Many happy returns for Ravens’ Sams

By Darrell Laurant  |   Thursday, November 23, 2006  |  Comments( 2 )

Baltimore Ravens
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In a matchup between two flocks of birds last Sunday, B.J. Sams of the Baltimore Ravens came the closest to actually flying.



"I was kidding him," said Ravens special teams coasch Frank Gansz Jr. "I told him he got one to the front lawn and another to the front porch. We just haven't gotten to the house yet."

Maybe not, but Sams brought down the house in Baltimore with his second long punt return last Sunday. Starting out to his left, he abandoned the wedge and veered right, then threw a mesmerizing spin move on a Falcon defender before being dragged down.

Ravens coach Brian Billick called Sams' contribution "huge."

"B.J. put us in position time and again."

Besides earning him NFL Special Teams Player of the Week honors, Sams' explosion against Atlanta slapped an exclamation point on what had thus far been a relatively quiet season, although he ranks among the AFC leaders in both kickoffs and punts.

After all, success as a kick returner depends almost as much upon luck as skill. The kick has to have a low enough trajectory and get to the return man quickly enough for him to gain a little momentum. The lanes have to open up, the key blocks have to be made, and everyone on the receiving team has to resist the temptation to hold or clip.

This is B.J. Sams' world, and he excels in it. An undrafted free agent, he burst into the league in 2004 by amassing 1,251 kickoff return yards and another 575 on punt returns. Two of his punt returns went for touchdowns.

A running back and wide receiver in college, Sams has played both of those positions and defensive back for the Ravens. As a return man, he is known for his fearlessness -- of the 28 punts aimed in his direction this season, Sams has called for fair catches only four times.

"I really don't like fair catches," he says. "I like to make a play."

Off the field, Sams' Raven life has had its ups and downs. He is one of the most active volunteers on the team for youth projects and Habitat for Humanity builds, but last month he received his second DUI charge in 14 months. His court date is Dec. 4, and a conviction could result in a four-game suspension from the NFL.

The way Sams looked on Sunday, that might be the only way to stop him.
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