Kickoff/punt returners: A new role for A.J. Green?
(This is the finale of a summertime series looking at Georgia’s football team by position.)
TODAY: KICKOFF AND PUNT RETURNERS
- Kickoff returns: Brandon Boykin again figures to handle the bulk of this role. He returned 38 kickoffs last season, while Branden Smith returned 16.
- Punt returns: The competition will resume in August to replace Prince Miller, who graduated (and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens). At least seven players tried out for the punt-return role in spring practice –- Boykin, Smith, A.J. Green, Bacarri Rambo, Rantavious Wooten, Carlton Thomas and Washaun Ealey –- and coaches did not reveal a pecking order or narrow the field. Logan Gray appears likely to continue his role of receiving punts in field-position situations where returns are not set up; his job in this capacity is to decide whether to fair-catch the punt or let the ball go.
- Key stats: Boykin set UGA single-season records last year with 988 kickoff- return yards and three kickoff-return touchdowns. He became the first player in SEC history to return two kickoffs 100 yards in the same season. While Boykin averaged 26 yards per KO return, Smith averaged 17.4 yards with a long of 48. As a team, Georgia averaged 22.1 yards on 60 KO returns, ranking 10th in the SEC. . . . Meanwhile, Miller averaged 11.9 yards per punt return, ranking fourth in the SEC.
- Key question: The question of whether Green, the star wide receiver, will return punts has drawn a lot of attention since he made it known during spring practice that he would like to have the job. (You can find more on that here and here.) Mark Richt said injury concerns won’t dissuade the Dogs from using Green on punt returns, but added that the larger unanswered question is simply whether Green proves to be “the best at that skill. If he is, then we’ll let him play. Or if there are certain times we feel it’s important to get him in there and do that, we might do that, too.”
- Outlook: Clear on kickoff returns, hazy on punt returns.
- Your turn: What say you about the kick-return and punt-return situations?
———-
Please click on the position for previous entries in this series:
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
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128 comments Add your comment
jason
June 29th, 2010
10:25 am
Boykin is the KR. I don’t know about PR. He is starting CB… He will be gassed. Wh knows, maybe he can do it. Thing is, UGA has alot of talent and speed to choose from. The most consistent performer wins out.
Frank Lane
June 29th, 2010
10:29 am
You coach to win, not to avoid injury. You play to win, not to avoid injury. Kill principles among champions.
robertussen
June 29th, 2010
10:35 am
aj did GREAT at summerville high school returning kicks and punts. i say give him a shot in a real game and see how it plays out
harold
June 29th, 2010
10:37 am
IF RICHT DOES THIS HE IS CRAZY. AJ WOULD GET MURDERED DOING THIS.
Oz Man
June 29th, 2010
10:39 am
Here are the possibilities:
Group 1:
A.J. Green, Rantavious Wooten
Group 2:
Carlton Thomas, Branden Smith
Group 3:
Rambo
Group 4:
Boykin, Ealey
1- You want your PR to be a guy from a position where you have some depth.
Georgia can’t let a WR return. That eliminates Group 1: AJ, Rantavius.
2- You can’t let a guy return punts who fumbles.
That eliminates Group 2: Branden & Thomas.
3- You want a guy who has a nose for touchdowns
Boykin returned 3 KO’s for TD’s, Ealey had 133 TD’s in high school. Rambo’s out. Group 3.
I’d say let Group 4: Boykin & Ealey, rotate for the 1st 3 games, then give the position to the guy that earns it against real bullets.
Jawja Redneck
June 29th, 2010
10:40 am
Here is what I think about our sophisticated residents:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhHQSS1f6tM
Tired of the Bull!
June 29th, 2010
10:41 am
10th
The Deuce's sibling
June 29th, 2010
10:44 am
To all you Dawg fans out there listen to this… Boykin will be handling all return duties for special teams this year… no one else will be returning anything unless he is fatigued or injured… all this speculation is plain stupid and believe me he don’t like it at all! he is the best return man on the team and in the SEC which is why he will be handling all return duties end of story… period! So sad how undervalued he is on this team… which gives him more of a reason to leave after this year!
The Deuce's
June 29th, 2010
10:45 am
I second that!
Dawggonefan2
June 29th, 2010
10:49 am
Thats what I’ve been trying to tell these idiots this entire time. BOYKIN BOYKIN BOYKIN, no others… Can’t believe the thread’s title doesn’t even mention him and he is an SEC Record holder… are you kidding me Tim Tucker??? You fans sure know how to run athletes out of Athens and on to bigger and better things!if he’s gonna have a great year and get no respect he might as well be getting paid for it in the NFL.
AltamahaDawg
June 29th, 2010
10:54 am
I wouldn’t have an issue with AJ returning punt from an injury standpoint, and I am sure that’s a big relief to the staff to know that.
