ARE: Punt Returns

[The Goat]

I almost started the same thread (glad I thought to look further down the list beforehand). If ARE is returning punts again next weekend I'll be scratching me head... AND THEN FUCKING GOING BALLISTIC AGAIN. My biggest complaint is that he won't run north-south even when there are a few yards to gain before he hits a wall. Really, any of the suggested replacements above would be an improvement but I want to see Betts return punts. Probably not the best idea because he's our immediate backup RB but Betts runs north-south as well as Rock but w/ more speed and he's better after contact. Maybe it's too risky though.

[Dirtbag59]

The one thing ARE had going for him on punts was the fact that he caught and held onto the ball. Gaining yards on Punt Returns has never been his strong suit while playing for the maroon and black. It might be a little different but didn't Mitchell return punts? I mean hell ,we have a poor mans Brian Mitchell in Rock so lets see what he can do.

Face it ARE, you're a reciever now, and a good one at that, stick to your craft.

[djnemo65]

Yeah, this should not be a knee-jerk reaction to his fumble. He has sucked at returning punts since he came over in 06. New blood!

[GoSkins!]

The fumble I'll forgive. El has a good history of hanging onto the ball. But his returns have been middle to bottom of the pack for a while. Combine that with his increased roll as a receiver and I think it's clear we need to re-staff the punt return job.

Thrash has always been solid, but I'd try a few more of he young guys first. Until you do, you won't know if you have a Devin Hester.

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

Yeah, this should not be a knee-jerk reaction to his fumble. He has sucked at returning punts since he came over in 06. New blood!

Agreed. Has nothing to do w/ the fumble and everything to do w/ his lack of positive yards.

[FRPLG]

estion is whether it is our bnlocking or not. I am not savy enough to say for sure. It does seems like he dances a lot and usues a lot of motion to not do too much. I think our punting/punt returning game is as suspect as our kickoff/kick returning is good.

[Larry Michael is Satan]

How about COOLEY!!!!!!

[BleedBurgundy]

I was asking myself if they keep him there to get their money out of him? They paid him pretty damn well to be a number 2, I'm sure they justified it with his supposed special teams play. That said, I can't/won't believe that he is kept back there solely for that reason.

[MTK]

For once I'd like to see ARE make a move and go, instead he dances like crazy. It's so freaking annoying.

[doughtydoubter]

Punt returns are a tough buisness..if i had all those guys gunning for me, id dance like crazy too

[mredskins]

I don't understand why you would not use Rock on punt returns. MAkes no sense too me.

[doughtydoubter]

I don't understand why you would not use Rock on punt returns. MAkes no sense too me.

I think speed and shiftiness are the reasons

[mike340]

Thrash had 2 returns last year, averaging 35.5 yards per return. He also doesn't do an endzone celebration after receiving the punt. It should help us not lose field position after a punt exchange.

[memphisskin]

I disagree. I think ARE does dance a bit too much at times, but he's got the ability to take it to the house. Unless Moss goes back there, ARE is the best option we have on the team. His return style isn't the problem, its the lack of results. You've got to make the first man miss, which ARE does for the most part. Where he gets in trouble is that he hasn't been able to get up the field yet this year, but its coming.

[firstdown]

Returning kicks v/s punts is two different things and maybe rock has problems fielding punts. ARE while I agree dances arund way too much he usually holds on to the ball so I say leave him back there until we have someone better. Do we want to risk having a guy who might get a few extra yards but might cough up the ball more than ARE?