any guesses on kr?

Brady6 · Sep 3, 2014

supafly said:
That's a good point, Marqui--but I would prefer a player of lesser importance due to the fact that KOR are much more "violent" than punt returns.

Last year we used Blount, so I wouldn't mind a player of that kind of caliber and depth option as opposed to a starter like Amendola.

I don't think the position is all that important anymore in the first place, and may have had something to do with BB using a player like Blount (260 lbs) on KORs. Of course, he surprised some people with his agility and barrel-ahead type of running, so that was a plus. I somehow doubt that it was expected though when the initial decision was made, but that's just my opinion.

Like others have said, I'm not convinced that J.White is even active yet, so we'll have to see.

Gwedd said:
Edelman and Amendola were both returning kicks/punts at one point or another last season. I could see either of them being used. Dobson maybe, too.

I'm thinking that it will come down to how Miami's kicker & punter are doing this season, in that heat & humidity. If they are consistently booming it in/through for a touchback, then ll that really matters is that we have someone who can fall on the ball if needs be.

These posts are a perfect lead into my welcoming you both to join the Amendolian Nation.. .

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Danny-Amendola-Fan-Club/118621358193244

http://www.talk-sports.net/nfl/fan.club.aspx/Danny_Amendola

Seriously though I would not put Amendola on kickoff returns, he is to reckless for his own good and I would not want some bottom of the roster JAG teeing off on him to make an ESPN highlight reel. Edelman, I would prefer not to even return punts, but I know he will be but I do not want to expose him any further.

I like James White because I think it is important to have player who is used to carrying the football and being gang tackled, having a player than can take it 100 yards for a touchdown is not a priority anymore given the new kickoff rules.

BradyFTW! · Sep 3, 2014

I kinda hope it's someone equally as out-of-left-field as Blount was last year. That's a hard bar to reach, though, it would have to be someone like Hooman.

Brady6 · Sep 3, 2014

Mack Herron said:
If we only dress 3 RBs, White is the odd man out. Bolden too important on STs.

I cannot recall any games we dress just 3 backs last season.

DaBruinz · Sep 3, 2014

Mack Herron said:
If we only dress 3 RBs, White is the odd man out. Bolden too important on STs.

Not sure where people get that Bolden is "too important" on Special teams. Unless he's improved dramatically, he was the 3rd worst special teams player the Pats had last year.. And one of the reasons he was benched 4 games.

DaBruinz · Sep 3, 2014

Brady6 said:
I cannot recall any games we dress just 3 backs last season.

The Pats dressed 3 RBs weeks 1-15 and 17. Week 16 is the only week they dressed 4. Please note that I am NOT counting Develin as a RB but as a FB.. As most people do.

Brady6 · Sep 3, 2014

DaBruinz said:
The Pats dressed 3 RBs weeks 1-15 and 17. Week 16 is the only week they dressed 4. Please note that I am NOT counting Develin as a RB but as a FB.. As most people do.

My mistake, thank you for the accurate information.

Brady6 · Sep 3, 2014

Joker said:
OH NO!!! ANOTHER Amendola thread....RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

Amendolian Nation cannot be run from.. .

brady199 · Sep 3, 2014

Hopefully it's Vereen! Before you talk about overuse, remember our D is gonna be nasty this year, hopefully he'll just see 4 or less kickoffs per game and 2-3 of those will be touchbacks.

supafly · Sep 3, 2014

Marqui said:
I think that's a little overrated, do KRs really get hurt often returning kicks?

I don't really have any case studies off the top of my head, but I know that it's referred to as the "most violent play in all of sports" due to the speed at which the play is occurring. Someone in the higher ups must have some documentation, because it's basically the sole purpose for why they changed the rule.

I would guess that there are probably more injuries from the other 21 players on the field much more though, running into each other, etc.

Mack Herron · Sep 3, 2014

DaBruinz said:
Not sure where people get that Bolden is "too important" on Special teams. Unless he's improved dramatically, he was the 3rd worst special teams player the Pats had last year.. And one of the reasons he was benched 4 games.

He is a rare guy who plays all 4 STs.

The biggest takeway from here is how Bolden, the third-year running back from Ole Miss, gives the Patriots plenty of "bonus plays" on coverage units. After what looked like a slow start to training camp for him that included a missed week of practice when the team was in Washington, his roster spot looks fairly secure.
New England Patriots special teams offer glimmer at potential roster - espnBoston

This is nothing new.

