Two Punt Returners?

M

MichiganDad3

All-American
Should NU be using two punt returners? I have watched the NW and Missouri games several times this week (The BTN is great), and NU lets the punt hit roll way to often. I also wonder if having a single returner is part of the cause of the fumbled catches because the return man has so much ground to cover.

 
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MichiganDad3 said:
Should NU be using two punt returners? I have watched the NW and Missouri games several times this week (The BTN is great), and NU lets the punt hit roll way to often. I also wonder if having a single returner is part of the cause of the fumbled catches because the return man has so much ground to cover.
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having the second returner back there increases our odds of recovering the fumble...

 
Two punt returners is an option, but the better option is to have one good punt returner and a punt rush that's scary enough that the opponent's punter doesn't have time to angle his kick wherever he wants. Put someone in his face, make him hurry his punt and you're gonna have better results. Having someone who's capable back there is just gravy.

 
Watching the NW game from last year was pitiful in that regard.

Unless a team is punting from deep in their own end, you don't get too many chances to return a punt. It's either a fair catch or into the end zone. I'd say either go for the block or put two guys back, especially with the growing frequency of the rugby-style punts.

 
knapplc said:
Two punt returners is an option, but the better option is to have one good punt returner and a punt rush that's scary enough that the opponent's punter doesn't have time to angle his kick wherever he wants. Put someone in his face, make him hurry his punt and you're gonna have better results. Having someone who's capable back there is just gravy.
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our special teams has been dreadful at challenging kicks. seems like we do it 2-3 times a year, and rough the kicker every time.

 
knapplc said:
Two punt returners is an option, but the better option is to have one good punt returner and a punt rush that's scary enough that the opponent's punter doesn't have time to angle his kick wherever he wants. Put someone in his face, make him hurry his punt and you're gonna have better results. Having someone who's capable back there is just gravy.
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How do you have an aggressive punt rush and also set up blockers for a return?

 
Landlord of Memorial Stadium said:
knapplc said:
Two punt returners is an option, but the better option is to have one good punt returner and a punt rush that's scary enough that the opponent's punter doesn't have time to angle his kick wherever he wants. Put someone in his face, make him hurry his punt and you're gonna have better results. Having someone who's capable back there is just gravy.
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How do you have an aggressive punt rush and also set up blockers for a return?
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send em from the edge. doesn't require the entire team. i don't think he's advocating we try to block every punt, but 1-2 guys getting some kind of push is helpful. as it stands now that kicker has an eternity to kick. it means our returns are catching the ball w/ half the opposing team in their face. if we could force the kick 1 to 1.5 seconds quicker, it would help.

 
Landlord of Memorial Stadium said:
knapplc said:
Two punt returners is an option, but the better option is to have one good punt returner and a punt rush that's scary enough that the opponent's punter doesn't have time to angle his kick wherever he wants. Put someone in his face, make him hurry his punt and you're gonna have better results. Having someone who's capable back there is just gravy.
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How do you have an aggressive punt rush and also set up blockers for a return?
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Have better rushers up front. That's pretty obvious, yes?

 
After last season having one consistent returner that can do more than fair catch it and not occasionally fumble the ball would be a huge improvement.

 
I remember having punt return teams that got after the punter AND two returners.

I'm more concerned about coverage teams because the defense is the side that needs the most help from a field position standpoint than the offense does.

 
During Solich's tenure didn't we often got with 2 OR even 3 guys back there? I seem to recall there being times where there was always a guy there to A. Help recover the ball if need be B. To pick off a gunner

 
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