Its a shame you missed the last game. I'll give you a snapshot. Hanson was backed up in the endzone as the ball was on the goal line. He kicked the ball out of bounds at the 35 yard line...............of the JETS. That was clutch.
Especially since he had 5 yards less to work with ....
More interesting (at least to me) stats
2007--only 12/42 punts (28.6%) have been returned for 73 yds. 6.1 ypr ---36.0 net
2006------29/69 punts (42.0%) returned for 322 yds and 2 TDs 11.1 ypr---34.6 net
2005-----42/76 punts (55.2%) returned for 408 yds-------------9.7 ypr---38.3 net
Half as many punts are being returned as recently as 2 years ago.
2004 ----35/56 punts(62.5%) returned for 361 yds 1 TD -------11.8 ypr--33.7 net
2003-----38/87 punts (43.6%)returned for 240 yds 1 TD--------6.3 ypr--33.5 net
2002-----24/70 punts (34.3%) returned for 181 yds ------------7.54 ypr--33.3 net
2001-----26/74 punts (35.1 %) returned for 124 yds-------------4.77 ypr--38.1 net
Obviously you'll lose some yardage with situational kicking but it seems that BB and special teams have decided it's better than giving up the big return and when only 12 punts have been returned in 15 games, you certainly reduce the chances of a big return.....
It may be heresy to some but I think Hanson is doing exactly as he is told kicking towards the sidelines and while there is the occasional shank or block (notice that he was wearing a glove on his right hand - Michael Jackson?-this week) it happens with all punters, especially so in the outsides in the northeast.