Fencer
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2006
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Generally, it's a great article with punt return formation details. By Mike Reiss, of course.
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/09/24/high_yield_returns/
But of course they're going for returns instead, as a much higher-percentage play.
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/09/24/high_yield_returns/
I presume Mike Wright is missing from that crew, but even so there's not a lot of pass rush talent there. Thus, if they want to go for the block with much likelihood of success they have to signal it with a different personnel mix.... players at the line of scrimmage holding up Buffalo's cover men. That group included Eric Alexander, Heath Evans, Mel Mitchell, Pierre Woods, David Thomas, and Larry Izzo, all core members of the special teams crew.
Meanwhile, Brandon Meriweather, Randall Gay, and Willie Andrews lined up like cornerbacks, trying to re-route the Bills' gunners on the outside.
Both Kevin Faulk (short) and Welker (long) stayed back for the return, with Faulk serving as a blocker once Welker made the catch.
But of course they're going for returns instead, as a much higher-percentage play.