Camp Battles to watch : Kick and Punt Returners

[bpc]

One of the things I'm looking for over the next month is to see how the Broncos handle the return game. I went back to NFL Rewind (great product/app if you are killing time prior to camp) to start watching the games and just got done with week 1 and 2 vs. Baltimore and the Giants. Holliday got in trouble fielding bad punts in game 1 and Wes came on and did the exact thing fumbling inside our 10 giving the Ravens an easy score. Holliday went on to break open the game in the 4th quarter vs. the Giants at NY. The guy was hardly MR Reliable with his fumbling issues and with little field awareness but he gave us a lot of big plays out of the return game which we haven't had for a long time.

Who do you predict winning the punt return and kick return jobs? I think Tony Carter, Bradley Roby, Andre Caldwell, Ronnie Hillman, Omar Bolden, Cody Latimer, and Emmanuel Sanders will all be given opportunities to prove themselves. I think with Welker's head injuries, outside of fair catching on tight punt situations, I doubt he goes out there. Sanders projects as a starter so I'd probably take him off the list as well. Hillman has the speed which could create some big plays but like Holliday, has had fumbling issues. Cody and Caldwell might be the darkhorses. Also, watching Bolden, he has great speed and if I recall, I know he's had some big special teams plays in college.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

One of the number one things I'm looking for over the next month is to see how the Broncos handle the return game. I went back to NFL Rewind (great product/app if you are killing time prior to camp) to start watching the games and just got done with week 1 and 2 vs. Baltimore and the Giants. Holliday got in trouble fielding bad punts in game 1 and Wes came on and did the exact thing fumbling inside our 10 giving the Ravens an easy score. Holliday went on to break open the game in the 4th quarter vs. the Giants at NY. The guy was hardly MR Reliable with his fumbling issues and with little field awareness but he gave us a lot of big plays out of the return game which we haven't had for a long time.

Who do you predict winning the punt return and kick return jobs? I think Tony Carter, Bradley Roby, Andre Caldwell, Ronnie Hillman, Omar Bolden, Cody Latimer, and Emmanuel Sanders will all be given opportunities to prove themselves. I think with Welker's head injuries, outside of fair catching on tight punt situations, I doubt he goes out there. Sanders projects as a starter so I'd probably take him off the list as well. Hillman has the speed which could create some big plays but like Holliday, has had fumbling issues. Cody and Caldwell might be the darkhorses. Also, watching Bolden, he has great speed and if I recall, I know he's had some big special teams plays in college.

You forgot Isaiah Burse...I assume the coaching staff would like to see him win the job.

[bpc]

Found this article from the DPO:

Leonhard has returned 13 punts for an average of 6.3 yards, with a long of 16 yards. Bolden has taken back 14 kickoffs for an average return of 19.3 yards, with a long of 33 yards.

By comparison, Holliday is averaging 32.5 yards on kickoff returns and 10.8 yards on punt returns. Holliday (5-foot-5 and 170 pounds) was a sprint champion at Louisiana State and might be the NFL's fastest player.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_2227566...lliday-returns

[bpc]

You forgot Isaiah Burse...I assume the coaching staff would like to see him win the job.

Great point. I did overlook him.

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[BroncosfanGuy]

Burse or Sanders as PR

and then the staff can takje a page from Shanahan's book and put some guy who runs fast in a straight line and runs into the back of his blockers somewhere around the 25-yard line, but doesn't fumble often kick returns. Bolden and Caldwell are leaders of the pack there

[bpc]

http://www.denverbroncos.com/multime...d-c78a646ebc56

[BroncosfanGuy]

I'm having trouble thinking of a slow white guy small enough to be our fair catch specialist. so there's an apparent hole.

[Requiem]

I would be surprised if Omar Bolden still is with the team come the final roster cuts. That guy has done nothing. Nice trade up for a dude with a blown ACL.

[DENVERDUI55]

I will guess someone that isn't on the roster yet.

[BroncosfanGuy]

Nice trade up for a dude with a blown ACL.

4th round pick doesn't pan out. also, we could have had Ed Reeeeeed.
But yeah, I doubt Bolden is around next year to run kickoffs into the backs of his upmen. That will probably be Caldwell's job to lose.

[Action]

Hopefully Burse does well... can earn a roster spot at returner and eventually develop into a starting slot WR.

[DomCasual]

The good Holliday was great to watch, man. We haven't had a guy back there with that kind of electricity since a certain number 80.

Unfortunately, he was exciting for the opposing teams' fan bases, as well.

[bpc]

I'm still up in the air with Bolden. His first couple years were frustrating. However, I saw him in there a few times last year and saw a few glimpses of what the coaches keep thinking he can be which is probably the replacement for Moore in a season. He's extremely rangy, and should be ok covering over the top. He needs to put it together quickly though.

[IndelibleScribe]

I think Burse and Sanders win the return jobs.
Roby would be nice but I don't think they will risk him on returns except in certain situations.

[LikeABoss5820]

I would be surprised if Omar Bolden still is with the team come the final roster cuts. That guy has done nothing. Nice trade up for a dude with a blown ACL.

Really wanted Boykin that year, smh.