Gunner needs to sit a game

[Patsgofor4]

Edelman was immediately an above average punt returner. Even Cyrus Jones, despite his terribleness, had the physical talent in spades. I just don’t see it with this guy. He’s undersized and doesn’t seem to have any burst in hitting a hole, and he’s easy to tackle. In Bill I trust...I just never “got” this one.

Undersized: True. The Pats’ website lists him at 6’0”, 190 pounds. I doubt it, unless they handed him a baby to hold during weigh ins. This won’t be the case in 1-2 years. The Pats Nutrition and Strength programs and facilities are slightly better than Bemidji State.

No burst: Strongly disagree. I’ve seen plenty of burst and innate return skills so far. Not close to being ready to give up on him.

I think that he is a mentally tough kid who will use this as a learning experience, rather than mentally imploding like Cyrus the Virus.

 

[Patsgofor4]

We have an extremely soft schedule up until the Ravens game mid-season. This is literally the perfect time for rookies to iron out their mistakes.

Next week is no gimme, IMO...playing a strong D in a tough place to play with a passionate fan base, possibly without Jules (badly bruise ribs are no joke). Should they win handily. Yes. I wouldn’t rule out a closer than expected game, though. I’m a little but concerned about our offense currently.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Gunner = Cyrus Jones part 2.

Best to get a handle on this before it costs us a game.

Time to cut him and sign him to the practice squad after he clears waivers.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

13 returns avg 6.8, 7 FC

There you have it. I hope he improves. I’ve been wrong many times about many young players.

What is it about this guy that makes him worth being a long term development project when there are tons of guys out there who have more athleticism and could also be groomed into a punt returner. I just don’t see the raw talent, and since he doesn’t have previous success in returning punts, just why?

Anyway, I can see Gunner is the new Dobson on this board who is totally immune from questions about his actual skills versus projected skills. I’m not going to continue debating this and will just accept others have a different opinion. Long story short, I’d think a punt return specialist would show better natural punt returning skills and instincts. It’s like a long snapper who uses a roster spot and has just has one job but isn’t very good at it, and doesn’t appear to have a high ceiling if he does get better.

 

[IcyPatriot]

 

[Angelpats]

There you have it. I hope he improves. I’ve been wrong many times about many young players.

What is it about this guy that makes him worth being a long term development project when there are tons of guys out there who have more athleticism and could also be groomed into a punt returner. I just don’t see the raw talent, and since he doesn’t have previous success in returning punts, just why?

Anyway, I can see Gunner is the new Dobson on this board who is totally immune from questions about his actual skills versus projected skills. I’m not going to continue debating this and will just accept others have a different opinion. Long story short, I’d think a punt return specialist would show better natural punt returning skills and instincts. It’s like a long snapper who uses a roster spot and has just has one job but isn’t very good at it, and doesn’t appear to have a high ceiling if he does get better.

His return style will get him hurt. There’s is no elusiveness. He gets hit hard every return.

 

[pheenix11]

His return style will get him hurt. There’s is no elusiveness. He gets hit hard every return.

I like the kid and his versatility (he can play both ways) but he is the Chris Hogan of punt returns. He gets decimated every time he touches the ball.

Chris Hogan got his bell rung so many times he still thinks he’s in New England.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

What is it about this guy that makes him worth being a long term development project when there are tons of guys out there who have more athleticism and could also be groomed into a punt returner. I just don’t see the raw talent, and since he doesn’t have previous success in returning punts, just why?

Ask Joe Judge. He put Gunner right back out there for the next punt.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I like the kid and his versatility (he can play both ways) but he is the Chris Hogan of punt returns. He gets decimated every time he touches the ball.

Chris Hogan got his bell rung so many times he still thinks he’s in New England.

His return style will get him hurt. There’s is no elusiveness. He gets hit hard every return.

@rochrist on a roll with the dislikes and red Xs, even on clearly observable points like this one. Seems like he’s sensitive.

 

[fnordcircle]

Gost owes Gunner a beer for giving Pats nation someone new to hate as we struggle to deal with a 3-0 record.

 

[Wordsmyth]

Go ahead and cut him. There's no appeasing the lunatic legions on this forum.

 

[SBLIII]

Nonsense.

 

[Kontradiction]

My biggest concern isn’t the drop. That’s a learning moment and you can only get better with reps. My concern is the fact that he’s taking some solid hits, sometimes immediately after he catches the ball. He needs to be coached up on how to avoid those and when to call for a fair catch. Otherwise, he’s eventually going to put the ball on the ground again and it will have nothing to do with him sneaking a peak at the coverage.

 

[aluminum seats]

His name is Gunner. That alone will help him stick for awhile.

 

[Angelpats]

Gost owes Gunner a beer for giving Pats nation someone new to hate as we struggle to deal with a 3-0 record.

It’s not hate, it’s criticism, he gets hit hard every time he returns the ball. Something unfortunate will happen. There were a couple hits where he gets airborne. He needs to limit the damage.

 

[PatsDeb]

He's been really good until that muff, which ironically came on a fair catch rather than a run back. Just took his eye off the ball. He went out for his next return and was back to his sure-handed ways. No need to sit him, plus there really isn't anyone else to run out there.

 

[PatsDeb]

I think he needs a timeout in the corner.

I'm sure he got one...

 

[tasmlab]

Gunner has probably had a historically high workload for a punt returner the last three games. How many other teams are making their opponents punt so much and so quickly?

 

[tasmlab]

Football question: Given how costly lost muffs are, would it make sense to have a guy five yards behind the punter to catch misses?

It was a meaningless score this time, but just imagine the last AFCCG if they didn't reverse the challenge on Edelman's muff-that-wasn't.

As to taking the guy away from somewhere else, the guys upfront rarely block a punt, and the successful punt return usually varies by just a few yards, so a missing blocker might not change the outcome too much.

 

[Oswlek]

There you have it.

Forgive my candor, but if you think 13 returns is worthy of "there you have it", your grasp of statistics needs a serious upgrade.

Did you happen to watch the preseason, by any chance? Did you notice when Gunner was noticeably more decisive and athletic than the guy most assumed would take the position? Or perhaps see his 9 returns for 122 yards, which is a tidy 13.5 average, made even more impressive by the fact that it wasn't inflated by a single long return? Did you notice that he took such a firm grip on the position that Berrios didn't even have a return the last couple games?

Granted, it's the preseason, but when exactly is a rookie supposed to have made the biggest impression? Am I supposed to conclude after just three games that none of the skill he displayed for the prior two months is legitimate? Frankly, his biggest mistake - other than the fumble, of course - is trying to do too much with return that aren't really there..... which, coincidentally enough, is the primary driver of the low average you (erroneously, IMO) attribute to athleticism.

It seems our battle lines are drawn, now let's see how Gunner's season plays out.