Someone on Pittsburgh please geta message to Tomlin

[whatdoiknow]

.....And that is PLEASE put Antonio Brown back for Punt returns against Baltimore.
Look I know this sounds repetitive but, field position will be crucial in this game. And as much as I DO Love Randle El, he just is NOT a good punt returner anymore.
And a KEY to this game is the fact that the Ravens punter, Sam Koch has one of the WORST punting averages in the game at only 40.4 per punt average, and a net of 36.
And he is not really a high hang time punter either. If our defense can force a few punts inside Baltimores 20 Yd line, then I feel the younger and quicker Brown might be a great advantage for getting good starting field position. But someone has GOT to tell Tomlin this. Cause he keeps placing El back there. And El is NOT the Punt return threat that Antonio is.


We need to take advantage of every possible Raven weakness that there is. And Sam Koch IS a weakness we can exploit. I really hope to see Brown as our Punt Returner on Sunday.

[mikegrimey]

You might get your wish but I wouldn't count on it. I don't know why Tomlin isn't putting Brown back there but he may be afraid there's a chance of him fumbling or making a hot-dog rookie decision to return a punt inside the 5 or something like that. I got no clue just speculating. He did return one against Tennessee, maybe he'll get a couple of chances.
I don't think anyone is really impressed with Randle El's returns. The only real positive thing you can say is he hasn't fvcked up royally on them.

[SH-Rock]

The reason he doesn't put Brown is because he's a rookie. Steeler rookies don't farewell punt returning and with Big Ben gone there has to minimum mistakes. So they use ARe who has sure hands and has a less chance to fumble. Expect Brown to punt vs the Browns

[steelerchad]

Originally Posted by whatdoiknow

.....And that is PLEASE put Antonio Brown back for Punt returns against Baltimore.
Look I know this sounds repetitive but, field position will be crucial in this game. And as much as I DO Love Randle El, he just is NOT a good punt returner anymore.
And a KEY to this game is the fact that the Ravens punter, Sam Koch has one of the WORST punting averages in the game at only 40.4 per punt average, and a net of 36.
And he is not really a high hang time punter either. If our defense can force a few punts inside Baltimores 20 Yd line, then I feel the younger and quicker Brown might be a great advantage for getting good starting field position. But someone has GOT to tell Tomlin this. Cause he keeps placing El back there. And El is NOT the Punt return threat that Antonio is.


We need to take advantage of every possible Raven weakness that there is. And Sam Koch IS a weakness we can exploit. I really hope to see Brown as our Punt Returner on Sunday.

I think you answered your own question when you said field position is important. It's risk/reward. I don't think he has the confidence that Brown won't make a mistake. Fumbling a punt and setting up the Ravens in scoring position could cost us this game because I don't think they can drive the length of the field for a TD on our defense.

I think Tomlin will go the safe route with an experienced returner who probably won't break the big one, but should field all the punts cleanly.

[Atlanta Dan]

You may see Brown back on punts when Roethlisberger returns - for now there is minimal margin for error and Tomlin does not want turnovers that startdrives for the opposing team inside the Steelers 40

A muffed punt at the wrong time can turn a season - Coach Cowher's attempt to turn Ricardo Coclough into a punt returner was a major contributing factor to killing the 2006 season when Coclough fumbled a punt late in the week 3 game against Cincinnati which the Steelers had been winning through forcing the Benglas to go the length of the field for scores until that time

But i agree Randle El is used up - in addition to needing a spark with the punt returns, Brown or Sanders need to step up to get some speed at the #3 WR position

[lionslicer]

If Brown dropped a put and it went for a touchdown you'd change your mind lol. Its Rare to see Randle El muff a punt. If the team was leading by a good amount or down by a significant amount, Brown would be back there, but to not risk a rookie losing the game for the team, I'd rather see Randle El fair catch it.

[kiuaswarrior]

Originally Posted by SH-Rock

The reason he doesn't put Brown is because he's a rookie. Steeler rookies don't farewell punt returning and with Big Ben gone there has to minimum mistakes. So they use ARe who has sure hands and has a less chance to fumble. Expect Brown to punt vs the Browns

This guy nailed it.

ARE will be in against the Ravens, because that's all we'll need is a fumble on a punt return that will cost us a close hard fought division game.

[steeltheone]

Tomlin always sticks with the vets. In some cases to a fault.

[tmacsteelerfan]

I hate Randle El as a returner, but we need to play safe and go with the sure hands and not risk a muffed punt. Does anybody remember Randle El's first year as a returner and how he fielded punts? He caught the ball with his arms fully extended up in the air, instead of letting the ball come to his chest. Just seeing if anyone remebers.

[whatdoiknow]

Sorry guys but all this talk of Brown not being back there cause he is a rookie, or he some how does not have " Sure " hands is complete nonsense. Antonio was maybe the best Punt returner/Kick returner in all of college football for the last 15 to 20 years. And catching a punt in college is absolutely NO different then in the Pros...I mean a Ball is a Ball. The Steelers have a LONG history of letting rookies be their punt returners. And as far as what someone said about " Rico Suave Colclough " being a punt returner, and having fumbling Issues. Well Rico was NEVER a punt returner here. He was on Kick-offs, but that's really it.


Bottom line, Tomlin IS a confirmed Idiot if he keeps El back there. El was washed up as a PR while still in Washington. But this talk about how Steelers don't like to use Rookie PR's is ridiculous.....Willie Reid, Santonio Holmes, Hank Poteat,,Rod Woodson,,hell, Randle El,,ect,,ect,,and ect!


Antonio is an " ELITE " Weapon. Even a better overall player than Emmanuel Sanders will EVER be! He is a Game changer type of returner. And playing El back there over him is the EXACT same thing as starting Thaddeus Gibson at OLB over James Harrison...the EXACT same thing.


Period!!