Based on what? Ganaway is a rookie and Powell has had absolutely 0 success in live action. Neither of those guys return kickoffs either. In the limited opportunities Jordan White has had at KR McKnight looks much more dynamic a runner. McKnight has issues with making mental mistakes but if they can correct that then he's got the potential to be a versatile weapon.
I wouldn't be shocked if McKnight were cut at this point. He's been making stupid mistakes and now is fighting injury. He's already been demoted to #3 rb.
His roster spot will be secure on his potential alone. Trust me I'm with you on the mistakes and I hold my breath every time he touches the ball. All I'm saying is that the Powell / Ganaway combo at #2 does nothing for me. I'm on board with the people that feel we need another runner.
Everyone in the NFL has potential and talent. I think it's more about how hard you work. Don't know much about Powell/Ganaway but Ganaway looked impressive to me watching some youtube clips and Powell has allegedly been turning heads all summer. McKnight has been coming out of the endzone when he shouldn't, still fumbling, roughing the kicker ... I think he'll make the team still, mostly because we don't have anyone else built to be a 3rd down back, but I won't be shocked if he is cut.
He'll make the roster because he is our KR guy. if he doesn't contribute a lick on offense, he still has a spot as our KR guy. Return Specialists always have a spot, particularly considering nobody else looks even decent at returning kicks right now. You don't just throw out the guy who led the league in KR average at 31.6 YPR without a replacement. Especially when he is still young, and developing as a player.
That may be what punches his ticket, but keep in mind Westhoff cranks out great kicker returners like Cromartie's women do children.
why do people keep saying this? in the pre-season westhoff tells them to return any kick that isnt driving them backwards ... he berated larry taylor for taking a knee on hard knocks ans yes the roughing the kicker was a dumb penalty but no one was complaining when he blocked the kick against the cowboys last year powell is looking like he won the 3rd down back job, so we do have alternative in that role ... still, i would be absolutely shocked if mcknight is cut
thats fine, but which other guy on the roster do you think is a solid KR option? because White is the only other guy really returning kicks, and he doesn't appear to be close to Mcknight's level.
I don't know. Cromartie can return the ball, so can Kerley, Wilson, Holmes, White ... I haven't seen enough of our young guys to give a good answer. I don't think McKnight is a great returner, I think he has a great coach.
I don't like McKnight as a KR to be honest. He has the ability to break long runs and obviously has done so with the Jets longest KR. That said he is a shaky player around the ball and I'm never going to be completely comfortable with him returning kicks. Same for Cromartie by the way. Cro's fumble against the Raiders absolutely killed us and set the team back a lot.
any great coach will tell you he needs great players to put in the right position to succeed. I'm not saying Mcknight is a once in a lifetime return guy, but I have far more faith in his abilities than the other guys. Do we really want added responsibility for key players like Holmes, Cromartie, Kerley and Wilson? On a side note, can you imagine Westhoff coaching Devin Hester?
Look - all I'm saying is I don't think McKnight is a lock to make the roster with all the fucking up he's been doing. He's already been demoted to 3rd RB and he's nothing special as a return guy - frankly he's a bit scary back there with his fumble problems. I expect him to make the roster, but I don't see why he should be considered a lock.
Did I say I had a preference? I said I don't think McKnight is a lock to make the roster. Why is that so hard to understand?
Im not disagreeing with you I'm just saying without McKnight we would need someone to return kickoffs and I don't know who else can do it.
I gave you a list of guys that can do it. I wouldn't be surprised if Westhoff had others in mind too. That does not mean I prefer any of them, just that they would be candidates.
