The case for Brandon Banks., the 'Mike Nelms' of the new millennium.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

Wasn't Mike Nelms the bassist for Herman's Hermits?

[Dan T.]

Banks proved himself last year as a home run threat. Without question. He forced the team to keep him, and he forced them to put him on the field. As a return specialist, he'll have to do that again this year. If he performs as he did last year, the team would be foolish to cut him.

Just because there's a conga line of receivers on the roster doesn't mean all - or any of them - are good.

[hoosandskinsMUSTwin]

I hate the argument that he won't last because of his size. You may be right. But you've clearly seen that he can be a game changer, a guy that can flip the field for you or at the least keep your opponents kicking away from him. So why not ride that until he cant play anymore? You can not seriously justify spots 52 and 53 on this roster that can have an equal impact on game day. PERIOD.

[Botched]

A touchdown on special teams is worth the same as a touchdown on offense. I don't see why a #5 wide receiver -who may never catch a pass all season- is more valuable than a good kick returner who has the chance to score in every game.

I also have seen no reason why Banks couldn't be our #5 receiving option. Is he that bad at the position? DeSean Jackson is 4 feet tall, has an IQ 2 points higher than a potato, and drops more passes than Carlos Rogers, yet he's one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL. That leads me to believe that Brandon Banks could probably handle the monumental role of #5 wide receiver in the rare instance when we would need to use a #5 wide receiver.

If it looks like Banks is going to be a headcase, play him a lot this year, and then trade him to Philly when his value is higher. It's about time we created our own troublemaker and shipped him off to somebody else, instead of the other way around.

[pjfootballer]

If we didn't have Robinson, then I'd agree. However he and Paul could EASILY put up the same numbers, if not more. Little bit bigger, but run the same speeds, plus they can play WR. Cut Banks, make one of them a returner.

Why does everyone in here think that Paul and Robinson are automatically going to make the roster? They are 5th and 7th round picks. The odds are against them. And Robinson has not looked so good in TC so far (according to all the tweets). I really haven't heard anything from Paul. And everyone thinks if we put Paul and Robinson on the practices squad that these two "future HOFers" will be scooped up by another team. Well, Austin was supposed to be something special and he sat on the PS all year. So you guys want to cut an electrifying player in the return game (which can change field position or give us a cheap score) who has actually NFL experience over 2 guys who "may or may not" make the team? We'll leave it up to Shanahan who will make the decision. And Banks played WR last year also. He's not that one dimentional.

---------- Post added August-8th-2011 at 01:47 PM ----------

Banks' value has definitely dropped on many fronts.

1- on the field, the new rules hinder him severely. He'll have less opportunities to make an impact.

2- on the field, he hasn't proven to this point to be any kind of factor on offense.

3- off the field, he has major issues that make you wonder if he'll put himself in even more life threatening situations.

4- In the locker room, doesn't show maturity at all. Devin Thomas was a joke, but taking pictures of him sleeping in a meeting and posting it for the whole world to see? Dick move by a teammate.

Being fast has really been his only saving grace.

If Niles Paul is a better weapon on offense and can also return kicks, I'd have no quarrels with hitting the eject button on Banks.

"Major" off the field problems? He was stabbed in a bar supposedly defending a friend. What other "major" problems has he had.

I'm not trying to say Banks sucks, but if Paul or Robinson is anywhere near what Banks can do in the return game, I don't see a spot for Banks because both Paul and Robinson offer more as a receiver also.

There's that IF again. Banks has proven it.

[B55Green]

He played WR and was a complete joke at it. So I guess in return, they both will be cut. Banks has knee issues, Robinson not so good, later to both of them. Moss can go back there.

[pjfootballer]

What's all the crap about about Banks having 5 td's called back? He had 2. Banks isn't much faster the Moss, Buchanon, Hall, and Armstrong, let's not act like he's as fast as Desean Jackson

All the koolaid drinkers are overlooking a huge red flag - the guy had to sit out practice already! His body will not hold up 16 games

So we should cut Kerrigan, Torain, Cooley and Beck also, since, you know, they had to sit out practice also.

[B55Green]

Banks had known knee injuries last year, this isn't something new.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Why do we so undervalue specialists around here?

I'm not just talking about Banks, which is bad enough in it's self when you have a top return man that can flip a field in an instance in this game of field position; but kicker's and punters too. The amount of times I read "you don't waste a draft pick on a kicker/punter" .....

I don't know if it's the mere fact that a whole generation has not witnessed the Nelms and the Mitchell's; or seen ice cool game winners like Moseley and Chip; but the total undervaluing of specialist players on teams that are EQUALLY as important as a specialist on offense when you get real good, game changing/ winning ones never fails to amaze the living piss out of me with this fanbase.

Hail.

[B55Green]

Moss is more of a return specialist IMO. Had more TD returns in one game than Banks did all season.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

To be fair man, he'd of had 3 in his rookie outing last year were it not for some of his boneheaded teammates.

Hail.

