Returning kicks acquires new dimensions

Darius Reynaud had not returned a punt in a game since high school when he assumed that role against the Dallas Cowboys in the Vikings' final preseason game.

If there was any apprehension on his part, it certainly didn't show on an 81-yard touchdown return. Catching the ball near the Vikings sideline, Reynaud made three defenders miss, gave a nifty move at midfield and then finished it with a somersault into the end zone.

Reynaud wasn't quite that spectacular returning punts in his first "real" game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, but he demonstrated some more playmaking ability in the Vikings' 34-20 victory.

The combination of Reynaud and rookie Percy Harvin on kickoff returns makes the Vikings special teams return units potentially more dangerous than in recent seasons. The Reynaud/Harvin tandem showed some flair and ability to change field position in the season opener.

Reynaud returned two punts for 54 yards, which included a 36-yard return in the second quarter, the team's longest punt return ever in a season opener.

Harvin returned three kickoffs for 99 yards, including a 41-yarder at the start of the second half. His 33-yard average was the third-best effort in the NFL in Week 1.

Granted, it was only one performance, but the Vikings return game at least looks capable of being more dynamic with those two on the field.

"I'm doing a pretty good job on punt returns and Percy's doing a really good job on kickoff returns," Reynaud said. "The guys they have back there can really take it the distance."

The team's problems on covering returns last season are well-documented, but its own return game -- with the exception of one punt return by Bernard Berrian -- didn't exactly grab headlines. The Vikings ranked 20th in the NFL in kickoff returns and 24th in punt returns.

The team signed free agent Maurice Hicks last offseason primarily to return kicks, but he showed no playmaking ability and was released after the season. The team used four different punt returners.

To be fair, the Vikings have produced some big plays in the return game under coach Brad Childress. Aundrae Allison's 104-yard kickoff return against the Detroit Lions in 2007 was the longest in team history. Berrian's 82-yard touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals last season was the third-longest punt return in team history.

But the Vikings return game probably didn't strike fear in opponents last season, which could change with Harvin and Reynaud. The coaching staff also believes Jaymar Johnson, who was inactive Sunday, is capable of producing big plays as a returner.

"They all can interchange and I am not going to lock any of them in," Childress said. "The great thing is that all those guys have that ability along with Bernard Berrian or Jaymar Johnson if he happened to be up."

While Harvin did not return kickoffs in college and Reynaud is new to punt returns, both appear confident in those roles.

Harvin's speed and overall athletic ability make him a natural as a returner.

Reynaud is not as fast but he's shifty and has shown an ability to make the first guy miss.

"That's just instincts that you have in making any guy miss," Reynaud said. "On any punt return, if you make that first guy miss, you can go the distance. It's like street ball. Make the first one miss and play ball."