There were some raised eyebrows Sunday when coach Scott Linehan
named Shaun McDonald the team's punt returner. In an opening discussion of the
game against Kansas City, Linehan started by saying, "There was improvement on
special teams. We held our blocks better on the returns, but they didn't show up
so much in our production. I think we did better on special teams, but I still
think we need to find a returner. I think Shaun (McDonald) will be the guy we
look to in the punt returns, but I think we're still trying to figure out who
that kickoff returner will be. I haven't ruled out Kevin (Curtis) as a full-time
returner. We're still trying to find somebody to take over that role for us. The
one thing I'm very pleased with is our specialists. Our kicker (Jeff Wilkins)
and I think (punter) Matt Turk has had a great preseason. I think our
specialists are certainly going to be the strength of our special teams. That's
at least a good place to start."
When pressed about the decision
on McDonald, Linehan said, "Well he's a fast guy, but he's quick. I think he's
both. He's got the ability to turn a return into a first down because he's got
the ability to make the first guy miss. His devotion to it this whole
off-season. It's something that he wants to do, his whole approach has been that
this is a way that he feels he can really help this team, and that helps me as
well. He's had a few returns here, and he hasn't done anything to make me think
he's not going to be very good at it. I feel very comfortable with him there, I
think we've still got to get those other guys a little bit of work there and
we've got to come up with a kick returner."
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