Punt Return Game Looking to Rebound in 2007

 

Everyone knows what a nightmare last year was for the Steelers when it came to returning punts. First there was the disaster against the Bengals when Ricardo Colclough bobbled and lost a punt with the Steelers leading in the 4th quarter that directly led to them losing that game. Then there was the adventure of Santonio Holmes, and how every time he touched the ball on a punt you had to hold your breath and close your eyes over the fear of him putting it on the ground. Well, 2007 is a new year, and with it there are new chances for players to step up and show what they can do in the return game. At practice on Tuesday, a couple of players got looks at returning punts: Colclough, Cedrick Wilson, Willie Reid, Jovon Johnson, Dan Sheldon and Chris Jackson. You can bet that despite his issues, as soon as Holmes is healthy, he’ll be out there as well.

Out of this group, the player that reportedly has the most upside to returning kicks is Reid, who didn’t dress last year and then once he did he got hurt. Reid was drafted to return punts, so you would think that Mike Tomlin and the staff would give him a long look. Holmes and Cedrick Wilson are two other players that deserve looks. Holmes is more valuable as a wide out, plus he did have his issues in the return game, but rebounded by the end of the year. Wilson has some experience back there as well, and at least he is not a guy that puts the ball on the ground alot.

Last season the Steelers only averaged 8.4 yards per return, good for 19th in the league. Gone are the days of watching Antwaan Randle-El take kicks back, so the team is going to have to find someone and move on at the position. One thing that is going to be interesting is that Tomlin has already been stressing special teams quite a bit, so you would hope that this is one phase of the Steelers game that takes a big leap in 2007.