Why is Woodhead returning kickoffs?

[signbabybrady]

I think Gronk should be our returner.

 

[RayClay]

13. He consistently makes it to at least the 20 (although not much beyond).

When he downs it in the end zone. Otherwise, about the 16 or 17. I would bet he's about 50/50 to make it to the twenty.

 

[patchick]

Price is no return man, but Vereen and Underwood were both effective and experienced college KRs.

 

[strngplyr]

Price is no return man, but Vereen and Underwood were both effective and experienced college KRs.

I don't know anything about Underwood, but didn't Vereen say in a recent interview that ST is something completely new to him this season?

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

It's one of the many decisions that it's hard to find an answer for. How they haven't at least tried Vereen, Price, or somebody else at all back there is beyond me. He's made it past the 25 once that I can recall.

 

[patchick]

I don't know anything about Underwood, but didn't Vereen say in a recent interview that ST is something completely new to him this season?

Maybe they have Vereen on coverage teams for the first time? He returned 24 kickoffs in 2009, for a 23 yard average.

 

[robbomango]

.....5yd....10yd....15yd..Woody:bricks:

 

[Julius]

At least he hasn't fumbled.

I feel a little bad for Woodhead in that he has yet to get a big contract and he's unlikely to get one. Yet, there is a method to the madness in keeping him contributing to the team. Still, I say a little prayer when he takes a knee in the end zone. Me-of little faith.

 

[strngplyr]

At least he hasn't fumbled.

I feel a little bad for Woodhead in that he has yet to get a big contract and he's unlikely to get one. Yet, there is a method to the madness in keeping him contributing to the team. Still, I say a little prayer when he takes a knee in the end zone. Me-of little faith.

He signed a multi-year extension last season. He will never get a big contract, he isn't a super star. He's a change of pace third down running back.

 

[Ring 6]

Nice to see the typical overreaction this board has to pretty much everything, after a whopping 12 returns.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Because Belichick is not as smart as the O.P. .......... :bricks::bricks::bricks:

 

[Patspsycho]

Maybe they have Vereen on coverage teams for the first time? He returned 24 kickoffs in 2009, for a 23 yard average.

Vereen has been pairing up with Woodhead as the other KR, but teams are obviously kicking away from him.

 

[Patsfan1102]

I'd rather see Price or Vereen back there but that doesn't look like it'll happen. Woodhead has good speed to if the blocking is right he can blow by anyone only thing I can think of.

 

[ATippett56]

Are we that short on return men?

Brandon Tate is no longer on the team. Next question?

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

In Woody's defense,
1) he runs with a very low center of gravity so he usually can get a couple of extra yards after first contact,
2) he has been sure-handed in the catch, and
3) he has been good with ball protection.

If you put all of those assets into a faster guy, I am all for using him. Our faster guys apparently aren't as proficient in those areas or we would see them more.

Among the list of team issues, using a faster kick returner is pretty far down the list. Blocking for him a bit better would be higher on the list for sure, but after several much more pressing issues such as depth/health at SS, FS, both CB spots, slot corner, ILB, OLB, OT, C...

 

[doesntmatter1]

We are lacking pure speed and acceleration on this team. Slater is fast but he is not elusive and that is basically the same issue that price has. As fast as Woodhead is, he still doesn't look fast enough or maybe because he just runs in a straight line he is easy to pinpoint.

Imo there are only two players that can do it well. Vereen is not the fastest returner but the dude made great decisions on which path to take in college. And McCourty could easily be our best best but I dont want our starter doing that. I use to always think it was risky when hobbs was still doing it as our starting cb.

If i was in charge i would let vereen and slater do it. Slater would have to just hold on to the damn ball.

 

[LiveShot]

Cause Big Vince can't run that far.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Slater may have the speed, but the times I have seen him return anything, he has sped right into the nearest tackler and fallen down at first contact, which is weird since in kick coverage he seems downright relentless.