Who should return punts for the New York Giants?

by Ed Valentine on Jul 17, 2009 7:00 AM EDT in New York Giants News

Every New York Giants' fan knows that Domenik Hixon is a spectacular kick return man. The Giants know this, too, which is why Hixon has returned kicks at the most important times the past two seasons.

We also know, though, that Hixon will play a key role as a wide receiver in 2009. If he isn't starting, he will still be playing a lot.

As much as I, and probably many other Giants' fans, would love to see Hixon handle all the return duties that seems highly unrealistic given his offensive workload.

So, today let's examine who -- other than Hixon -- could possibly handle punt return duties. We will look at kickoff returns another day.

Here is how I see the candidates. These are not in order of preference.

Ahmad Bradshaw -- Bradshaw has had mixed success returning kickoffs with a 23.2-yards-per-return average in two seasons. He has only returned two punts for 7 yards. I wonder, though, if Bradshaw's skills are better suited to punt returns than kickoff returns. He isn't truly a speed guy, he is more of a slasher with quick feet who can make one or two guys miss. To break a punt return you almost always have to elude the first guy with quickness, and maybe Bradshaw can do that. The question, though, is workload. Bradshaw is slated to be the primary backup to Brandon Jacobs at running back
Sinorice Moss -- The Giants have never asked Moss to return punts. If he is going to be on the team, though, and if he can't earn regular snaps with the offense, I would like to see him get a shot. He obviously has good hands, and this might be a way to make use of his speed.
Aaron Ross -- This is thinking out of the box, and seems extremely unlikely. Ross, though, came to the Giants out of Texas as a guy with the reputation of being a big-time punt return guy. I don't recall ever seeing him return one even in an exhibition game with the Giants. He'll be a starting cornerback, but might be worth a look.

To me, there are no other 'obvious' candidates for the punt return gig. Did I leave anybody out? Your thoughts?

Poll

Who should return punts for the New York Giants?

Domenik Hixon

485 votes

Ahmad Bradshaw

104 votes

Aaron Ross

74 votes

Sinorice Moss

578 votes

Someone Else

196 votes

1437 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 48 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

No Bradshaw

Id rather see him as the #2 back.

How about Andre Brown? I think he did the same at NC State. All these other guys, or at least Sinorice Moss is supposed to, play big roles come season time, but Andre is behind 3 other backs.

Aaron Ross I can’t believe you’d even write as an option. Could he do it very well? Absolutely, but don’t you remember Jason Sehorn?

Hixon Id like to see go back there to kickoffs too, but he’s got WR duty to worry about first. If the other guys beat him out in camp, then he’s probably the ideal choice.

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 17, 2009 7:21 AM EDT reply actions

Brown

I couldn’t find anything in scouting reports on Brown showing he has done it before. Maybe he has, but I didn’t see it. Sure, I remember Sehorn. Did I say Ross was a good idea? No. I just threw his name out there because I know he has done it before.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 17, 2009 7:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Not Ross

There’s way too much risk of injury to have a starting corner be the punt returner. He did show on his interception returns last year that he’s a good open field runner.

I wouldn’t have a problem with Bradshaw doing it even if he is the second back. And what about Ware? I know he returned some kick offs in pre season last year.

I also think Moss might be a good choice, but only if he’s not getting a lot of reps as a receiver.

My main goal would be to have someone who can catch the ball and who’s not going to fumble if he gets hit. I’d also like someone who would make good judgments about when to let the ball go, when to fair catch it, and when to try to return it. If he’s also a threat to bust one, that’s great, but I’m more concerned about ball security than actual return ability.

by Tucker Fredrickson on Jul 17, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Sorry I should have said

kick returner. I’d think the kick returner could also return kicks tho right?

Andre when he was a freshman and soph was a kick returner, tho he only had 16 over the course of those years. Then I guess as his role in the offense increased plus the freshman class made allowed him to focus on RB duties and he stopped returning kicks.

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 17, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

The answer is simple-

If the answer is who is the best at doing it out of those guys its clearly Aaron Ross. The guy was an absolute beast at punt returns in college, and I really don’t know why the hell he isn’t returning punts or was never given the opportunity. I know we have the Jason Sehorn fear still in us, and he does wear the same number at that, but Aaron Ross is the Giants best punt returner, no questions asked. I think we need to give him a chance, for gods sake. I like Andre Brown also, or Moss might be another viable option. I don’t think Moss will have that big of a role, I see him still being 4th or 5th WR on the Depth Chart when the season starts anyway.

by jsballer3314 on Jul 17, 2009 7:26 AM EDT reply actions

How can you dismiss Hixon because of his workload

but put Ross up? He runs the same number of times as a starting WR, plus he has to hit alot more people in run support. He hasn’t exactly been injury free either.

