Can't Anybody Else Return Punts?

[Jekyll15Hyde]

Originally Posted by Bacchus

People love to overreact around here. Leonhard is averaging about 7 yards per return. That is not real good, but he has not fumbled (the most important thing) and he has only had 12 attempts. As long as he does not fumble I am fine. I think he'll improve, I'm not going to overeact like you guys and put Hillman back there or someone else who has never really done it before.

He isnt going to get more elusive or faster so I dont really see how he is going to improve. He is what he is

[menonite]

I wonder how much practice it takes to learn how to field punts well?

I'm not overly concerned about this little problem, but I wonder if there is are any speedier players on the team getting any practice reps.

[Slightly Soiled]

[QUOTE=Action;3685245]

We don't currently have a PR return specialist with the ability of the home run, but we have a specialist who will field the ball correctly 100% of the time and will guarantee the ball for the offense 100% of the time.
(/QUOTE]
Now you jinxed it.

[ZONA]

Andre Caldwell - makes sense to me

[Bacchus]

Originally Posted by errand

I know you clowns think that this coaching staff is a bunch of bungling idiots, but seriously...if we actually had anyone that could do a better job, do you seriously think they wouldn't have them returning punts?

Well, Decker might be able to do a better job as far as yardage, but would you risk your starting WR over your back-up safety? Not when your back-up safety is more reliable on the catch and in the decision making process.

[broncosteven]

Originally Posted by menonite

I wonder how much practice it takes to learn how to field punts well?

I'm not overly concerned about this little problem, but I wonder if there is are any speedier players on the team getting any practice reps.

I dunno but I remember Jeff Fisher making his PR's try to field the ball into a bucket ducttaped to their waist.

I am fine with a PR who can catch the ball and not put it on the turf.

[Bacchus]

Originally Posted by menonite

I wonder how much practice it takes to learn how to field punts well?

I'm not overly concerned about this little problem, but I wonder if there is are any speedier players on the team getting any practice reps.

Learning to catch punts is very difficult. Different punters have different spins. You have to look at the rush coming at you and the ball you also have to know where on the field you are. It is difficult and if you have not ever returned a punt than you probably shouldn't start in the NFL. Kickoffs are much easier.

[Action]

Originally Posted by menonite

I wonder how much practice it takes to learn how to field punts well?

I'm not overly concerned about this little problem, but I wonder if there is are any speedier players on the team getting any practice reps.

It's one thing to do it in practice and one thing to do it in game time.

It's not just about fielding the punt, it's about knowing when to let it go, etc... depth of the players coming at you to know if you should let it go... etc.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen punt returners get drilled and fumble when they should of called a fair catch.

People hate on Leohnard but I can tell the coaching staff have been coaching him... he was much improved this past game and more decisive than he was in the 1st 3.

We're not going to be returning any punts this year for TD's with Leohnard, but track record says the Broncos will get the ball back every time.

[broncosteven]

Originally Posted by Action

It's one thing to do it in practice and one thing to do it in game time.

It's not just about fielding the punt, it's about knowing when to let it go, etc... depth of the players coming at you to know if you should let it go... etc.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen punt returners get drilled and fumble when they should of called a fair catch.

People hate on Leohnard but I can tell the coaching staff have been coaching him... he was much improved this past game and more decisive than he was in the 1st 3.

We're not going to be returning any punts this year for TD's with Leohnard, but track record says the Broncos will get the ball back every time.

You should post more

[menonite]

Originally Posted by broncosteven

I dunno but I remember Jeff Fisher making his PR's try to field the ball into a bucket ducttaped to their waist.

What the hell? Did he pick this up in a Saigon POW camp or something? I guess hearing him scream "Di Di Mau, Mariani!" every time there was a kickoff should have tipped me off.

[Bacchus]

Originally Posted by broncosteven

You should post more

come on that's what I said, well more detailed and more coherant but it is what I said!!

[broncosteven]

Originally Posted by Bacchus

come on that's what I said, well more detailed and more coherant but it is what I said!!

Another 15 minutes and I won't be very coherent either!

