Same here. In my opinion, it'll be a battle between McKnight and Wilson for PR duties. Kerley will most likely return kicks. The guy's got excellent vision - he's play quarterback, running back, and wide receiver.
There's at least some truth at the heart of the fear. Kick offs have always had a higher injury rate. In pure number, they may be more infrequent, but that's due more to the low rate of kick offs per game. It may be an exaggerated fear, but I wouldn't say it's unreasonable to think they're more likely to get hurt when they play STs as well.
I liked McKnight in college be he really isnt going to get a chance with the Jets to show what he has in the NFL
Good news. He was working with the offensive first team yesterday too. Giving him reps with the first team will only boost his confidence. I saw someone say that he was teaching a bunch of new players certain things about special teams. That's awesome to hear.
Do you believe Rex will have Cro returning kicks full time, or will he be too influenced by, as you put it, "SOJ pussy bullshit"?
No. Cro is going to return kicks when the game is close and the Jets need a huge play. But to not have him return kicks at all because he's making a lot of money makes no sense. He's the best returner on the team right now. If he has to return one, let him do it.
Its similar to what the Jets want with Cro. Not many kicks or punts returned, but when needed, but him back there.
Cro definitely isn't returning kicks on a regular basis but the Jets had him run a few back in the playoffs last season and I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility for the CS to ask him to do it again this season. Jeremy Kerley will probably take regular kick off duties but if the game is close and the Jets need a spark, Cro could get the call.
What do you personally believe Rex's rationale is for not having Cro return all kicks, if he's the best on the team?
If last year can be used as an indicator, which I don't like doing but for this scenario we will, the Jets had the lead late in games and lost the lead with only one possession left in the game. That's where Cro would come in, to provide better field position for the final drive to either get a FG or TD to win the game. McKnight can return kicks until Cro's clutch kick return abilities are needed. No different than a closer in baseball. Rex likes giving guys opportunities too.
That wasn't a response to my question.....my question was, if you feel Cro is the best kick returner on the Jets (which Rex agrees with), then why do you think he wouldn't use Cro is all kick return scenarios?
Because he gives players opportunities if they work hard for them. McKnight's working hard to be the #1 returner, so he's getting the opportunity to be #1. When Rex confirms in the media he fears Cro getting hurt, I'll admit I'm wrong.
It's just not normally done on NFL teams. I think the Patriots are/were the only team to consistently utilize a starer as a KR or PR with Wes Welker(not even sure if they still do). The money thing isn't really the issue it's mostly risking injury to a starter when you have guys on the team whose sole purpose is to play ST or aren't going to see too much of the field without playing ST. Keeping them off of the field b/c of their contract value is a dumb argument, is correlative at best. Also, Rex talks about every player on the Jets as if they're the best that's ever been. I think he said that every safety on the roster during his first year as HC reminded him of either Doug Plank or Ed Reed.
