Eli wrote:
It is pretty sad to be almost four weeks from the start of training camp without having found a punt returner. But Robinson has barely practiced yet due to his hamstring injury, and god know what's happening with Jarius Wright. Walters is a long shot to make the roster, so probably isn't a factor.
Word is Wright has struggled with punt returns (I believe the phrase was "making the coaching staff nervous" which, to me, means having a hard time fielding them cleanly). He only has 17 career punt returns in college (none last season). Burton isn't a lock to make the roster either and he's certainly not good enough at any position to warrant keeping him on as a "specialist." I'm sure Priefer is hoping Robinson wins. It's the best-case scenario, providing he has sure hands and can handle it. He certainly has the speed.
Edit: found this on Robinson:
Emerged as a standout punt returner in 2010, earning honorable mention accolades by averaging 15.2 yards per return (ninth in the country) as a sophomore, though he did not return a punt for score over his career.
So he has the credentials. I'm sure one of the main reasons he hasn't locked it up yet is the injury/lack of opportunity.
I take comfort that this is exactly what the preseason is for when you have new guys. Unless you have a Hester or Cribbs, teams are going to experiment and hold a competition until they have a clear-cut winner. I don't think it's out of the ordinary to, at this point, not yet have the punt return position settled.