Kick Off Returner Andre' Davis

by steelerinchicago on Jan 7, 2008 12:16 PM EST

From Rotoworld

"Unrestricted free agent WR Andre' Davis is in line for a "lucrative" contract this offseason.
Davis had a career year as a receiver and a kick return specialist and will draw interest around the league. With a solid corps of receivers in place and 14 other unrestricted free agents, the Texans may not be in a position to keep him.
Source: Houston Chronicle "

I know we don't give any free agents "lucrative" contracts, but I just don't see us getting a good kickoff returner in the draft and none of our current players seem to be showing much promise. Davis seems like a perfect fit. Yes his numbers are inflated after the 2 TD's in week 17, but he is a good return man. I know this is just one hole that needs to be filled, but it really hurt us this year. Jax was not even worried about Najeh and I doubt much would have changed with Rossum. When we need to get in fg range with little time remaining we need a great return man.

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Davis is an interesting option

He had a great year returning kickoffs and even if you take out the final week entirely he still had a 27.2 yard average on the year (about four yards better than Rossum). For anyone who hasn't seen his stats this year:

Kick returns: 32 for 968 yards (30.3 avg) 3 TDs
Receiving: 33 for 583 (17.7 avg) 3 TDs

Downside: This was the first year that Davis was successful returning kicks in his career. In six full seasons he only returned more than 6 kicks, 3 times and this was the first year that his average was over 22. So you have to wonder about the 'one year wonder' label and if the Steelers were to sign Davis it would also mean the end of the line for either Washington or Ced. Washington is a restricted free agent but also a young guy who has flashed some dynamic ability at times. Ced is basicallly an overpaid veteran who is entering the final year of his deal and will count almost 2.6 against the cap this year. He could be a 'cap casulty' and could open a spot if they wanted to make a run at Davis.

Upside: It's pretty obvious this team needs a more dynamic player in the return game and if he is added, he's probaby an upgrade over Ced at WR.

Time to take the training wheels off this offense.

by cgolden on Jan 7, 2008 12:40 PM EST reply actions

BJ Sams

I was recently looking at list of guys who will be free agents this offseason and ran across the name of BJ Sams (of the hated Ravens). I'm sure Steeler fans know his name considering any returner worth his salt has burned this team in the past couple years. He's primarily a returner (listed as a CB but has 2 career tackles in four years) and he has returned both punts and kickoffs throughout his career.

Kickoffs: 138 for 3,161 yards (22.9)
Best year - '06: 30 returns for 772 yards (25.7)

Punts: 121 for 1,320 yards (10.9)
Best year - '05: 33 returns for 401 yards (12.2)

He's not incredibly young (27 at start of season) and he's coming off an injury (some kind of knee injury if memory is correct), but I wouldn't think he'd be terribly expensive. Anyone interested in Sams?

Time to take the training wheels off this offense.

by cgolden on Jan 8, 2008 9:34 AM EST reply actions

Sounds about right

I think Sams may the ticket. Of course, the knee injury may be an issue.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Jan 8, 2008 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

Bills special teams

Don't know if this is relevant at all but it was an interesting read from JJ Cooper at AOL Fanhouse.

Time to take the training wheels off this offense.

by cgolden on Jan 8, 2008 12:35 PM EST reply actions

SIC

What kind of price tag do you think Davis will command?

I really think the Rooneys need to slightly rethink their philosophy in the future. I respect not overpaying most players - Randle El, Plax, Burress come to mind immediately - but with the salary cap escalating and more money than ever in the NFL, maybe its time for them to rethink what 'overpaid' means. Obviously it's based on what other irrational people in the market are willing to do, but it's going to be frustrating if we lose guys like Holmes and Heath Miller and Woodley early in their careers because we're not willing to pay up.

by Michael Bean on Jan 8, 2008 12:54 PM EST reply actions

I think

the Steelers think that any Free Agent means overpriced. That may be true. I don't know what Davis will go for, but he still is just a 3rd/4th string WR and kickoff returner. I wouldn't think they should overpay, but they should at least look at him and any other return men on the free agent market. It seems like we could get a returner via free agency a lot easier than an offensive lineman.

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Jan 8, 2008 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

I think they'll pay to keep Holmes

because by then Hines will be nearing the end of his career. I don't Miller will go out of their price range, but I could be wrong.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Jan 8, 2008 6:23 PM EST up reply actions

hmmm

If i remember correctly the Steelers tend to be near the cap on a yearly basis. So they're not misers. They spread their money around. Sure when you get special talent you pay to keep it, and I'm sure Big Ben will get paid like Troy did. But they're still building the correct way in my estimate. They proved it again with Porter and Harrison.

I say keep with it. The truly special players get locked up with teams fast and getting into bidding wars for players that are almost special does us no good.

by Chicago Steeler on Jan 8, 2008 7:26 PM EST up reply actions