For God's sake, WHY the #$%@ is Brown returning punts?!?!?!

I have been in the corner of not letting our best football player not return punts, I too am scared of him getting hurt. But just as one poster said
he doesn't take much risks of getting blown up, plus you don't have to worry about him not catching the punt so until they find an adequate punt returner AB will be doing it.

 

Yeah. The biggest risk is of another team taking a shot on him while he faircatches to try and get the best player off the field. But I'm thinking that's something only the Ravens or a couple other teams might stoop to. I'd probably be against him returning punts if Suh played SP Teams haha.

 

I hear you but stop talking about it before you jinx him into an injury.It is what it is....and hes a smart player.He will fair catch ,run out of bounds,or go down without taking the big hit.

 

what we need to do is stop babying our athletes... you win by putting your best players on the field
lipps, woodson, randle el, holmes etc. have all done it and excelled without sacrificing their primary duties.
I don't ask why ab is returning punts... I say thank god he is

 

This has been brought up many times before.Im on record as HATING the idea. Always did always will. There is NO reason to have the best WR in the NFL returning punts. NONE!!!!

 

So your telling me you dont hold your breath EVERY punt JB fields?

I know I do!!

 

Jordon Berry, Our Punter is returning punts? Who knew?

 

AB returns punts because Dri Archer sucks.

 

I DO want to put my best players on the field....

On OFFENSE!!!

I believe we can find "role players", to handle kicks/punt returns, that may not be as crucial to our success, as other players are, when they are on the field for much more of the game, on offense...

And putting up numbers like AB does, when he gets more targets from Ben, than catching kicks, from the other team...

Put another way... Lots of players can catch a kick/punt, and run with it once in while, but those same players can NOT do what Antonio does as a wide reciever, shaking loose of a D-Back, and having Ben trust them to put the ball in the air, and expect them to come down with it...And/or, make yards after the catch... he is too valuable in that role to risk him doing what someone else could do on returns...

I agree with the OP... It`s not worth risking what he gives us on 60 or more plays per game, for what he MIGHT do, on 6 or so plays per game..

Also, I can`t forget him fumbling against Dallas a couple years ago, when we had the game going our way...

It`s not like he GUARANTEES you a great return, everytime.. Oftentimes, he tries to do too much, and winds up with the same gain, or less, than we would get from a less important (to our offense), player.

Obviously, Coach Tomlin disagrees with me, but, I disagree with him.

I wouldn`t risk AB, on kick returns, or punt returns... There are too many other players, that could do that job, at least as well, without risking your #1 reciever...

Been a pet peeve of mine, for a long time...

Thanx to the OP, for pointing it out!

 

Using this logic why isn't he playing defense? You think Brown wouldn't be a better corner than what we currently have? Why aren't the best players in the league playing both ways? Back in the day when MEN played football that was the norm.

 

Desean Jackson returned punts too and he was the Eagle best WR at the time (remember against the Giants at the end of the game).
What are the stats for PR getting injured? I think it is very low, as I rarely recall seeing a PR get injured.
I want AB returning punts - give the team the best chance to win.
I think he risks more of a chance of an injury on certain crossing routes of bubble screens - maybe we should not have him go over the middle until post season too, you know to minimize the risk of getting injured.

 

For the money he makes, I say unless it's written in his contract they should use him in any capacity they think that it'll help the team! Heck! Maybe even a PAT holder!

 

Wow! Really? Seriously?

 

I don't remember the last time I saw a punt returner or kick returner for that matter, get injured. People mostly get hurt it seems from 300 pound guys falling all over the place crushing people knees and whatnot. Brown is the most dynamic player on our team you want the ball in his hands as much as possible.