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by bigbluethruandthru on Jul 17, 2009 7:37 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I wasn't dismissing Hixon

I think Hixon is a good option also, I actually would like to see him back on Kick Returns because he was the best we had there as well. If the question was who is the best at punt returns then its A-Ross, if the question is who will be doing punt returns, the answer is most likely Sinorice. I don’t remember Hixon doing punts though, thought he was only on kicks.

by jsballer3314 on Jul 17, 2009 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I ain't gonna bitch about punt returns

It’s about keeping the ball, not getting a break; all I want is the assurance that we get the ball, anything extra is gravy, no more likely to way to lose a TV than to have the returner fumble. and they’re really f##king expensive nowandays.

It’s always a rush to see a great punt return, especially in a tight game, but I’m just happy to get the ball and not have any injuries.

but if Sinorice can hold onto the ball and make some yards, that sounds better than having his useless ass sitting o the bench. And a BIG NO JS’s comment that just popped up, A 16 game schedule is all about staying healthy, loosing your #2 tailback in the hope of getting 5 more yards is dumb. Like I said,TVs are expensive, and I don’t wanna get tossed from the only nearby establishment that has the NFL package because I threw a bottle of Guinness through\ the big screen TV. {Yes here in 3rd world Fl, there’s no joints that have the NFL package and Guinness on tap, at least at a reasonable distance.}

Conan!, What is good in Football?!

Daa.... to run between the tackles,
To drive the linebackers before you,
And to hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders.

by The Pale Scot on Jul 17, 2009 7:42 AM EDT reply actions

Sinorice

Agreed on that front. Might as well make Moss useful.

by potroast on Jul 17, 2009 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

This may be the position that Moss can truly excel at, if he can keep his hammies and quads healthy.

by njgiant on Jul 17, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

you say that you all you want is to not turn it over on a punt, but you obviously don’t know what it is like to have someone back there with no threat of doing anything. That was the Boys route with Patrick Crayton returning punts, he doesn’t muff it and turn it over, but it will drive you crazy to watch someone who consistely fair catches or returns it 3 yards.

The Giants should put Ross back there in certain situations like the Eagles used to do with Westbrook or the Cowboys do with Newman. Don’t get him killed, but when you are in a good position to have a big return (like having the other team pinned deep in their own territory where the punter is just trying to kill it down field) guys like him can do amazing things.

by sduncan24 on Jul 17, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure I know what it's like...

All I ever say when a Giant is returning a punt is “get the F down, don’t fumble.”

I would rather have a punt returner fair catch every punt all season long than lose a few fumbles at critical points in a game.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 17, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Phil McConkey

was a ‘just catch it and don’t screw it up’ guy. That’s fine on punts, but if you can find a guy who can do that AND make a big play every so often that is what you are really looking for. Special teams scores can win you a couple of games — just like mistakes can lose them.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 17, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

McConkey

should be brought back to resume return duties

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Jul 17, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Loved McConkey...

…and he made a big play in Super Bowl XXI on a punt return.

Not to mention the ridiculously good job he did against the Redskins two weeks earlier.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 18, 2009 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

So NYSJ

you must have loved McQuarters then huh? That was his MO. Catch, fall down/fair catch.

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 17, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

But at least he didn't fumble

And please, FB, you and NYSJ need to co-exist.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 17, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Except for that little miscue in Green Bay...

…right?

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 18, 2009 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions

PS Ed I like the real time commenting function here

It’s annoying when your writing, but I don’t detect any CPU load, so it’s cool; is it a Java Script?

Conan!, What is good in Football?!

Daa.... to run between the tackles,
To drive the linebackers before you,
And to hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders.

by The Pale Scot on Jul 17, 2009 7:46 AM EDT reply actions

I'm not sure

Just part of the tech wizardry here at SB Nation.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 17, 2009 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

What I expected

Since we had so few holes to fill, I really expected the Giants to waste a 7th round pick on a pure punt/kick returner. I had visions of a DIV 2 guy who averaged 30 yards on Kickoffs scaring the heck out of opposing teams.

But I guess we thought a 5th string CB was more important.

by ross_stephen on Jul 17, 2009 7:51 AM EDT reply actions

what about

anyone think manningham? hes got speed

by lou b on Jul 17, 2009 9:21 AM EDT reply actions

Manningham

He has never done it. I looked for guys who have some experience doing it, and Manningham did not return kicks at Michigan as far as I can tell.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 17, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

By the end of the year

Hixon may be the #3 WR, so I don’t have a problem with him going back to kick return duties as well.

by rzor on Jul 17, 2009 9:35 AM EDT reply actions

Whos #1 and #2?

http://nygiants247.blogspot.com/

by NewYorkGiants24.7 on Jul 17, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

In my opinion

Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks will become more integral parts of the passing game than Hixon.

by rzor on Jul 17, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't really trust Bradshaw...

