Codrington and his backup

[Shaw66]

There was a thread going today that got closed, because the OP was just McDermott-bashing.  But there was an interesting discussion starting about Codrington's role, his importance, and his backup.  

 

My view of punt returners is that all I care about is that the guy does not, under any circumstances, turn over the football.  I don't want him to lose yardage, but if he doesn't gain any, that's okay by me. 

 

Brandon Codrington, of course, has been good at ball security - fumbled twice, lost one, I think.  Not as good as I'd like, but he looks pretty secure back there.  And he brings the added bonus of being an above-average, at least, return man.  We've grown accustomed to seeing him pop for 10 to 25 yards, sometimes when it looks like there's nothing there. He's been a very nice contributor. 

 

What happens if he goes down?  Well, Hyde is on the PS, and he is great at ball security, and he actually contributes some nice returns, too, just not like Codrington. 

 

And there's Shakir, who I believe has good experience in college and a solid head on his shoulders, and he also can contribute yardage, I'd guess more or less like Codrington. 

 

There may be others on the roster who can do it, too.  I don't want anything to happen to Codrington (and I'm assuming he can go against the Broncos), but my sense is the Bills have the position covered.  

[Virgil]

I’m thinking Shakir too.  I also think Hollins has some experience back there too.   
 

Whoever can fair catch is fine with me

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Just now, Virgil said:

I’m thinking Shakir too.  I also think Hollins has some experience back there too.   
 

Whoever can fair catch is fine with me

the bills special teams just has to be able to NOT lose the game. Can’t have Blocked punts, fumbled returns, bad ST penalties, missed PATs. Just play  average to below average, not terrible. 

[The BLUES Brothers]

Thought i heard it could be Daequan Hardy, but hope Codrington is back

 

[DrDawkinstein]

I prefer Hyde over Shakir. Shakir takes enough big hits on Offense, dont need to add more from Special Teams.

 

The coaches have seen them all practice and know better than we do, but I'm up for giving Shavers a chance too.

[QLBillsFan]

3 minutes ago, Virgil said:

I’m thinking Shakir too.  I also think Hollins has some experience back there too.   
 

Whoever can fair catch is fine with me

💯 agree. Shakir allows them some roster flexibility to add whoever adds value for this matchup. 

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

Punt returner is the least important thing on the field. I know it’s going to sound insane when I first say it but a day will come when it happens. Don’t even put a guy back there. Almost nothing good ever happens when you field a punt. More often than not it’s a dead play. When you return it it’s always dangerous. Constantly there are penalties and other guys accidentally touch that ball all the time. Cover people so there can’t be a wide open fake and just don’t even field it. You don’t have to. In the long run… The never having a negative play will outweigh the 1 or 2 good ones 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

4 minutes ago, The BLUES Brothers said:

Thought i heard it could be Daequan Hardy, but hope Codrington is back

 

I don’t think McD would dare bring up a PS player in a playoff game. 

[That's No Moon]

45 minutes ago, Virgil said:

I’m thinking Shakir too.  I also think Hollins has some experience back there too.   
 

Whoever can fair catch is fine with me

Absolute worst case you just don't field the punts.

37 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I don’t think McD would dare bring up a PS player in a playoff game. 

Me neither, but I could see Hyde dress for that role in a pinch.

 

Hardy does offer emergency DB depth also which could be a factor.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Hyde is not getting brought up 

It's was a publicity stunt from day 1

 

Shakir is your guy.  Just field the punt and hand the ball to the refs. That's all they need to do. Getting 4 yards on a return isn't worth the risk to Shakir or the risk of a penalty.  Just field the ball and let Josh do the rest. 

[Brand J]

5 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Hyde is not getting brought up 

It's was a publicity stunt from day 1

 

Shakir is your guy.  Just field the punt and hand the ball to the refs. That's all they need to do. Getting 4 yards on a return isn't worth the risk to Shakir or the risk of a penalty.  Just field the ball and let Josh do the rest. 

Yeah I’m disappointed there was no real desire to get Hyde back on the field. Would’ve felt better about Hyde and Rapp than I do about Hamlin and Rapp. Definitely will be drafting another safety. 

[HOUSE]

I like Ray Davis for that job. The guy does not play like a rookie. Pretty amazing player

[NewEra]

10 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Hyde is not getting brought up 

It's was a publicity stunt from day 1

 

Shakir is your guy.  Just field the punt and hand the ball to the refs. That's all they need to do. Getting 4 yards on a return isn't worth the risk to Shakir or the risk of a penalty.  Just field the ball and let Josh do the rest. 

