Webb seeing steady progress on punt returns

December 11, 2010 11:30 AM by Dan Kolko View Comments

It might have taken a few weeks, but Lardarius Webb looks to be settling into his new role as the Ravens' punt returner.

Webb didn't have a return longer than 10 yards in his first three games returning punts this season, but in the three games since, his numbers have started to improve.

Three weeks ago against Carolina, Webb had 41 total return yards, with a high of 11 yards, and against the Buccaneers two games back, the two-year veteran had a 15-yarder.

Then, last week, Webb broke off a 35-yard return against the Steelers that set the Ravens up with great field position at their own 49-yard line.

Those are the type of plays that special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg hopes to see more of from Webb over the final four weeks of the season.

"He certainly looks more comfortable in his setups and the way he's attacking the seams," Rosburg said. "And we still have a ways to go yet - we didn't score - but 35 yards is certainly an improvement.

"So, hopefully we can have a couple more shots as we get down the road."

Webb returned kickoffs for the Ravens last season prior to his season-ending knee injury late in the year, but he hadn't returned punts since his time at Nicholls State.

As could be expected, it took a little while for Webb to get back into the rhythm of returning punts, and the time he missed as a result of the torn ACL certainly didn't help matters, but after six games, Webb says he's starting to feel more comfortable in that aspect.

"Yes, it's coming along," Webb said after the Steelers game. "I did it in college. Now, it's becoming more comfortable each week.

"The guys say, if I run and do my thing, they're going to block their butt off. That's just what they do. I got to give it up to the guys up front for blocking for me."