…he seems a little loose with the ball and could be a disaster waiting to happen if he was returning punts.

For me, as long as the returner catches the ball and doesn’t do anything stupid, I don’t care who’s back there.

If Moss could ever stay on the field for longer than 3 seconds without one of his leg muscles turning to dust, I would think he’s the best option.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 17, 2009 10:18 AM EDT reply actions

+1

I don’t trust Bradshaw doing it either. He seems to be fumble prone.

by potroast on Jul 17, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Ron Dixon

by cjmulrain on Jul 17, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

aaron ross

aaron ross returning punts? remember jason sehorn?

by bamalox on Jul 17, 2009 11:46 AM EDT reply actions

Yes, we all do

Which is why it won’t happen. But, I had to throw his name out there because I know he has done it well in the past.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 17, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Then why put anyone back there?

Because he’s a Giants cornerback means he can’t return punts because of the history for one play?

Put the best guy back there, period.

http://nygiants247.blogspot.com/

by NewYorkGiants24.7 on Jul 17, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Punt returns

I know he is a longshot to make the team, but how about David Tyree. As a special teams player, David has always stood out. Adding punt returns to his ‘package’ might be what he needs to stick on the team this year.

by NCMike on Jul 17, 2009 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

Tyree

has never returned kicks. Why would he start now, this far into his career, when his legs are already iffy at best?

by Ed Valentine on Jul 17, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

he's not fast or elusive enough

by queler on Jul 17, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Tyree

Why not return punts? If, as many have written, possession is the key, then a savy vet, with good hands and great attitude may be just what the team needs.
Also, what is the risk since Tyree’s ability to make the team as a WR is slim anyway.

by NCMike on Jul 17, 2009 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

I'm just saying

that it’s something he has never done. It’s not an easy thing to do.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 17, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Moss

He has the speed to do it – and he sounds like he’s ready to make an impact- maybe a return guy who takes some risks is not a bad thing ( not fumbling the ball of course – RW gave me heart burn every time he returned one )- with this defense an extra few yards could ice a game -

by Tom_and_Jerry on Jul 17, 2009 12:46 PM EDT reply actions

Sinorice Moss should be able to handle punt returns

While there is many a slip ’tween cup and lip, I can envision a shifty little guy like Sinorice Moss taking punt returns.

It is a make it or break it year for Moss, although that seems llike every year for him, If he just happens to show so much at a receiver slot that the workload makes him ineligible I would take that deal today and just go with somebody with good hands.

I’m over the Sehorn trauma, but I would prefer Brown over Ross if possible. Bradshaw is a risk to put the ball on the floor, so I wouldn’t love going there.

by dand1 on Jul 17, 2009 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Domenik Hixon

I’d love to see Sinorice Moss hanle the punt return duties because then perhaps he could provide value to the team and come close to justifying his 2nd round draft status.

But the best Punt Returner without question is Domenik Hixon.

HIxon last year averaged 10.1 yards per return on Punt Returns (which is really good) in 24 returns he took 6 of them more than 20 yards.

That’s 1 out of four 20 yards. That’s really good.

So who’s the best at it?

Hixon has shown he is the best and the depth at WR is pretty great because it’s all young talents, but hopefully Moss can make some contributions he has the pure athletic ability to be successful at returns.

I believe one of the later CB round picks returned kicks too, I think Stoney Woodson.

by giantsgab.com on Jul 17, 2009 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

Ross

comes off the field too much as it is.. How about DeAndre Wright? I believe he returned kicks or punts at New Mexico.

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by Hoyadestroya85 on Jul 17, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

and

It would be a justification to keep one of our draft picks on the team.

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by Hoyadestroya85 on Jul 17, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

No doubt

Id think he’s a “dark horse” to do such. Maybe him and Stoner make the team as the 2 kick returners back there?

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 17, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

just a thought

i know this will sound very random, but what about david diehl? i mean teams are always sending out short speedy guys. the opposition will be expecting that. why not just throw out a big slow guy who probably has terrible hands

by bmanley620 on Jul 18, 2009 12:09 AM EDT reply actions

Id much rather see Snee out there

he pulls all the time and I always see him 20 yards up field, why not give him the rock?

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 18, 2009 4:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Call Walter (Refrigerator) Perry's Agent

See if the big guy is available for a look-see

"Blanchard kicks a high twisting spiral".... God Bless Marty Glickman

by celerino sanchez on Jul 18, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's be honest

Our special teams have sucked for years. We can’t return kicks or punts. We can’t cover kicks. Our starting field position and their field position have always been WAY disproportionate. Only Jeff Feagles prevents this from being worse than that

"Blanchard kicks a high twisting spiral".... God Bless Marty Glickman

by celerino sanchez on Jul 18, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions