Post by elp525 on Dec 16, 2009 9:00:34 GMT -5
The receiver is making his mark on special teams, joining NFL leaders.
By CHIP SCOGGINS
Star Tribune
Darius Reynaud returns a punt against Dallas
Darius Reynaud had not returned punts in a game since high school when the Vikings tapped him for that job this season. Now, the second-year player believes he can find career longevity in that role, although he still hopes to establish himself as an NFL receiver.
While rookie Percy Harvin has earned acclaim -- and a likely Pro Bowl invitation -- as a kickoff returner, Reynaud has quietly become an important part of the Vikings special teams, too.
"This is the only way right now that I'm getting the ball, so I have to take advantage of it," he said.
Reynaud is ranked sixth in the NFL in punt return average at 11.2 yards. His average might be higher if not for a hamstring injury that sidelined him for five games and some long returns that were nullified by penalties.
Reynaud is compact (5-9, 201 pounds), extremely quick and a whirling dervish in the open field. He's displayed a knack of making the first guy miss and is strong enough to pinball off tacklers for extra yards.
"In high school, I played running back, so whenever I have the ball in my hands I'm looking to run somebody over or break tackles," he said.
Reynaud gave a glimpse of his potential as a punt returner in the Vikings' final preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. He fielded a punt near the sideline, made three defenders miss and returned it 81 yards for a touchdown.
Reynaud has yet to return a punt for a touchdown in the regular season, but he insists he's close.
"I feel I'm a step away from taking it to the house," he said. "Sometimes [special teams coordinator Brian Murphy] will pause the tape. He'll say, 'Look at this. We're almost there. We're just one block away.' I think it's going to happen when we need it. That's my feeling."
Reynaud spent the majority of his rookie season on the practice squad before getting an opportunity to return kickoffs. He made an immediate impact with two 40-plus yard returns in three games, including a 49-yarder against the Bears, the Vikings' longest return of the season. But he suffered a foot injury that ended his season.
Reynaud had a 36-yard punt return against Cleveland in the opener this season and ranked among the top returners after three games, but a left hamstring injury sidelined him for five weeks.
"That hurt me a lot, knowing last year it was the same thing," he said. "I got hurt after my third game and then this year after the third game I got hurt again. That was disappointing because I felt I was going to make a big break this year. But things happen for a reason, and I came back just in time so everything is still playing out good for me right now."
Reynaud said he does more stretching exercises now and actually feels more explosive than before his injury. He assumed double duty as returner this past Sunday against the Bengals with Harvin sidelined because of migraines. Reynaud averaged 27 yards on two returns.
"I had to get back into the groove doing kick returns because I haven't done it since last season," he said. "I practice it every week in case something happens with Percy and my time came. I've been doing it all my life so there's nothing to it."
As a receiver, Reynaud said he's "coming along" and hopes to contribute in a meaningful way in that role some day. For now, he's focused on making his mark as a returner.
"I have the God-given talent," he said. "If I can just stay injury-free, I can be that long-term guy. It's just a matter of time."
By CHIP SCOGGINS
Star Tribune
Darius Reynaud returns a punt against Dallas
Darius Reynaud had not returned punts in a game since high school when the Vikings tapped him for that job this season. Now, the second-year player believes he can find career longevity in that role, although he still hopes to establish himself as an NFL receiver.
While rookie Percy Harvin has earned acclaim -- and a likely Pro Bowl invitation -- as a kickoff returner, Reynaud has quietly become an important part of the Vikings special teams, too.
"This is the only way right now that I'm getting the ball, so I have to take advantage of it," he said.
Reynaud is ranked sixth in the NFL in punt return average at 11.2 yards. His average might be higher if not for a hamstring injury that sidelined him for five games and some long returns that were nullified by penalties.
Reynaud is compact (5-9, 201 pounds), extremely quick and a whirling dervish in the open field. He's displayed a knack of making the first guy miss and is strong enough to pinball off tacklers for extra yards.
"In high school, I played running back, so whenever I have the ball in my hands I'm looking to run somebody over or break tackles," he said.
Reynaud gave a glimpse of his potential as a punt returner in the Vikings' final preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. He fielded a punt near the sideline, made three defenders miss and returned it 81 yards for a touchdown.
Reynaud has yet to return a punt for a touchdown in the regular season, but he insists he's close.
"I feel I'm a step away from taking it to the house," he said. "Sometimes [special teams coordinator Brian Murphy] will pause the tape. He'll say, 'Look at this. We're almost there. We're just one block away.' I think it's going to happen when we need it. That's my feeling."
Reynaud spent the majority of his rookie season on the practice squad before getting an opportunity to return kickoffs. He made an immediate impact with two 40-plus yard returns in three games, including a 49-yarder against the Bears, the Vikings' longest return of the season. But he suffered a foot injury that ended his season.
Reynaud had a 36-yard punt return against Cleveland in the opener this season and ranked among the top returners after three games, but a left hamstring injury sidelined him for five weeks.
"That hurt me a lot, knowing last year it was the same thing," he said. "I got hurt after my third game and then this year after the third game I got hurt again. That was disappointing because I felt I was going to make a big break this year. But things happen for a reason, and I came back just in time so everything is still playing out good for me right now."
Reynaud said he does more stretching exercises now and actually feels more explosive than before his injury. He assumed double duty as returner this past Sunday against the Bengals with Harvin sidelined because of migraines. Reynaud averaged 27 yards on two returns.
"I had to get back into the groove doing kick returns because I haven't done it since last season," he said. "I practice it every week in case something happens with Percy and my time came. I've been doing it all my life so there's nothing to it."
As a receiver, Reynaud said he's "coming along" and hopes to contribute in a meaningful way in that role some day. For now, he's focused on making his mark as a returner.
"I have the God-given talent," he said. "If I can just stay injury-free, I can be that long-term guy. It's just a matter of time."
