Should Tate continue to return kicks?

[Synovia]

didn't ellis hobbs get hurt on a kickoff reuturn in 2007?

He went under the knife the day after the superbowl.

How did his last play go?

So? Didn't Welker get hurt catching a pass? Maybe we should sit him so he can return punts?


Taking a guy away from his most valueable role because you're afraid he'll get hurt and wont be able to do his least valuable role is ridiculious.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

didn't ellis hobbs get hurt on a kickoff reuturn in 2007?

He went under the knife the day after the superbowl.

How did his last play go?

That was a mismatch that would beat Hobbs almost every time, they ran an all out blitz hoping to sack Manning, once they didnt get to manning in time that was it, not really Hobbs fault healthy or not.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

didn't ellis hobbs get hurt on a kickoff reuturn in 2007?

He went under the knife the day after the superbowl.

How did his last play go?

So our best kickoff returners shouldn't return kicks? Who's going to return them then, someone who's not as good at it? Should Tate not push himself too hard, play not to get injured? If that's how he has to play then why play him at all? He could get nailed playing any position so what do you suggest BB do with him exactly?

 

[PatsChamp88]

didn't ellis hobbs get hurt on a kickoff reuturn in 2007?

He went under the knife the day after the superbowl.

How did his last play go?

Injuries are part of the game

 

[Synovia]

That was a mismatch that would beat Hobbs almost every time, they ran an all out blitz hoping to sack Manning, once they didnt get to manning in time that was it, not really Hobbs fault healthy or not.

H9obs covered Burress pretty well most of the game. He fell down on that play. Sh*t happens.

 

[zipster9]

So our best kickoff returners shouldn't return kicks? Who's going to return them then, someone who's not as good at it? Should Tate not push himself too hard, play not to get injured? If that's how he has to play then why play him at all? He could get nailed playing any position so what do you suggest BB do with him exactly?

Well, Welker sometimes returns PUNTS, and we know Welker is more important than any player, save, Brady...

It is possible Slater will do more, as Tate becomes #2.

I want to see TaylorPrice return punts to see how fast he is (sub-4.4 in combines)..

 

[Leave No Doubt]

It is possible Slater will do more, as Tate becomes #2.

Either way, number 1 or #2, he still runs the risk of getting injured anytime he's in that PUNT return position. Putting him second isn't going to change that one bit. Tate's built his reputation, once a team knows he's going to return then they'll be all over him. Even if he's 3rd.

 

[Sicilian]

didn't ellis hobbs get hurt on a kickoff reuturn in 2007?

He went under the knife the day after the superbowl.

How did his last play go?

Yup, and Brady blew out his knee dropping back to pass. Maybe we shouldn't let him do that anymore.

 

[Kontradiction]

Absolutely. He's a weapon. Keep him in there to return kickoffs.

 

[PatsChamp88]

Yup, and Brady blew out his knee dropping back to pass. Maybe we shouldn't let him do that anymore.

See I though the same thing but he's only played one position as opposed to WR and KR or CB and KR

 

[PatsChamp88]

Should Tate continue to return kicks?

Absolutely not. He's a weapon. Keep him in there to return kickoffs.

Wait what?

 

[Kontradiction]

Should Tate continue to return kicks?

Wait what?

I edited it. Tired right now and accidentally put in a "not".

 

[PatsChamp88]

I edited it. Tired right now and accidentally put in a "not".

...and here I am hoping for some extravagant explanation

 

[jbb9s]

So? Didn't Welker get hurt catching a pass? Maybe we should sit him so he can return punts?


Taking a guy away from his most valueable role because you're afraid he'll get hurt and wont be able to do his least valuable role is ridiculious.

So our best kickoff returners shouldn't return kicks? Who's going to return them then, someone who's not as good at it? Should Tate not push himself too hard, play not to get injured? If that's how he has to play then why play him at all? He could get nailed playing any position so what do you suggest BB do with him exactly?

Injuries are part of the game

Yup, and Brady blew out his knee dropping back to pass. Maybe we shouldn't let him do that anymore.

well thanks for all the feedback.

First, let me preface by saying that I don't exactly hold a extreme opinion on this matter so if you want to disagree, stop being smart asses and just state your opinion.

About the randomness of injury risk: consider that there is a higher probability of injury risk when you are running full speed at someone who is running in the opposite direction at full speed.

About replacement value: have you ever considered that the success Tate has had on kickoffs has a large part to do with the blocking & scheme? In other words, another player could conceivably return kicks for the Pats and have a lot of success too. I saw some nice blocks by Morris and Woodhead last weekend.

About people around here thinking that just because BB plays his starters as KR/PR it is obviously the right answer: well I am pretty sure there have been 41 other rings awarded to HC not named Belichick over the last 44 years and many of them don't have their #1 WR or #1 DB back there.

About people with this idea that randomness of injury: there is a small chance of injury everytime a player participates in a NFL play. The fewer plays he is in, the less chance he is has of getting hurt. 6 return a game for 12 more games is 72 plays. Tell me the next time you watch 72 plays in the NFL without an injury.