[broncolife]

Anybody have a stat on how many times we fumbled on punt returns last year? I think we may be overblowing the whole fumbling thing. Shiat we might as well never run it because we might fumble it. All our passes should go into the endzone or sidelines just in case we might fumble it. I remember us winning games and losing games because of punt returns but I cant really remember the games we lost because of muffed punts.

[Action]

Originally Posted by broncolife

Anybody have a stat on how many times we fumbled on punt returns last year? I think we may be overblowing the whole fumbling thing. Shiat we might as well never run it because we might fumble it. All our passes should go into the endzone or sidelines just in case we might fumble it. I remember us winning games and losing games because of punt returns but I cant really remember the games we lost because of muffed punts.

Last year, we had specialists at that position for all but 6 returns (Decker).

Again, it's not just maintaining possession, it's also not losing yards (how many times have you seen this), it's knowing when to let it go or to fair catch it around the 10 yard line.. knowing not to field it around the 5-10 and letting it go is just as good as a 10-15 yard return, which is about the league median or better.

I just don't understand, the Broncos tried putting everyone back there during the pre-season and they all screwed up, so what's so hard to understand?

[ZONA]

Originally Posted by broncolife

Anybody have a stat on how many times we fumbled on punt returns last year? I think we may be overblowing the whole fumbling thing. Shiat we might as well never run it because we might fumble it. All our passes should go into the endzone or sidelines just in case we might fumble it. I remember us winning games and losing games because of punt returns but I cant really remember the games we lost because of muffed punts.

Oh there are plenty here who are totally overblowing this. What a bunch of pansies. Oh, don't put somebody back there who has good speed and could possible have a chance at a big return because they might muff the ball. Hey, Leonard could muff the ball also. I don't believe in this p***Y football where you're afraid of the "what if". F that nonsense. Play with confidence, play with hope and passion. Leonard is like a prevent defense. You think it's the right move but it's not. This is part of Fox being an ultra conservative coach and I wish he would grow a set and keep trying some guys back there that can run faster then Peyton Manning.

[broncolife]

Originally Posted by Action

Last year, we had specialists at that position for all but 6 returns (Decker).

Again, it's not just maintaining possession, it's also not losing yards (how many times have you seen this), it's knowing when to let it go or to fair catch it around the 10 yard line.. knowing not to field it around the 5-10 and letting it go is just as good as a 10-15 yard return, which is about the league median or better.

According to some we have the great Manning and we shouldnt have to worry about field position.

Originally Posted by Action

I just don't understand, the Broncos tried putting everyone back there during the pre-season and they all screwed up, so what's so hard to understand?

In my 25+ years of being a bronco fan I dont ever remember hearing about our returner getting the job only because he can catch the ball. Im sorry, but I think we are being little biatches in our return game.

[Action]

The fact that Desean Jackson doesn't even return punts should tell you something (not saying I agree, I'm just saying here is another NFL team with a punt returning star, not putting him back there)...

I will repeat this again:

I just don't understand, the Broncos tried putting everyone back there during the pre-season and they all screwed up, so what's so hard to understand?

Tony Carter is our fastest player, and he was doing it all pre-season and couldn't get it right. And it's not just about speed, considering SQUID's 4.62 time was good enough for him to be an effective PR.

I'm not even sure what you guys are suggesting? There is literally no one we can put back there but Decker.

Let me also add, that Decker is prone to big hits... BUT we DO use him when the times calls for it.

So if you decide to respond, please suggest a solution that makes sense. Hillman returning punts is screams out to me that you really aren't thinking rationally.

I'm also pretty sure I'm conversing with people who've never played football nor talked to football coaches in their life, so this is also where I'll end the conversation.

[Action]

Originally Posted by ZONA

Play with confidence, play with hope

Sorry but hope and confidence don't go hand in hand... it's one or the other. You're either confident or hopeful, and a team playing on "hope" is a team that hasn't prepared well.

It's easy to sit behind a computer and not be responsible for a roster worth $150 million dollars, and sit here and call coaches who spend 100+ hours a week on football pussies for not wanting to put their starting WR back at PR to get a 10 yard return... considering that WR is not a specialist and you're just doing it to play with "heart".

