It Really Isn't That Hard

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The Arizona Cardinals in 2016 ranked 29th in average punt return yardage (6.1). The NFL median was 8.4 YPR. I'm not sure 2.3 yards on 40 punts spread over the season is that big a deal.

That's an average. What you're saying is that if we were only average that would've netted us an additional 92 yards over the course of a season. It wouldn't be divided evenly. Even an additional 8 yards on a key drive could've decided a game differently.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Just a reminder that punt returns aren't only about the punt returner. The reason for such a shabby YPR average may have something to do with the other 10 guys on the field.

Coach

 

[Mitch]

I completely agree with you, Harry.

This is a symbolic reason why the Cardinals stink at STs. BA says, "I trust Pat." Yet, it is locker room fodder for other teams to watch, laugh and drool at the likes of Patrick Peterson and Andre Ellington fall down or run quickly out of bounds on one return after another. Other teams do not accept poor, half-hearted play on STs or in any aspect of their game day approach. When BA reverts right back to Peterson as the punt returner, he is making a statement to the team that he and the coaches will continue to compromise the highest of standards...which is why the STs will continue to stink, because if the coaches don't set the bar high, why should the players?

This is mostly on the coaches, imo. And on Steve Keim for not adding a legitimate punt returner and for not insisting on a greater commitment in all facets of the team's approach.

 

[Buckybird]

Blocking maybe... But he has been playing scared and it's blatantly obvious... he hasnt been close to electric since his rookie year... hes actually bordered on suckage

X a zillion

 

[kerouac9]

That's an average. What you're saying is that if we were only average that would've netted us an additional 92 yards over the course of a season. It wouldn't be divided evenly. Even an additional 8 yards on a key drive could've decided a game differently.

There's no assurance that's going to happy on any punt return. There's no way to chart when this hypothetical 8 additional yards will be important at the beginning of a drive.

 

[wit3card]

PP will not improve our Punt return unit, he shouldn't even be back there. We all know that, expect for Amos and BA.
There were many that called for Amos head, there were some that called for BA head if he couldn't adjust.

And at the moment BA gives the doubters every right to call him out, he is telling us, I know what works - the system Works ala Whisenhunt.

To me drafting TJ was like Keim wanted to give BA a KR/PR guy and now we will see what BA does with it.

I hope Amos can baffel me and we see a strong improved ST. Keim gave him a new Punter a new Kicker an Longsnapper and a KR/PR now we will see. If we don't make the playoffs or don't win the SB the ST will probably have had more to do with it than the rest of the team. At least last year the ST cost us at least 4 games with that we would have been in the playoffs and in a good spot.

 

[cardpa]

According to stats I found PP returned 13 for 81 yds. with a long of 17. Golden returned 7 for 30 with a 8 long and John Brown returned 17 for 119 with a long of 32 yds. Total of 37 for 230 yds. and a 6.2 average. Maybe they should be looking at Jeremy Ross who in 78 punt returns has averaged 11.7 yds. during his career and had 77 KO returns for a 24.4 yd. average.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

There's no assurance that's going to happy on any punt return. There's no way to chart when this hypothetical 8 additional yards will be important at the beginning of a drive.

You're absolutely right. But the alternative that you raise is that it's only ever 2.3 yards, which we know isn't the truth. It's still 93 yards. If one of our players suddenly had 93 more yards on the same number of attempts it increases their effectiveness greatly. Football is always said to be a game of inches and you seem ready to shrug your shoulders at 3,348 of those inches.

 

[Goldfield]

That's total hogwash BRR! The STs has issues, but PP has been in the bottom 1/2 in PRs since his rookie year & he's a big part of the problem as well.

PP isn't a rookie anymore & has run scared and falls down or runs out of bounds ala Ellington. It makes zero sense to put #21 back there when he's basically going to do zilch. A great returner has to run & play fearless, which #21 hasn't done since year 1

It's pretty clear Peterson has been told to get the yards he can but don't risk getting hurt or turning over the ball. No reason imo not to use Logan there.

