WR Justin Brown in the mix for punt return duties

[hawaiiansteel]

Pittsburgh Steelers training camp preview: Former Penn State WR Justin Brown in the mix for punt return duties



Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Justin Brown (15) participates in the NFL football rookie Mini Camp on Saturday, May 4, 2013 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

By Dustin Hockensmith | [EMAIL="dhockensmith@pennlive.com"]dhockensmith@pennlive.com[/EMAIL]
on July 15, 2013

The Pittsburgh Steelers have two former Big Ten players vying for punt return duties this summer.

Wide receivers Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders both take on bigger roles in the offense, which could open opportunities for former Wisconsin standout David Gilreath and Justin Brown, who played at Penn State before transferring to Oklahoma last season.

Gilreath was the only Steelers player outside of Brown and Sanders to return punts last season, and he got just two attempts. As trusted return men go, Gilreath likely has an inside track, even with just one NFL season under his belt.

Still, the abilities of Brown can't be ignored. He has a combination of size -- 6-3, 209 pounds -- and speed and comes off a senior season at Oklahoma in which he ranked 12th nationally with a return average of 13.6 yards.

Pittsburgh has two special teams incumbents in kicker Shaun Suisham and punter Drew Butler who will have to fend off competition for their jobs.

Veteran LaRod Stephens-Howling was signed with an eye toward the kick return game, but must contend with undrafted rookie Reggie Dunn, who was one of the most prolific returners in NCAA history.

Competition should be spirited among the specialists in training camp, which begins on July 26. Here's a look at the key positions and projected starters.

PROJECTED STARTERS

PK Shaun Suisham: Suisham had arguably the best season of his career in 2012, making 28 of 31 field goal attempts. He made 27 of 28 kicks inside 50 yards, with his only miss coming on a botched snap. Still, he'll have to beat out Daniel Hrapmann for placekicking duties for the second straight season.

P Drew Butler: Butler handled the Steelers' punting duties as a rookie last season and averaged 43.8 yards per attempt. He ranked 26th in the NFL in average and 25th in net punting (37.. He'll compete with Brian Moorman for the starting job.

KR LaRod Stephens-Howling: Stephens-Howling, a former Pitt standout, was signed to a one-year deal in April. He'll get into the mix for time at running back, but is also the favorite to return kicks. He returned 163 kicks in four seasons with Arizona and led the NFL with 1,548 return yards in 2010.

PR David Gilreath: Gilreath was the only player outside of Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders to return a punt last season. He had two attempts for eight yards after serving as Wisconsin's primary punt returner as a senior in 2011.

KEY RESERVES

PK Daniel Hrapmann: Hrapmann was among the first players cut during camp last summer. He was re-signed in January to compete with Suisham for placekicking duties. He was an All-America selection as a redshirt junior at Southern Mississippi, but made just 23 of 34 kicks as a senior, including 7 of 16 from 40-plus yards.

NEW FACES TO WATCH

P Brian Moorman: Moorman, 37, is a two-time Pro Bowler who ranked among the NFL's top five punters in average three times. He averaged 44.8 yards per punt in stints with the Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys last season.

KR Reggie Dunn: Dunn was a near-unanimous All-America selection as a kick returner, setting all kinds of NCAA records along the way. Dunn averaged 30.9 yards per return and set NCAA records with four 100-yard returns for touchdown last season and five in his career.

PR Justin Brown: Assuming Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders are no longer in the picture, Brown has an outside chance to win the punt returner job. He averaged 13.6 yards per return at Oklahoma last season and was the primary punt returner at Penn State as a junior in 2011.

KEY LOSSES

KR Chris Rainey: Rainey was cut in January after being arrested and accused of slapping his girlfriend. He was the team's primary kick returner, recording 39 attempts for 1,035 yards and a 26.5-yard average.

[URL]http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/07/pittsburgh_steelers_training_c_9.html[/URL]

[Oviedo]

Would love to see Reggie Dunn in action during the season. He's probably the only candidate who is a threat to take it all the way anytime he gets the kick.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

I'm hoping Dunn makes such an impact that he sticks but he will have to show he could be a WR & a PR IMO. I think Brown is the end or prolonging of Burress's career. He is the big body WR and if he could show he knows how to use it at this level through the preseason, it could be the end here for Burress. I'm a PSU fan and saw Brown play. He will give them that WR who could play ST and if he could show his return abilities along with his "niche" at WR...I see it very difficult to pass on him over Burress for 2013. Burress is only a "niche" WR at this point in his career so he can easily be overcome on the depth chart. Moye would be another "niche" type of WR but Brown was just more of a physical player and I think he could play ST coverage where Moye never showed me that physical abilty to do so. But hey...A Paycheck can change a person!

