Rashad Greene: 3 questions for 2015

Dec 6, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Rashad Greene (80) gets tackled by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets linebacker Paul Davis (40) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

2) Can Rashad Greene win the punt returner spot?

6.4 yards per return.

That’s the average that now-released receiver/punt returner Ace Sanders averaged in his two years with punt return duties.

6.4 yards per return is not a pretty average and it is a beatable mark for the guys competing to be the new punt returner of the Jaguars. Sanders was released because he couldn’t prove dynamic and threatening in the role. Can Rashad Greene or someone else on the team prove better?

That’s the big question as we head into training camp and Greene will have to prove he is better than players like Tandon Doss and Bryan Walters if he wants to be the guy returning punts.

To me, I think some younger players like Greene attack the return positions better than older, more experienced players. Unless you’re a return specialist with a history of success a la Devin Hester or Josh Cribbs, I find it is rare that a veteran player suddenly becomes a better returner. Younger player who are thrust into the role with little to no fear of big men barreling down upon them to smash them into the ground and with decent vision often find ways to cut through the coverage unit for bigger gains and scores.

This perception, whether accurate or otherwise, shouldn’t give Greene an edge, though. He must prove that he is able to be patient and attack holes in order to win the job. He will have to display good vision and explosiveness. He had the third best average in college and should prove able in the big leagues.

The Jags haven’t had either of those things at the punt return role in a long time.

Next: How will his rapport with Blake Bortles develop?