Monday, June 2, 2008

Who Dat News: Reggie as the Punt Returner?

News: The Baton Rouge Advocate reports that Sean Payton will be zeroing in on special teams throughout this preseason in the hopes of dramatic improvement in that area. "We have to get our return game going; we really haven't been very effective in two years in that, be it kickoff return or punt return," Payton said. "We finished last in the league in field goal percentage (68); that's something that we need to address and improve on." Included in those plans is a more active role for Reggie Bush in the punt return game. Payton said Bush will be involved as a punt returner, something he was limited in last year after Deuce McAllister was lost to a knee injury and Bush became a bigger part of the running game.

WhoDatSay: It only makes sense to use Reggie in the return game. It's clear that he will not be an every down back for this club, and that means the coaches must find a way to get him more touches (especially since Payton said in the same article that he wants more 20+ yard plays this year). Allowing Reggie to return punts is a great way to get him those additional touches. It still remains to be seen the extent to which he will be used in the return game -- will he be "the" punt returner or "a" punt returner? This news also begs the question about Lance Moore and his future with the club. With the acquisitions of Tracy Porter and Tuff Harris in the off-season, who also figure to battle for the return spot, one wonders if Moore will find a spot on the final roster. Our readers seem to think he won't (see our current poll), and we agree. The spot that Moore would occupy on the final roster will be absolutely essential, especially considering the fight at the wide receiver position, and if Moore won't be the exclusive punt returner, it makes little sense to keep him.

No comments: