Return punts more often? Sure, that's great with Peter Warrick. Whatever it takes to get the ball.

Peter Warrick returns a punt 82 yards for a TD against the Jaguars last December. (Craig Ruttle photo)

        The second-year receiver handled the football 74 times last season (51 receptions, 16 rushes, seven punt returns). To which he can say only: Keep it coming.

        With the release of Craig Yeast on Monday, Warrick stands to pick up more touches as a punt returner.

        “I'm looking forward to it,” Warrick said Tuesday. “It's good to have a receiver who can do more than just one thing.

        “I just want my hands on the ball as many times as possible. No matter how I get it, just get it to me. That's all I ask for. ... I don't say that (to the coaches); I might need to start saying it.”

        Yeast was the Bengals' primary punt returner in 2000 (34 returns, 6.6-yard average, long of 27).

        Warrick returned seven punts for a 17.6-yard average, but that's a little deceiving. Take away his 82-yard return for a touchdown, and he averaged 6.8 yards on the other six attempts.

        During his Florida State career, Warrick averaged 13 yards a return.

        “Every time I get the ball, I feel like I can score, and that's how you've got to look at it,” Warrick said. “I'm thinking every time I get it, it's a touchdown. I know that's not going to happen, but at least I can have that on my mind — score, score, score — no matter whether I'm receiving or punt returning.”

        Special teams coach Al Roberts is excited about the possibilities with Warrick returning punts.

        He likens it to when Deion Sanders would set up for a return and “everybody held their breath.”

        “That's what we want,” Roberts said. “And we think Peter Warrick has more creative ability than Deion. Deion was great. (Warrick) doesn't have that kind of speed, but he has that kind of creativity, and we'll take that creativity any day.

        “He's one of God's gifted children as far as athleticism is concerned. That was one of the reasons we let other people go. He's willing to return punts. We might not let him do it full-time all the time. But he'll be our main punt returner, and we'll get somebody else to split the time with him during the ballgames and during the season.”

        Though some of punt returning is instinctive, Roberts said maturity is also a factor.

        “Knowing the league always helps,” Roberts said. “Processing and knowing every ball is not a home run ball. Take the 5 or 6 yards this time. Take the 10 next time. If they don't give you the big home run ball, don't swing for the fence. (Warrick) has that tendency. That's what he has to get better at.”

        Warrick has some goals. He wants to average 12.5 yards a punt return with four touchdowns. He also wants to total 1,006 yards receiving.

        That's the house number in his address: 1006.

        Now, if only he can eliminate the drops. ...

        Warrick had two Saturday in the preseason game against Buffalo. He had about eight to 10 as a rookie.

        “I know that the majority of my drops come from me taking my eyes off the ball, worrying about what I'm going to do,” he said. “(It's not happening) as much. I've got some good hands now.

        “I'm just trying to be a smarter receiver. Last year I was running short routes. This year I'm trying to do everything, be more disciplined and have more patience.”

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