Panthers Kickoff Returners

[PantherPhann89]

Just read an article on Panthers.com discussing Panthers all-time kickoff return leaders. Michael Bates is #1 on the list,  #2 Steve Smith & #3 Rod Smart. Personally I remember seeing Mark Jones have some really good returns but not a lot of speed. 

Who will be our Returners this season. I know that DJ Moore has returned a few but I don't know if I'd want to risk him getting injured on returns.

Do we have have a designated returner?

[Wolfcop]

We signed a really good one, but I dont remember his name.

[PantherPhann89]

It looks like Pharoh Cooper has decent numbers on returns. 

[kungfoodude]

We haven't had an above average returner that I can remember since Smitty. I may be forgetting someone but it seems like a long time.

I will say we have a fast team, so you hope that improves this season.

[ladypanther]

2 hours ago, PantherPhann89 said:

Who will be our Returners this season

Don't think there will be a season.

[PantherPhann89]

14 minutes ago, ladypanther said:

Don't think there will be a season.

I think that the season is up in the air. I do know that a lot of players are working out and teams are still handling football operations in preparation of having a season. 

[PantherPhann89]

1 hour ago, kungfoodude said:

We haven't had an above average returner that I can remember since Smitty. I may be forgetting someone but it seems like a long time.

I will say we have a fast team, so you hope that improves this season.

I agree, Steve Smith was great at returns. The problem came when he proved to be great as a WR. It would be nice to see our ST blocking scheme on returns improve. If that happens a good return man could make things a lot easier on our offense...

[kungfoodude]

1 minute ago, PantherPhann89 said:

I agree, Steve Smith was great at returns. The problem came when he proved to be great as a WR. It would be nice to see our ST blocking scheme on returns improve. If that happens a good return man could make things a lot easier on our offense...

Yeah, we have not been stellar in returns or coverage for a bit. Hopefully the new coach and staff make this a focus area. To be perfectly blunt, our roster is mostly special teams caliber players, so perhaps that will help.

[ladypanther]

8 minutes ago, PantherPhann89 said:

I think that the season is up in the air. I do know that a lot of players are working out and teams are still handling football operations in preparation of having a season. 

I know that a lot of people are trying to make this work...given the state of things...just do not see how it will.

[PantherPhann89]

2 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Yeah, we have not been stellar in returns or coverage for a bit. Hopefully the new coach and staff make this a focus area. To be perfectly blunt, our roster is mostly special teams caliber players, so perhaps that will help.

I hope something helps. Without good to great returns, it seriously hurts the offense.

[Car123]

Ted Ginn was decent for us.

[Thorrez]

Ron loved (loves) predictability, so he took a fair catch and touch back every time. 

(Which actually was the right call to make the overall strategy of keeping the number of total plays down and your defense fresh. But let's not spend 40 pages if the strategy was a good one). 

So my point is noone has been given a fair chance in forever. 

[ColumbusCounty]

Pharoah Coop or Seth Roberts... 

Whoever wins that battle makes the 53 on return duties IMO...

I gravitate towards Cooper... iirc..he can run block his ass off too. 

[ColumbusCounty]

Btw, 

Cooper is ranked #17 in PR 

6th in KR 

 

***Depending on which rankings you follow***

Even still, you'd be hard pressed to find a high ranking returner on any list involving the Panthers since Ginn.