Brandon Bolden on special teams.

[RayClay]

Kind of a weak premise for a thread, I know.

Anyway, I like his running style, and I'm not talking about his punt return woes, but did anyone notice him on kick coverage yesterday?

I only mention it because I noticed a #38 miss a tackle sometime, that was noteworthy enough i remembered.

Sure enough, later in the game, he seemed to lunge at some ghost about 5 yards east of the returner for no apparent reason, causing me to look up the roster to see who 38 was.

I haven't seen a missed tackle like that since the days Steve Kiner had to decide which hallucination to go after.

Did anyone see this, and is there a football related explanation? I understand there are contain responsibilities, but I don't think that means lunging 5 yds from the actual ball carrier.

 

[Dragda]

are you talking about the dive he made on the kickoff to start the second half?

If so, this is just bad technique. He left his feet trying to dive around a blocker rather than take on the blocker. Once he was off his feet and the returner changed direction he fell harmlessly to the field turf while the returner cut over to his left.

 

[letekro]

Looked like he lost containment on two runbacks, one of which involved the alluded-to ghost tackle. UUUUUGly.

 

[RayClay]

are you talking about the dive he made on the kickoff to start the second half?

If so, this is just bad technique. He left his feet trying to dive around a blocker rather than take on the blocker. Once he was off his feet and the returner changed direction he fell harmlessly to the field turf while the returner cut over to his left.

I'm not sure, but that sounds like it. It didn't seem like that as I watched, but your explanation is obviously more logical. Either way, he's either thinking too much, or has really bad technique or needs to practice.

There was another play notable enough to remember his number, but i don't recall it.

 

[Dragda]

I'm not sure, but that sounds like it. It didn't seem like that as I watched, but your explanation is obviously more logical. Either way, he's either thinking too much, or has really bad technique or needs to practice.

There was another play notable enough to remember his number, but i don't recall it.

It's fixable. There is a lot of bad ST play to go around this game...

 

[RayClay]

It's fixable. There is a lot of bad ST play to go around this game...

The way to react naturally is to practice hard and listen to the coach. Hopefully he's putting the work in. As much as i like his running style, he's not in a secure position and needs to show value elsewhere.

 

[mgteich]

Bolden is being given a chance to show his value on special teams. If he can't do it, then Forston or Francis or Dennard will soon be active in his place.

The way to react naturally is to practice hard and listen to the coach. Hopefully he's putting the work in. As much as i like his running style, he's not in a secure position and needs to show value elsewhere.

 

[RayClay]

Bolden is being given a chance to show his value on special teams. If he can't do it, then Forston or Francis or Dennard will soon be active in his place.

Unless he gets a shot and starts ripping it like Clock killin Corey Dillon. I like his style, but with Ridley, the chances of that are limited.

It certainly is the tie breaker, if you don't contribute on teams as an UDFA backup.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Looked like he lost containment on two runbacks, one of which involved the alluded-to ghost tackle. UUUUUGly.

Yes, exactly. I remember after the second one thinking "what the heck is Sergio doing over-pursuing like that????" In the tension of the game I forgot that Bolden was the new 38. (Heck, I just got over thinking "Ty Poole" whenever I saw Sergio ...)

Anyway, rookie enthusiasm. Rein it in, channel it, whatever. Coach it. Not worried.