Talking Punt Returners

[Zod]

The Panthers need to fill a huge hole left by Ted Ginn in the punt return game. Ginn was the first legitimate threat the Panthers had had in many seasons, replacing him won't be easy.

Yesterday at OTA's the order of punt returners went as follows:

Antoine Cason

Marvin McNutt

Philly Brown

De'Andre Presley

Cason and McNutt got the majority of the punts. The other two fielded at the end of the drill.

Antoine Cason returned punts in San Diego for the last several games of the 2010 season. Then San Diego Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera must have taken note. This could be Cason's real purpose this season. Cason returned punts in college, running back two for touchdowns. He is the front runner for the spot.

As far as I can tell, McNutt has no punt return experience.

Philly Brown is a promising prospect at punt returner. He could be fast enough and shifty enough to win the job. He also does have experience, including this run back against Wisconsin. I can see him competing with Cason.

De'Andre Presley, who played QB, WR, CB and also returned punts at App State has an outside shot, but will need more snaps to impress. He was last in line to return, and only had a single grab.

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[Kuech the Sneak]

Seems like Philly brown is the most natural return man out of the bunch, that'll be his best chance to stick on the roster

[YoungPanthers89]

Mcnutt seems way to big to be returning punts

[Zod]

Mcnutt seems way to big to be returning punts

 

My thoughts as well, but 6'2 isn't all that big these days. It does seem to me with King getting more snaps at WR than McNutt the coaching staff may be giving McNutt every opportunity possible to make the team, including PR.

[Panthro]

Special teams were surprisingly good last year. Hopefully they do not take too far of a step back.

[KendrickPanther]

I don't know maybe someone becomes available as teams make roster moves. None of those players are guys I would feel great about. Ginn was pretty damned good on punts when he had the chance. His biggest issue was calling "poison".

 

I've just always wanted a small guy that could stop, start, and blow by people. Trindon Holliday or a young Steve Smith. I would prefer someone reliable and experienced but those guys cost money.

[Riverboat Ron]

Hog mollie the position, have Star return punts.

[janderson20vt]

Hog mollie the position, have Star return punts.

 

Tolbert would be a hog mollie at the position. He can bowling ball people lol.

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

Losing Ginn is very much a concern but it is telling that Mcnutt may be on the outside of the WR crew if he does not impress as a punt returner.

Id love to see Philly Brown provide that speed sizzle he had in college where Cason seems like a stop gap PR.

I am suprised Kenjon Barner is not in the PR mix and may be a sign he will not stick as a roster spot if he continues to fake a seizure every time he carries the ball.

[Jimbo]

Ginn was OK, but hardly a game changer as a returner.  I'm more concerned about replacing him on offense.  Returner is definitely a concern though.  Hopefully we get lucky.

[Rules&Regulations]

This junk pisses me off. That depth chart is awful.

[SOJA]

guarantee we pick up another guy who can return punts after june 1st cuts and training camp etc. 

[You Cam do it]

Ginn was surprisingly better as a WR than a returner last year. I think we will be fine.

[brandon_87]

Hog mollie the position, have Star return punts.

Did you see what happened with Flloyd in Minnesota? I'd say negative on that haha