Kr/pr

I agree he's been consistent and made some plays for us over the course of the years. I think Carr was really good and I was sad to see him go. Either way the KR position seemed to collectively fall off this past year. I want to see what M.M. can do with a second year with these rules.

 

Fair catching a Punt should not be good enough to be in a NFL roster he is taking a roster spot while basically doing nothing I'm sure we have other players who know how to fair catch a punt.

He basically does nothing on Special teams and he is a pretty bad WR I rather cut him and use his Roster spot on someone who helps more on other areas.

 

ehh... how bout he just returns kicks/punts for us

 

Mariani has done a great job as far as a PR/KR. The best we have had since Pacman IMO. He isn't super fast, or have stellar "break your ankles" moves, but he is generally very good at following his blockers, holding onto the ball, getting what he can, and when you are good at that, you're bound to take a few to the house. Even when he isn't taking them back, he sets the O up with good to great field postion when he isn't calling for a FC, and after having people like Mouton/Finnegan/Chris Henry return for us, I will never take starting field position lightly again.

However, his inablity to develop (so far) as a WR will always leave his spot on this team in question IMO. I don't think the Titans will go out and specifically try to upgrade the KR/PR position, but if we happen to take a WR/CB that has return skills as well as being able to contibute at their full time position, then I think Mariani's days could be numbered. But for now I am happy with him. I wouldn't mind them mixing Tommy Campbell in every once in a while though

 

I have no issues with people criticizing Mariani, but realize if it's not him returning kicks, it's Ryan Mouton.

I'm somewhat disappointed in his growth as a WR. For a guy with such good hands, I sure do wish we could get more out of him as a receiver.

I'm also not a fan of keeping a 5th WR who can't run routes. But since he's a sure handed return specialist, I deal with it.

If Mariani doesn't improve as a WR, I see no reason for him to stick around past 2012.

 

Kick returner is a useless position as of 2011...

He can fair catch a punt. Good enough. I can't complain after seeing Mouton in action.

I believe Carr was a little better, but that's over with.

He's good enough. He's not Devin Hester, but he is solid enough. Returning is such a small part of the game anymore, it's hardly worth mentioning.

 

Are you guys crazy? what more do you want from a 7th round pick?! He did something no one has done for this franchise since D-Mase. Pacman wasn’t even able to take a kickoff to the house! Also, the only reason Tommy C returned one to the house was because the defenders were focused on Mariani. Kickoff teams know he is a threat. How many times have you seen a failed reverse on a kickoff?? It only works when the primary is guy is a legitimate threat to take it to the house.

IMO the field position battle is more important from kickoffs than from punts anyway.

I also don’t believe he’s had a legitimate shot at WR yet. I saw some awful balls thrown his way last year. Let’s see what he can do this preseason. He might surprise us all.

 

Let Jcbrave work with him for a few months and get his strength and speed up. Pro bowl bound.