Kick / Punt Returner Battle

[CoolieMan]

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...battle-breakdown-eli-rogers-vs-demarcus-ayers

What they lack in straight line speed (at least in their college days) they make up for in their insane lateral agility and their smooth accelerating cuts. Watch Ayers on this play as he makes a plethora of defenders miss with his elusiveness while keeping his balance as he weaves and works his way through traffic.

 

[CoolieMan]

http://www.scout.com/nfl/steelers/story/1684992-snapshot-demarcus-ayers

At 5-9, 182, Ayers wasn’t the biggest receiver in this year’s draft, and he disappointed at the NFL combine with a 4.72-second performance in the 40. But he improved upon that at his on-campus workout, running in the high 4.5s and doing enough to catch the collective eye of the Steelers, although they waited until the seventh round to grab him.

“My dad had met Coach Tomlin at my pro day,” Ayers said. “At the time the Steelers were really looking at my teammate, William Jackson. I went out there and worked out very hard and had a good individual workout, as far as running routes and catching punts, and Mike Tomlin was right there to see my ability. I was really excited when he called me and told me they had been looking at me ever since.”

What the Steelers saw was a player special-teams coordinator Danny Smith called the best punt returner in this year’s draft.

“We had him rated No. 1 on our list,” said Smith. “Not taking into play wide receiver skills in this setting, he is outstanding and he does a great job. He has a lot of special skills.”

 

[antdrewjosh]

He knew this already but him regurgitating that he runs a 4.7 fits his argument better so he will ignore the improved time forever

 

[Coach]

Players report today for camp. Practice starts tomorrow.

I checked out Ayers pro day

http://www.chron.com/sports/texans/...Ayers-improves-his-drill-times-at-7044975.php

It was a pivotal workout Thursday for University of Houston wide receiver Demarcus Ayers following a rough NFL scouting combine in February where a broken hand suffered in training contributed to an uncharacteristically slow 40-yard dash time of 4.72 seconds.
With surgical pins recently removed from the pinkie finger in his right hand, Ayers improved his 40-yard dash times to 4.58 to 4.60 and caught the football smoothly. Ayers also had a 11.35 60-yard shuttle and a 6.91 three-cone drill.

>>>Okay, Ayers is 5'9" 182 pounds who runs in the 4.58 to 4.60 range. These are pretty poor triangle numbers. I bet he goes down easily in the NFL. You want your return man to be a bit faster than this.

His scouting report says:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/demarcus-ayers?id=2555465

Not as sudden as expected. Has shown struggles with double catches and focus drops.

>>Sounds like a slot guy only and one who won't add much to the passing game. The not as sudden as expected if true hurts his ability to return kicks in the NFL. I know he's a 7th round pick so expectations are low. I don't see him making the 53 man roster.

 

[antdrewjosh]

Did you see Brett Keisel making the roster or Beachum??

 

[CoolieMan]

From the same link

Creates doubt in cornerbacks at the stem with exaggerated head and shoulder fake and aggressive jab step. Has working understanding of leverage in routes and works to create desired movement from defender. Gets off the line and into routes with forward lean and desired acceleration. Can slip initial tackler and add to his yards after catch. Talented punt returner with good ability to weave through traffic and find the open doors. Frame has more room for muscle.

http://www.Invalid Link - Check SN Home Page/2016/07/new-faces-2016-wr-demarcus-ayers/

Ayers put up some poor workout numbers, but they can at least partially be explained away by injury, and his tape tells the tale better of what sort of speed and elusiveness he is able to play with, rather than 40 times. He did improve a pretty poor 40 time at his pro day.

While he has shown an ability to be successful returning kicks—he averaged 10.5 yards per punt in 2015, and 27.6 yards per kick return in 2013—his potential as a wide receiver is also intriguing after he broke out in that regard last season following rather paltry numbers earlier in his career.

Last year, Ayers recorded 98 receptions for 1222 yards and six touchdowns. He had just 33 receptions combined in his two previous seasons. He also averaged 5.7 yards on 26 carries for 148 yards and scored another touchdowns, adding another touchdown on a punt. Oh, and he also threw two touchdown passes, going two-for-three for 49 yards.

 

[SteelerSask2]

He is a 7th rounder. Let it play out. Maybe for a preseason game or two anyone who can get AB of of returns is good by me.

 

[CoolieMan]

These are pretty poor triangle numbers. I bet he goes down easily in the NFL. You want your return man to be a bit faster than this.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/steele...DZ3ExBHBvcwM0BHZ0aWQDRkZVSTJDMV8xBHNlYwNzcg--

Ayers does not have the straight line speed that teams would like, but he more than makes up for it in burst and acceleration. In both drills that evaluate short area quickness, the three-cone-drill, and the short shuttle, Ayers ranked among the top of this year’s class.

also, I am not sure how much tape the guy who stated Ayers had trouble with "focus drops". He had 98 receptions last season and I can only remember a couple of times he "dropped" the ball.

sure it is a long shot for him to make the team...but discounting him without having watched his game film is idiotic. The kid improved each season at UH and really blossomed last season under Herman.....

