Listing of Vet Free Agent Kick/Punt Returners

**wickedsolo** · 05-02-2012, 12:42 PM

http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/featu...tion=WR&y=2012

It's pretty thin, but there are guys there that could be of interest. Frankly, I think Asa Jackson will prove to be more than enough, but for conversation's sake...

Patrick Crayton
Johnnie Lee Higgins
Stefan Logan
Chansi Stuckey
Justin Forsett
Mewelde Moore
Jim Leonhard

So, it's really slim pickings anyway. Out of those guys Crayton or Logan are probably the most accomplished punt/kick returners.

**Carey** · 05-02-2012, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/featu...tion=WR&y=2012

It's pretty thin, but there are guys there that could be of interest. Frankly, I think Asa Jackson will prove to be more than enough, but for conversation's sake...

Patrick Crayton
Johnnie Lee Higgins
Stefan Logan
Chansi Stuckey
Justin Forsett
Mewelde Moore
Jim Leonhard

So, it's really slim pickings anyway. Out of those guys Crayton or Logan are probably the most accomplished punt/kick returners.

Couldnt hurt to add competition, the names that stand out for me would be Logan but he's tiny and doesnt offer anything else. Forsett if he'd come on the cheap would be a nice for kick returns, with Asa Jackson on punts.

**Corey** · 05-02-2012, 12:51 PM

How healthy is Leonhard? He'd be solid depth at S, if he's healthy. I am not really interested in any of the others. Mainly because I don't think they upgrade our depth any where else.

**wickedsolo** · 05-02-2012, 01:05 PM

I don't think Leonhard is healthy otherwise I think the Jets would have re-signed him.

**bmorecareful** · 05-02-2012, 01:15 PM

Leonhard was facing a 4-6 month recovery time from his injury, which was in December. There's no way he's 100% at this point, and neither he nor any teams probably want to get into real contract talks until he's closer to 100%. Barring any setbacks, I would imagine he should be ready for opening day to whomever signs him.

I think the Ravens should be interested, but he won't start for us this year, so he might not be interested in a part-time role. I was very high on him when he was here. Long-term, he would be the best insurance available behind Reed and Pollard, both of whom are FAs next year, and only 1 of whom is probably going to be coming back. He's got the coverage ability to hold down the fort at FS for a few years and we know he's proven at SS as well.

I don't know that the Ravens actually WILL be interested, but I can tell you I definitely am.

**wickedsolo** · 05-02-2012, 01:18 PM

Honestly, barring any unforeseen injuries or interesting cuts (Eric Weems maybe?) I don't think the Ravens really bring in anyone and go with what they've got.

**Boulderraven** · 05-02-2012, 01:24 PM

Stefan Logan is the best of that bunch. Pretty explosive. Trusting Asa a rookie from Cal Poly to the NFL returning kicks is a bit of a jump. That's risky.

**pyite32** · 05-02-2012, 01:25 PM

I'm more interested in a list of free agent Kickers

**Boulderraven** · 05-02-2012, 01:27 PM

Leonhard, coming of ACL injury to return punts? No way no how. Takes a year sometimes 2 to be normal again.

**wickedsolo** · 05-02-2012, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by pyite32

I'm more interested in a list of free agent Kickers

That's a really poor sampling as well right now.

**bmorecareful** · 05-02-2012, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by Boulderraven

Leonhard, coming of ACL injury to return punts? No way no how. Takes a year sometimes 2 to be normal again.

It wasn't an ACL, it was a patellar tendon. Totally different injury, different recovery process. Leonhard still might not be 100% for a while yet, I was moreso jumping off on him as a player in general rather than specifically as a punt returner.

The Ravens added guys in the draft that they will lean on to contribute on STs and that includes in the return game. That is par for the course for them, they've frequently used rookies as returners (Reed in 2010, Webb in 2009, etc.) It's just not that big of a deal.

The other thing to consider is that Harbaugh, Ozzie, etc. have all said that they really don't feel Webb returning a few punts here and there is that big a deal. They've done it in the past and they very well may do it again. I'm not saying I would support that, but it might be what they do.

**Iscull** · 05-02-2012, 10:48 PM

Johnny Lee wouldn't be a terrible option. Decent deep threat as well. Ridiculously fast (ex raider)

**duffybr** · 05-03-2012, 12:34 AM

September cut would be fine.

**bigdadgraham** · 05-03-2012, 07:50 AM

Dorian Graham will return kicks and punts

**HoustonRaven** · 05-03-2012, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

It wasn't an ACL, it was a patellar tendon. Totally different injury, different recovery process. Leonhard still might not be 100% for a while yet, I was moreso jumping off on him as a player in general rather than specifically as a punt returner

Patellar tendon rupture is worse than an ACL tear. Mark Clayton has never been the same since his.

**bmorecareful** · 05-03-2012, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

Patellar tendon rupture is worse than an ACL tear. Mark Clayton has never been the same since his.

That isn't necessarily true. The prospects of a full return to health for both surgeries are over 90%. Recovery timetable for a patellar tendon rupture is 4-6 months, which is actually slightly shorter than your average ACL tear rehab, which is more like 7-9 months.

Everyone's body is different. What happened to Mark Clayton may not necessarily be indicative of what will happen to somebody else--particularly considering Clayton had a long history of soft tissue injuries.

You also might be thinking of the Achilles tendon rupture, which is indeed a worse injury in terms of athletic effectiveness. A lot of guys come back 100% from torn ACLs and patellar tendons, but very few come back 100% from an achilles tendon rupture.

**Tucker: M&T Sec 527** · 05-03-2012, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by bigdadgraham

Dorian Graham will return kicks and punts

I think you mean Corey Graham, the DB signed from Chicago this offseason as a ST player - mostly a gunner on punts and kicks ( I don't know if he returns kicks or not; it didn't seem so on nfl.com).

Unless you meant Dorian Gray, in which case we should pass. I saw that dude's trading card and he is not looking well...

**wickedsolo** · 05-03-2012, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Tucker: M&T Sec 527

I think you mean Corey Graham, the DB signed from Chicago this offseason as a ST player - mostly a gunner on punts and kicks ( I don't know if he returns kicks or not; it didn't seem so on nfl.com).

Unless you meant Dorian Gray, in which case we should pass. I saw that dude's trading card and he is not looking well...

No, he definitely meant Dorian Graham.
http://www.suathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8205

Ravens signed him right after the draft as a UDFA.

**Tucker: M&T Sec 527** · 05-04-2012, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

No, he definitely meant Dorian Graham.
http://www.suathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8205

Ravens signed him right after the draft as a UDFA.

Roger that, wicked. He looks promising

**GOTA** · 05-04-2012, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Iscull

Johnny Lee wouldn't be a terrible option. Decent deep threat as well. Ridiculously fast (ex raider)

I like him too. Wanted to sign him last year before the Eagles did. It is strange though that he couldn't get a job after he didn't make the Eagles roster.