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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.There has been a lot of talk on this site over the last couple of years about the need for the Pats to improve their kickoff return game, but in my opinion that need is overstated.
The difference between what the Pats averaged and the median is a whopping 2.3 yards per return; that's not worth worrying about. Even the difference between what the Pats averaged and the number one kick return team is only 6.1 yards per return. There are a lot more important things to improve rather than whether the Pats start three or fewer drives per game from the 21 as opposed to the 23 or 27 yard line.
The most important aspect of the kick return is ball security, not averaging a few extra yards. Turning the ball over costs your team one of a very limited number of possessions while at the same time it gifts your opponent with three or seven points.
Another thing to keep in mind is that kick returning is a lot more than the player who catches and runs with the ball. Much of the issue with the Pats kick returns the last couple of years appears to be less than stellar blocking, making it difficult for the return man to even make it back to the twenty yard line. While a better return specialist might improve things, don't expect drastic improvement if the ten others blocking for him don't do a better job.
2012 NFL Team Returning Stats - National Football League - ESPN
There has been a lot of talk on this site over the last couple of years about the need for the Pats to improve their kickoff return game, but in my opinion that need is overstated.
The difference between what the Pats averaged and the median is a whopping 2.3 yards per return; that's not worth worrying about. Even the difference between what the Pats averaged and the number one kick return team is only 6.1 yards per return. There are a lot more important things to improve rather than whether the Pats start three or fewer drives per game from the 21 as opposed to the 23 or 27 yard line.
The most important aspect of the kick return is ball security, not averaging a few extra yards. Turning the ball over costs your team one of a very limited number of possessions while at the same time it gifts your opponent with three or seven points.
Another thing to keep in mind is that kick returning is a lot more than the player who catches and runs with the ball. Much of the issue with the Pats kick returns the last couple of years appears to be less than stellar blocking, making it difficult for the return man to even make it back to the twenty yard line. While a better return specialist might improve things, don't expect drastic improvement if the ten others blocking for him don't do a better job.
2012 NFL Team Returning Stats - National Football League - ESPN
100% guilty as charged, mea culpa. Sorry, got lazy I guess. Noogies accepted.#1 Please someone tell me that a "moderator" on this board did not just link to E!SPN. If he did please tell me noogies were delivered. (Hint for JMT: if you can't find an alternative on yahoo, NFL.com, or any other site that does not lead to financial gains by ESPN you may need to resign. )
Strictly looking at kickoff returns with those numbers.#2 Does that number include punt returns? I saw the offense on non-turnover non-punt situations starting around the twenty. Yes I know the average starting field position was not far off the league average. Again, do your numbers take out punt returns and turn overs?
The reason for inclusion of other teams was to put the topic in context, as to what could reasonably be expected. Changing the kickoff return man is at the very best going to only add about six yards per return, and most likely will add less than that. While it would certainly be nice to start at the 40 once in a while, those median and very best kickoff return averages tell me that for every time that happens, there are going to be about a dozen times that the ball comes out no further than it has been.I don't know why a play works at the forty and not the twenty, but it does. I do not know (nor care) what the rest of the league does.
I agree, there have been multiple times when I felt like covering my eyes when the Pats were fielding a kickoff the last couple of years. Perhaps our viewpoints are skewed a bit because most of what we see of other teams returning kickoffs is of a highlight reel touchdown return, and we don't see the dozens of other returns by those same teams that ended up somewhere in the vicinity of the 20-25 yard line.Or are you going to tell me I can't trust my lying eyes again?
Does anybody know whether differences in average return tend to come more from:
Also, how many punt returns (as opposed to fair catches, touchbacks, etc.) do there tend to be per game?
- Distance returned on a "typical" return?
- Big plays?
2.3 yards may be the difference between a made and missed game winning FG. Everything matters.There has been a lot of talk on this site over the last couple of years about the need for the Pats to improve their kickoff return game, but in my opinion that need is overstated.
The difference between what the Pats averaged and the median is a whopping 2.3 yards per return; that's not worth worrying about. Even the difference between what the Pats averaged and the number one kick return team is only 6.1 yards per return. There are a lot more important things to improve rather than whether the Pats start three or fewer drives per game from the 21 as opposed to the 23 or 27 yard line.
The most important aspect of the kick return is ball security, not averaging a few extra yards. Turning the ball over costs your team one of a very limited number of possessions while at the same time it gifts your opponent with three or seven points.
Another thing to keep in mind is that kick returning is a lot more than the player who catches and runs with the ball. Much of the issue with the Pats kick returns the last couple of years appears to be less than stellar blocking, making it difficult for the return man to even make it back to the twenty yard line. While a better return specialist might improve things, don't expect drastic improvement if the ten others blocking for him don't do a better job.
2012 NFL Team Returning Stats - National Football League - ESPN
2.3 yards may be the difference between a made and missed game winning FG. Everything matters.
I don't feel as if this team's KR issues were due to the returner himself. Most of the time it seemed like the blocking wasn't opening any holes.
Granted a good KR can subtly make his own holes with his first few moves, but I'd put the majority of the blame on the blocking scheme and players we're using.
100% guilty as charged, mea culpa. Sorry, got lazy I guess. Noogies accepted.
P.S. When I comment, I comment as a forum member - just like you and everyone else. In terms of you or anyone else responding to one of my forum opinions, I expect no special treatment - so feel to free to disagree if that is the case. On the flip side, if I do feel like responding to someone's opinion, I am likewise going to do so as just another plain old forum member.
Strictly looking at kickoff returns with those numbers.
The reason for inclusion of other teams was to put the topic in context, as to what could reasonably be expected. Changing the kickoff return man is at the very best going to only add about six yards per return, and most likely will add less than that. While it would certainly be nice to start at the 40 once in a while, those median and very best kickoff return averages tell me that for every time that happens, there are going to be about a dozen times that the ball comes out no further than it has been.
I agree, there have been multiple times when I felt like covering my eyes when the Pats were fielding a kickoff the last couple of years. Perhaps our viewpoints are skewed a bit because most of what we see of other teams returning kickoffs is of a highlight reel touchdown return, and we don't see the dozens of other returns by those same teams that ended up somewhere in the vicinity of the 20-25 yard line.
Another thing to consider: the Pats returned just 38 kickoffs last year (or slightly more than two per game), and the league average was 43 returns (about 2.7 per game). With the kickoff being moved to the 35 yard line there just aren't as many kickoff returns as there used to be, which makes this aspect of the game less significant and a lower priority in my opinion.
Does anybody know whether differences in average return tend to come more from:
Also, how many punt returns (as opposed to fair catches, touchbacks, etc.) do there tend to be per game?
- Distance returned on a "typical" return?
- Big plays?
Another thing to consider: the Pats returned just 38 kickoffs last year (or slightly more than two per game), and the league average was 43 returns (about 2.7 per game). With the kickoff being moved to the 35 yard line there just aren't as many kickoff returns as there used to be, which makes this aspect of the game less significant and a lower priority in my opinion.
It's got nothing to do with me and all to do with the beers, red wine and fine BBQ enjoyed last night.You're on fire tonight, aus.
I am cracking open a cold Foster's lager in honor of what you bring to this forum, my friend :rocker:
One of my favorite posters.
Given the closeness of results in the post-season, that 2-3 yards really could be the difference between a Superbowl or another Goober heartbreak.