Penciled in as the Detroit Lions' No. 3 receiver behind Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson, 2011 second-round draft pick Titus Young is looking to challenge Stefan Logan for the return-specialist role, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
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The Lions were in the middle of the pack last season in terms of kick returns, averaging 24 yards per return, but they were in the bottom third on punt returns with a 7.9-yard average and were one of seven NFL teams without a 30-plus-yard return.
Official playing-time documents show that Young logged just six snaps on special teams as a rookie, but he certainly could help in the kick-return department. Young averaged 25.6 yards and scored two touchdowns on 56 returns during his 43-game career at Boise State. Young had just 11 punt returns (for 76 yards, a 6.9-yard average) in college, but he believes that's an area where he could do damage in the NFL.
"I like returning kicks, but I would rather return punts because you get a little bit more space," Young said last month. "And I think returning punts is more challenging. It's more of a chance to create your space a little bit more than kickoff. Kick returning is fine, too. It's another way to get in open spaces and show off your talents."
