Steelers believe 'play speed' is all that matters in rookie punt returner Ayers

[hawaiiansteeler]

Steelers believe 'play speed' is all that matters in rookie punt returner Ayers

May 12, 2016
By Ray Fittipaldo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steelers special-teams coach Danny Smith is a throwback to another NFL era. When he communicates he prefers — no, demands — a personal connection, a point that is driven home by the fact that he doesn’t use email.

When it comes to scouting, Smith is old-school as well. The meat market that is the NFL scouting combine, where players run through drills in nothing more than spandex, is an exercise Smith would rather do without.

The way Smith sees it, a football player ought to be judged by his on-field performance, and he explained his methodology late last month when discussing the decision to draft University of Houston punt-returner Demarcus Ayers in the seventh round. Ayers isn’t fast, as evidenced by the 4.72 40-yard dash time he ran at the combine, but Smith wasn’t scared off by his timed speed.

“Forty times matter, but maybe they matter too much,” Smith said. “There’s a play speed in this league. This kid plays fast. If I showed you the tape I put together on this kid, you wouldn’t think that that’s a matchup of the time he [runs]. To be honest with you, and I’m a little bit old-fashioned in a lot of ways. I don’t know where/when we started in one of the craziest things in all of football, whether it’s in high school or college or professional football. … We wear about 15 pounds of pads with helmets, shoulder pads and pads and girdles and thighs and knee [pads] and then we time these guys in track shoes and their underwear. I don’t know where we went wrong with that.

“If I had to do it, I’d time them in full pads. I’m just trying to translate. That’s what I mean by play speed. This kid plays faster than his 40 time. Maybe that’s his vision. Maybe that’s quicker decisions. I think if we took a lot of guys at 7/11, they would run fast, but, if the cop is chasing them, they would be a little faster. I think some of our players are like that.”

Publicly, the Steelers are saying they’re not looking to relieve All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown of his punt-return duties. Their actions say something else.

The decision to draft Ayers wasn’t the first time the Steelers moved to replace Brown as punt-returner. When the Steelers signed Jacoby Jones in the middle of last season to replace Dri Archer as kick-returner they also inserted him as the punt-returner.

That was a short-lived experiment after Jones fumbled on kick and punt returns in a game against Indianapolis late in the season. The Steelers went back to Brown, and that worked out fine until he was injured in the AFC wild-card game against Cincinnati. Brown missed the playoff game at Denver the next week with a concussion, and the Steelers had to use Markus Wheaton on punt returns. He muffed a punt and nearly gave the Broncos the ball at the goal line.

Enter Ayers, an accomplished college returner who might be able to land a roster spot in wake of Martavis Bryant’s year-long drug suspension.

“You can never have enough punt-returners,” Smith said. “We are not ready to give this kid the position by no means. He is a seventh-round draft choice, but I think he has an excellent skill level. He will be competitive at the position.”

Ayers, who left Houston with one year of college eligibility remaining, wasn’t drafted until the seventh round because of his size (5-9, 182) and his unspectacular combine numbers. Ayers said he is faster than his posted 4.72 and blamed his poor time on a fractured bone in his hand that limited the amount of training he could do before the combine.

The Steelers have kept one-dimensional return specialists on their roster in recent years, most notably Archer and Jones, neither of whom contributed to the offense. Then again, perhaps that’s the reason they were jettisoned so quickly when their returns didn’t produce the results the Steelers expected.

Ayers would have a better chance to make the roster if he could contribute to the offense. That wasn’t a problem at Houston, where he caught 97 passes for 1,221 yards and six touchdowns last season. He also had 26 rushes for 148 yards and was 2 for 3 with two touchdown passes on gadget plays.

to read rest of article:

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2016/05/12/Steelers-believe-play-speed-is-all-that-matters-in-rookie-punt-returner-Ayers/stories/201605120023

[hawaiiansteeler]

Demarcus Ayers has a chance to do something for the Steelers as a return man

By Anthony Defeo on May 17, 2016

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/X4W-ukGy5TI6s0R98d2nfVKuPrc=/0x0:4336x2891/709x473/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49608227/usa-today-9028119.0.jpg

For Demarcus Ayers, perhaps his only shot at making the Steelers' roster next season will be taking the punt return duties off of Antonio Brown's hands.