I am not convinced however that he is the best man for the job. Running routes and juking a defender in full stride is obviously a skill he has, but who is it certain that he can go against the grain avoiding contact as well as some others? If he is not obviously better, then what’s the point. Yes he is a “playmaker”, but a playmaker out of position is called a back-up.
It’ll sort out in camp.
Too Easy
June 29th, 2010
10:56 am
I just hope we have to return more punts – and FEWER kickoffs.
SOOHSO
June 29th, 2010
10:57 am
Who’s going to throw to him?
jason
June 29th, 2010
10:58 am
Not that I don’t like Boykin. Quite the oppisite. If Boykin can pull KR and PR while starting at CB, more power to him. You could easily plug in A.J. or a Smith to return punts to give him a breather. That would be the best way to get Green a few extra touches without putting to much on him or Boykin.
tony
June 29th, 2010
10:58 am
Teams know AJ is our biggest weapon which will give them a reason to gang tackle him on punt returns to try to knock him out of the ball game that way he can’t beat them catching 40 yards passes down field. Keep Green on the sideline during punt returns.
Dallas and MN Vikings used HW
June 29th, 2010
11:03 am
While in the NFL, Walker was used by two, maybe three pro teams as a kick off man and punt returner.
He had speed and good hands,etc. If the pros can use Walker as a kick off man, UGA can sure use AJ as one.
Imagine HW as a short pass catcher while he was at UGA. To this day ……………. I think we wasted him in order to grind it out when we could have ALSO used him to catch some short Belue passes. His body would have appreciated it for sure.
Oh well …………… we did all right then.
Too Easy
June 29th, 2010
11:07 am
Agree on HW as a short pass catcher. Sure worked well the FEW times it happened.
70 Dawg
June 29th, 2010
11:07 am
No, No, No. And don’t let Murray do it either (just in case that comes up)
Dallas
June 29th, 2010
11:09 am
Don’t forget about Washaun Ealey, might be the best offensive player on the team. Ask Rambo. Ealey caught the first kick off against Seminole in the playoffs Ealey’s Jr. year in high school. Took the kick off all the way in for the score. Plays big in big games. Playmaker.
Dawglasville
June 29th, 2010
11:10 am
How many times has kick off and punt return teams fumbled the ball over the past 3 years? It seems like a lot.
gdawginkalamazoo
June 29th, 2010
11:13 am
No to AJ on this one. Too big a target on offense to get hurt doing something where we have plenty of talent to handle it. Sorry AJ but you are too good at what you are currently doing to warrant risking an injury returning punts.
Hopefully we won’t be seeing as many kickoffs coming to us as we have the past couple of years.
Eisendawg
June 29th, 2010
11:17 am
Part of me says that we should use caution, as Greene has gotten hurt a few times, but, then again, the Falcons used Deon Sanders, with electifying results. If he wants to do it, and he’s the best we’ve got, could be interesting. The thing that bothers me is that Greene’s real talent seems to be his hands, his height, and his ability to out jump a defender. I’m not sure he’s a great return option. Boykin looked pretty darn gtood last year.
TXDawg
June 29th, 2010
11:20 am
Herschel could pad up and play for the DAWGS now and win another Heisman…..did anyone see his MMA debut??
30
June 29th, 2010
11:20 am
to 24
73
June 29th, 2010
11:20 am
to 66
BBBUUUHHHUUUUHHUU
June 29th, 2010
11:21 am
WWWAAAAHHHAAAHHHAAA
DawgGirl32
June 29th, 2010
11:24 am
Boykin, Thomas and Smith have my votes. Fast, faster and fastest. I’m more concerned with kick-off coverage, though. That’s been abysmal the last few years.
ew
June 29th, 2010
11:25 am
risk reward is not worth AJ returning punts. He can change the game at WR, but maybe only once next season could we say he might change a game as punt returner and is that worth the chance of him getting hurt? N.O.
Delbert D.
June 29th, 2010
11:26 am
Yeah, that’s real smart. Put the most valuable player in a position where all 11 players of the opposing team can take a shot at breaking him in half.
James
June 29th, 2010
11:37 am
Branden Smith is a special teams PLAYMAKER. Had 3 KO Td’s and 2 PR Td’s in High School and averagted over 20 yards a pop on both. 2010 will be Branden’s year to shine. I’m not worried about the fumbling issues, he’ll fix that. I’d put Branden returning punts and give him 1/3 of the KO returns too. Branden can be used to run the ball a lot on offense too, got over 12 yards a carry for Georgia last year, best average per rush on the team last year. We need to get Branden 5 touches a game initially, and if he protects the ball, increase it to 10 quickly. Get Playmaker’s touches–have to.
Mello Yello
June 29th, 2010
11:45 am
In the 1st game, let Branden Smith return punts. Even if he fumbles, won’t hurt Georgia too bad in that game.
