The problem with our punt return game is--

#1
O

onevol74

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#1
not the return man. We have used several this season all with the same results.

The real problem is coaching. I have never seen so many untouched people coming down field after our returners as I have this year. We will never have a chance at the return game until there is a change in coaching philosophy. The gunners have had a free shot at our return men all year long.

What bothers me is that Dooley makes fun of the returners. As a player I would never want that position on his team.
 
#4
#4
Punt returner is a tough job. It's difficult to break a long return, so it's kind of a thankless job.

The potential to screw up (fumble) is relatively high, and the possibility of doing something good (a long return) is low.
 
#5
#5
No, that's why you can fair catch the ball. It is laughable that our returners make such poor decisions and have such problems catching the ball, it's lack of focus at the position.
 
#8
#8
onevol74 said:
Coaching and blocking.
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The blocking hasn't been stellar, whether that's the players not executing or the strategy I'm not sure of. However, catching and securing the ball is always on the player especially with the fair catch capability. Blaming the blocking on catching the ball is not an acceptable excuse IMO. I'm not trying to defend Dooley btw, there have been many coaching mistakes as everyone is well aware of. I just don't think we can blame the coaches or the blocking on catching a punt.
 
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#9
#9
Dooley plainly said that they had punt block called on the muffed punt. He said punt block calls for automatic fair catch which did not happen. The gunners going down field are a problem, but that is when the player either needs to do what the play is designed to do (make a fair catch), or don't try to get on sportscenter trying to do too much. Noone will ever convince me that seeing 2 or 3 of our return men dive to catch a punt which isn't a live ball is not the problem and the blocking is.
 
#10
#10
utmba93 said:
It's the same problem as with the kicking game... an Adidas ball.
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But don't we catch the other teams ball? That's it, we are used to catching the adidas ball in practice, and then those much nicer footballs just feel too much like real leather during the game, and the players get grossed out.

Problem with 99% of football players trying to catch a punt is that they will look for people coming just before they set up to catch it, and lose sight of the ball. It takes a fearless player to set up and not take their eyes off the ball, and trust teammates to block. Just takes a different type mentality.
 
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#11
#11
I don't think anyone is forcing these kids to lunge after un-catchable balls at the last moment. That's a lapse in judgment on the player...not the coaches.
 
#17
#17
onevol74 said:
not the return man. We have used several this season all with the same results.

The real problem is coaching. I have never seen so many untouched people coming down field after our returners as I have this year. We will never have a chance at the return game until there is a change in coaching philosophy. The gunners have had a free shot at our return men all year long.

What bothers me is that Dooley makes fun of the returners. As a player I would never want that position on his team.
Click to expand...

Yeah.... Ummm explain why no body runs one back on ut.
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#18
#18
yea, you would at least think that dooley could tell the returners to try and catch it, bad coaching
 
#20
#20
jcolli30 said:
I don't think anyone is forcing these kids to lunge after un-catchable balls at the last moment. That's a lapse in judgment on the player...not the coaches.
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This. None of the players are comfortable back there so they're indecisive and lunge for punts they're out of position for.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#23
#23
We have some on this site who blame Dooley for everything. He has made mistakes like everyone else, but those who don't like him will nit pick us to death about things both big and small.

Coaches have to be accountable for everything both good and bad. From that perspective it is the coach's responsibility to get the right scheme, right player and instill the correct technique and motivation to catch punts. Ultimately it is the player who has to do the job on the field.

Next week it will be something else to complain about even if we win.
 
#24
#24
wow are you kidding me? the return man has been subject to numerous muffed punts! our punt and kickoff coverages teams have been on lockdown! I'm pretty sure that same coach that is teaching them coverage is teaching them punt return. If our guys could judge a punt and learn how to catch we'd be fine.
 
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