Why is Welker returning punts?

[CrazyDave]

Seriously man.
I know he is good at it.
But really?
There HAS to be somone else who can do it. Edelman? One of the db's?

 

[IcyPatriot]

I feel your pain ... i hate when a star player returns punts. When Troy returned them I would hold my breath until the play was over. but it's all about hands ... perhaps Edelman doesn't yet have the hands to do it.

 

[BelichickFan]

We've always had tons of starters on ST - they're important. Very important. I want him back there vs. some guy who sucks at it.

 

[Satchboogie3]

I don't think I want Welker returning punts right now either. He doesn't look anywhere near 100% right now, he's dropped a bunch of passes and doesn't look explosive at all.

 

[WhiteWesWelker88]

Welker is fine for PUNTS...


Kick Off returns are the real suicide threat

 

[TB=TD]

Why not Tate?

 

[WhiteWesWelker88]

Why not Tate?

Tate can't do all the above...


Deep
PR
KR



no way

 

[patchick]

As I recall it, Edelman was handling the punt returns yesterday until he was injured. Then Welker was the natural replacement in a tight game where the last thing you want is an inexperienced guy fielding a punt.

 

[PatsChamp88]

If you watched the game yesterday he wasn't the only one returning punts... I don't know why so many people are complaining about it who cares?

 

[JMarr]

I didn't get to see it, but it sounded like Edelman had made a serious gaff late in the game, catching a punt at his own 4 yard line. Prior to that, Edelman, Tate, or whoever was returning kicks had been totally ineffective.

BB decides he's seen enough and puts Welker in, Welker promptly rips off about a 35 yard return to put us within striking distance of a game winning/tying(?) field goal. Got to pick your spots, and Belichick picked a good one.

 

[drew4008]

Edelman does return punts a lot of the time... he went out with an injury and didn't return though. Slater would be a decent choice too, and I'd even like to see what Woodhead can do with an opportunity there.

 

[TB=TD]

Tate can't do all the above...


Deep
PR
KR



no way

Hester does it.

 

[WhiteWesWelker88]

Hester does it.

name me another?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Edelman does return punts a lot of the time... he went out with an injury and didn't return though. Slater would be a decent choice too, and I'd even like to see what Woodhead can do with an opportunity there.

Belichick is very analytical about STs. He's computed that by the longer time needed for the punt to fall the extra distance towards the ground needed to reach Woodheads arms, the enemy coverage will already be there.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Until Edelman is healthy there's nobody close to as effective on PR.

I wonder when Edelman will get better and wtf is even wrong with him. They kept saying nothing serious nothing serious, and this thing has plagued him through 6 weeks. He looked pretty bad on the PR and equally bad trying to catch passes.

 

[West Philly Patriot]

Seriously man.
I know he is good at it.
But really?
There HAS to be somone else who can do it. Edelman? One of the db's?

He is still returning punts because edelman didn't look very confident back there in the couple he had in the 1st half.

 

[PatsFanInMaine]

Hester does it.

Hester does not return kickoffs

 

[TB=TD]

Hester does not return kickoffs

Yes he does.

 

[PatsFanInMaine]

Yes he does.

No he doesn't.

Chicago Bears 2010 Depth Chart - Special Teams - ESPN

 

[TB=TD]

No he doesn't.

Chicago Bears 2010 Depth Chart - Special Teams - ESPN

He returned a kickoff for a touchdown against the Colts.