Gunner Olszewski

[Oswlek]

You would have to be able to make a Pierogi to understand

As someone whose last name is similar to Gunner's, I'll share that "pierogi" is already plural. The singular is "pieróg".

Oh, and his name is pronounced "ol-SHEV-skee".

 

[ALP]

most returns by Gunner are right choice (though his vision after getting past the first level needs some work) but there's have certainly been a select couple that he should have taken instead of fair caught

 

[Zuma]

most returns by Gunner are right choice (though his vision after getting past the first level needs some work) but there's have certainly been a select couple that he should have taken instead of fair caught

He was returning nearly everything the 1st couple weeks...now he is fair catching a few to many. I'm not complaining...I think he is overall doing a great job. I'm looking forward to seeing him more in the slot in the next couple years as well.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

As someone whose last name is similar to Gunner's, I'll share that "pierogi" is already plural. The singular is "pieróg".

Oh, and his name is pronounced "ol-SHEV-skee".

It is in your hands from here. I’m Italian. We call them Ravioli

 

[ctpatsfan77]

As someone whose last name is similar to Gunner's, I'll share that "pierogi" is already plural. The singular is "pieróg".

Oh, and his name is pronounced "ol-SHEV-skee".

Ummm. . . . Pronunciation: Gunner Olszewski

He says it "oh-SHEH-ski."

 

[DaBruinz]

Is his sole job returning punts? Does he do anything else? Other ST, WR reps? Anything? Is he just on the roster to spell Edelman from returning punts? I only ask because roster space is finite and we need WRs. Can Gunner come in and catch some screens? Seems to play well in space? Are the Pats grooming him to be the next Edelman/Amendola or the next Slater?

Just curious what everyone thinks.

Thanks

This begs the question as to whether or not you're watching the games. If you are, you'd have your answer.

New England Patriots 2019 Snap Counts | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Considering he'd played on 48.3% of the special teams snaps, he's clearly playing on a unit other than Punt Returns. Opposing teams have punted 38 times. So He's probably on our punt coverage team and taken a few snaps on kick coverage.

Gunner has seen some snaps on offense, though you should remember he's a rookie who is transitioning from Defense to Offense. It's likely to be a year or two before he is to the point to take meaningful snaps on Offense.

 

[Patstopia]

Are returners solely allowed to decide if a kick is returnable? I am sure there are team rules specifying when to fair catch, when to run, which side the blocking will go, but also the coach must have other plans depending on position, time on the clock, score and an assortment of other considerations.

 

[Oswlek]

Ummm. . . . Pronunciation: Gunner Olszewski

He says it "oh-SHEH-ski."

He says it exactly as I described. You don't hear the "l" and "v" sounds?

Besides, I'm not guessing or playing it by ear, I'm telling you how the name is pronounced in Polish.

 

[mgteich]

We kept Edelman because he was the best punt returner in the NFL

If Gunner were one of the best punt returners, I too would be supporting the idea of keeping him on the 53.

EDIT: We are keeping Gunner to play ST's. He is on almost 1/2 of the ST reps. We have lost King and Develin for the season. Ebner, Chung and Burkhead have been playing injured. And yes, Edelman has been injured. Gunner seems safe for now as a special teamer.

People seem to forget how the Patriots brought Edelman along.
2009 11 games 37 rec 359 yds & 6 punt returns for 63 yds
2010 15 games 7 rec 86 yds & 21 punt returns for 321 yds
2011 13 games 4 rec 34 yds & 28 punt returns for 296 yds
2012 9 games 21 rec 235 yds & 17 punt returns for 263 yds

So why did we keep Edelman again?

 

[rochrist]

I do think Edelman is probably the closest thing we have to a good comp, and that's why expectations really need to be tempered. Edelman wasn't much of an NFL WR until his 5th year in the league, I assume in large part because he had to learn the position much like Gunner now has to.

That said, I like him as a PR and think his skillset can slide well into numerous other ST roles. Which is enough to keep him on the team while he develops as a player. But yeah, I think it'll be a couple years before the full value of having him around can be realized. He has the requisite athleticism to be a real, impactful NFL receiver, something that Braxton Berrios and Riley McCaron lacked. It remains to be seen whether he'll capitalize on that to anywhere near the degree that Edelman has, but at least the opportunity is there. I do think returning punts is a fairly good barometer for the toughness required to play slot receiver, and Gunner has shown he has it by taking the 10 yard returns that come with big hits at the end.

That's not really true about JE. His issue was being behind Welker. His rookie season, he stepped into Welker's spot when he was hurt for the final regular season game and caught 10 passes for 103 yards He followed that up the following week in his first shot at the playoffs, again replacing Welker with 6 catches. Being behind Welker on the depth chart and a few ill timed injuries are what held him down, not being unable to play.

