Injury risk won’t stop Dogs from using A.J. Green on punt returns
A.J. Green might or might not return punts for Georgia this year. But if he doesn’t, it won’t be because of the risk of injury.
“People talk about, ‘Well, gosh, what if he got hurt?’” coach Mark Richt said Thursday. “Well, he can get hurt running down the sideline and getting hit while he’s trying to catch the ball. So I don’t know if there’s any more risk factor [returning punts] than any other play.”
The deciding factor, then, on whether Georgia’s star receiver doubles as a punt returner will be: Is he the best player for the role?
Richt isn’t sure.
“I wouldn’t be against him doing anything for us that would help us win,” Richt said. “But the bottom line is, is he the best at that skill? If he is, then we’ll let him play. Or if there are certain times we feel like it’s important to get him in there and do that, we might do that, too.”
Green returned punts at Summerville (S.C.) High School -– he returned 12 for touchdowns –- and he told Richt during spring practice that he’d like to reprise the role this year for the Bulldogs.
He was among seven players who took turns returning punts in spring ball, joining Branden Smith, Brandon Boykin, Washaun Ealey, Bacarri Rambo, Carlton Thomas and Rantavious Wooten. The job is open because of the graduation of Prince Miller, who had 19 of the Dogs’ 23 punt returns last season.
See also: Richt says no timetable on Logan Gray decision but position change possible if he stays
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127 comments Add your comment
Jeckyl Island
April 30th, 2010
8:24 am
Termite jackette: Baseball? We are talking events that people actually went to see!!!!! Besides the Dawgs still easily lead Tech in the all-time series record in baseball and lead Tech over the past 10 years in baseball, along with the Dawgs have been to twice as many College World Series as Tech has. Eat your crying whiny heart out jackette! Teach your players to read and write so you guys will not have to change their grades to keep them eligible. That’s right!! Tech served NCAA probation for academic fraud invloving 11 footbakk players and 8 other scholarship athletes! That makes Georgia Tech out to be CHEATERS!!!!
30-24!!!
30-24!!!
30-24!!!
30-24!!!
GA Tech was overrated and overranked!!!!! ha ha ha ha ha ha
73-66!!!
73-66!!!
73-66!!!
73-66!!!
Loser Tech could not even win their own state championship in basketball while fielding the most talented team in the nation! Those guys sure learned how to lose the big game while at Tech! LMAO
Hey UGA also beat you termite insects in women’s basketball too. And guess what? It was attended by as many people as the baseball games!! ha ha
30-24!!!!
30-24!!!
30-24!!!
30-24!!!
8 out of 9!!!
TRUTH
April 30th, 2010
8:25 am
Georgia Tech = NCAA probation for academic fraud in athletics!!!!! Now THAT is a FACT!!!!
Georgia Tech = GUILTY!!!! And punished by the NCAA!!!!
Iceman
April 30th, 2010
8:26 am
He won’t.
FORTY ONE POINTS to your seventeen points
April 30th, 2010
8:26 am
@ Jeckyl
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((41-17)))))))))))))))))
7 out of 9
17 out of 20
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Loser!
Reality
April 30th, 2010
8:27 am
The only thing that I know and the only thing that is on the ‘peoples’ minds (including recruits) is that uga seems to be in the news week in and week out with some football player getting into some legal trouble. Forget the details, because this is all about impressions.
Other schools may have more severe instances that occur rarely, but uga is in the news CONSTANTLY with this stuff – and this is what people remember.
An aberration once in a while is one thing. Constant repeat offenses is another thing.
The Cynical White Boy
April 30th, 2010
8:29 am
I say let AJ “Push Off” Green return all the kicks and punts he wants – he’s an expert at getting away with pushing off defensive backs, why can’t he simply push off tacklers, too? The fact the refs don’t call offensive pass interference on him kind of deflates the Thug-Dawgs argument that they are biased against the Thug-Dawgs.
I’m gonna love to see how he makes out when he tries his “push-off” routine against NFL caliber defensive backs.
Perhaps more to the point, given that he will become another zillionaire in the NFL, he probably does not want to return kicks and risk his body prior to draft time.
gdawginkalamazoo
April 30th, 2010
8:29 am
AJ is one of the best receivers in college fooball. His future in the NFL is pretty much secure. IMO I think he should stick to WR. Boykin is one of the best return men in the SEC. Use him. Or possibly Thomas. He seems pretty quick and elusive.
Actually
April 30th, 2010
8:29 am
Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, LSU and Ole Miss all have a similar amount of arrests as UGA. The difference is that all of UGA’s are misdemeanors.
