Quote: @Norse said:
Hughes isnt a returner. He got stuck with that job. And I still dont think he is recovered from his ACL. should play better next season.
He was in college, but hasn't shown any of that ability in the NFL. Both of our primary returners (Hill & Abdullah) are not great & at this point, I'd take touchbacks & fair catches over them trying to return it. I know those positions have been been devalued due to rule changes, but it's an area that is need of an upgrade.
To be fair, I never liked picking Hughes, so I do have times where I wonder if I'm judging him too harshly. I want to see him do well and they have worked him into the defense more the past few games. He at least doesn't get flagged all the time like Rhodes, but teams are picking on him and having success. Think of the GB game where they were beating him on slants and the Denver game where they kept matching Sutton him, because they knew he couldn't break up those plays. Hopefully, he's still getting back on track from his ACL injury, but I don't feel great about him potentially stepping up into a bigger role next season with Rhodes a potential cap casualty and both Waynes & Alexander as FAs. I really do worry about him seeming to be a step slow on coverage this year and not being physical enough to adequately disrupt routes like Rhodes could. He should still have the speed even post ACL, but maybe there's a footwork or another issue that leads to him getting beaten so much.
