Arkansas Bengal Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 Chris Roling Sat, Mar 30, 2024, 8:23 PM CDT·1 min read Kickoffs and speical teams are a huge topic around the NFL right now after the recent rules changes. That includes the Cincinnati Bengals, with the subject of who might return kicks next year a question. As it turns out, after an electric, short stint as a punt returner next year, sophomore Charlie Jones will get a look, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com: Yes, Jones is going to get a shot at kickoffs. He didn’t return one as a rookie after 45 kick returns in college, headlined by his 2021 season at Iowa when he took one back and averaged 25.4 yards for a year he ran back 25 kicks. Jones has shown adroit lateral moves. Jones took one punt back for a touchdown last season as a rookie, so it only makes sense that his workload would expand. That said, the Bengals have already brought back running back Trayveon Williams and could add more competition for the role via the draft soon. Looking ahead to next year, the addition of Mike Gesicki could eat up a chunk of the base offense’s snaps that used to go to Tyler Boyd, so Jones getting more work on special teams is the likely move. https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-charlie-jones-shot-primary-012308617.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky151 Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 Makes sense. Coverage units will be stretched horizontally with only the kicker providing depth. So popping a seam might mean 6 points. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griever Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 I'm all for it, let Chuck Sizzle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 Jay Morrison talked to Simmons about this on the recent growler podcast. Sounds like they’re going to need to have two returners back on kickoffs. Imagine Chase Brown might possibly be the other guy. Places some importance on returner in whatever WR/RB they draft this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicoli Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 I’m gonna say it’ll be Williams back there with Sizzle, not Brown. Williams was main kick returner last year. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC Posted March 31 Report Share Posted March 31 I think that’s a fair assumption but I think the strategy is going to shift. Ball security is going to always be #1 and maybe that gives Tray the edge he needs, but speed is going to be second. If you’ve got two guys back there with different athletic profiles, the less athletic one is going to have the ball kicked to him predominantly. I’ve never seen much from Tray to indicate there are some burners in there like Chase displayed last year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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