Reality
April 30th, 2010
8:31 am
The arguement that AJ shouldn’t ‘risk his body’ is BS. He or uga can take out insurance to cover losses of future NFL income such that even if he does get hurt he won’t loose the NFL money.
Is he just scared?
DawginLex
April 30th, 2010
8:34 am
Bulldawg I will never believe you attended uga.
Dawglasville
April 30th, 2010
8:35 am
So… the blog was about who should return punts, right?
Morrus
April 30th, 2010
8:36 am
Vote out the incumbents and start over
Ron Mexico
April 30th, 2010
8:37 am
Oh my god, the losers are out in full force this morning, can’t have a simple back and forth about FOOTBALL with out people acting like three year olds. Going to read Chips stuff cause at least he doesn’t put up with the losers that frequent the Bulldawg blogs and articles.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 30th, 2010
8:38 am
don’t risk Green. Use Carlton Thomas- short & speedy, could be perfect for that role
Joey
April 30th, 2010
8:39 am
I, for one, would put the ball in Green’s hands as many times as possible. Who knows how the downfield passing game will be this season, so AJ may only get the ball out in the flat. Let him return kickoffs and punts.
This is his last year, so get him the ball!
sogadog
April 30th, 2010
8:41 am
AJ should return punts. He will be gone after next year so maximize the use of his talent and play him every play possible. Can he play cornerback, safety or linebacker? If so, play him on defense too.
It is a shame such a talented receiver in his prime does not have a decent quarterback to throw to him. I hope Murray can successfully get the ball to AJ.
Coach Paul Johnson
April 30th, 2010
8:42 am
Our players at Tech dont get into any trouble because they are scared to venture off campus and be robbed or murdered. It is hard to get into trouble locked in your dorm room scared for your life. Our team is jealous of the fun players get to have in Athens. Alright team, make sure you dont get to close to the edge of campus and let the former Tech students rob/shoot you.
Dawglasville
April 30th, 2010
8:48 am
I want someone who can hold onto the ball and not lay it on the turf inside our own 25. How many times in the last two years have our kick off and punt returners fumbled the ball? I would like the focus to be on actually controlling a game, not worrying about a home run. Green may give you both. Only the coaches know that… I hope.
The Truth
April 30th, 2010
8:51 am
Weeeeelll….looky here
Source: ncaa.org (NCAA Legislative Database of Major Infractions)
1) Arizona State
Wisconsin
2) SMU
3) Auburn
4) Minnesota
5) Oklahoma
6) Texas A&M
7) Wichita State
9) Cal
10)Florida State
11)GEORGIA
Hmmmmmm….how about that?
1eyedJack
April 30th, 2010
8:54 am
It’s like A Clockwork Orange…I’m beginning to feel about seeing BuLLdawg post the way I feel about St. Simons.
Dawglasville
April 30th, 2010
8:55 am
sogadog I was feeling bad for A.J. too with a new QB but it could work out. Calvin Johnson had Reggie Ball and things turned out pretty well for him. That was one recruit I really hated to lose. Imagine what we could have done with him.
1eyedJack
April 30th, 2010
9:01 am
I think AJ could return punts just as good as Forrest Gump. Having said that, I think CMR knows just how his bread is buttered, and that is with AJ Green split out wide and going deep. I don’t think you will see Washaun in that role either.
Do you think Coach Smith would allow Roddy White to return punts?
jay
April 30th, 2010
9:02 am
Why do people come to a blog and not talk about the article. You really have nothing better to do get a life losers!
On the article I think if Aj wants to field punts then let him if he is the best at it. I come on here all the time and people bad mouth CMR and now he is wanting to put his best players out there and people still complain. Do your thing Mark! GO DAWGS!
1eyedJack
April 30th, 2010
9:03 am
Yarbles! Great bolshy yarblockos to you.
Brock
April 30th, 2010
9:10 am
Terrant- charges dropped
Robinson, Mett and the other 88- not so much
AJ as a punt returner- brilliant
steeldawg
April 30th, 2010
9:21 am
Did we really only make the other teams punt 23 times last year? That cant be right. I know Willie and last years squad was bad, but come on now…
Dawglasville
April 30th, 2010
9:24 am
jay Most of us have nothing but love for Coach Richt. I just hope that his coaches can drive the point home about holding on to the ball. I’m old school. Most of the trends I hate are on defense. No one tackles any more. I mean, wrap up tackle. Everyone goes for the ball and lets the guy go for another ten yards on extra effort. The high shoulder torpedo shots safeties give to receivers just so they can stand over them and gloat in front of the camera makes me crazy too. How many times do receivers bounce off and go the distance or you get hit with a personal foul. I seldom watch the NFL but fundamentals seem to find their way back to players when they get to that level.