Here we are again: Another draft has come and gone, and the Steelers have selected a little guy who can do a lot of different things on offense, but could really make a name for himself as a return man on special teams.

Four years ago, it was Chris Rainey, the 5'9", 180 pound running back out of Florida that Pittsburgh nabbed in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Rainey was fast in college (4.4 speed) and fairly productive. People were excited about what he would be able to do out of the backfield -- both as a runner and receiver -- and as a return man. Unfortunately for the youngster, he only posted 102 rushing yards on 26 attempts and another 60 receiving yards on 14 catches. As for special teams, Rainey did a decent job returning kicks, averaging 26.4 yards a pop. But on punts? Like most Steelers in recent years not named Antonio Brown, Rainey was a non-factor, totaling 16 yards on just three returns.

Sadly, after an underwhelming rookie year, Rainey was let go shortly after the regular season, following a domestic dispute involving his girlfriend.

Fast-forward two years. The Steelers selected Dri Archer out of Kent State in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. At 5'8" and 175 pounds, Archer was even smaller than Rainey. However, with sub-4.3 speed (at least at the Combine), Archer possessed at least one attribute that could make him a difference-maker in the NFL -- as long as he was in open space. Like Rainey, Archer was productive in college and just an all-around weapon. Only problem was, that open space he needed to find himself in, that pretty much never happened. In a little under two seasons, Archer barely showed a pulse on offense, totaling 63 yards. As for the return game (a place he probably needed to excel more than anywhere else), he was pedestrian overall and way less than that returning punts (just one attempt for two yards).

Because of Archer's less than stellar body-of-work in the return game, he was released last November, and Jacoby Jones, a great return specialist at one point during his career, was signed to take his place. Sadly, it was quickly discovered that Jones' good return skills weren't available at the point of his career when the Steelers really needed them, as he recorded just 19 yards on six punt returns after coming to Pittsburgh.

As you might have guessed, after averaging just over three yards per punt, Jones is no longer a Steeler.

With Rainey, Archer and Jones no longer around, I guess it's safe to assume head coach Mike Tomlin won't be living in his fears again next season and will allow Brown, one of his most-prized and valuable offensive charges, to return punts. I have no problem with that. After all, Brown averaged nearly 10 yards a return and scored the team's only touchdown on the season, when he went 71 yards against the Colts on Sunday Night Football--and then proceeded to assault the goalpost.

If Brown doesn't return punts in 2016, who will?

I don't know, maybe a little running back/receiver/return specialist out of Houston that Pittsburgh just selected in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft? That would be Demarcus Ayers who, at 5'11 and 190 pounds, is a little bigger than both Rainey and Archer, but with a 4.7 40 time, is a little slower.

The 1,838 yards from scrimmage Ayers accumulated during his college career are a bit enticing, but who are we kidding? With so many offensive weapons at Todd Haley's disposal (even without Martavis Bryant), how much of an impact could Ayers make in his rookie season--if he even makes the team?

Much like Vince Papale found out in the movie Invincible, Ayers route to an NFL career will have to be on special teams -- and most likely as a returner. With regards to punt returns, Ayers averaged 9.6 yards over his final two seasons in college -- including 10.5 last year.

Will that translate to the NFL? Will Ayers succeed where so many others not named Antonio Brown have failed in recent years?

It remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: The canvas is clean for Demarcus Ayers.

Sure, Antonio Brown can do it all, and as he found out last year, playing in the NFL is dangerous, no matter if you're returning a punt or going over the middle to catch a high pass. But if some rookie can come along and take at least the punt returns duties off of Brown's hands, he'll surely find himself employed by the Pittsburgh Steelers next year.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-opinions-reactions-news-updates/2016/5/17/11680832/demarcus-ayers-has-a-chance-to-do-something-for-the-steelers-as-a

[LloydWoodson]

Steelers need a return specialist who can return kicks and punts both or the returner has to be a worthy 5th receiver or 3rd RB. Otherwise it is a waste of a roster space.

AB, Wheaton, DHB and Coates +
X?

Darren Sproles is old not saying get him I don't likd those threads but the man is a good 3rd down RB, punt returner and kick returner. That would be great to find in a younger player.

[pczach]

Steelers need a return specialist who can return kicks and punts both or the returner has to be a worthy 5th receiver or 3rd RB. Otherwise it is a waste of a roster space.

