Who returns punts for the Patriots in 2017?

[jmt57]

Who returns punts for the Patriots in 2017?

In particular many want to wrap Amendola in bubble wrap when it comes to the 2017 WR receiving corps, when punt returners face multiple opponents bearing down on them at full speed when they receive a punt.

I'll add a poll once I get some suggestions other than DA.


2016 Punt Returns
18 -- Danny Amendola
15 -- Julian Edelman
11 -- Cyrus Jones
1 --- Patrick Chung

2015 Punt Returns
23 -- Danny Amendola
10 -- Julian Edelman
8 --- Keshawn Martin
3 --- Chris Harper
2 --- Damaris Jonson (who?!)
1 --- Patrick Chung

2014 Punt Returns
25 -- Julian Edelman
16 -- Danny Edelman



While we are at it, who returns kickoffs?

 

[UGAPatsfan]

Do we actually have a punt returner?

With squirrel and now Cyrus out...is it Dola in the regular season because I don't love that. Anyone available?

 

[VectorPrime]

Lewis?

 

[Jackson 2]

Amendola, but I'd rather have someone else do it.

 

[50-yard-line]

BOLD PREDICTION: Pats sign Devin Hester.

 

[Oswlek]

DJ Foster.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Amendola, and if/when he goes down I suspect whoever's at the back of our RB/WR rotation will be there largely for their ability to take punts. Maybe Foster. Whoever ends up being WR5 had better start getting his practice reps in now.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Who is available and possess Cat like quickness?

 

[drewskie]

One of our RBs (Lewis or perhaps even... Foster?)

 

[TBR]

White or Foster.

 

[PrairiePat]

Maybe we put Amendola back there and tell him to fair catch every punt.

 

[supafly]

Amendola--when they need an experienced, reliable vet to make fair catches inside the 20 + during crucial moments. He's shown his ability to protect the ball and feels comfortable back there.

Lewis--will return KOs and be in the mix to return punts, too.

 

[Ring 6]

Maybe we put Amendola back there and tell him to fair catch every punt.

No. belichick doesn't play scared.

 

[meatface]

I really think Jones would have been doing this again but now it looks like a torn ACL.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

we should look at cuts.

 

[supafly]

No. belichick doesn't play scared.

I think people are overthinking Danny Amendola's role on this team. He's a healthy, experienced WR under contract who has shown the ability to play in the slot and have success. That's why he was signed in the first place. Part of that was his PR ability.

The idea of bubble wrapping him to save him for the postseason is ludicrous to me. While I don't expect him to field every punt, he is most certainly our most reliable returner. I also expect that they will use someone more dynamic like Lewis/etc.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Belichick eliminates the position for 2017.

I'll go for a long shot.

 

[archstanton543]

It won't be Cyrus Jones. That's all I care about.

 

[maineman209]

Bolden, obviously.

 

[RobertWeathers]

It won't be Cyrus Jones. That's all I care about.

Feel bad for the kid and hope he can pursue his career 100% next year but I agree with you.

He was a bubble player no question.