 

[Double TE]

This begs the question as to whether or not you're watching the games. If you are, you'd have your answer.

New England Patriots 2019 Snap Counts | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Considering he'd played on 48.3% of the special teams snaps, he's clearly playing on a unit other than Punt Returns. Opposing teams have punted 38 times. So He's probably on our punt coverage team and taken a few snaps on kick coverage.

Gunner has seen some snaps on offense, though you should remember he's a rookie who is transitioning from Defense to Offense. It's likely to be a year or two before he is to the point to take meaningful snaps on Offense.

Snide. I am watching but don’t recall him on ST other than PRs.

 

[PrairiePat]

He has the unteachable 'head upfield immediately' instinct that good punt returners need. I enjoy watching him out there, feels like he's going to break one pretty soon. I hope he sticks on the roster, if nothing else but to keep Edelman away from that duty.

 

[patsfan13]

i think he has a decent shot to be our next Slot Receiver in the next year or two.

 

[moosekill]

Doesn’t being 1st in the league in punt returns 2nd in the league in yardage and 12th in average return yardage mean to are 1 of the top punt returners in the league?

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Are returners solely allowed to decide if a kick is returnable? I am sure there are team rules specifying when to fair catch, when to run, which side the blocking will go, but also the coach must have other plans depending on position, time on the clock, score and an assortment of other considerations.

I'm sure before every punt the ST coach tells the punt returner what he wants the returner to do based on the score, time remaining, etc., i.e.
* Fair catch it no matter what
* Fair catch it unless it clearly looks like it's going in the EZ
* Fair catch it but only if it's not a stretch to do it, otherwise let it go.
* Fair catch it, but if it looks like the punt coverage screwed up, go for it.
* Lean toward returning it, but fair catch it if there's any coverage guys too near you at the catch point
* Return it unless doing so is a clear Bad Idea
* and so on.

For a vet like JE they probably also have a "at your best discretion" option as well and also give him looser parameters on the FC/return decision. For a rookie I bet they give stricter and clearer decision parameters.

 

[venecol]

I have no issues with Gunner. I think he is doing what he is asked to do and the kid is likeable.

However, I would much rather see Watson on the team so Brady has a large target in the EZ when they face the Ravens, Boys, Texans, Eagles and KC.

But I guess in BB we must trust.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

QM eloquently beat me to this point. The first and second job is to field the punt securely. A newby should be heavily leaning toward fair catch in order to complete job 1 and 2. And when G.O. demonstrates job 1 and 2 is almost automatic (that isn't going to be the first 5 games in his career), he can then lean a bit less toward fair catch (a la Jules).

A good return is great but not even multiple good returns are likely to make up for an unforced turnover. Unforced TOs like this (usually in an area that gurantees at least an opposition FG try) can be backbreakers. Again G.O. just needs to secure the fair catch as well as knowing when to let the ball go (inside the 10 general rule). As he gets comfort with when to not fair catch we'll hopefully see some positive field position change and maybe even a ST score.

 

[moosekill]

Let’s face it. Watson didn’t make the team because he wasn’t good enough. Somehow comparing him to the teams punt returner who is 2nd in the league in yardage doesn’t make much sense. You could say why did we keep the third string qb on the roster and I might agree. However obviously bb looked at him and thought for the money, Watson isn’t a big enough upgrade to warrant cutting anyone.

 

[borg]

Because the NE defense has dominated the dregs of the NFL, Gunner is leading the NFL in punt returns (16) and second in yards

Conclusion: he’s tired

But seriously.....
Rookie
Fumbled once
Blowout games
Preservation

Lots of reasons for BB to manage the risk / reward of returning a punt

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Let’s face it. Watson didn’t make the team because he wasn’t good enough. Somehow comparing him to the teams punt returner who is 2nd in the league in yardage doesn’t make much sense. You could say why did we keep the third string qb on the roster and I might agree. However obviously bb looked at him and thought for the money, Watson isn’t a big enough upgrade to warrant cutting anyone.

Definite validity to this IMHO. Then add in 2m cap savings, add in Watson probably couldn't contribute on STs(an even bigger need now), with the possibility he was just not looking good enough, how injuries have made other roster spots take on some more importance -- it does seem to add up against Watson.

I doubt there were many as vocal as I was back to the draft when BB passed on drafting a TE. I then hoped that some of the retreads in the offseason and camp would make a splash at TE. IMHO the O would really take on that extra sparkle with Watson of a few years ago (or even first half of last season). But BB must know that and must have seen that Watson wasn't ready to contribute beyond Izzo or LaCosse (BB usually loves himself veterans). Also add in we are not too far from possible IR returns and the whole roster spot crunch gets pretty complicated. But still bummed about Watson, however, if Izzo or LaCosse get hurt, I wonder if Watson will be called.