Will
April 30th, 2010
9:28 am
I went to several spring practices and the man with the best talent back there is Carlton Thomas. He has all the natural ability to be the best return man since Damien Gary. Plus I think he will put in the extra hours this summer improving his ball catching skills. Also, Did anyone recognize the fact that we were only punted to 23 times last year!!!!!! That is an amazing stat I never noticed.
ugaclassof2004
April 30th, 2010
9:31 am
I agree with bkbroila4224. Why not Brandon Boykin? Or Branden Smith?Both are super fast and did well in that compacity. With those guys returning punts and kickoff’s along with Drew Butler’s punting, our special teams could be a strength. I don’t understand why this is so hard to figure out?
Dawglasville
April 30th, 2010
9:32 am
1eyedJack Too funny (I’m not sure how our humble narrator would say that).
BurningRedBleedingBlack
April 30th, 2010
9:34 am
idk, I kind of like this idea myself, Aj Green is really fast so i say go for it, plus he’s put on more bulk since last year and hes older and smarter. I agree with the post about Carlton Thomas also a short blazing fast guy. Brandon Boykin did a Great job last year with returning punts last year he was a natural at it. GO DAWGS!!!!
Scott Woerner
April 30th, 2010
9:43 am
Whoever we have back there better be able to catch the ball. Prince Miller was a fumbler.
AltamahaDawg
April 30th, 2010
9:53 am
“Well, he can get hurt running down the sideline and getting hit while he’s trying to catch the ball. So I don’t know if there’s any more risk factor [returning punts] than any other play.”
The deciding factor, then, on whether Georgia’s star receiver doubles as a punt returner will be: Is he the best player for the role?
This is what I have been saying all along. For my money he is not the best suited. I don’t think punt return is sytle of motion suited to him. Cross training always helps an athlete though.
SEE BuLLdawg, this is an example of how somebody actually HAS been saing it all along. I didn’t say the exact opposite, claim to have been saying this “all along”, then chicken turd pretend to ignore it when I get called out on it.
CLEVON LITTLE
April 30th, 2010
9:54 am
AJ’s a special talent –I believe everyone will agree on that. He’s also tall at 6′4″, and I personally think the smaller, shifty-er backs do a better job at making people miss. You also don’t want to get your best WR getting winded running a punt back, then have him go right back onto the field running routes & expect him to stay in for the whole series. It’s a give & take. Not sold on it paying off.
robertussen
April 30th, 2010
9:57 am
@sogadog yes aj can play d too. he did that at summerville high school. this kid is unreal. but i wouldnt play him that much at this or the next level. you want to keep a top notch receiver as fresh as possible to be able to make those big plays. heres something else interesting. while playing at summerville high, aj’s team, he went up against some top notch des. the only other high school in dorchester district two is fort dorchester high school. the two des were former florida, and now cin. bengal, carlos dunlap, and unc de, robert quinn. carlos went in the 2nd round of this years draft and robert and aj are both projected 1st rounders next year. its been a good last couple of years in zip code 29483
Exley DAWG
April 30th, 2010
10:19 am
The most successful punt returners are fast with the ability to change directions on a dime. Green is fast by to tall to change directions on a dime. I wouldn’t do it. Brandon Smith is the man for the job.
gdawginkalamazoo
April 30th, 2010
10:27 am
Branden Smith would be a good one too. That dude can flat out fly. I just think that we have too many other options than to risk AJ on the PRs.
Somebody should look that stat up on the punted to only 23 times? That is pathetic. How many did Logan call a fair catch on? Nothing against him on that by the way because that is what the coaches told him to do.
Now that we are talking returning punts that may be a good thing to get better field postion.
AltamahaDawg
April 30th, 2010
10:44 am
PUNT RETURN AVG G No. Yards TD Avg.
1. LSU 12 25 466 2 18.6
2. Alabama 13 36 568 1 15.8
3. Kentucky 12 26 340 1 13.1
4. Georgia 12 22 234 0 10.6
5. Miss. State 12 15 151 1 10.1
6. Tennessee 12 12 112 0 9.3
7. South Carolina 12 21 177 0 8.4
8. Arkansas 12 13 108 1 8.3
9. Ole Miss 12 24 186 0 7.8
10. Florida 13 38 290 1 7.6
11. Vanderbilt 12 31 149 0 4.8
12. Auburn 12 24 107 0 4.5
Just a thought ....... hmmmmm
April 30th, 2010
11:00 am
I propose a new rule for this site:
Only college educated folks can blog here. When you cross the blogshere line, to this site, the AJC will card you and ask for a university picture ID. We also will ask if ??? you are COLLEGE EDUCATED. Major football school grads can come in and blog BUT if you are just say, a 20 something, unemployed loser, sorry. Go watch Barry O speak somehwere.