 

[kerouac9]

It's pretty clear Peterson has been told to get the yards he can but don't risk getting hurt or turning over the ball. No reason imo not to use Logan there.

If he can't catch the ball, you can't use him. It's a different skill set between kick and punt returners.

 

[Patrick]

To Harry's point, BASK have done nada in addressing this over their reign. I think Ted Ginn was the one returner they gave this some thought in his signing. But the horde will be at the gates if Patrick gets hurt. Five pre-season games should help and I think Chad Williams has some PR experience. We shall see...

 

[bg7brd]

You're absolutely right. But the alternative that you raise is that it's only ever 2.3 yards, which we know isn't the truth. It's still 93 yards. If one of our players suddenly had 93 more yards on the same number of attempts it increases their effectiveness greatly. Football is always said to be a game of inches and you seem ready to shrug your shoulders at 3,348 of those inches.

The other issue is ball security. A turnover is much more costly than a few less return yards.

 

[Metcalf Rules]

What about Brandon Williams? Didn't he start out on the offensive side of the ball. He should be used to running with the ball somewhat. I mean if they're worried about a corner getting hurt, I'd rather risk a backup instead of PP.

 

[Lagerfilled]

It's about trust, and until someone else can be trusted, it's going to be Pat P. Hopefully another guy shows out during TC.

 

[cardfaninfl]

It aggravates me that none of the younger players have asserted themselves into this role.

When my family moved to D.C., the Redskins drafted a rookie QB named Joe Theismann. During Training Camp and practise (in the first few games), he continually requested to be the Punt Returner. He never did it as an amateur, so the coaches tried to ignore him. Finally, just to shut him up, they let Theismann be the PR. When asked about it later in his career, Theismann told reporters he was worried that being a third-string anything (including QB) could get him cut and jeopardize his career. He saw that very few guys wanted the job, so he just relentlessly annoyed everyone until they handed it to him.

The point is: this is an obvious roster-spot for any young player that can show a willingness and aptitude to perform, even at an average level. It's unimaginable that a few of the guys battling to make the final 53, don't fight to take reps at this position.

 

[Metcalf Rules]

It aggravates me that none of the younger players have asserted themselves into this role.

When my family moved to D.C., the Redskins drafted a rookie QB named Joe Theismann. During Training Camp and practise (in the first few games), he continually requested to be the Punt Returner. He never did it as an amateur, so the coaches tried to ignore him. Finally, just to shut him up, they let Theismann be the PR. When asked about it later in his career, Theismann told reporters he was worried that being a third-string anything (including QB) could get him cut and jeopardize his career. He saw that very few guys wanted the job, so he just relentlessly annoyed everyone until they handed it to him.

Years later he got his big break.

 

[Reign Blood]

Not true. Teams started realizing we had poor kick returners and began kicking off short of the endzone forcing our bad returners to actually return the kickoffs. Often then reached the 15-19 yard line and we invariably started off possessions with a greater uphill battle than most.

Outch!

 

[BigRedRage]

To Harry's point, BASK have done nada in addressing this over their reign. I think Ted Ginn was the one returner they gave this some thought in his signing. But the horde will be at the gates if Patrick gets hurt. Five pre-season games should help and I think Chad Williams has some PR experience. We shall see...

I could get behind the rookie doing PR, ESPECIALLY if we signed maclin

I still feel like pushing the rookie or john brown out of the top 3 isnt worth signing Maclin but if the team is watching the rookie and thinks maclin will give us a better shot this season, they will go for him.

 

[BigRedRage]

What about Brandon Williams? Didn't he start out on the offensive side of the ball. He should be used to running with the ball somewhat. I mean if they're worried about a corner getting hurt, I'd rather risk a backup instead of PP.

scary

 

[MrYeahBut]

You're right Harry....

It's not that hahhhd..

.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Our problem on special teams is not so much the returner but the blocking which never allows our returner any space... I am always counting about three to four guys in the other uniform around our guy