Is "a TD threat" the only thing you want in a kickoff and/or punt returner?

[randomname]

This question occurred to me while reading people whine about how stupid Miami is for trading away Ted Ginn. So tell me, what do you want in a kickoff returner? Is the "threat" of a TD (aka Ginn's speed) the only thing that you want back there? Hell, that's literally the only thing Ginn has. He doesn't break tackles, he runs out of bounds, doesn't really get you good starting field position most of the time, and always muffs the ball on punts, but can very rarely score a TD by simply outrunning the entire opposing team if they let him get to the sidelines with running room.

Personally, I'll take whoever gets the highest kick return average every time(assuming one of the options doesn't have a problem with giving the ball away to the other team)

 

[Kdawg954]

I'll take the guy who has a chance to take it to the house over one he gets 3 or 4 more yards in average. If your offense can't make up that yardage you got bigger problems to deal with . . . but there are very few things that can replace the effect of return TD.

 

[Zounds]

Usually guys with higher averages are guys who have a chance to score, so arent the two options you have up the same?

 

[randomname]

Usually guys with higher averages are guys who have a chance to score, so arent the two options you have up the same?

A good kickoff returner should probably have both of those. However, assuming you have to pick one, which would you pick? A lot of people here claim Ginn is a great kickoff returner, despite the fact that he doesn't have a high average.

 

[nosleep]

By that logic, everyone wants a slow running back who gains 3 yards per carry rather than an explosive back? **** that! Give me touchdowns! Touchdowns win ball games.

Who do you think the Jets would rather have returning the ball? Ginn or Bess???

 

[WeVie]

Of course we want someone who is a TD threat but it is also important to have someone who has good hands as well as to not make bone head catches inside the 8 yard line on a punt.

 

[Butterfrog 2.0]

I know it's just my opinion but I don't know how this is even a serious question. Ted Ginn usually has around average to below average return averages but he also usually has a couple return TD's per season or so. Electric return guys can win games for you in 1 or 2 plays. Guys like Bess or Cobbs or whoever may average a few more yards per return but then your offense still has to march down the field to get into the endzone EVERY time. I could pretty much guarantee you that Bill Belichek, and Rex Ryan would much rather have Bess returning kicks or punts for Miami than Ted Ginn. Maybe it would be different if the Miami offense was a well oiled machine and could shred opposing defenses, but a team that struggles to score and you really want to know if we want someone that can take it to the house without ever having to touch the ball on offense? **** yes I'd rather have a TD threat on returns!

 

[Scott Andrew]

I originally voted for return average but I think I'd definitely go with TD threat. The 3-4 yard more per starting drive will rarely ever make a difference in the final score but obviously a TD makes a huge difference. Also if we had someone like Ginn then coaches would specifically game-plan for him vs. the general game-planning they would have to do for someone like Bess or Cobb in the return game.

 

[phins4ever64]

Did everyone see what Ted Ginn did yesterday? He single handedly was responsible for putting the game away for 9ers. WE sure could use someone like that Aginn.

 

[WSE]

the threat over the consistent guy easily, as long as the threat does not turn over the ball.

 

[Jamaicankid21]

TD Threat all day. It's always entertaining watching Carrol return kicks though. The guy runs full speed foward, I love when hes about to break free, gets shoe string tackled, and goes flying 5 extra yards. I dont mind Carrol returning kicks, would rather have Ginn, but Carrol is a good returner

 

[Oradeana]

In a year where MIAMI swept the JETS, GINN beat them once almost single-handedly. Give me the TD threat, all day. Besides the fact that a good return average usually comes w/it, a TD return of a punt or kickoff can be CRUSHING.

I like "crushing".

 

[72PhinFan]

I'll take the guy who runs a half a dozen or more 40+ yd returns without a TD than the guy who scores once or twice every year but sucks on every other return (Ted Ginn). Your team will score more points in the first scenerio than the second if your offense is even remotely competant.

 

[Scott Andrew]

Nolan Carrol (the pick we got for Ginn from what I remember) had an avg of 24.3 with a long of 46 and no TD's last year for us. Ginn had an avg of 24.9 and 2 TD's the year before... So Ginn had a better avg and the 2 TD's, not to mention his added bonus of a punt return for a TD.

 

[Dr. Phin]

A great average puts the team in better position to score on every possesion and helps to pin back the opposition on drives that don't succeed. A flash every now and then is worth...well a 5th apparently...