[cutthemdown]

This yr I am happy with the returner just not fumbling. There is no electric returner on the roster.

Maybe next yr.

[ZONA]

Originally Posted by Action

Sorry but hope and confidence don't go hand in hand... it's one or the other. You're either confident or hopeful, and a team playing on "hope" is a team that hasn't prepared well.

It's easy to sit behind a computer and not be responsible for a roster worth $150 million dollars, and sit here and call coaches who spend 100+ hours a week on football pussies for not wanting to put their starting WR back at PR to get a 10 yard return... considering that WR is not a specialist and you're just doing it to play with "heart".

What's wrong with putting Hillman back there. I do believe he did it in college. Your example of the Eagles not using Jackson doesn't hold any weight at all. Many other teams put talented players in there to return punts, that are very important to their team (Harvin, Hester, Sproles, Peterson, Cribbs, etc). Some of those guys are even 1st round picks and starters. How in the world can you argue against not giving Hillman a shot. Yeah, some of the guys got a few trys in the preseason but I think deserve another look. How many of the players in preseason that we tried, lost a muffed punt? Just curious. Is it an outrageous number that scares you? IMO, it's time to give some of these guys another shot at it, sometimes you never know. Leonard has had plenty of chances and he's proven he's no threat at all, not even to get a decent return, let alone take one to the house.

[razorwire77]

Originally Posted by ZONA

Oh there are plenty here who are totally overblowing this. What a bunch of pansies. Oh, don't put somebody back there who has good speed and could possible have a chance at a big return because they might muff the ball. Hey, Leonard could muff the ball also. I don't believe in this p***Y football where you're afraid of the "what if". F that nonsense. Play with confidence, play with hope and passion. Leonard is like a prevent defense. You think it's the right move but it's not. This is part of Fox being an ultra conservative coach and I wish he would grow a set and keep trying some guys back there that can run faster then Peyton Manning.

Nonsense. We shouldn't even put a punt-returner back there. No punt-returner = no fumble = championship. Don't even take the risk of having finding a decent waiver-wire punt-returner with speed back there because he might fumble.

My cousin is an idiot savant when it comes to fielding punts. He's literally like the Rain Man of the fair catch. He's 5'6 270 pounds, and can't run but what the hell, he'll never, ever, fumble.

The mentality of champions.

[RhymesayersDU]

Originally Posted by razorwire77

Nonsense. We shouldn't even put a punt-returner back there. No punt-returner = no fumble = championship. Don't even take the risk of having finding a decent waiver-wire punt-returner with speed back there because he might fumble.

My cousin is an idiot savant when it comes to fielding punts. He's literally like the Rain Man of the fair catch. He's 5'6 270 pounds, and can't run but what the hell, he'll never, ever, fumble.

The mentality of champions.

To be honest, we shouldn't throw the ball on offense either. The catch could be fumbled. Or worse, it could be intercepted.

Seriously, I'm all for playing smart but I wonder how some of you go through life constantly fearing the worst, or that the other shoe is going to drop.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by RhymesayersDU

To be honest, we shouldn't throw the ball on offense either. The catch could be fumbled. Or worse, it could be intercepted.

Seriously, I'm all for playing smart but I wonder how some of you go through life constantly fearing the worst, or that the other shoe is going to drop.

You are being silly. It's not that at people don't want an electric returner. Its just that we assume the coaches tried a lot of people at punt returner and if they aren't doing it that it means they maybe aren't ready to do it, or not good at it. If Hillman was doing it well in practice I assume he would get a shot at it.

[RhymesayersDU]

That's fair. And I know draft picks are at a premium, we still have holes, but at least it'd be nice to see it addresses in the offseason.

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by broncolife

According to some we have the great Manning and we shouldnt have to worry about field position.



In my 25+ years of being a bronco fan I dont ever remember hearing about our returner getting the job only because he can catch the ball. Im sorry, but I think we are being little biatches in our return game.

Name girl in avatar pls.