Former Jets, Seahawks free agent RB-PR-KR Leon Washington now a Patriot

[PatsWickedPissah]

Your right, but it's far to early in the offseason 2 panic about something that the team finally has the ability two fix this year. I'm sure that there are too or three Patriots hierups that aren't getting two much sleep nowadays. There's no cents in you missing your sleep to.

You are a bad, bad person

 

[Patsgofor4]

No worries...... just having fun

Ah, got it. That makes more sense.

 

[moejr]

I think Demps will be here. I honestly think they put him on IR to work on his conditioning for this coming year. I think he will be doing some KR's.

 

[patfanken]

Leon Washington was by far my favorite Jet before he broke is leg and was cast aside by the Jets. He was a very dangerous runner and pass receiver for them back in the day. I was never comfortable when he touched the ball....and part of the Jets problem is that they've never come close to replacing adequately replacing him.

That being said, while I think its a sold signing, right now he's just another guy who will have to fight for a job just like the myriad of other FA signings last season, most of which never made it to the final roster. It should be filed under "it can't hurt"

 

[Sfpat]

Hope this doesn't mean the end of Woodhead. He was becoming a clutch player, the next Faulk.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Your right, but it's far to early in the offseason 2 panic about something that the team finally has the ability two fix this year. I'm sure that there are too or three Patriots hierups that aren't getting two much sleep nowadays. There's no cents in you missing your sleep to.

Oh snap!

 

[deters]

Oh snap!

hardy har har. celebrate the grammar nazi

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

exact reason. sitting around with a finger up their ass picking up a KR while other teams are picking up all the quality FA's that would really help this team out.

I could give to ****s if we start at the 20 every series but I'm gonna lose my mind if our defense doesn't nut up soon and actually stop f'n up nearly every game.

Are you new to the Patriots? Running out and grabbing 'it' free agents by outbidding the Wash Redskins of the NFL world isn't how BB/Patriots normally do business. While it can be concerning for fans to see problem A not receiving Solution B by day 5 of FA, BB doesn't care how fans think it should be done. Right or wrong BB places cap value at a premium and does it un-apologetically. Further, the way BB does it cannot be judged until opening day. And since opening day is a long ways away, relax. This could end up with good things by then (it is believed to be a buyers market). Yet if we go into 2013 with a secondary equivalent to opening day 2012, you can then start revving up your spastic engine. It will be a tough pill to ingest.

REGARDLESS, KR needed to be addressed. Anyone who believes that poor kick returns/starting close to our own 20 too frequently is something that doesn't matter, you are football illiterate. If LW can give us KR's like he has over his career and JE is back/healthy returning punts, the Patriots starting field position just improved significantly. That! is a B!F!D!

 

[deters]

Are you new to the Patriots? Running out and grabbing 'it' free agents by outbidding the Wash Redskins of the NFL world isn't how BB/Patriots normally do business. While it can be concerning for fans to see problem A not receiving Solution B by day 5 of FA, BB doesn't care how fans think it should be done. Right or wrong BB places cap value at a premium and does it un-apologetically. Further, the way BB does it cannot be judged until opening day. And since opening day is a long ways away, relax. This could end up with good things by then (it is believed to be a buyers market). Yet if we go into 2013 with a secondary equivalent to opening day 2012, you can then start revving up your spastic engine. It will be a tough pill to ingest.

REGARDLESS, KR needed to be addressed. Anyone who believes that poor kick returns/starting close to our own 20 too frequently is something that doesn't matter, you are football illiterate. If LW can give us KR's like he has over his career and JE is back/healthy returning punts, the Patriots starting field position just improved significantly. That! is a B!F!D!

yes I just started following da pats last week
i'm completely football illiterate and have only watched the sport for 1 season
i don't even know what a KR is
starting on the 20 is a good thing
our defense is elite like joe flacco.
Pats need to stop being a hoarder with money and build the defense around special team scrubs and 3rd string cast offs

 

[strngplyr]

yes I just started following da pats last week
i'm completely football illiterate and have only watched the sport for 1 season
i don't even know what a KR is
starting on the 20 is a good thing
our defense is elite like joe flacco.
Pats need to stop being a hoarder with money and build the defense around special team scrubs and 3rd string cast offs

They never hoard money, they spend to the limit every season.

 

[deters]

They never hoard money, they spend to the limit every season.

need to spend dat cash like the white house does. buy buy buy baby!

I think Ross Ventrone might be available. We should take a look!

 

[DocHoliday]

Anyone wanna explain to me what the skillset difference between KR and PR is?

I know there is a difference, but I can't articulate it other than punt return seemingly being more to do with agility in space and KR being vision.

 

[RayClay]

Anyone wanna explain to me what the skillset difference between KR and PR is?

I know there is a difference, but I can't articulate it other than punt return seemingly being more to do with agility in space and KR being vision.

PR needs to focus, catch and secure the ball, knowing someone is likely bearing down on him. Quick move, make the first guy miss. I guess you either have that concentration, ability to assess and move quickly, or you don't.

KR has some room and a set return blocking scheme. Fast guy who can read and follow the blocking and accelerate quickly if a seam opens. If you're fast, it seems more learnable.

Edleman and the first guy. Maybe a juke or two after. KR can be just straightline speed if you wait for the seam.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=edelman+punt+return&oq

Open field juking vs straight line speed.

 

[Gumby]

PR needs to focus, catch and secure the ball, knowing someone is likely bearing down on him. Quick move, make the first guy miss. I guess you either have that concentration, ability to assess and move quickly, or you don't.

KR has some room and a set return blocking scheme. Fast guy who can read and follow the blocking and accelerate quickly if a seam opens. If you're fast, it seems more learnable.

Edleman and the first guy. Maybe a juke or two after. KR can be just straightline speed if you wait for the seam.

edelman punt return - YouTube

Open field juking vs straight line speed.

As you said: quick start up speed essential for PR & straight-line speed for KR; ... but

Also has a lot to do with the angle of the ball coming at the receiver. Punts are (normally) hi-arc trajectory trying to maximize time compared to a lob-arc trajectory kickoff that is trying to maximize distance (and critically stay within the field of play).
- that can make a difference for some guys in being able to pick up the ball visually and catch it securely.
- punts you are generally alone and have to be able to move laterally and vertically to get to the ball. KOs sometimes are two returners in EZ and/or the short guys are responsible up-field so not as much lateral mvmt reqd.

Another Diff: Punts = dead ball if untouched; KO = live ball. Both require good hands guys; but punts might require a bit more smarts - decision making ability.