 

[Coach]

A 20 yard short shuttle time of 4.33 seconds is decent. That was Ayers time.

However, linebacker Tyler Malakevich had a 20-yard short shuttle: 4.34 second so don't get too excited as he's not quick on film. We need to see it on the field in pads.

For kickoffs, speed is better. For punt returns, moves, and quickness.

If the NFL let's all 53 men dress, fans would see better kickoff returns, because it would be easier to give a roster spot for this type of specialist.

 

[CoolieMan]

A 20 yard short shuttle time of 4.33 seconds is decent. That was Ayers time.

However, linebacker Tyler Malakevich had a 20-yard short shuttle: 4.34 second so don't get too excited as he's not quick on film. We need to see it on the field in pads.

For kickoffs, speed is better. For punt returns, moves, and quickness.

If the NFL let's all 53 men dress, fans would see better kickoff returns, because it would be easier to give a roster spot for this type of specialist.

you are the only one saying "he is not quick on film" many of the articles referencing him mention he is quicker on the field than his forty time would indicate.

What "film" have you watched?

 

[Coach]

you are the only one saying "he is not quick on film" many of the articles referencing him mention he is quicker on the field than his forty time would indicate.

What "film" have you watched?

I was referring to Tyler Malakevich film. He ran a 4.34 2o yard shuttle, yet he does not look that quick on film. He needs to get stronger too.

I did see Ayers clips too. Re-watch them today. He looks a little faster than he times, but I think he's one of those good college players that just lacks what is needed to make it in the NFL Most of the players covering kicks in the NFL will be as fast or faster than Ayers.

http://search.myway.com/search/vide...fl+draft+flim&si=204822&ss=sub&st=tab&tpr=sbt

 

[CoolieMan]

just for fun...TMC's thoughts when Ayers was drafted

I like him. I don't think his combine and workout numbers are indicative of his athleticism. He was reported to run in the 4.4 range, ran at the combine and pro day with a cast on his hand and it meant he had to use his off hand or just not lean on it, hurts the start, kills the times. Also had to use his off hand to reach on the VJ. Just made his numbers look bad. But, he is elusive,quick, really good hands, great return guy, could be the punt returner, should fit in the slot, can give you some trick plays, I'd compare him to Antwaan Randle El. If he can do what he did in Houston, he sticks.

 

[Superman]

TMC's a hack job.

what is Ayer's hat size?

 

[Hines57]

TMC's a hack job.

what is Ayer's hat size?

TMC, never heard of her

 

[Coach]

I miss TMC. We once had a debate on Rivers. He didn't think he could play in the NFL, I did.

I would not compare Randel El to Ayers at all unless you're talking about a poor man's Randel El.

 

[CoolieMan]

I miss TMC. We once had a debate on Rivers. He didn't think he could play in the NFL, I did.

I would not compare Randel El to Ayers at all unless you're talking about a poor man's Randel El.

And you are a very poor man's version of TMC

 

[Steelerfan81]

I think Eli Rogers wins out. Ayers to the PS

 

[CoolieMan]

I think Eli Rogers wins out. Ayers to the PS

He just might. But he was used sparingly as a return man in college so I don't have a lot to base it on. I think TMC compares Ayers to Randle El because of the various ways they were used. Receiving, rushing and throwing passes.

 

[CoolieMan]

And SF81. You also thought Troy Edwards would work out.

 

[Superman]

And you are a very poor man's version of TMC

I think you mean Homeless Man's version of TMC.

 

[Supersteeler]

I miss TMC. We once had a debate on Rivers. He didn't think he could play in the NFL, I did.

I would not compare Randel El to Ayers at all unless you're talking about a poor man's Randel El.

Lol, I feel like I stepped into a time machine, went back 10 or 15 years and logged onto SN.

 

[wig]

While I never agree with coach, this is an immediate concern for me...

What they lack in straight line speed ... they make up for in their insane lateral agility

Sideways is the wrong way. No matter how you look at it. However, Coach, you 36 seconds of blurry film study in your basement does not an NFL Scout make you. I'm sorry.

I miss TMC. We once had a debate on Rivers. He didn't think he could play in the NFL, I did.

Yes, we've all enjoyed Phillip River's tremendous post-season success. Why he's knocked Pittsburgh out of HOW MANY playoff situations now? I admit, he can throw a heck of a ball during the regular season. I expect it's all that Post-Season rest that helps him keep his arm fresh.

Perhaps TMC was referencing River's inability to play in the NFL in January or February. In that regard I expect he's been what, about 98% dead on the money?

But you'll always have your pinpoint accuracy on Troy. You can hang your hat on that.

 

[CoolieMan]

wig the writer is not referring to "running sideways", he is talking about his elusiveness. He makes guys miss.......follow the link in my first post and watch the Gif the writer posts of Ayers on a punt return....

 

[bermudasteel]

I like Ayers too...

This thread is COMICAL!!!

 

[slashsteel]

I miss TMC. We once had a debate on Rivers. He didn't think he could play in the NFL, I did.

I would not compare Randel El to Ayers at all unless you're talking about a poor man's Randel El.

Even a blind squirrel eventually finds a nut.