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How much of a problem did we have when Chris Harper filled the exact role you are talking about and cost us a game in Denver, HFA advantage and possibly a SB?The issue is roster and risk management.
Some teams choose to use starters as punt returners, kick returners and on special teams. Some limit the exposure by having more specialists, or use backups as special teamers. Belichick chooses to have lots of special team specialists, but not return specialists. Belichick is fine with using starters as returners and on special teams. Obviously, this method has worked out for Belichick.
Would any of us have problems if we had a #4 or #5 WR (or #4 RB) that we used for returns? Would any of us have problems if guys like McCourty were excluded from special teams? Of course not.
Why would your standard of the best way for belichick to coach the team whether "we" would face problems with his decision?
Starters get injured playing offense or defense too. Can't bubble wrap them.Sure, we can point out game where we might have done better if we used our top players on special teams. Also, there are cases where starters are injured and don't do better.
Keeping the best player for the job off the field because maybe he will get injured on that play is being driven by fear. To think that the best plan is to throw away plays doesn't make sense to me.It seems that your philosophy is to ignore risk management, play your best players as returners and special teams, and just call it bad luck if there are injuries. That is indeed a viable strategy, but certainly not the only one.