Chris Rainey, Jeff Demps to return punts, kickoffs for Gators

[O-town Gator]

GAINESVILLE – "The Gators are entering the season with many question marks, but one was answered Monday.

Coach Urban Meyer announced that wide receiver Chris Rainey will be Florida's main punt returner and running back Jeff Demps will be its kickoff returner."

More: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/os-florida-football-news-20100823,0,236995.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sun-sentinel%2Fsports%2Fhighschool+%28High+School+Sports+%2F+South+Florida+Sun-Sentinel%29

 

[GoGators01]

rainey in space is an opposing coaches worst nightmare. his speed and elusiveness will make him a very effective punt returner. we all know demps has the speed to break some big kick returns too but i wouldnt surprised to see these guys get some help from other players since theyre both important starters.

 

[GainesvillebornNraised]

hopefully not too many butter finger drops from the newbs lol


i know catching those deep kicks can be hard to get used too but im sure rainey did this in HS

 

[Leakfan12]

Honestly I prefer the back-ups handle the kick and punt returns because well I don't want to lose a starter to a injury (see Jason Sehorn and Bubba Caldwell which sink the 2005 season after his season ending injury).

 

[GoGators01]

Honestly I prefer the back-ups handle the kick and punt returns because well I don't want to lose a starter to a injury (see Jason Sehorn and Bubba Caldwell which sink the 2005 season after his season ending injury).

No offense, but I disagree. Special teams are just as important as offense and defense so i think the best players should be out there. Rainey and Demps are playmakers who need the ball in their hands. If there are back-ups who can fill these roles with no drop off in production then by all means let them do it. Injuries are part of the game though and i dont think thats any reason to not put your best players in position to make plays. Frank Beamer always puts his best players on special teams.

 

[CaliZona_Gator]

Meyer has always put the 'best players available' on special teams, and a lot of times that means starters. Our punt block team was insane last year. We had all of our best athletes on the field, including Rainey and Demps, our top 2 RB's last year.

 

[GoGators01]

I was thinking about the punt blocks too. Andre Debose seems like he would make a good punt returner as well.

 

[GainesvillebornNraised]

our special teams is gonna be loaded with this recruiting class and past ones

that is a garuntee