In the SC & Ark games, can’t risk turnovers, so let the most RELIABLE guys return kicks and punts who we can COUNT ON to PROTECT THE FOOTBALL–Boykin for sure, maybe AJ, Rambo, Wooten or Ealey. Then after game 3, we can let Smith & Thomas have some tries to see if they’re productive AND can FINALLY PROTECT THE FOOTBALL.
The 5 games after we get through SC & Ark is a good time to let some guys like Thomas & Smith prove themselves.
The goal is to have a solid punt returner by Oct. 30 who gets a strong average, and protects the football.
uga bill
June 29th, 2010
11:53 am
I seem to remember CMR lobbying to stop all kick off amd punt returns in colledge football in favor of spotting the ball on the 25 yd line.At least he made a statement to that effect in a previous AJC article.He said that ” Today’s athletes are so big,so fast, & so strong, they do not need to be crashing into one another at full speed like that, it gets too many kids hurt.”
Now he is considering the best WR in the league for that duty. WHAT CHANGED?
michaelj
June 29th, 2010
12:07 pm
If Cornelius Washington ran a 4.29 and can hold on to a football, let kickoff teams deal with a 6-4, 248 behemoth.
TONE
June 29th, 2010
1:21 pm
has it been explained or debated anywhere as to why Logan if he is such a great athlete never has the green light to run one back ? I mean shouldn’t he have a chance he is going to play receiver , oh i guess its because he is the no#2 QB i forgot about that
meh
June 29th, 2010
1:30 pm
I wouldn’t want to risk Green getting hurt returning a punt. I say give Thomas a shot. Or how about Richard Samual?
James
June 29th, 2010
1:46 pm
If Richt can’t get his staff to teach a GAMEBREAKER like Branden Smith, how to protect the ball, Richt needs to be fired. Richt is paid to COACH, not be a figurehead up in an ivory tower.
LCDawg
June 29th, 2010
1:48 pm
Keep Branden Smith off the field on special teams until he learns how to hold onto the football. He may be fast as heel but he’s small and coughs it up very easily.
gdawginkalamazoo
June 29th, 2010
2:00 pm
TONE, when you least expect it in a really big game. Richt is using Gray to set up the ultimate return one day. After watching 2-3 years of Gray making fair catch after fair catch with zero returns, the opposition will just think “hmm, he will fair catch this one too”. Then BAM off he goes into the endzone for a game winning TD.
Long set-up, big payoff.
Preston
June 29th, 2010
2:03 pm
Sounds like we have a lot of capable guys competing for the job. Awesome!
Too Easy
June 29th, 2010
2:08 pm
‘zoo: That CMR is one hell of a strategist with that ploy. Can’t wait for the Idaho St. game.
SILLY UGA FANS
June 29th, 2010
2:13 pm
Why oh why would you UGA fans want AJ to return KOs? This kid has crazy talent and all, but you have probably the best KO returner in the SEC maybe the country in Boykin. Yes I know AJ returned KO in High School and was good at it, but he has proven to be injury prone and teams would dog pile him every chance they get. If you are building a “dream team” then use all that dream talent not one star. I’m sure Richt has fun toying with ya’ll.
superDawg
June 29th, 2010
2:19 pm
After Boykin returns a few AJ will know who the man is,however I like Greens will and desire.
Vick=Dog killing thug
June 29th, 2010
2:23 pm
Maybe us AJ when the game is on the line but generally leave well enough alone.
edumacated
June 29th, 2010
2:27 pm
The Dogs need to let the same guy field punts on every kick and quit this predictable crap with Logan. Why would you want to let the other team know that without a doubt the ball is not being returned?
gdawginkalamazoo
June 29th, 2010
2:32 pm
Too Easy, perfect. It would probably work in that game.
DP
June 29th, 2010
3:02 pm
For the Georgia fans who may not be aware, the daughter and only child of former UGA defensive coordinator Joe Kines was killed yesterday in an auto accident in Tuscaloosa. Two of his grandchildren who were in the car are hospitalized. Kines and his wife had returned to live in Tuscaloosa after retiring from Texas A&M to be close to their daughter and grandchildren.
http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/2010/06/post_19.html
uga bill
June 29th, 2010
3:13 pm
Green will wake up soon and realize he will jeopardize his career doing that crap,CMR already knows better.
UGADAVE
June 29th, 2010
3:28 pm
Do him like Okl St. did Dez Bryant. They certainly werent scared, and it paid off! If he is the best, them LET THE BIG DOG EAT!
'94 UGA Grad
June 29th, 2010
3:36 pm
Hey UGADAVE,
You must have read my mind because I keep thinking about Dez Bryant and how effective he was as a punt returner/receiver for OK State.
gdawginkalamazoo
June 29th, 2010
3:47 pm
I think OSU used Bryant because they didn’t have anybody else that was eligible. Oh, nevermind.