Grant's returning issue

Grant fielded at least 100 punts a day from a college teammate who’s trying to get NFL work as a punter. He has fielded thousands this offseason, and he’s confident he’s fixed the problem that led to four fumbles over the final two months of last season.

“It was unbelievable,” Grant said. “That’s all I did. Wake up, go catch punts, eat lunch, go right back at it. I catch so many punts, I got it to second nature that I only don’t even think about catching it. I just react. And that’s exactly how I want it to be. Every day I am out here doing something involving catching punts because I don’t want to make those mistakes I made last year. So I harp on that and make sure I get those things corrected.”

Even after he reached 100 during his daily summer punt fielding exercise, he would continue if there was the slightest misstep. “I don’t stop until I’ve caught enough until I’m comfortable,” he said. “If my stance is wrong or if I bobble it, I won’t leave until everything is correct. I am not moving until everything is perfect.”

When he’s around special teams coach Darren Rizzi, “it’s to the point where I catch punts and coach Riz is like, ‘Take it to the house, and I’m like, ‘No I feel like that’s not enough.’ So I keep catching and keep catching. And there are times I get on Rizzi like, ‘We’re not starting to get the Jugs machine early. You’re getting soft on me.’”

Grant has asked those around him to make punt fielding as difficult as possible for him. Sometimes, he asks them to kick him three balls at once, to see if he can catch all three.

“Coach has been throwing a big medicine ball at me,” he said. “I listen for the Jugs to shoot off and turn around and catch the ball. They’re throwing balls at me, hitting me in the head, and I’m still catching them because I’m focused in on catching them.”

The results, he said, have been encouraging. “I haven’t charted drops, but I haven’t dropped many,” he said.

Jakeem Grant dropped two returns during Sunday’s practice, raising old questions about his hands after he misplayed five punts or kicks as a rookie.

New receiver Jordan Westerkamp was among those fielding punts. Kenyan Drake is also being given a chance in that area.

rightchea wrote:They want to give Grant a chance because Grant had/has potential

JMP wrote:Just cut the guy already.  Total waste of time.  

Gimmicks only get you so far in this league.  At some point you still have to, you know, actually play football.

Birdmond wrote:It's a shame he's got such tiny hands.  I don't care about his size he's a playmaker but without stickum he's got no chance.  

JMP wrote:I don't care about his height, but he's got a small body - almost like a more muscular Pat White-type body.  No way he can absorb big hits long-term with that body type.  And yeah, the tiny hands are a huge issue.

white1 wrote:Two offseasons and we can't find a specialist in a backup CB, backup RB, backup WR or whatever? Dammit - come on man!

Jakeem Grant (two for nine), though Grant fumbled a punt, continuing a problem from last November and December.