Kick Returners?

[cstjohn17]

Any thoughts on how this will play out?

Woodhead is not a difference maker and most of the WRs are too old to put back there. Last year we had one of the worst units, I was hoping for an improvement.

 

[supafly]

Some of us were hoping that Vereen would see some looks there, which has happened in TC, but in a very limited fashion. It's possible that we'll still get some looks from him in that role in the next few preseason games.

Another name that was brought up in the offseason as a potential candidate was Dennard, but he has been injured and appears headed to IR or the practice squad at this point.

Most likely it'll be a majority of Edelman and Woodhead again, although Edelman only had 12 kick returns last year, and showed a bit more promise than Woodhead did with a 23.7 average on those 12 returns. I'd rather see Edelman than Woodhead personally, but I'm sure Woodhead will see plenty of KR's still throughout the year too.

I'm guessing that Belichick will try to improve not only on team technique as far as the ST unit on KR, but also on personal techniques with both Woodhead and Edelman, thus hopefully equating to an extra few yds per return/ave.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

In a 7-6 game punt returns are going to be plentiful and KO returns limited. I would like to see some of the other potential candidates get these reps in pre season since we know what we get from Edleman and Woody. Edleman still shows that occasional propensity to try and do too much that concerns me. Would like to see Ebert get some opportunities. But that might complicate roster decisions. Bill doesn't tend to keep pure returners around at cutdown time and the poker player in him might prefer to try and slip him onto the PS with more of a long term goal in mind. And a good showing in pre season as a pure returner would complicate that because other coaches aren't as adverse to fielding pure returners out of the gate.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Well slater has the deep speed to be a threat on kick returns. But I think he might lack the hands to be a reliable KR. Also we're already using him as a gunner are we not? Lack of KR, well maybe one of the rbs could do it? Out of Ridley, Vereen, Bolden, Woodhead someone should be adequate. Out of those I'd prefer that Vereen or Bolden get a shot.

 

[Avenger]

Jeremy Ebert

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Vereen was back there with Woody on at least one of the KR, but Woody fielded the kick. Hopefully that means we'll get to see him return a few. I've had enough of Woody/Edelman on KR, no threat whatsoever.

 

[strngplyr]

Jeremy Ebert

Can't return kicks in a real game from the PS.

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwbQA5Wv4EE


...I miss 2010 DMc

 

[jmt57]

I don't know if it was the return man or the blocking, but last year's kick returns were nothing special. It seemed like far too often they should have taken a knee and instead ran it out. Hopefully with a full off season and training camp that's something that can be worked on.


I'd like to see somebody besides Woodhead given an opportunity. I realize Slater had a fumble when he returned a kickoff but it seems like they gave up on him too quickly. 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.)?

 

[patfanken]

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.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

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.

Ebert only had a handful of kick returns in college but he ran a 4.38 40 at his pro day. I think they wanted to get him some reps the other night but the situations just didn't materialize.

 

[supafly]

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.

 

[Joey007]

Both of these make sense, but then we're getting into the whole added "injury risk" issue. It's a tough call either way.

Exactly. I'd hate to see a starter get hurt just from playing KR. That's what I love about having guys like Edelman for PR because that's his main role.

 

[strngplyr]

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.

 

[supafly]

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.

I certainly agree with you, but I also agree with Joey007 on some level too. If (and it's a big "if") you can find someone who can do a decent enough job returning kicks, and you are not risking losing arguably your best CB, then it's a no-brainer.

Of course the big question is what Belichick's definition of decent enough is...

Part of me surely wants to see a guy like Vereen in space handling the KR duty. I'd at least be curious to see how he looks.

There's also the fact that Edelman only had the chance to return 12 KR all season too, and he did an okay job in those 12 attempts as he had a 23.7 yard average. Part of me would also like to see if Edelman can add an additional yd or two to that average, which is quite possible and would solve the problem altogether.

Like I said, part of the problem was the KR blocking too, which will certainly be addressed.

 

[Kasmir]

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.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

Kick Off Returns is definitely always a factor for obvious reasons ( field position) With NFL tryin to limit run backs due to injuries. It's Punt Returning that's even more HUGE. With our Offense If we can have good/great field position It can almost be automatic points not mention it would be cool if we can break a couple for TDs. Wes-Wood are adequate but we need a bonified returner that would give an edge to ST.

 

[RayClay]

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.

 

[BTTA]

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.

Yes, and to extend the logic, Connolly is clearly the team's best KO returner.

 

[pencilneckgeek]

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.

I did not know this. I've always thought that Woody has the quickness for PR, but not the straight-line speed for KR. Given that SoB and BB know a thing or two about ST, maybe I'll give him another look (although I still won't rule out an excess emphasis on ball security to the exclusion of big play potential - maybe that playoff fumble will give someone faster a chance).

 

[RayClay]

Yes, and to extend the logic, Connolly is clearly the team's best KO returner.

Pound for pound.