CJ the return man?

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by SawdustMan, Sep 30, 2009.

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  1. SawdustMan

    SawdustMan #ChampChamp

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    There was a little discussion about this in another thread and there's been some debate about it the past few days on 104.5's afternoon show. I figured it was thread-worthy.

    Honestly, I still don't know exactly where I stand on the issue. The seemingly obvious answer is no, you don't use him in the return game because of the injury risk. But on the flip side, you can't help but to imagine the damage CJ could do on returns. And IMO there comes a point where you can't let "what ifs" dictate your decisions and game plan. Just let your playmakers make plays. This is football after all. In the event he did get injured we still have a very good back in LenDale and what appears to be a solid guy in Ringer. Don't get me wrong, I would absolutely HATE to lose CJ... just saying I think our run game would still be okay.
    If Fish would split touches a little more evenly between CJ and LenDale (which I think he should be doing anyway), then I don't think I'd have a problem at least giving CJ a look at returner. I certainly wouldn't want him carrying the ball 20+ times a game AND handling return duties though. Maybe he could give our special teams the dynamic play it so desperately needs. This is what frustrates me about Fisher sometimes. I feel like a lot of other coaches out there would at least give CJ a chance if they had him on their roster and an abysmal return game. If we didn't have such quality depth at the RB position I'd say no way. But to me it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to let such an extremely important phase of the game continue to be below average just because you are worried CJ might get injured.

    I understand this is all probably moot now that we signed Mark Jones back, just curious to see what everyone around here thinks.
     
  2. TitansJonne

    TitansJonne OG triple OG

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    It's like how the jags use mjd on returns. Look at his success. I would love to see it. But if we get a good return man in jones. Then theres no need.
     
  3. ryangm2123

    ryangm2123 Reynaldo Hill's #1 Fan

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    injury risk to high in my opinion, if we lose cj i think the season is over more than it is already
     
  4. customtitan

    customtitan Special Teams Standout

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    can someone please explain to me the "huge" injury risk involved in being a kr/pr? all i hear is people repeating what they hear, but never stats, examples, or any real explanations....
    i understand there being a risk if someone was hit like c.henry against the colts, but thats not a "normal" play from a person with any kind of vision . and even then he popped right back up...

    i think it boils down to typical hard-headed fisher and his inability to adapt to the game....
     
  5. turf

    turf Practice Squad

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    i heard the discussion on the zone as well. personally, i wouldn't mind seeing him back their returning kickoffs and punts. he did it back when he was in college and was very successful at it.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhUhLtAC_Ok

    skip ahead to the 36 second mark and watch him blow by everyone.
     
  6. SawdustMan

    SawdustMan #ChampChamp

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    I agree with this. You often hear about how the injury risk is so high on returns. And while I won't deny the potential for injury is definitely there, I think it tends to get way overblown. More often than not returners are able to finish the season without any significant injury.
     
  7. ryangm2123

    ryangm2123 Reynaldo Hill's #1 Fan

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    first, if he is returning kicks/punts, he is on the field more than he normally would be - if you are on the field when playing professional football, there is always an injury risk

    next, on kicks and punts, that means we are getting the ball on offense right after (assuming no fumbles haha) and cj will be somewhat fatigued after a return and possibly need lendale to come in and take a few plays for him till he gets his wind back

    kick returns give you a commercial break in between so im sure that's fine for someone with good stamina so i could see him possibly returning kicks (fisher would never let him so its a non-issue)

    punt returns are tricky however, if he is busy looking at the ball and fails to call a fair catch at the right time (like finny) he could potentially get hammered
     
  8. BudAdams

    BudAdams SayHelloToMyLittleFriends

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    i think keeping a weapon like that away from returning kicks is a bad idea. He might take a hit from time to time, but he is also good at using his speed to dodge the big hits.
     
  9. SEC 330 BIPOLAR

    SEC 330 BIPOLAR jive turkey

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    if it defies conventional wisdom you can count on this team not doing it.

    $.02
     
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  10. SawdustMan

    SawdustMan #ChampChamp

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    Exactly. Football is a dangerous game. An injury can happen at ANY time. That's why it doesn't make much sense to me to not use your playmakers in crucial situations just because you are worried about an injury possibly happening.
    You do have point here. But that's why I said LenDale should be given an increased workload if we were to go in this direction. I'd be more than fine with that.
    See... this is anther one of those "what if" situations. You could say what if to any and every situation that occurs in an NFL game. I just don't see the point in being that timid and worrisome. You should do anything you can to get a W. If someone gets hurts in the process you deal with it.
     
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