouldn't do the same with Brown.

 

let's hope he takes 3 or 4 to the house this year

 

I think Sanders has tremendous upside he is said to be the best route runner of the bunch,but I do still question his durability. That being said I wouldn't mind us taking another WR/return man if someone falls to the 4th or 5th. I really like the two guys from Arkansas, Adams and Wright.

 

I'm with you guys. From what I've seen, Sanders might be just as good as brown in space after the catch, but returning punts and kickoffs is different. It requires less shiftiness and more guts. I think he'll do fine, but he won't be special at it. I'm cool with sticking Brown back there on punts once in awhile.

 

I don't like it Sanders can't stay healthy his first 2 seasons without playing special teams. How is he going to be the punt and kick returner and the 3rd receiver too brittle injury prone.

 

He's been playing some special teams the last two years. Returning sometimes, and on coverage units.

I think his injuries are things he's done on his own. Pulling muscles, hurting his foot. They weren't from contact or games, except the one in the Super Bowl. So I don't know if I'd call him brittle, or suggest playing time has anything to do with it.

 

Well, he didn't get hurt going to the mail box. If he gets injured as you suggest as opposed to contact wouldn't that be the definition of brittle?

I think it's a very rough game and there's a lot of luck and coincidence when it comes to injuries in the game, never mind this league. Sometimes guys like Sanders or Colon have injuries that are so different from each other there is no connection to be made and other times injuries like Pouncey's reoccurring ankle that worry me. Especially when it's a young guy, we have to wait to start over speculating.

(I know, I just used Pouncy, but his is the exact injury)

 

Okay, so he's brittle off-field and not brittle on-field. He's gotten hurt like 5 times off the field and 1 time on it. So I don't think a couple more touches per game will do him in. He'll get hurt or he won't. We can't just not play guys because they might get hurt. That's how you end up with Randel El returning punts with Brown on the bench.

 

I agree play the kid for sure. I'm going to have o look up whne he got hurt, because for some reason I'm blanking on him doing it off the field. If so, I stand corrected.

 

I just hope Sanders can stay healthy for once.He is a good route runner,And we could really use him.

 

I think he's a little frail to be returning kicks and punts. But we shall see.