Darrin Simmons would like to keep a lot of internal FAs who have been key contributors on ST.
https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2021/01/05/bengals-darrin-simmons-reveals-free-agents-re-sign/

Ones he specifically mentions are:
- Alex Erickson
- Brandon Wilson
- Cethan Carter
- Jordan Evans
- The specialists

Quote:Bullock wasn't specifically mentioned by name so it could be referring to Austin Seibert, but either way, it sure looks like Simmons won't change much for his unit.

I believe he was talking about Bullock because Seibert is already under contract for 2021 and 2022.

My personal opinion is only Wilson, Huber, and Harris should be kept. Erickson, Carter, Evans, and Bullock can leave.

Alex Erickson? Seriously? The dude must be a great locker room guy or something.

(01-05-2021, 12:41 PM)TecmoBengals Wrote: Alex Erickson? Seriously? The dude must be a great locker room guy or something.

Well I value Simmons' opinion of Erickson more than I do the posters on this board. Ad for Bullock, I think he will be a cap casualty. I think he kicked well enough to keep his job, but they can get a cheaper kicker.

(01-05-2021, 12:45 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Well I value Simmons' opinion of Erickson more than I do the posters on this board. Ad for Bullock, I think he will be a cap casualty. I think he kicked well enough to keep his job, but they can get a cheaper kicker.

As you should, he's an NFL coach and we're just forum go'ers. It sure did seem like Erickson struggled a lot of games when watching him return punts.

(01-05-2021, 12:48 PM)TecmoBengals Wrote: As you should, he's an NFL coach and we're just forum go'ers. It sure did seem like Erickson struggled a lot of games when watching him return punts.

And I'm sure Simmons has dissected each and every one of those plays over and over on film, and knows which blocking assignments were blown.

The only coach on the team i really trust with player evaluations...

(01-05-2021, 12:48 PM)TecmoBengals Wrote: As you should, he's an NFL coach and we're just forum go'ers. It sure did seem like Erickson struggled a lot of games when watching him return punts.

Erickson is the definition of a "Steady Eddie," both as a returner and a receiver.
You know what you're going to get from him. He'll do the job, but he's not exciting.
Erickson doesn't have enough speed and agility to really be a threat to take it to the house.
His longest PR this year was 29 yards, which ranked 17th in the league.
He has 0 return TDs (both KR and PR) in his five seasons in the league.
He has been periodically in the Top 10 a few times before though in terms of YPR (including this year at PR), he's just not a home run threat.

(01-05-2021, 12:59 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Erickson is the definition of a "Steady Eddie," both as a returner and a receiver.
You know what you're going to get from him. He'll do the job, but he's not exciting.
Erickson doesn't have enough speed and agility to really be a threat to take it to the house.
His longest PR this year was 29 yards, which ranked 17th in the league.
He has 0 return TDs (both KR and PR) in his five seasons in the league.
He has been periodically in the Top 10 a few times before though (including this year at PR), he's just not a home run threat.

As is my position with any spot, when they get someone better, then replace him. They are not going to use a #2 RB or a #1 or #2 WR to return punts.... it's just not smart.

(01-05-2021, 12:59 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Erickson is the definition of a "Steady Eddie," both as a returner and a receiver.
You know what you're going to get from him. He'll do the job, but he's not exciting.
Erickson doesn't have enough speed and agility to really be a threat to take it to the house.
His longest PR this year was 29 yards, which ranked 17th in the league.
He has 0 return TDs (both KR and PR) in his five seasons in the league.
He has been periodically in the Top 10 a few times before though in terms of YPR (including this year at PR), he's just not a home run threat.

I'm 99.9% sure that Alex Erickson ranks in the top 3 in fumbles the last two years among return men.  And I'd be willing to bet there's a good chance he's number 1.

I'm too lazy to look it up, but I know he was near the top last year, and I know he's near the top again this year.  Couple the two together and he's way up that list.

We have to account for this in addition to everything you just said.

(01-05-2021, 01:00 PM)Sled21 Wrote: As is my position with any spot, when they get someone better, then replace him. They are not going to use a #2 RB or a #1 or #2 WR to return punts.... it's just not smart.

I can understand that sentiment. I know there are some talented return specialists expected to enter the draft, so that's always an option.
My only concern with re-signing Erickson is how much the cap hit will be and how will it affect the signing of other FAs due to him occupying that cap space.

(01-05-2021, 01:05 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I'm 99.9% sure that Alex Erickson ranks in the top 3 in fumbles the last two years among return men.  And I'd be willing to bet there's a good chance he's number 1.

I'm too lazy to look it up, but I know he was near the top last year, and I know he's near the top again this year.  Couple the two together and he's way up that list.

We have to account for this in addition to everything you just said.

Erickson's total fumbles by year:
2016 - 3
2017 - 6
2018 - 1
2019 - 4
2020 - 2

(01-05-2021, 01:25 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Erickson's total fumbles by year:
2016 - 3
2017 - 6
2018 - 1
2019 - 4
2020 - 2

Dear god, we benched Ross after one fumble but let this guy put 6 on the ground in 2017!

I always thought Erickson looked slow. Is it because he's white? Maybe. (Not trying to be racist. I'm white myself.) But Sunday on his longest punt return he didn't look slow. He wasn't pulling away from anyone but surprisingly I didn't see the guys chasing him catching up either.