Situation is really interesting. If it Ends up being A Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, Wheaton, & Burress...To me that hands the return job to Howling. Which I am ok with...Howling has been productive. Looks good on paper for 2013 but a little of a concern for 2014. I assume at least one of Cotchery-Burress will be here for 2013 in any scenario. To me...A Brown, Sanders, Cotchery/Burress, Wheaton, J Brown, & Dunn (If he can show WR ability) mean the scouting department came through and the future looks good at WR even if Sanders leaves after 2013. Worst case for 2014...A Brown, Wheaton, J Brown, & Dunn remain while Sanders & Cotchery/Buress will be gone. That would be pretty good headed into the 2014 draft.

That is all speculation at this point. Lets first see if J Brown & Dunn can even play the game at this level. Right now my pick on 53 is...A Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, Wheaton, & Burress with Howling as the returner which is pretty solid. Hoping J Brown shows enough ability to push Burress off or make the PS would be "icing". Dunn making such an impact that he sticks on the 53 would be the ice cream.

[Oviedo]

I'm hoping Dunn makes such an impact that he sticks but he will have to show he could be a WR & a PR IMO. I think Brown is the end or prolonging of Burress's career. He is the big body WR and if he could show he knows how to use it at this level through the preseason, it could be the end here for Burress. I'm a PSU fan and saw Brown play. He will give them that WR who could play ST and if he could show his return abilities along with his "niche" at WR...I see it very difficult to pass on him over Burress for 2013. Burress is only a "niche" WR at this point in his career so he can easily be overcome on the depth chart. Moye would be another "niche" type of WR but Brown was just more of a physical player and I think he could play ST coverage where Moye never showed me that physical abilty to do so. But hey...A Paycheck can change a person!

Situation is really interesting. If it Ends up being A Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, Wheaton, & Burress...To me that hands the return job to Howling. Which I am ok with...Howling has been productive. Looks good on paper for 2013 but a little of a concern for 2014. I assume at least one of Cotchery-Burress will be here for 2013 in any scenario. To me...A Brown, Sanders, Cotchery/Burress, Wheaton, J Brown, & Dunn (If he can show WR ability) mean the scouting department came through and the future looks good at WR even if Sanders leaves after 2013. Worst case for 2014...A Brown, Wheaton, J Brown, & Dunn remain while Sanders & Cotchery/Buress will be gone. That would be pretty good headed into the 2014 draft.

That is all speculation at this point. Lets first see if J Brown & Dunn can even play the game at this level. Right now my pick on 53 is...A Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, Wheaton, & Burress with Howling as the returner which is pretty solid. Hoping J Brown shows enough ability to push Burress off or make the PS would be "icing". Dunn making such an impact that he sticks on the 53 would be the ice cream.

I'm OK and hoping that Brown replaces Plaxico because I see little value for the latter this season. I think he will unfortunately stick another season because of his experience.

[squidkid]

anyone besides me concerned that he catches the ball with his eyes closed?

[flippy]

anyone besides me concerned that he catches the ball with his eyes closed?

I thought he was asleep

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Would love to see Reggie Dunn in action during the season. He's probably the only candidate who is a threat to take it all the way anytime he gets the kick.

hoping he's on the active squad so there's the chance of this...

[Shawn]

First, I dont see Brown who runs like a 4.6 40 as having enough speed to be a real threat in the return game. Second, if we leave a guy like Dunn on the PS, he will get snatched up by the first team struggling in their return game. Dunn is the real deal, and worth a regular slot even if all he can do is return.

[Oviedo]

First, I dont see Brown who runs like a 4.6 40 as having enough speed to be a real threat in the return game. Second, if we leave a guy like Dunn on the PS, he will get snatched up by the first team struggling in their return game. Dunn is the real deal, and worth a regular slot even if all he can do is return.

Agree 100%. Brown is not a return guy who anyone is going to worry about. However, Dunn is one that they will have to prepare for. Brown needs to be on the PS for this year. Highly unlikely there is any risk of anyone picking him up. He is destined to be a career #3 or #4 receiver. Dunn could be an elite returner and we will start to find out in just 7 days.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

You guys read too much into 40 times. His splits and cone times were solid. His 10 yard split was as good as Pattersons. He has game speed and we will have to see if it is enough. Brown's mark on the game won't be running away from people but there aren't many in the NFL that could stake that claim. He has his niche as a WR.

