Where coaching matters: Marcus Jones punt returns tweak

[Tunescribe]

A really interesting strategic point emerged from Vabel's postgame presser: some starting defensive linemen were used on the punt return team (need to rewatch to see who, specifically). The goal was to push back and physically knock around Carolina's special teamers at the LOS to where they couldn't get in their coverage lanes downfield. It appears to be a more aggressive move vs. the standard "hold 'em up to give the returner time" scheme.

 

[signbabybrady]

 

[ViperGTS]

A really interesting strategic point emerged from Vabel's postgame presser: some starting defensive linemen were used on the punt return team (need to rewatch to see who, specifically). The goal was to push back and physically knock around Carolina's special teamers at the LOS to where they couldn't get in their coverage lanes downfield. It appears to be a more aggressive move vs. the standard "hold 'em up to give the returner time" scheme.

Milton Wiliams was one.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

Milton Wiliams was one.

Williams may not have much in the way of fancy pass rush moves BUT he knocks the **** out of people.

 

[Sciz]

Williams may not have much in the way of fancy pass rush moves BUT he knocks the **** out of people.

Especially Charles Woods

 

[TommyD4207]

Williams may not have much in the way of fancy pass rush moves BUT he knocks the **** out of people.

He and Barmore are both similar that way. They just **** up the interior o-line of the other team by being a problem. Since it's both of them, it's a *huge* problem for other teams.

 

[ViperGTS]

He and Barmore are both similar that way. They just **** up the interior o-line of the other team by being a problem. Since it's both of them, it's a *huge* problem for other teams.

If I am a FA stud linebacker, thats the line I want to play behind.

 

[TommyD4207]

If I am a FA stud linebacker, thats the line I want to play behind.

There's a Rosey Colvin type out there watching this every week.

Also Tonga got the start this week, played even more snaps, they really found something with that kid.

 

[ViperGTS]

There's a Rosey Colvin type out there watching this every week.

Also Tonga got the start this week, played even more snaps, they really found something with that kid.

Oh I agree. Tonga looks like a very, very good player that is developing. Man if you have Tonga, Williams, Barmore....thats smells a little like Seymour, Warren and Wilfork. Thats a high bar but...and I have been very impressed with Landry as well. Dude has a motor.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Jerry must be proud of his son.

 

[Love The Drake]

Jerry must be proud of his son.

Springer maybe the best ST coach in the NFL, don’t know if he can be fully blamed for miss kicks.

 

[Kdo5]

I thought it was mostly Marcus Jones just making a bunch of guys miss. Both returns were an outstanding effort by him. He should have been caught for a loss or small gain both times.

 

[Vindicate]

A really interesting strategic point emerged from Vabel's postgame presser: some starting defensive linemen were used on the punt return team (need to rewatch to see who, specifically). The goal was to push back and physically knock around Carolina's special teamers at the LOS to where they couldn't get in their coverage lanes downfield. It appears to be a more aggressive move vs. the standard "hold 'em up to give the returner time" scheme.

Very interesting, thanks for sharing. I'd also like to hear Vrabel comment on the "Punt Block" package that @Ian had noted in the snap counts from the Miami? Pittsburgh? (I already forget which game). If there is some philosophy there seeing as it was a unique package (if I understood Ian correctly when he originally posted about snap count discrepancies).

Vrabel winning a bit of me over there. That's good coaching. Innovative.

 

[Vindicate]

I thought it was mostly Marcus Jones just making a bunch of guys miss. Both returns were an outstanding effort by him. He should have been caught for a loss or small gain both times.

If you saw the defenders coming down on him, you can kinda see them all getting funneled into bad angles and inefficient lane coverage (from the eyes of a very inexperienced X/O person) Lots of blockers to greet Jones, as well. Seems like everyone did their job.

 

[ErniesPinkStripes]

I thought it was mostly Marcus Jones just making a bunch of guys miss. Both returns were an outstanding effort by him. He should have been caught for a loss or small gain both times.

