The Scrizz
2nd Team Getting Their First Start
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2010
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It's obvious BB values special teams more than most coaches from having core STers to using stars like Gronk and Jones on the FG unit to having starters return punts. Edelman does it, Welker has done it, and Troy Brown before them as well.
I think we're overlooking the impact of potential big plays. For example, last season there were 36 Patriots punt returns. 4 of them went for 20+ yards. That's roughly 11% "big plays" if you will. This was actually less than 2012, when it was 6 out of 42 for 14%.
Consider the leading rushing team last season, the Eagles, had 19 rushes out of 500 go for 20+ yards, or 4%. Consider the NFL record-setting passing attack of the Broncos had 88 passes out of 675 attempts go for 20+ yards, or 10%.
There are some advanced stats out there that show the significance of big plays in terms of scoring points and winning games which I will look up but I have to run because I am late and my wife is glaring at me for posting about preseason football games instead of running to our appointment. But the point is that the risk is quite well worth the reward when you consider the impact.
To dumb it down (because that was great work), I'll just say this. Any time you get a chance to put the ball in Edelman's hands you do it.