I don't see any way that Will Fuller cannot be the return man starting next week. Tyler Ervin is not the guy you thought he was. I don't know if he ever will be. In my opinion, the only way you get value out of Ervin is to take him away from the return game and mix him into the offense. At the same token, you've got to give Fuller a chance to return some punts, at the very least, if not kickoffs, as well. Sure, you'd worry about him getting an injury, but he's by far the most dynamic playmaker on the team, and the special teams need a shot in the arm. Worst case, get Fuller in on punts, and let Braxton Miller return kicks. This team needs a shot in the arm, and Tyler Ervin is not cutting it. Maybe next year. After that return, and the two big screens, there is no point in arguing this. Fuller, with space, is absolutely dynamic. Make it happen O'Brien.
I'd agree, I can see the argument that they don't want him hurt but he's too good a weapon to not use him in the return game.
If the Steelers can risk Antonio Brown getting hurt...then the Texans should be able to risk things with Fuller. How many major injuries do we see with kick/punt returners? Honest question...because it seems like an injury would be more random luck than anything to do with the act of returning a kick. My only concern with Fuller would be...can he catch the ball without flubbing it? Small hands.
Tyler Ingram Ervin, another wasted BO'B pick. Right @Mr. Clutch? I thought that's why they drafted these 'gadget players'. I'm OK with it occasionally(once? twice?), not all the time.
Well when they are smart enough to call for fair catches there shouldn't be many injuries that are outside of your normal risks just being a WR taking a screen. I don't want anyone returning kicks, but I'd be all for Fuller returning punts.
The punt returner is the guy that is the weapon om special teams. I wouldn't want Fuller returning kicks, necessarily, because I agree with you. The way the NFL has botched kickoffs, there's no point to returning them. In that sense, I'm fine putting anyone back there that doesn't fumble. You know, people complain about Novak not being able to kick for touchbacks, however, there are teams in the league that aren't kicking it deep for a reason. Without stats, it seems that the Texans have held opponents to a good starting position on kickoffs, by not using touchbacks.
Well I complained about Novak's inability to generate touchbacks but since then 1. He's REALLY worked on his leg strength and it doesn't seem to be as much a problem anymore 2. You almost don't want touchbacks anymore now that they are giving you the 25 on them. It's better to kick it short.
Fuller is like Allen Iverson's size. One hit and he's done. John McClain even mentioned it today, they won't risk it. & JOHN IS USUALLY wrong so......... Fuller will return all kicks starting this Sunday.
It's gotta be, they even had the Samoan kid kicking them short and he's got the leg to put it into the stands every time. It's a smart strategy IMO because returners rarely make it to the 25 so they are just stealing field position from their team by not letting it fly.
I think Fuller should be back there in certain situations. But the job is Ervin's primarily, I still have a feeling Ervin's going to breakout and it may not be on special teams. He needs more looks on offense he has to earn that time by producing on these returns and in practice. His time will come.
...until he gets hurt during a return, then the scores of nay-sayers come in here with pitch-forks complaining about the coaching staff getting Fuller injured.
Fuller will not be the return man. Teams will use "special" return guys in certain situations. Fuller may get 1 punt return a game from now on.......if necessary.
Won't happen. Ervin is fine. Texans havent had many chances to return kicks in games anyway. The defense hasn't flipped the field enough.
The problem with Ervin is his brain. He thinks he can take everything to the house. He needs to be smarter. I hope BO'B utilizes him more in the run game, too. His speed on the edge is a weapon. Miller is getting run into the ground. Otherwise, Ervin is pretty pointless if he'll just fair catch or end up losing us yardage by bringing kickoffs out of the endzone.
All for it in punt returns. See: Brown, Antonio and Bryant, Dez. Play to win, not scared. Chances of him getting injured are probably less than his impact in the return game, so worth a risk that might be flukey anyways IMO. Another concern is definitely catching it though...Dez was solid as a PR until he started muffing so many punts. Kick returns? Heck no. Wouldn't mind Braxton either. But seriously anyone is better than Ervin (and James) at this point. Special teams is a huge part of the game. Flipping field positions would do wonders for an offense that's been struggling so far.
Jason Sehorn is one of the few starters I recall getting injured... decade+ ago. Think that was kickoff though. Still would rather not risk Will... Ervin needs to stop sucking, or do Braxton.