To offer comments here one should at least have sipped of the wine ………or gone to COLLEGE and GRADUATED for crying out loud. All others can offer UNEDUCATED opinons and well, they simply do not matter.
coachx
April 30th, 2010
11:01 am
Both Boykin and B. Smith are stellar returners. No need to play Green there.
SILLY UGA FANS
April 30th, 2010
11:02 am
Wow in the beginning it looked like a civil discussion might occur, Then once again it turns into who had more players arrested and for what. As a GT fan I have nothing but respect for AJs skills as a WR. A move to punt returner could hurt him or could make his draft status that much better if he does well. Look at CJ Spiller it was not his skill at RB that had him taken so high it was his abilty to be a play maker as a RB, PR, and KR. If AJ is the best choice UGA has as a returner then use him if others are capable of the same play making abilty then why risk it.
Tim Tucker
April 30th, 2010
11:04 am
Steeldawg:
The stat (23) is just punts that were returned. Does not include punts that weren’t returned.
Lyle from Athens GA
April 30th, 2010
11:04 am
We really don’t have much speed.
I think it’s going to be a very long year
but all teams go through bad/down cycles.
At least we have gymnastics going well…
Nick
April 30th, 2010
11:07 am
I’ve said it all along regarding this issue. There’s no more risk involved in returning punts than there is in playing receiver and thankfully CMR has echoed my feelings on it. Face it, how many injuries do you see with a PR vs. a WR? It’s all conjured up people.
If he’s in on more plays, then it does stand to reason his chances of being hurt are greater, and playing more may tire him quicker, but if he can handle the load and is the best man for the job, I say put him back there.
Personally, I don’t think we have a faster player than Branden Smith, though, and I’d rather see him back there.
If you argue putting someone other than AJ in there due to risk of injury then don’t you, by pure logic have to have the same argument for putting another starter in there doing it?
The only remedy to that is to have a full time punt returner only, which ain’t gonna happen.
Another TRUTH
April 30th, 2010
11:08 am
The NCAA stats were for MAJOR COLLEGES ……………that is why there are no ACC schools on their list. besides, didn’t Tech have a systemic academic problem in baseball, track and football and basketball about 6 years back?? Give me a break.
The UGA haters are jealous, because they did not have the where with all $$$ to go AWAY to a great university …………..so they HATE at home on mom’s PC, while she supports them. Am I right???
Be very afraid, be very afraid of ……………ETHYL Street. Scary that area of campus is. Tech ought to hire Crittendon for night guard duty, he being a G un T oting thug and all.
Lyle from Athens GA
April 30th, 2010
11:10 am
and we always have the Atlanta Braves (LOL)
My lil old Kappa Kappa head
April 30th, 2010
11:19 am
My lil old Kappa head is a swimming with all of these diffiult stats. I do however, want to offer one lil old stat that I CAN understand ………….. UGA owns Florida and tech in football. Always have and always will. OWNS THEM.
I have the May vapors. We are having our social this weekend wit the Tri Delts, so I must go sunbathe behind the House on Milledge Street. I hope the beers are Athens in May afternoon COLD.
Lordy, Lordy.
SEC East Headlines – 4/30/10 « MrSEC.com
April 30th, 2010
11:20 am
[...] more than anybody ever knows.”6. If AJ Green doesn’t return punts for UGA this year, it won’t be because of injury concerns.7. John Calipari is teasing Kentucky fans with the idea of starting a JV team in Lexington. 8. [...]
mark
April 30th, 2010
11:40 am
I thik the point that Richt doesn’t get is that it increases his chances for injury because he is out on the field getting hit more times than he normally would. If he’s the best PR we have then fine but understand that if he gets hurt our passing game (or whatever passing game we might have with a rookie qb) is out the window.
The D
April 30th, 2010
11:40 am
It is football, my gosh, let the man play it if he is the best for the job. It is impossible to have a great football team if you can’t have the confidence they won’t get hurt every play. What kind of message does that send to the team, “we know AJ is the best player, but we think he could get hurt, so we aren’t going to use him” IT IS A SPORT, CRAP HAPPENS BOTH GOOD AND BAD, how about giving us a chance for some good outcomes on punt returns,
And the post with the arrest records is absurd!! Alcohol on 2/3 of the arrests, these are such bad kids, right? (lol) you idiot, if you have been to Athens, then you would know the cops have nothing better to do than harass students, jealousy and envy will make cops look for more than they should.