AB, Wheaton, DHB and Coates +
X?

Darren Sproles is old not saying get him I don't likd those threads but the man is a good 3rd down RB, punt returner and kick returner. That would be great to find in a younger player.



I agree. I'm hoping Ayers will finally be a player that makes a difference in the return game, while still being viable as a WR or versatile backfield player.

He has a great ability to make people miss. Is he fast enough to get to the openings at the NFL level? That's what we need to find out.

[fansince'76]

I agree. I'm hoping Ayers will finally be a player that makes a difference in the return game, while still being viable as a WR or versatile backfield player.

He has a great ability to make people miss. Is he fast enough to get to the openings at the NFL level? That's what we need to find out.

It seems the main weakness in the return game is that there generally are no openings.

Until the blocking improves on STs (to include knocking off the idiotic blocks in the back which usually occur well away from the play and put them inside their own 10-yard line to start drives more often than not), you could put Gale Sayers back there and it wouldn't make a difference.

What's really needed more than anything else is an upgrade in the coaching of the STs. Finding another "Munchak-level" hire for the STs would be optimal. Either way, this team could do far better than Danny Smith, IMO.

[pczach]

It seems the main weakness in the return game is that there generally are no openings.

Until the blocking improves on STs (to include knocking off the idiotic blocks in the back which usually occur well away from the play and put them inside their own 10-yard line to start drives more often than not), you could put Gale Sayers back there and it wouldn't make a difference.

What's really needed more than anything else is an upgrade in the coaching of the STs. Finding another "Munchak-level" hire for the STs would be optimal. Either way, this team could do far better than Danny Smith, IMO.


I agree that there is more wrong with the special teams than just the return man. Danny Smith has not shown an ability to coach players to not commit stupid penalties for years now, and there hasn't been much room for anyone to break returns. The one exception is Antonio Brown. When he is back there returning punts, he has found a way to make things happen because of his elite athleticism.

With that said, I refuse to give up on the fact that Archer was terrible. He was looking to run out of bounds as soon as he started returning the kick. The complete lack of effort and the fear of getting hit was very hard for me to watch.

This is the only time I have ever seen him explode with incredible speed up the field towards an opening in his NFL career:


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JlxHuw0ezEE/maxresdefault.jpg

[Mojouw]

Pffffffftttt.

I'll believe the Steelers about a return specialist exactly never. Off the top of my head - here is a list of guys they really really thought were going to have "it" at the return spot:

Rainey
Archer
Jacobs
Logan
Howling
Felix Jones
A dizzying array of random RB's
Antwan Randle El

I'm sure there are more - but those guys all have one thing in common - they were not very good at the position/role. I guess Logan was likely the best of the bunch, but still. This is not an area where the staff/team has built up a ton of faith.

[tube517]

Pffffffftttt.

I'll believe the Steelers about a return specialist exactly never. Off the top of my head - here is a list of guys they really really thought were going to have "it" at the return spot:

Rainey
Archer
Jacobs
Logan
Howling
Felix Jones
A dizzying array of random RB's
Antwan Randle El

I'm sure there are more - but those guys all have one thing in common - they were not very good at the position/role. I guess Logan was likely the best of the bunch, but still. This is not an area where the staff/team has built up a ton of faith.

Don't forget such hall of famers as:

Gary Russell
Sucker Punch*
Quincy Morgan
Willie Reid
Ike Taylor
Ricardo Colclough
Frank the Tank Summers

Might as well put deebo back there. At least he's returned it for a 100 yards.

[Steeldude]

It seems the main weakness in the return game is that there generally are no openings.

Until the blocking improves on STs (to include knocking off the idiotic blocks in the back which usually occur well away from the play and put them inside their own 10-yard line to start drives more often than not), you could put Gale Sayers back there and it wouldn't make a difference.

What's really needed more than anything else is an upgrade in the coaching of the STs. Finding another "Munchak-level" hire for the STs would be optimal. Either way, this team could do far better than Danny Smith, IMO.

This.

[Mojouw]

Don't forget such hall of famers as:

Gary Russell
Sucker Punch*
Quincy Morgan
Willie Reid
Ike Taylor
Ricardo Colclough
Frank the Tank Summers

Might as well put deebo back there. At least he's returned it for a 100 yards.

