Smith and Punt Returns

[Doc Holiday]

I an not a recent bandwagon Cam Newton nut hugging fan. I simply noticed 2 of the best coaches in the game using equally high profile players there. It would be a good move in the playoffs without a better option. Smith may be too selfish though.

so you are an idiot then?

Really, this was all talked about back when Smith stopped returning punt, and no body here disagreed with it then and I mean nobody. Now smith isn't the player he used to be but back then to say he was the offense would be an understatement to say the least, remember neither of these guys are the best player on their team, but You guys are suddenly like "OMG another coach is using decent player to return punts instead of using a specialist, our coach must suck!!!!!"

the amount of intelligence that has gone into all of this would make a unicellular organism seem smart, but then again lets not insult the unicellular organism it has feelings too and may not want to be compared to you guys.

[Doc Holiday]

Smitty would do it if we needed a boost in a championship game, just like Reed and Welker are doing it with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, and just like Smitty did against the Hawks in the NFC Championship game....

I would agree with that, but to use him for a whole season is silly

[ThunderKatt]

Smith did a punt return or maybe 2 when clauson couldn't get him the ball. I think that was the same year he didn't want to be the #1 wr anymore

[rscott94]

I think they didn't fully trust Jones to return punts when it was close to the goal line... So they put the sure handed Ed Reed out there...

Welker was returning punts because Eldelman was injured

[Mage]

It is the playoffs. Neither team has anything to lose (well they do but you know what I mean - gotta put everything on the line). I think Smith might return for us if it was in the postseason.

[KJ89]

I know Steve doesn't want to do it but why not.

Because Steve doesn't want to do it.

Among other things.

Are you stupid?

[PanthersClinic]

I never understood the decision to remove Smith from punt returns. He was so adept at it that you'd think it'd be important to have him there, especially with how often our offense was going 3 and out back in the day.

The injury argument is a fallacy. I don't believe punt returners have higher rates of injuries than other players. I think the reason for moving him out of the position was more mental and responsibility related - he didn't want to have to deal with being responsible for the team losing a drive if he fails to secure the catch. Similar to Romo being removed from the field goal holding duties.

If you are thinking about injuries you're in the wrong business. Nobody in the league can tackle properly and every player on offense and defense seems to lead with their head when they are about to tackle or be tackled. Players should focus on their own technique instead of thinking everyone is out to get them.

[The_Cannon]

Smith asked to return punts and kickoffs back in 2010 when the team wasn't winning games and he was trying to give us a spark. Fox put him back there maybe 5 times tops. Believe it or not Smith isn't as selfish as people think

[2jakefansinva]

I never understood the decision to remove Smith from punt returns. He was so adept at it that you'd think it'd be important to have him there, especially with how often our offense was going 3 and out back in the day.

The injury argument is a fallacy. I don't believe punt returners have higher rates of injuries than other players. I think the reason for moving him out of the position was more mental and responsibility related - he didn't want to have to deal with being responsible for the team losing a drive if he fails to secure the catch. Similar to Romo being removed from the field goal holding duties.

If you are thinking about injuries you're in the wrong business. Nobody in the league can tackle properly and every player on offense and defense seems to lead with their head when they are about to tackle or be tackled. Players should focus on their own technique instead of thinking everyone is out to get them.

there's some dumb sh*t in this post.

[Porn Shop Clerk]

smitty returned punts in the seattle playoff game after refusing to for several seasons.

[Ivan The Awesome]

I remember the 49ers game I attended in 2010. He returned punts, he didn't do much. Had one good run. I have to admit I was excited to watch him return punts.

[Bwood]

That's a belichick move, using an experienced player in that spot that he trusts.

Same with Harbaugh. A Rivera move in the same situation is to go with Amakamura or something

When did we get Prince Amukamura on our team?

[Firefox]

Only God Can Make Steve Smith Return Punts Now

Carolina Panthers All-Pro receiver Steve Smith is not happy about his team losing two straight. He seems even less pleased that he was asked to return punts Sunday night in an effort to spark his team's performance. It looked like he hadn't practiced punt returns in a while. It also looks like he won't do it again any time soon...

"That'll be my last time back there," Smith said.

When asked whether he or his coaches had made that decision, he bristled.

"The last time I checked, I've only got one person to answer to. That's my maker," he said.

http://www.aolnews.c...turn-punts-now/

[LinvilleGorge]

Smitty would do it if we needed a boost in a championship game, just like Reed and Welker are doing it with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, and just like Smitty did against the Hawks in the NFC Championship game....

This. Smitty is FAR too valuable to our offense to put him back there as the regular return man, but if we were in the playoffs and needed it, he'd be back there.

Hmmm... well, not so sure after reading the above post