That first getaway was insane. I was watching, they had him dead to rights so I look to grab the next shirt to fold and then he gets away somehow.. Amazing return. What a day for MJ

 

[Ring 6]

Williams may not have much in the way of fancy pass rush moves BUT he knocks the **** out of people.

Including his own guy on the TD return.

 

[Ross12]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing. I'd also like to hear Vrabel comment on the "Punt Block" package that @Ian had noted in the snap counts from the Miami? Pittsburgh? (I already forget which game). If there is some philosophy there seeing as it was a unique package (if I understood Ian correctly when he originally posted about snap count discrepancies).

Vrabel winning a bit of me over there. That's good coaching. Innovative.

Vrabel is definitely a coach who tries to find "wrinkles" like that. I remember the game he pissed Belichick off while coaching the Titans by repeatedly intentionally committing penalties to drain the clock. The irony was that it was a very "Belichick" thing to do.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

I thought it was mostly Marcus Jones just making a bunch of guys miss. Both returns were an outstanding effort by him. He should have been caught for a loss or small gain both times.

It starts with him making 2-3 guys miss, but then the skies parted and nobody got even close after he ran the first 10 yards. Usually you make 2-3 guys miss and after that there still are defenders in lanes to get you before midfield

 

[Ian]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing. I'd also like to hear Vrabel comment on the "Punt Block" package that @Ian had noted in the snap counts from the Miami? Pittsburgh? (I already forget which game). If there is some philosophy there seeing as it was a unique package (if I understood Ian correctly when he originally posted about snap count discrepancies).

Vrabel winning a bit of me over there. That's good coaching. Innovative.

Sorry, had meant to respond to this:

I labeled it as the "Punt Block" team because it's similar personnel to who they have in on the field goal defense and extra point defense.

You can view who they've had there here:

2025 Patriots Snap Counts

Complete Patriots snap counts for 2025 season. Track playing time for Drake Maye, Patriots offense, defense & special teams. Updated weekly with detailed breakdowns.

www.patsfans.com

Go to: Type -> Special Teams -> Mode -> Special Teams Groupings -> ST GROUPING -> PB - Punt Block Team

You can then either look at the most recent game, or you can click "All Season" to see everyone who has been in there so far.

Vrabel called it the "Grey Team" during his press conference after the game:

“We like that grey team. That grey team can be just as good. Whether you’re trying to think it’s a fake or you like those guys pushing in there. You got two choices in punt return. You can either hold them up or you can knock them so far back that it takes them a little while to get down there and cover, and there’s some displacement in the lanes. We’ll continue to mix those up and try to use everybody where we see fit and how they can help us. But whether it’s just trying to go rush a punt with some bigger guys or try to manufacture a return.”

TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel's Post Game Press Conference 9/28 | PatsFans.com

Here's what New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had to say following Sunday's win over Carolina.

www.patsfans.com

This was the group that was out there Sunday:

Mi.Williams | K.Chaisson | Ma.Jones | D.Pettus | A.Austin | C.Elliss | K.Tonga | C.Woods | K.White | J.Gibbens | B.Schooler

And this was the group last week that had the missing player:

Mi.Williams | K.Chaisson | Ma.Jones | D.Pettus | Missing.Player | K.Minor | K.Tonga | C.Woods | K.White | J.Gibbens | B.Schooler

Still hard to tell who was missing, obviously, it was either Austin or Ellis who didn't make it out there. But hopefully this helps @Vindicate

Ian

 

[upstater1]

A really interesting strategic point emerged from Vabel's postgame presser: some starting defensive linemen were used on the punt return team (need to rewatch to see who, specifically). The goal was to push back and physically knock around Carolina's special teamers at the LOS to where they couldn't get in their coverage lanes downfield. It appears to be a more aggressive move vs. the standard "hold 'em up to give the returner time" scheme.

I'm not sure about this one. It looked like Marcus made 6 guys miss him right after he caught the ball, and some of the Patriots even gave up on him and didn't block at all. Look at Austin, for instance.