So you think it was done for publicity?  Not to get him in the DB room and help the DBs; to be a great locker room presence; to possibly get him a ring;  to be last resort depth?  

No?  It was done as a publicity stunt…..

man, that’s just stupid

[BlazinBill]

I'm going Ty Johnson steps up and shows out in yet another position -

Dude balls and is fast and has returned punts 

[NewEra]

7 minutes ago, Brand J said:

Yeah I’m disappointed there was no real desire to get Hyde back on the field. Would’ve felt better about Hyde and Rapp than I do about Hamlin and Rapp. Definitely will be drafting another safety. 

Drafting another safety?  Do you think Cole bishops career is over after one season?  Rapp is under contract for 2 more years.  Bishop for 3.  While I think bishop and Rapp are similar and both best at SS, I also think that mcd wanted them to be similar, not to back one each other up, but to start next to each other.  

 

 

sure, we’ll probably draft a depth S.  I’d highly doubt any safety we’d draft next year would be in the running to start unless he was another Christian Benford. A late round flyer that turned out to be a gem, rather than a higher pick selected to start.  

[buffblue]

1 hour ago, The BLUES Brothers said:

Thought i heard it could be Daequan Hardy, but hope Codrington is back

 

I would hate to see it come to that. Hardy may have promise as a returner but was downright dreadful in his decision making during the preseason. It would be a hold your breath type situation. Codrington, as Shaw pointed out, has been solid with ball security. You really don't have to worry about him. I also agree that the first and foremost responsibility of a punt returner is to field the ball cleanly. Anything else is a bonus.

 

I think it would have to be Shakir, and that comes with it's own risks. I've seen Micah Hyde's name thrown around, and while I would definitely trust him, there is no indication whatsoever that he will step foot on a field again.

Edited 5 hours ago by buffblue

[NewEra]

7 minutes ago, BlazinBill said:

I'm going Ty Johnson steps up and shows out in yet another position -

Dude balls and is fast and has returned punts 

Yeah- he was the first guy that I thought of.  Mr reliable.  Mr Gets ish done.  Kind of reminds me of Fred Jackson in that way.  
 

that said- he doesn’t have much experience returning punts.  I think he had like 2 or 3 in college and has had zero as a pro.  I don’t think he’s the guy based on that.  It would be a reckless decision imo

[Ethan in Cleveland]

6 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Drafting another safety?  Do you think Cole bishops career is over after one season?  Rapp is under contract for 2 more years.  Bishop for 3.  While I think bishop and Rapp are similar and both best at SS, I also think that mcd wanted them to be similar, not to back one each other up, but to start next to each other.  

 

 

sure, we’ll probably draft a depth S.  I’d highly doubt any safety we’d draft next year would be in the running to start unless he was another Christian Benford. A late round flyer that turned out to be a gem, rather than a higher pick selected to start.  

Rapp is not that good that he is guaranteed to start next year. Hamlin isn't good at at much except not getting beat deep. Bishop should start this week with Rapp. He's the most athletic of the three and he's played well this past month. 

That said I think they will sign a veteran to play FS and pair with Bishop at SS. 

18 minutes ago, NewEra said:

So you think it was done for publicity?  Not to get him in the DB room and help the DBs; to be a great locker room presence; to possibly get him a ring;  to be last resort depth?  

No?  It was done as a publicity stunt…..

man, that’s just stupid

I really do. Judging by McDermott's PCs Hyde is never going to see the field.

They could have signed him as a position coach for all the other positive attributes he could bring to the team. Signing him to the PS just teases the fan base

[MikePJ76]

4 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Rapp is not that good that he is guaranteed to start next year. Hamlin isn't good at at much except not getting beat deep. Bishop should start this week with Rapp. He's the most athletic of the three and he's played well this past month. 

That said I think they will sign a veteran to play FS and pair with Bishop at SS. 

I think he is going to play some.  Not start for Hamlin but I can see him having a role similar to what rapp did last year as the third safety in different packages like their dime.

 

 

[Comebackkid]

39 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

I like Ray Davis for that job. The guy does not play like a rookie. Pretty amazing player

I thought ray had done punt returns but no..just kick offs..not sure how much different it is.

7 for 147.   21 yard avg.   i think i remember he bobbled one but has done well outside of that