DPE Still Working into Punt Returns

[Mavric]

Why no Pierson-El back there?

 

"It was one of those games, as you saw, where it was going to be trying to field the ball," Riley said. "The ball mostly hung up into the wind and we did not adjust very well to that as a matter of fact. So it wasn't going to be a big return night."

 

Special teams coordinator Bruce Read is still looking closely at working Pierson-El back into the punt return game, but needs to see a little more from the junior who is back on the field after a lengthy rehab.

 

"We're kind of waiting on DP," Read said. "I told him I want you to come and tell me you want in. I'm glad he got in and played today and that he got through it good. I think we can use both of those kids I would hope over the course of the season.

 

"DP is a phenomenal punt returner in the sense that he can just make people miss, and then he puts his foot in the ground and he splits another three or four (players) and then it's just chaos for the punt team. He's a guy we definitely want to get reps. But we want to bring him in slow. Last year I thought maybe I put him in too soon."

 

LJS

[huskerenner]

If not DPE,than why not Spielman? We are going to need a better return game than what we saw last year,and last night.

[Swiv3D]

If not DPE,than why not Spielman? We are going to need a better return game than what we saw last year,and last night.

the first step is to have blocking so that the returner can actually run with the ball. Westerkamp was surrounded every punt. If the returner is going to have to call for fair catch every time, you might as well have the player with the best hands catch the punt.

[Mavric]

Better blocking is always good but Fresno averaged less than 30 yards per punt. Not much you can do if that's all the farther they're going to kick it.

[Guy Chamberlin]

Given DPE's fumble on his only called play, I'm wondering if he's dealing with a case of the yips right now. Wonder too if he's been tentative in practice. The coaches seem to be lowering expectations for him. He was considered such a huge asset coming into last year.

[hskrfan4life]

Who was the special teams coach in Bo's last year?

[Moiraine]

Who was the special teams coach in Bo's last year?

I seem to remember Bo deciding to pay a lot of attention to special teams personally in his last year. It seems like whichever group he focused on did really well.

[Mavric]

IIRC, different coaches were in charge of different special team units.

[Bowfin]

If a return man isn't going to catch the ball, he needs to get completely away from it and not dance around it with seven opponents surrounding him and the ball, just waiting for an accidental touch.

 

Anyhow, Nebraska is 1-0 and there is a whole week to get better.

[Mavric]

[KC Sker]

I hate to be the turd in the punch bowl, but I don't think DPE I'll ever be the player he was prior to his injury(s). I hope I am wrong though.

[RedDenver]

I continue to be completely underwhelmed by Bruce Read. Why are we wasting a coaching spot on him again?

[broganreynik]

I continue to be completely underwhelmed by Bruce Read. Why are we wasting a coaching spot on him again?

Absolutely agree.

 

Notre Dame hit the jackpot by hiring Marty Biagi over the last off-season. Although he's just a "special teams analyst". Considering aside from kickers and punters, a lot of the players work with their position groups, I'm not sure how much different that is from a special teams coordinator. But if we're going to be paying for one, I'd rather see a guy like Biagi or Daric Riley at SMU in that role.

[GBRFAN]

DPE will play like a freshman for the first few games due to the long break by early big10 play he will be back to his earlier high point. Two years from now he will one of several special players on this team.

[ColoradoHusk]

DPE will play like a freshman for the first few games due to the long break by early big10 play he will be back to his earlier high point. Two years from now he will one of several special players on this team.

Huh? 2 years from now he's not in the program anymore. He's only got another 15 months at UNL.