I knew I forgot a bunch! Those guys are terrible! Last non-AB returner that I can honestly remember being a "threat" was Rod Woodson. In his day, that guy was a threat for a house call every time he touched it.

Slightly off topic, but you know who I bet would have been an amazing punt/kick returner? Troy Polamalu. His open/broken field running on INT returns was incredible. His vision combined with his total lack of concern for his body would have made for a good returner. That whole "lack of concern" that was why no coach in his right mind would ever let him consistently attempt it. But still, it would have been neat to try aside from the few emergency situations that the Steelers let him have at it.

[Psycho Ward 86]

I knew I forgot a bunch! Those guys are terrible! Last non-AB returner that I can honestly remember being a "threat" was Rod Woodson. In his day, that guy was a threat for a house call every time he touched it.

Slightly off topic, but you know who I bet would have been an amazing punt/kick returner? Troy Polamalu. His open/broken field running on INT returns was incredible. His vision combined with his total lack of concern for his body would have made for a good returner. That whole "lack of concern" that was why no coach in his right mind would ever let him consistently attempt it. But still, it would have been neat to try aside from the few emergency situations that the Steelers let him have at it.

idk about Troy. his savvy on INT returns was pretty up and down to be honest. He's had some great ones like the 2 he had against Palmer, another one against the dolphins like 2 years back. and also some really clumsy ones like against the chargers in 2008 (now THAT would have been arguably the greatest play of any kind if Troy didnt trip over himself and took it in for 6)

[polamalubeast]

A good KR is now very useless now since more than half of the kick are touchback.It's a shame that the Steelers had not realized it in 2014 during the draft.....

[katmandu]

Don't forget such hall of famers as:

Gary Russell
Sucker Punch*
Quincy Morgan
Willie Reid
Ike Taylor
Ricardo Colclough
Frank the Tank Summers

Might as well put deebo back there. At least he's returned it for a 100 yards.Done forget Cool Shade's favorite ! Jacoby Jones !

[katmandu]

A good KR is now very useless now since more than half of the kick are touchback.It's a shame that the Steelers had not realized it in 2014 during the draft.....It's the most boring part of the game as well. I thought the League was supposed to address this by moving the ball spot back 5 yards ?

[hawaiiansteeler]

Jacob Klinger ✔‎@Jacob_Klinger_

Levi Norwood, Eli Rogers & Demarcus Ayers fielded punts today for the #Steelers, Norwood said. Antonio Brown finished up #DWTS last night

25 May 2016

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/05/ayers-rogers-get-work-return-line/

[BlackAndGold]

Rookie Ayers May be More Than Return Man

The Steelers may have drafted Demarcus Ayers in the seventh round more than to serve as a return man. Maybe he will be able to do that, but he also looked good this spring as a receiver. He’s tough too, someone who can take a hit and bounce right back up and get back to the huddle. He runs precise routes, cuts crisply and catches most everything thrown near him. Of course, this is all without pads but he does not seem to be someone who will be shy going over the middle or taking a hit.

And maybe he should know his way around a secondary – Ayers was sixth in the country last season with 98 receptions in 14 games, for 1,222 yards for Houston. He returned 28 punts for a 10.4-yard average. He would not be the first seventh-round pick to become a success with the Steelers (Kelvin Beachum, Brett Keisel), nor a late-round receiver who made it (a certain All-Pro)

Read more from minicamp here: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Steelers-Blog/2016/06/16/Rookie-Ayers-May-be-More-Than-Return-Man/stories/201606160139

[Butch]

I knew I forgot a bunch! Those guys are terrible! Last non-AB returner that I can honestly remember being a "threat" was Rod Woodson. In his day, that guy was a threat for a house call every time he touched it.

Slightly off topic, but you know who I bet would have been an amazing punt/kick returner? Troy Polamalu. His open/broken field running on INT returns was incredible. His vision combined with his total lack of concern for his body would have made for a good returner. That whole "lack of concern" that was why no coach in his right mind would ever let him consistently attempt it. But still, it would have been neat to try aside from the few emergency situations that the Steelers let him have at it.

Santonio did a pretty good job as a punt returner

[tube517]

Santonio did a pretty good job as a punt returner


He did but the kick returners have been awful or only stuck around for a season (S.Logan).