BGO.C.D.: Losing the Offseason

[Lanky Livingston]

Brandon Banks was one of the only bright spots all last season - I highly doubt he is cut.

 

[Elephant]

Brandon Banks was one of the only bright spots all last season - I highly doubt he is cut.

In the beginning of the season I would agree but after his knee scope during the bye, he was far less dangerous. He went from being a possible pro bowl candidate to an average at best return man.

He had slowed just enough for his size to become much more of a concern. He was benched a couple times because he had trouble holding on to the ball, not to mention he lied about the incident that got him stabbed.

With the push for character guys this team appears to be headed and drafting a few guys capable of returns, this does not bode well for the 150 pound return man recovering from a pretty severe wound and a knee that we don't know has healed 100%.

 

[Lanky Livingston]

In the beginning of the season I would agree but after his knee scope during the bye, he was far less dangerous. He went from being a possible pro bowl candidate to an average at best return man.

I keep seeing this, however I have to disagree.

In his first game back against the Titans, Banks ripped off returns of 21, 21, 12, 34, 18, & 26 yards.

The following week, against the Vikings, he had a 32-yard return and a 77-yard punt return for TD called back because of a behind-the play block in the back.

Against Tampa, Banks had a 46-yarder called back b/c of a questionable holding on Sellers.

Against Jacksonville, Banks took the opening kickoff 32 yards.

In the season finale, Banks had returns of 27, 28 and 29 yards.

He was definitely still dangerous after the surgery - and he's had a full offseason to rest and rehab the knee, so there is no reason to think he's going to be any slower than he was.

Now if the coaches think one of the draft picks is a better returner, then sure. But I think they really like Banks in the return game, and I don't think he's going anywhere.

 

[Elephant]

I have to say it is hard to argue against the stats you have posted, but I attended all but one home game last year and he was significantly less explosive than he was before the surgery. It was not meant to suggest he was not still explosive, of course he was. But Lanky, I witnessed with my own eyes a player who was not nearly as effective as he had been. Effective yes, but still slower than the beginning of the season, which for a player of his size does not bode well.

That being said, you didn't address the other variables I mentioned. He was stabbed outside a bar while in a fight, then lied to cover up any impropriety that may have occurred on his part or the part of his comrade. That goes against the character types player Shanahan appears to be leaning toward.

And he was stabbed in one of his lungs, has that lung healed? That is a very serious injury.

If he is recovered from the stabbing and his knee is 100%, then there should be no reason he doesn't make the team. I tend to agree with BB and many others I have seen suggest it, Brandon Banks needs to be looking over his shoulder going in to the next season.

 

[Lanky Livingston]

I dunno how much I put into getting cut b/c of his character; Banks was the one who got stabbed. Its not like he or his friend were the ones doing the stabbing, he was the victim! Does it speak to his choices, sure - but not so much his character. We've all made stupid choices in our day.

As far as the lungs healing? I don't know - I thought I'd heard lungs heal pretty fast, and Banks was a participant in one of the informal practices held by the team, so I would assume its okay. The knee? I guess that's a wait and see. If it adds a couple tenths to his 40 time, I still think he'll be good.

Also, I think maybe he was a little less decisive towards the end of the season, with the knee injury in the back of his mind. Also, the rest of the team was basically mailing it in, so his blocking up front was not superb. He also may have lost a step, but when you're as fast as he is, you can afford that.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

In addition to some of the things that El mentioned, the team is thinking about the KO rules changes for next year. That change all but hampers the return game of Banks. The team drafted a few players who will probably beat Banks on that issue alone.

But the most important factor is he will need to make the team based on his receiving skills. He is too small to make a difference in the red zone. In the open field is his only chance, but Armstrong has that situation under control.

All in all, that leaves Banks on the outside looking in. Again, don't be suprised to see him cut or another team will make a low round offer for him - and we immediately take it.

 

[Lanky Livingston]

In addition to some of the things that El mentioned, the team is thinking about the KO rules changes for next year. That change all but hampers the return game of Banks. The team drafted a few players who will probably beat Banks on that issue alone.

How do the new rules effect any one player more than another?

 

[servumtuum]

How do the new rules effect any one player more than another?

Lanky, this comment which helps to explain the problem here comes from Pat Kirwan of NFL.com

NEW ORLEANS -- The NFL's proposal to move the kickoff up to the 35-yard line had been met here at the NFL Annual Meeting with some resistance before it passed on Tuesday, especially from coaches that have very good return games.

Fans should also be concerned about this modification. In 1993, the last season teams kicked off from the 35-yard line, there were four returns for touchdowns and 57 of at least 40 yards. In 2010, with the kickoff at the 30-yard line, there were 113 returns of 40-plus yards, including 23 that were returned for touchdowns -- the second most in a single season since 1991.

The kick return grew from a boring, almost insignificant play to a game-changer and one of the NFL's most exciting plays. It could again lose its luster. One head coach who has one of the league's top return men went as far as saying it would definitely alter his thinking on re-signing the player when his contract expires.

Link: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81ee3eec/article/coaches-concerned-with-new-kickoff-rule-fans-should-be-too

 

[Burgundy Burner]

Lanky, in addition to what Serv has posted, teams will be able to box Banks in if the kick doesn't go into the EZ. One hit and he is down. A kicker can put some loft on the ball and the kicking team can get down there quicker. A bigger player can grind out a few extra yards. Do we want to average starting at the twenty-three yard line or the fourteen yard line - even though Banks may break one once every three years or so?

And again, he will be required to make the team as a receiver as well. The chances are not in his favor.

 

[Rymanofthenorth]

I think Banks's spot will be determined by the rookies we drafted, if they look good returning and receiving I think we cut banks. its that simple.

 

[Lanky Livingston]

I think Banks's spot will be determined by the rookies we drafted, if they look good returning and receiving I think we cut banks. its that simple.

Well that's always the case - if you get outperformed, you will be gone.

 

[fansince62]

Well that's always the case - if you get outperformed, you will be gone.

like Albert?

 

[servumtuum]

like Albert?

I believe you might agree, fansince, that it's probably more likely that people will be more reluctant to divest themselves of a costly investment when it proves to be unproductive and less reluctant when the investment was initially relatively small.

 

[Rymanofthenorth]

I think that was fansinces point , mine was that when a player is a min wager, they are usually more easily replaced. many things go into reasons why players are cut not just performance.