The difference in his game is simple. That’s what Brandon Banks says. And it boils down to this: He’s healthy.
It’s why Banks said he’s optimistic about this season. It’s why he says the big plays will return.
“I feel like a brand new person,” Banks said. “I feel like I’m 100 percent. I feel I got my juice and my quickness back and my little burst.”
Of course, he’d better. Banks can no longer rely on just helping as a returner, especially not after a season in which he averaged two yards less per kick and punt return, respectively. Coach Mike Shanahan made it clear he needs to help at receiver as well. Early in camp he’s shown flashes of doing so; it’s tough to jam him at the line. He gets in and out of breaks quickly. But he’s also a tough target at only 5-foot-7. And Terrence Austin, among others, is having a good camp. Austin can help as a returner as well; it’s why they drafted him in the first place. Aldrick Robinson will get looks there, too.
“I always knew I could play receiver,” Banks said. “I did it in college. All I had to do is get healthy.”
Part of that, Shanahan said Tuesday, was taking a better approach.
“He was banged up [in 2011], at the same time I don’t think he knew how to be a pro player,” Shanahan said. “He didn’t know how to take care of his body. He didn’t know how to do the little things the right way. He’s matured and he understands that if he’s going to play, he’s got to be at the top of his game.”
Banks is not one for long answers, but in essence he agreed with Shanahan.
“Oh yeah,” he said. “I had a good offseason, did a lot of rehabbing and strengthening on my legs and conditioning. I took care of my body real well. It was my main focus this year. At the end of last year [Shanahan] told me what he needed me to do and I took advantage of it.”
But returning kicks is where he makes his money. He remembers seeing holes on kick returns last year that he missed, in part, he said, because of his inability to cut as well as he wanted. He’s said in the past that he likes to run to his left and teams often pinned him to the left, forcing him to run the other way.
As for receiver, Banks is confident. In practice earlier this week, Banks displayed his quickness off the line against Cedric Griffin. He tried to jam Banks, but Banks took a step outside, causing Griffin to react and get off-balance. Banks easily cut inside for a catch. But he can also be easy for linebackers to re-route (if they get their hands on him).
“I can get open,” he said. “I can get the ball and go the distance, the medium routes, 10-yard routes. Anytime I’m out here when I get the ball in my hands it seems like I can make a play and help them.
“That’s the strength of my game, quickness off the line and just using my speed getting in and out of routes. It’ll create a mismatch for most defenders.”
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