Why is Woodhead returning kickoffs?

[Julius]

Everytime he brings one out of the end zone I cringe. He doesn't seem like he is capable of knocking off a big return and he rarely takes it past the twenty, so why bother taking a chance on fumbling or getting brought down on the 10 or 15 yard line?

Maybe the coaching staff has no one more explosive. Or maybe they are just trying to give him some touches since he isn't getting many carries this year. Are we that short on return men?

 

[patsinthesnow]

They should put Underwood back there.

 

[supafly]

Everytime he brings one out of the end zone I cringe. He doesn't seem like he is capable of knocking off a big return and he rarely takes it past the twenty, so why bother taking a chance on fumbling or getting brought down on the 10 or 15 yard line?

Maybe the coaching staff has no one more explosive. Or maybe they are just trying to give him some touches since he isn't getting many carries this year. Are we that short on return men?

Actually, since Edelman is being forced into a much more important role lately, I would imagine that they feel that it's not worth risking an injury with him on the kickoff returns; hence the choice of Woodhead as the current returner.

Since kickoff returns are one of the most potentially 'violent' plays in all of sports, that would be my guess. That also eliminates McCourty (when healthy of course).

There is a shot it could be Underwood, but maybe Belichick feels as though the depth at RB is more important and deeper than the depth at WR (in other words, maybe he sees Underwood as a potential bigger role down the stretch here).

It seems to me that the choice of Woodhead is simply due to a lack of better options, with the injury situation + Edelman's needed versatility.

I would think that it would have been Edelman returning kicks, had it not been for needing him to play 2 roles, and trying to limit his exposure to injury. That's just a guess of course.

 

[PatsFan2]

Great Straight line speed he's going to break one...one of these days.

 

[letekro]

1. Edelman is too valuable 2. The staff trusts him not to fumble or otherwise do something stupid (Hi Matthew Slater) 3. He consistently makes it to at least the 20 (although not much beyond).

 

[Metaphors]

Woody's new nickname is "Blackjack" since his returns get close to 21 but never go over.

 

[IcyPatriot]

because he can ...

 

[Rob0729]

I think they are putting different people back there based on match ups. I wouldn't be surprised if Edelman or someone else is returning this week.

 

[Patjew]

I wish he'd just kneel in the end zone more. I'm tired of seeing him bring it from 4 yards back in the EZ to the 17 yard line.

 

[Mack Herron]

I wish he'd just kneel in the end zone more. I'm tired of seeing him bring it from 4 yards back in the EZ to the 17 yard line.

It is painful to watch. A host of faster guys to try back there. Edelman is clearly better but cannot play every down. Same with all the other DBs that can walk. Underwood is a possibility if he can hang onto the ball. The position of strength is indeed RB, where Vereen has more speed and power than Woody.

 

[SyN65]

Is there a reason Price isn't back there? It's not like he can get on the field as a WR...

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

You know the ideal guy is McCourty which is something he excelled at in College,but no way do they put extra chance on another injury.

Woodhead does stink at returning though...I think Welker is our best chance to gain solid yardage on more than an occasion.

 

[strngplyr]

You know the ideal guy is McCourty which is something he excelled at in College,but no way do they put extra chance on another injury.

Woodhead does stink at returning though...I think Welker is our best chance to gain solid yardage on more than an occasion.

I don't think Woodhead or Welker are ideal. Welker is far too slow, he can make a guy miss, but thats not what a KO is about. Kick offs are much more about straight line speed, finding the hole, and hitting it. Woodhead, Welker, and Edelman are PR guys where you need to make someone miss within a second of catching the ball.

You have a lot more room to work with on KO's which is why teams put guys like Price, Tate, McCourty, Cromartie, etc. back there when they don't have a Hester. Good straight line speed and acceleration.

 

[bradydaman29]

I wouldn't mind seeing some creativity on the kickoffs as well since they don't seem to have a burner. I think there was a team this past week that did a hand-off and got lots of yards on it. The other team is so focused on who catches the ball, and then their vision might get blocked, so if the player hands it off to another player who goes the other way, it could gain some more yards and better field position. It would also have the added benefit of slowing down the attackers on future kick-offs because they would have to be aware of it happening again, or the possible fake handoff.

 

[hovis]

Woodhead's tied for 61st in the league for kick return average - right at 21 yds/return. Not good at all.

I think the better question, at this point, is why is Woodhead above Vereen in the depth chart? He's taken a HUGE step back, in both phases he's involved in. It's like he's a different guy out there. He's seemed to have lost the speed and explosiveness he had in the past.

 

[NEPatriot]

Is there a reason Price isn't back there? It's not like he can get on the field as a WR...

It would seem to make sense in theory, however having seen him on kick duty in training camp he doesnt have the best kick return hands.

 

[LetsGoPats36]

Matthew Slater had some dynamic returns at UCLA. At this point, it doesn't seem like he's been groomed to be the guy or they really trust him to be the guy.

Woody is back there because BB trusts him not to **** up.

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

Everytime he brings one out of the end zone I cringe. He doesn't seem like he is capable of knocking off a big return and he rarely takes it past the twenty, so why bother taking a chance on fumbling or getting brought down on the 10 or 15 yard line?

Maybe the coaching staff has no one more explosive. Or maybe they are just trying to give him some touches since he isn't getting many carries this year. Are we that short on return men?

I've been saying this exact thing to my wife for the last few weeks. I know whats going to happen , straight up the middle to the 20 ish. .

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Because Bethel Johnson is not walking thorugh that door.

Neither is Brandon Tate, Darius Butler, or all of the other 2nd round replacements for Bethel.

Slater has fumbled pretty much every return he has tried, no thanks. What about Vareen or does he go on the list above?

 

[Jackson 2]

They should put Underwood back there.

What makes you think he could catch a kick-off?