I have to first say that I basically disagree with everything you say abou CJ on kickoffs. If he isn't in the top 3 WR depth chart, he needs to earn his spot on special teams and the Pats have always done that......
Ok but I admit I always got nervous seeing Hobbs back there because our DBs always get injured as it is.......I think Troy being back on punts is great because he is a sure bet to fair catch or pick up a modest gain (i.e. not run backwards and lose yards like a rookie trying to reverse the field). Even if Hobbs is the best kickoff man, can you risk him to injury when our secondary is always hurt (04 law, poole, 05 harrison,gay, 06 wilson/harrison/gay).
Basically, before you bash me, I am defining my statement as follows: all players need to earn their keep and if that is on special teams, so be it. Even a top rated rookie does not get a pass. But, should an exception be made for the most valuable players and the thinnest positions (hobbs)? We can always send him out there in the 4th if we need a big return.
I think with BB its not a matter of deciding whether if you put a guy on the field he might get injured.
Its more a matter of each player can handle a certain number of plays in a game, so where is it best to have him.
For example, when Tebucky Jones was here, and a starter he played every 4th down. Because of that he would sit out some plays on 1st 2nd or 3rd down.
The starters who play special teams do not play ALL special teams. I think a safe guideline is 3 down players can handle one special teams unit. Backups can handle them all. Good special teamers who also contribute on defense cannot play all 3 downs on defense if they are on all special teams units.
When you look at the KR position Maroney was not on any other st units, and played about half the snaps on offense. (I find it funny to think that there is something wrong or dangerous with taking a guy who runs the ball for a living, and have him run it on kicks) Next year if he is carrying the bulk of the load at RB he won't be returning kicks. It won't have to do with injury risk but workload. (I think at RB because of the wear and tear its more a 2down+ position than a 3down+)
Hobbs doesnt play on any other special teams unit, at least not in games he is returning kicks.
My opinion, which I believe BB shares, is that you simply cannot be afraid to put a football player on the field in any situation because you are afraid of injury. They are football players, they are paid to play football.
To take the argument to an extreme, why not take your best WRs out on running plays so they dont get hurt blocking? Take your corners out on running downs so they don't get hurt playing the run?
Why not put Matt Cassell in for one of every 3 drives so the chance of a Brady injury is 33% lower.
I know those are silly examples, but the point is they are football players and the minute you start making decisions based on not asking a football player to play a football play because he could get hurt, you end up with a team playing scared. And you don't put your best team on the field.