(01-05-2021, 01:05 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I'm 99.9% sure that Alex Erickson ranks in the top 3 in fumbles the last two years among return men.  And I'd be willing to bet there's a good chance he's number 1.

I'm too lazy to look it up, but I know he was near the top last year, and I know he's near the top again this year.  Couple the two together and he's way up that list.

We have to account for this in addition to everything you just said.

2020 NFL punt-returns stats - Players | NFL.com
2020

4 fumbles- Steven Sims

3 Fumbles- Nsimba Webster
                 Isaiah Wright

2 Fumbles- Jalen Reagor
                 Deonte Spencer
                 Jamal Agnew
                 Deonte Harris
                 Jakeem Grant
                 Ray-Ray McCloud
                 Andre Roberts
                 Deondre Carter
                 Richie James
                 Chad Beebe
               eebe  KJ Osbourne

1 Fumble- Alex Erickson.... AND 22 other guys


2019
2019 NFL punt-returns stats - Players | NFL.com

4 Fumbles- Kenjon Barner
                 Desmond King

3 Fumbles- TJ Jones
                 Deonte Harris
                 Ray Ray McCloud
                 Mike Hughes
                 Chad Beebe
                 Tyler Ervin
                 De' Anthony Thomas
                 Bobo Wilson
                 Alex Erickson


Wanna try that one again?

(01-05-2021, 01:25 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Erickson's total fumbles by year:
2016 - 3
2017 - 6
2018 - 1
2019 - 4
2020 - 2

Where are you getting these numbers? NFL has Erickson for 4 in 2017
2017 NFL punt-returns stats - Players | NFL.com

Alex Erickson
7.1
39
278
0
3
0
29
19
4

(01-05-2021, 01:44 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Where are you getting these numbers? NFL has Erickson for 4 in 2017
2017 NFL punt-returns stats - Players | NFL.com

Alex Erickson
7.1
39
278
0
3
0
29
19
4

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EricAl01.htm

Edit - The numbers I posted are total fumbles by year, not just PR.

(01-05-2021, 01:41 PM)Sled21 Wrote: 2020 NFL punt-returns stats - Players | NFL.com
2020

4 fumbles- Steven Sims

3 Fumbles- Nsimba Webster
                 Isaiah Wright

2 Fumbles- Jalen Reagor
                 Deonte Spencer
                 Jamal Agnew
                 Deonte Harris
                 Jakeem Grant
                 Ray-Ray McCloud
                 Andre Roberts
                 Deondre Carter
                 Richie James
                 Chad Beebe
               eebe  KJ Osbourne

1 Fumble- Alex Erickson.... AND 22 other guys


2019
2019 NFL punt-returns stats - Players | NFL.com

4 Fumbles- Kenjon Barner
                 Desmond King

3 Fumbles- TJ Jones
                 Deonte Harris
                 Ray Ray McCloud
                 Mike Hughes
                 Chad Beebe
                 Tyler Ervin
                 De' Anthony Thomas
                 Bobo Wilson
                 Alex Erickson


Wanna try that one again?

Combined 2019 and 2020 would have Erickson at 4 PR fumbles.
It would take some calculation, but I don't see many being above 4 across two years.
I see Deonte Harris and Ray Ray McCloud being at 5 total across two years from the list you posted.
If only Harris and McCloud have more over the past two seasons, that would technically make Erickson tied for 3rd with a handful of others.

How many punt returns has Erickson taken past 40 yds?
1 ...2?
I know he has 1 career TD. Talk about guy doing his best work
When the Bengals are mathimatically eliminated from the playoffs.

(01-05-2021, 02:37 PM)impactplaya Wrote: How many punt returns has Erickson taken past 40 yds?
1 ...2?
I know he has 1 career TD. Talk about guy doing his best work
When the Bengals are mathimatically eliminated from the playoffs.

Longest PR by year:
2016 - 24
2017 - 29
2018 - 38
2019 - 17
2020 - 29

So he's had 0 returns at 40+ yards.
Erickson has had 0 TDs as a returner, but did have 1 receiving TD in 2017.

(01-05-2021, 01:41 PM)Sled21 Wrote: 2020 NFL punt-returns stats - Players | NFL.com
2020

4 fumbles- Steven Sims

3 Fumbles- Nsimba Webster
                 Isaiah Wright

2 Fumbles- Jalen Reagor
                 Deonte Spencer
                 Jamal Agnew
                 Deonte Harris
                 Jakeem Grant
                 Ray-Ray McCloud
                 Andre Roberts
                 Deondre Carter
                 Richie James
                 Chad Beebe
               eebe  KJ Osbourne

1 Fumble- Alex Erickson.... AND 22 other guys


2019
2019 NFL punt-returns stats - Players | NFL.com

4 Fumbles- Kenjon Barner
                 Desmond King

3 Fumbles- TJ Jones
                 Deonte Harris
                 Ray Ray McCloud
                 Mike Hughes
                 Chad Beebe
                 Tyler Ervin
                 De' Anthony Thomas
                 Bobo Wilson
                 Alex Erickson


Wanna try that one again?

NFL.com is missing data, I think. It only says he has 12 returns on the season. If you look at any other stat sources, it has Erickson with over 20 returns. It also has Erickson with only eight fair catches, while most others have him with 20. He fielded the ball more than 20 times this season.