Running back Brandon Bolden, linebacker Niko Koutouvides and receiver Matthew Slater played on all four core units, which highlights their value on the 46-man game-day roster.
Special teams - New England Patriots blog - espnBoston

Jamie Collins, Kyle Arrington and Brandon Bolden are examples of players who were asked to play on both special teams as well on offense or defense. Though special teams might not be vital for a player like Collins to make the team, it’s one reason why the Pats have hung on to Bolden over the past two seasons.

The running back has become a core special teamer on the Patriots’ punt and kickoff coverage units.
Special teams offers hope to some players on Pats' roster bubble | The Providence Journal

Palm Beach Pats Fan · Sep 3, 2014

I'm hoping Thigpen is activated from the PS and we benefit from the "stick it to your ex-teammates" effect

DaBruinz · Sep 3, 2014

Mack Herron said:
He is a rare guy who plays all 4 STs.

This is nothing new.

Bringing up a post from December 2012 doesn't help you at all.. (ESPN Article)

Bolden didn't play on all 4 units last year and he was benched for 4 games..
Bolden saw 139 special teams snaps last year. Compare that to Slater who had 238. Or Nate Ebner who had 303. Or Chris White who had 311 snaps on Special Teams. IF Bolden sees more than 250 snaps on Special teams, then maybe he could be considered a "core special teams guy" . But not until then..

As for Matt Daniels opinion, facts clearly are to the contrary.

DaBruinz · Sep 3, 2014

supafly said:
I don't really have any case studies off the top of my head, but I know that it's referred to as the "most violent play in all of sports" due to the speed at which the play is occurring. Someone in the higher ups must have some documentation, because it's basically the sole purpose for why they changed the rule.

I would guess that there are probably more injuries from the other 21 players on the field much more though, running into each other, etc.

That was the claim by Herr Goodell. However, he was also part of the group that claimed for a long time that the number of concussions in the NFL was being exaggerated and that the independent studies were "flawed". And that the concussions weren't leading to dementia, Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Parkinson's etc..

He's since changed his tune and the league has entered into the agreement to pay former players because of it..

TBR · Sep 3, 2014

In Madden I use Shane Vereen or McCourty. Sometimes Slater.

patchick · Sep 3, 2014

brady199 said:
Hopefully it's Vereen!

I've always been surprised they haven't given Vereen more of a look at KR. He was solid at it in college.

supafly · Sep 3, 2014

DaBruinz said:
That was the claim by Herr Goodell. However, he was also part of the group that claimed for a long time that the number of concussions in the NFL was being exaggerated and that the independent studies were "flawed". And that the concussions weren't leading to dementia, Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Parkinson's etc..

He's since changed his tune and the league has entered into the agreement to pay former players because of it..

Yeah, I'm guessing that he'll change his mind rather quickly depending on what side of the issue he's supporting between the polar opposites of concussions and kickoff return rules.

As far as how dangerous the kick off returns actually are, I honestly don't know. I do feel that the role has been somewhat diminished due to the rule changes. Then again, it was nice to have those big returns from Blount late in the season last year just as well. My main concern would be having a key core starter become injured.

ewg_gestalt · Sep 4, 2014

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this guy yet in the discussion. After all, he has one of the best return averages in league history!

lurker1965 · Sep 4, 2014

James Garappallo

. MassPats38, did I spell it right?

lurker1965 · Sep 4, 2014

mgteich said:
Agreed, I'd rather sit White than Bolden, and use Slater. The added value of White is not worth sitting a much needed special teamer.

From what I'm told Slater is too valuable as the lead blocker who tells the returner if they should take a knee or take it out.

DaBruinz · Sep 4, 2014

ewg_gestalt said:
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this guy yet in the discussion. After all, he has one of the best return averages in league history!

He's been mentioned several times.. You just missed it.

any guesses on kr?

Pro Bowl Player

Goodell sucks

Pro Bowl Player

Pats, B's, Sox

Pats, B's, Sox

Pro Bowl Player

Pro Bowl Player

2nd Team Getting Their First Start

Eff you, Shula

Pro Bowl Player

Pro Bowl Player

Pats, B's, Sox

Pats, B's, Sox

Pro Bowl Player

Moderatrix

Eff you, Shula

Third String But Playing on Special Teams

In the Starting Line-Up

In the Starting Line-Up

Pats, B's, Sox