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It would be nice to have a real threat back there, but the fact remains that close to a half of all KO's end up at the 20 with the shorter KO. So if you have to have one definable weakness, this would be the one I'd choose. Outside of Vareen and Woody, I can't think of anyone else who has the quickness and speed to be a plus KO returner, and Woody hasn't shown a great deal. Believe me I'm much more worried about the coverage than the KO return. Get me to the 20 and I'm happy.
BTW- its hard for ANYONE to get traction on a KO any more. No only are most of the balls going into the endzone, the coverage is 5 yds closer, and the wedge has been outlawed. The NFL has worked hard to make KO's an irrelevant play....and it seems the Pats are working closely with the league in this area.
If not Slater then perhaps one of the defensive backs (McCourty, Arrington) or an end of the roster special teams guy (Ebert, Williams, Cole, etc.)?
I'd love to see McCourty back there, honestly. Rewatch his INT returns in 2010, he knows what to do with the ball in his hand and some improv blocking.
Devin McCourty Rookie Highlights - YouTube
...I miss 2010 DMc
Both of these make sense, but then we're getting into the whole added "injury risk" issue. It's a tough call either way.
Both of these make sense, but then we're getting into the whole added "injury risk" issue. It's a tough call either way.
It's part of the game, many teams have their starting WRs or RBs or CBs returning kicks, i'd say more have 1st stringers doing it than those that have dedicated kick returners (could be very wrong, I'm just guessing/assuming).
If one of our 1st string players can give us more explosion from the position, it might be worth it.
You guys forgetting that Woodhead averaged over 33 yards/return in the playoffs when he was healthy -- which would have led the league in the regular season.
He also fumbled a kick return in the playoffs. He would have led the league in fumbles if he fumbled every kick return during the season.
You guys forgetting that Woodhead averaged over 33 yards/return in the playoffs when he was healthy -- which would have led the league in the regular season.
Yes, and to extend the logic, Connolly is clearly the team's best KO returner.