Shanahan Tells Banks He Better Learn to Play WR

But neither did all that much in their careers...do just how dangerous were they really?

But neither did all that much in their careers...do just how dangerous were they really?

Both Renaldo Nehemiah and Willie Gault were considered dangerous return men during that era only because they both had world class speed. However, neither one of them never returned a punt or a kickoff for a touchdown during their playing careers. Brandon Banks is a cut above them because he's done both.

Both Renaldo Nehemiah and Willie Gault were considered dangerous return men during that era only because they both had world class speed. However, neither one of them never returned a punt or a kickoff for a touchdown during their playing careers. Brandon Banks is a cut above them because he's done both.

No they weren't. I remember both of them and thought your statement might have some merit so I checked the stats. ... They were both fast but that's as far as the comparison goes.

Nehemiah was barely a blip in the league. He played three years and had a total of 43 receptions in that time - that's not even averaging a catch a game. Further, according to Pro Football Reference, , he never returned a kick-off or punt. NEVER.

Renaldo Nehemiah NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NeheRe00.htm)

So, while I grant you Banks is a better returner that Nehemiah, that is just not saying much of anything b/c Nehemiah was never used as a returner.

On the other hand, Gualt was a dangerous player - at wide receiver. Gualt was primarily a WR who returned kicks on occasion. In his entire 10 year career, he returned only 9 punts and 45 kickoffs. All of his punt returns were when he was a rookie ('83). Most of his kickoff returns were in his rookie year (13) and in '85 (22) and there were 5 years where he didn't return a single kick off.

At wide receiver, however, Gualt was a deep ball threat. While he averaged only 33 catches a year over his ten year career, he averaged 19.9 yards per reception (amazing numbers even today!) and scored 44 touchdowns - 14 in his first two years in the league.

Willie Gault NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GaulWi00.htm)

So, while Banks may be the better returner (By the way, PFR shows he has only one TD on a kick off return and no punt return TD's - when did he get his PR TD?), he is not anywhere near "a cut above" Gault as a WR - Gault's primary position. Gault scored 13 more TD's than Banks at the same point in his career. As a returner, Gualt was pedestrian and, accordingly, wasn't used as such. So, like Nehemiah, the comparison is really not applicable and, in my opinion, not particularly persuasive.

Brandon Banks NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BankBr00.htm)

Bottom line, Banks has yet to show he can consistently be a game breaker at returner like Hester and has shown nothing as a WR to date. I like the guy, but he will not be on this team come opening day and likely will be out of the league by next year's opening day.

Banks has a 40 time of 4.23

http://i3.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/007/423/untitle.JPG

No.Yeah, best realistic 40 time I could find for Brandon Banks is 4.43. Link (http://www.muscleprodigy.com/fastest-40-yard-dash-times-in-nfl-history-arcl-1122.html)

But that was Banks from the starting line, going the opposite way around the world to the finish line. Scientists haven't developed a measurement small enough to measure the amount of time Brandon runs a straight 40 time. He runs the 40 in far less than a picosecond! :cheeky-sm

Interestingly, by my link Moss used to be capable of running a 4.31. I think the figures before digital timing should be thrown out, even Green's mark.

I still say Banks is our best return option. If only we could avoid block-in-the-back penalties.

edit: Had to throw this pic up while reading, lol. http://nflredskins.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/banks03-next2moss.jpg

I get the point of making Banks more valuable to the team being able to contribute more on offense but, which other WRs or DBs on the team are willing and showing promise returning kicks and/or punts?

I get the point of making Banks more valuable to the team being able to contribute more on offense but, which other WRs or DBs on the team are willing and showing promise returning kicks and/or punts?

Regardless of how fast he is, Banks could contribute to the offense. His playing capacity would definitely be questioned considering the wide receivers who are ahead of him on the depth chart. However, he's too small and probably would be used as a decoy or a slot receiver. The more stronger players on defense could punish him every time he got the ball. But since Banks is elusive, he might not get hit much. That's if he's able to make the team at WR......

Regardless of how fast he is, Banks could contribute to the offense. His playing capacity would definitely be questioned considering the wide receivers who are ahead of him on the depth chart. However, he's too small and probably would be used as a decoy or a slot receiver. The more stronger players on defense could punish him every time he got the ball. But since Banks is elusive, he might not get hit much. That's if he's able to make the team at WR......

IMO Banks is not elusive. He's just fast, that's all, and that is not the same as elusive. Watch him on his past kick returns - he doesn't really make people miss. Someone who really makes people miss is elusive.

IMO Banks is not elusive. He's just fast, that's all, and that is not the same as elusive. Watch him on his past kick returns - he doesn't really make people miss. Someone who really makes people miss is elusive.

No, he doesn't use many juke moves, but surely he can outrun almost anyone on the football field. He's just not durable enough to play every down on offense. I'd like to see him being used in certain situations though.

IMO Banks is not elusive. He's just fast, that's all, and that is not the same as elusive. Watch him on his past kick returns - he doesn't really make people miss. Someone who really makes people miss is elusive.

No he's not elusive, because he's not terribly quick and lacks vision. Top end speed is his only weapon.