[PokerPacker]

I'd say within 12 hours of being cut, he'll be picked up by another team - possibly New England or Green Bay - Championship teams that lack a great returner.

not a chance he comes to Green Bay. We've got 5 quality receivers as-is, the newest one showing to be an explosive return threat. We've got too much talent at so many offensive positions that we can't afford to waste a spot on a guy who will only be returning punts when we've already got a #5 receiver to play that role AND has a huge upside as a receiving threat

[Sekhmet187]

not a chance he comes to Green Bay. We've got 5 quality receivers as-is, the newest one showing to be an explosive return threat. We've got too much talent at so many offensive positions that we can't afford to waste a spot on a guy who will only be returning punts when we've already got a #5 receiver to play that role AND has a huge upside as a receiving threat

This right here is the reason I sometimes get annoyed at the Redskins fanbase. You have a Packer fan who understands that the #5 receiver should be a guy you keep because a year or two or three down the line, you think he could be your starter or number 2 WR. Our fanbase? We have guys saying things like "What will a #5 WR produce? not much, so why bother keeping a guy when we could have a STer who can change the field position".

i hear talk about specialists. Specialists are for teams that ALREADY HAVE A GOOD CORE. Right now, the only good WR on the team is 32 years old. How about the Redskins find 3-4 good quality WRs (like the Packers) before we talk about cutting young WRs to keep a return man on the squad. Specialists are luxuries for good teams that already have a lot of talent on their roster. Right now the Redskins need to infuse their roster with talent before they can look for luxuries.

I like Banks, but its a bit absurd how so many people think that he should be kept come hell or high water, regardless of whether or not the guy can even play WR. If Banks stays, it should because he earned the spot being a good WR AND returner.

Seriously, Banks won't be on the pro bowl for some other team if Washington decides Paul or Robinson are better for the team. Marcus Mason, Marko Mitchell, Sultan McCullough, Darnerian McCants, Kenny Watson etc. etc. etc. Some teams might have some interest but WHAT TEAM IN THE LEAGUE is going to look at one of the WORST ROSTERS in football and say to themselves "OUR TEAM WOULD BE BETTER IF WE SNATCH UP THE GUYS WHO AREN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO MAKE THEIR TEAM".

[icbmayday]

Shanny loves speed 2 much I doubt he goes anywhere turn him into the 3rd qb lol and he can be active on the roster

[AllBusiness]

One of the VERY FEW bright spots on the season, last year.

[B55Green]

Was watching Redskins Nation and noticed one interesting line. Ryan O'Halloran said one of his 'surprise' guys, is Niles Paul. Has looked VERY strong in camp and wouldn't be surprised if he was the starting returner on the 11th.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Was watching Redskins Nation and noticed one interesting line. Ryan O'Halloran said one of his 'surprise' guys, is Niles Paul. Has looked VERY strong in camp and wouldn't be surprised if he was the starting returner on the 11th.

More pertinent amongst the rooks is reports on Hankerson struggling in camp.

Hail.

[Skinsfan4life83]

Moss is more of a return specialist IMO. Had more TD returns in one game than Banks did all season.

You obviously have no clue what you are talking about. Banks had at least 3 tds called back on stupid penalties and set a redskins record for return yards against the lions. *But sure you know best. *end sarcasm

---------- Post added August-10th-2011 at 07:00 AM ----------

More pertinent amongst the rooks is reports on Hankerson struggling in camp.

Hail.

I thought Hank has been looking good? Maybe I missed something.

[B55Green]

You obviously have no clue what you are talking about. Banks had at least 3 tds called back on stupid penalties and set a redskins record for return yards against the lions. *But sure you know best. *end sarcasm.

At least three touchdowns? He only made it to the endzone one other time.....the Vikings game....so where are these other two touchdowns coming from?

/smartthinking

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Banks had two called back last year unless I'm missing any.

And as far as I keep reading, Hankerson's dropping passes all over the place.

Hail.

[B55Green]

I only remember one, but I could be mistaken I suppose. As far as Hankerson, I never wanted him to be a returner, so for that aspect I could careless, but obviously he needs to get it together. I'm sure he can run a route though

---------- Post added August-10th-2011 at 07:22 AM ----------

It was two, not three, forgot about the second one against the Lions.

[GaryGreenMonk]

Its unfortunately not that easy of a decision.

Keeping Banks will likely keep Niles Paul off the 53 man.

Putting Paul on the PS does have risks. You do retain first rights, but you'd have to cut someone to keep him. Otherwise, you're essentially give away a 5th round pick who is showing promise in camp.

Because of injuries and suspensions on the defense, we can't afford to give up a spot somewhere else to keep a PR/KR and 6 recievers.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

I remember off hand the KO against the Lions, and the punt return against the Vikes. That's aside from the few other long returns he had called back.

Am I missing anything?

Hail.

[B55Green]

Don't believe so, but there's apparently a third, guy could be just confused as I was though when I only remembered the Viks.

[Skinsfan4life83]

I only remember one, but I could be mistaken I suppose. As far as Hankerson, I never wanted him to be a returner, so for that aspect I could careless, but obviously he needs to get it together. I'm sure he can run a route though

---------- Post added August-10th-2011 at 07:22 AM ----------

It was two, not three, forgot about the second one against the Lions.

why exactly should I forget about the second one against the Lions?