Happy returns

KIRKLAND, Wash. – He credits his older brother, Alvin, with developing his toughness.

He gives former Minnesota Vikings teammate Randy Moss the nod for helping him develop into an NFL receiver.

Now Nate Burleson is learning another valuable lesson from one of the fine athletes to come into his life.

Would you believe … Koren Robinson?

“He looked at being a kickoff returner as a great opportunity,” Burleson said of the former Seahawk who played with Burleson in Minnesota last year. “That’s kind of what I base my situation off of. He was excited every time he got back there just to touch the ball.”

Before he got suspended for a year by the NFL, Robinson took advantage of an opportunity by making it to the Pro Bowl as a return man. While no other part of Burleson’s life mimics Robinson’s, his current circumstance brings his ex-teammate to mind.

Just like Burleson, Robinson wasn’t making much of a contribution to his team’s offense early in his first season with his new team. Like Burleson, Robinson handled return duties.

Like Burleson hopes to, Robinson went to the Pro Bowl as a special teams player.

“I have a 1,000-yard season under my belt (as a Vikings receiver), and it wouldn’t hurt to have a three-punt-return-touchdown season under my belt, or maybe even go to Hawaii as a returner,” Burleson said Monday. “That’s a big achievement. That’s something I strive for.

“When I returned (the touchdown against St. Louis), that’s what popped into my head a little bit: This could be my chance to go across the water and represent this organization as a returner.”

Burleson has only spent three games as the Seahawks’ punt returner, yet he’s already made quite an impact. His 90-yard touchdown against the Rams helped pave the way to a 14.3-yards-per return average. His 12 returns aren’t enough to qualify him for the league leaders, but he could soon push Chicago’s Devin Hester (12.9) for the conference lead.

“The way I look at it, if I can get a couple more (touchdowns), it can be a popularity contest,” he said of the Pro Bowl voting. “I’ve been in the league a little bit longer (than Hester, a rookie), and hopefully the guys across the NFC respect me and will show me love when it comes to the voting.”

Burleson is so focused on the possibility of going to the Pro Bowl that he’s told several teammates on the punt return team that he’ll buy them tickets to Hawaii if he gets there.

“For us, that would be the same as how the offensive line felt last year when Shaun (Alexander) was breaking all those records. It would mean a lot,” said linebacker Niko Koutouvides, who plays on several special teams units. “It’s appreciative for us that he respects what we do for him because we’re not seen a lot.”

Koutouvides is among those who have been impressed with Burleson’s play as a return man this year.

“When the ball’s in his hands, he makes guys miss,” Koutouvides said. “When we really needed him against St. Louis, and we needed a huge play, he made it happen.”

Koutouvides may have become a little too excited on that touchdown.

“My problem was, I wanted to run down there and celebrate with him,” he said. “Then the next thing I know, I had to be on kickoff coverage, and I was kind of tired.

“So the next time he does it, if it’s a long run, I might have to just see him on the sidelines.”

Burleson took return duties away from Jimmy Williams three weeks ago and has thrived in the role. After getting demoted from his spot as a starting receiver, Burleson has embraced his role as a punt returner.

“In the West Coast offense, usually when a play is called, it’s designed to go to one person,” he said of playing the wide receiver position. “But as a returner, you’re the guy. Your number’s being called every time that ball’s in the air.

“… When the ball’s in the air, you say, ‘This is my chance to get a touchdown,’ every single time.”