Chad Jackson as returner

[BradyManny]

It was good to see Chad Jackson out there, thought as BB would put it, he did some things good, some things bad. He looked tenative/nervous on his first return to start off the game, but came back with a nice 40+ yard return after the Steelers first score. He made a good play on a short kick to prevent it from rolling down the field, and he was sloppy on the squib kickoff, could've led to a fumble.

All-in-all, not bad, and good to see him out there. Though I have to say I was surprised to see him returning both kicks and punts. It makes sense to have him in there and return kicks to give Hobbs a break, given the amount of snaps Hobbs plays in a game, but I'm surprised to see him returning punts over Welker. Either way, good to see more CJ.

 

[mdhprime]

It was good to see Chad Jackson out there, thought as BB would put it, he did some things good, some things bad. He looked tenative/nervous on his first return to start off the game, but came back with a nice 40+ yard return after the Steelers first score. He made a good play on a short kick to prevent it from rolling down the field, and he was sloppy on the squib kickoff, could've led to a fumble.

All-in-all, not bad, and good to see him out there. Though I have to say I was surprised to see him returning both kicks and punts. It makes sense to have him in there and return kicks to give Hobbs a break, given the amount of snaps Hobbs plays in a game, but I'm surprised to see him returning punts over Welker. Either way, good to see more CJ.

It bothered when he booted that one ball, but when he fields it cleanly he does a pretty good job.

 

[patsox23]

Just happy to see him active and (semi-)involved.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Just happy to see him active and (semi-)involved.

Without sounding cruel or insensitive, he's not as an integral part of the offense as Welker or of the defense as Hobbs so it makes more sense to have Jackson back there returning kicks rather than the other two. The Pats can ill-afford to lose either of Hobbs/Welker.

 

[bakes781]

He was a disaster out there! Just catch the damn ball!

 

[BradyManny]

It bothered when he booted that one ball, but when he fields it cleanly he does a pretty good job.

Admittedly that was a tough ball to deal with, at that point, you'd like to see him just fall on it or secure it before doing anything with it. Personally, I think someone ahead of him should've caught it or secured it, seemed to be a mistake that it rolled all the way back to him.

 

[Dagg]

was wondering when someone was going to start this thread. I am glad to see him out there and he a had a good return on that one kick.

he does make me a bit nervous but I think his speed can be deadly (if hes 100%)

 

[fillylabinga]

Putting CJ out there was a real head-scratcher for me. Sure I'm glad to see us getting some production out of CJ, but why as a returner, and why in against a good team like the Steelers?

Where's the upside? It's not like we were getting bad production out of our other returners--Welker and Hobbs have been great, IMO. It's not CJ to improve on those guys any. And there is a serious downside--case in point the booted punt. After we went up by 2 scores a turnover was the only thing that could have made the game close again.

I really don't know what BB was thinking here.

 

[BradyManny]

He was a disaster out there! Just catch the damn ball!

? That was one play and he did get to it.

 

[BradyManny]

Putting CJ out there was a real head-scratcher for me. Sure I'm glad to see us getting some production out of CJ, but why as a returner, and why in against a good team like the Steelers?

Where's the upside? It's not like we were getting bad production out of our other returners--Welker and Hobbs have been great, IMO. It's not CJ to improve on those guys any. And there is a serious downside--case in point the booted punt. After we went up by 2 scores a turnover was the only thing that could have made the game close again.

I really don't know what BB was thinking here.

It wasn't a booted punt, it was a tough to field kick off.

And I think as a poster above pointed out, putting CJ out there limits the chance of injury to Welker and Hobbs, who are both integral parts of their units. Though as I said, I was more surprised to see him returning punts than kicks.

 

[RussFrancis]

Good to see he still has the speed. We didnt see much of it. But on that longer return, he definitely turned it on a little. Jackson definitely has the jets.

 

[RayClay]

He's a gamebreaker at KO returns and he's on the roster, why not?

I'd be concerned as a PR, but if BB's fine with it, he must be OK.

BB is not exactly a river boat gambler.

 

[Remix 6]

He was a disaster out there! Just catch the damn ball!

wasnt all his fault..he ran up cuz it was a short kick and it landed in front of him. maybe someone else shoulda caught it or he shoulda let it bounce but he tried to fullspeed into it

 

[BradyToMoss]

Chad Jackson is a TD waiting to happen. I love seeing him turn on those after-burners out there, I hope BB sticks with this right through the playoffs. This guy can get us great field position and is a big time threat to take a kick or punt to paydirt. Great to see him back out on the field.

 

[cstjohn17]

I thought it was a good way to get his feet wet and give Hobbs, Faulk & Welker some rest.

His knee looks healed, most teams use their 5th CB or 6th WR as a returner. The Patriots are following suit.

He looked very shaky on punts, I would re-think that one.

 

[Remix 6]

its better to use him at this than Welker or Hobbs. were at a "must stay healthy" part of the season .we lost Colvin..we cant afford to lose starters. If we lose Hobbs, our CB depth looks terrible. If we lose Welker, we use our inside pass threat and the toughest guy to matchup against because hes either on an LB or a nickel corner .

why not use him when hes capable, fast and eager to contribute?

 

[BradyManny]

wasnt all his fault..he ran up cuz it was a short kick and it landed in front of him. maybe someone else shoulda caught it or he shoulda let it bounce but he tried to fullspeed into it

I agree, someone else should've been on that.

 

[Seymour93]

It makes sense to have him in there and return kicks to give Hobbs a break, given the amount of snaps Hobbs plays in a game, but I'm surprised to see him returning punts over Welker.

In the 2nd half Welker returned punts IIRC.

 

[bakes781]

? That was one play and he did get to it.

I thought I remembered a 2nd one where he almost muffed the catch?

 

[Kdo5]

I think it is interesting and a good idea that the Pats seem to have a cycle of returners, Hobbs-Welker-Jackson. Are they trying to switch it up so that other teams won't know which returner to prepare for?