Your speed guys can be kick returners. Kick & punt are two different animals. Catching an uncontested ball in the air with 15-20 yards before contact isn't exactly a mastered trade. Your punt returners don't succeed solely based on speed and to be honest don't succeed if that is all they have. Good punt returners have hands, vision, toughness, change or direction...speed. That order.

I don't know who will come out on top in all of this but Dunn has a bigger uphill battle at making it as a punt returner than Brown at this level imo. Not saying it can't happen. I like Dunn better as a kick returner though. We will let it be settled on the field

[Shawn]

Agree 100%. Brown is not a return guy who anyone is going to worry about. However, Dunn is one that they will have to prepare for. Brown needs to be on the PS for this year. Highly unlikely there is any risk of anyone picking him up. He is destined to be a career #3 or #4 receiver. Dunn could be an elite returner and we will start to find out in just 7 days.

I know it's early...so I don't want to hear it about making judgments too early. But, Dunn has Hester like qualities...and that is worth a roster spot. I hope he makes it impossible for the Steelers to put him on the PS.

[flippy]

You guys read too much into 40 times. His splits and cone times were solid. His 10 yard split was as good as Pattersons. He has game speed and we will have to see if it is enough. Brown's mark on the game won't be running away from people but there aren't many in the NFL that could stake that claim. He has his niche as a WR.

Your speed guys can be kick returners. Kick & punt are two different animals. Catching an uncontested ball in the air with 15-20 yards before contact isn't exactly a mastered trade. Your punt returners don't succeed solely based on speed and to be honest don't succeed if that is all they have. Good punt returners have hands, vision, toughness, change or direction...speed. That order.

I don't know who will come out on top in all of this but Dunn has a bigger uphill battle at making it as a punt returner than Brown at this level imo. Not saying it can't happen. I like Dunn better as a kick returner though. We will let it be settled on the field

Brown seems a little tall for a PR. I agree the underwear 40 isn't a big deal, but at 6'3", that's a big body to squeeze through some tight spaces. I think a smaller guy with a lower center of gravity and balance might be tougher to take down. I'm thinking of a Wes Welker type of returner that's small and runs so low to the ground, it's hard to get a shot on him.

I'm more interested in Brown in the offense.

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers vs Redskins: rookie Justin Brown passes David Gilreath on WR depth chart

By SteelCityRoller on Aug 14 2013



David Gilreath muffed a punt return in the Steelers first preseason which not only gave the Giants the ball back, it also cost Gilreath his spot on the depth chart.

Still think preseason games are meaningless?

Among the changes on the depth chart of the Pittsburgh Steelers between their first preseason game against the New York Giants and their second on Monday night against the Washington Redskins, is the swapping of seedings for wide receivers David Gilreath and Justin Brown.

Gilreath was sitting third on one side of the offense last week, then he muffed a punt against the Giants which gave them the ball deep in Steelers territory. Gilreath was relying on his special teams contributions to give him an advantage over the rest of his competition for the last WR spot on the Steelers depth chart. Muffing punts negates such an advantage.

While Gilreath's punt remains prevalent in the minds of the coaching staff, so do the catches rookie Justin Brown made against the Giants in the same game. Brown put his 'soft' hands on display, quickly retaking his place as Landry Jones's favorite target from their collegiate days at Oklahoma. With big man Plaxico Burress now on IR and officially out for the rest of the season, Brown is looking to take his role in the offense. Making clutch catches is how opportunities are seized.

Both men will have three more preseason games to change the team's opinion on them, but every snap counts on film. Brown has special teams experience himself, and may eventually get a chance to use it against Gilreath to push him off the bubble completely.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/8/14/4621750/steelers-vs-redskins-rookie-justin-brown-passes-david-gilreath-on-wr/in/4329189[/URL]

[DukieBoy]

Wondering why La'Rod would not be returning punts. He looks like he has the right stuff for it. Gilreath over Brown on the roster would not make sense to me, even if he returns punts. He is another smallish receiver, and Brown has size (and good hands).

[steelz09]

I'd rather have Brown make the roster over Dunn. Brown can make it as a legit WR and he has good size. Dunn will be nothing but a PR/KR specialist and I need to see much more out of him. There is a major man-crush on Dunn around here... comparing him to Devin Hester?! That is some serious Homerism right there.