Fewest Punt return yards in NFL history?

[Vincenzo]

“The NFL record for the fewest punt return yards in a single season is 27, set by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. Through 12 games, the Packers have minus-8 punt return yards.“

“The Packers have returned nine punts for minus-8 yards and fair caught 21 punts. Green Bay’s average of minus-0.9 yards is also on pace to shatter the lowest punt return average in a season of 1.3, which again was set by the 1965 Cardinals.”

[George Cumby]

This gives "Record Breaking Season" new meaning.

[Vincenzo]

This gives "Record Breaking Season" new meaning.
Just something to keep an eye on with 4 games left.

[MadtownPacker]

AKA you can’t find a returner with any balls, except the one they keep fair catching.

[red]

How’s are numbers look for kick returns?

I’ve seen the record breaking numbers for punt returns, but do we suck just as bad at kickoffs

I know we aren’t good at them, it’s rare when we start out past the 25

We gotta can the ST coaches this offseason, and draft or sign a real return guy

[George Cumby]

How’s are numbers look for kick returns?

I’ve seen the record breaking numbers for punt returns, but do we suck just as bad at kickoffs

I know we aren’t good at them, it’s rare when we start out past the 25

We gotta can the ST coaches this offseason, and draft or sign a real return guy


I hear Tremor Davis is available.

[Teamcheez1]

I can tell my grandkids someday that I was part of history.

** Comment edited due to political reference, please post in FYI area in the future **

[Zool]

I hear Tremor Davis is available.

I always liked that Taylor Davies.

[pbmax]

I always liked that Taylor Davies.

Zach Davies can bring some off speed stuff.

[Teamcheez1]

I can tell my grandkids someday that I was part of history.

** Comment edited due to political reference, please post in FYI area in the future **

Who the fuck edited my comment?

[MadtownPacker]

I did, now what?

[Radagast]

I can tell my grandkids someday that I was part of history.

** Comment edited due to political reference, please post in FYI area in the future **

Weather I would agree or not with your edited post, keeping politics and sports separate needs to be observed. I remain curious still and would like to read your deleted comments in FYI.

As for Packer Punt - return players, for me the best was Desmond Howard. Great returns are 83% Luck anyway, as I see it.

[texaspackerbacker]

As for Packer Punt - return players, for me the best was Desmond Howard. Great returns are 83% Luck anyway, as I see it.

Now there's an acorn of truth. Even more specifically, it's more a matter of the kicking team screwing up than the receiving team doing good.

[Fritz]

I doubt that. Devin Hester didn't just get lucky way more often than other guys.

[pbmax]

Now there's an acorn of truth. Even more specifically, it's more a matter of the kicking team screwing up than the receiving team doing good.

Allen Rossum wants a word. But Mike Sherman shipped him off before he could speak.

[Teamcheez1]

I did, now what?

Nothing. You can continue to hide behind your title of moderator.

[MadtownPacker]

Nothing. You can continue to hide behind your title of moderator.I never hide. Say what you want about how you hate me or think I’m a idiot. It won’t get you or anyone else banned and your comment won’t be deleted. As long as it isn’t politics. That is what you are crying about right? Since you cant show any courtesy or respect to the minimal rules of this website.

So give me your worse. You are weak minded. I don’t use my “title of moderator” to fight my personal battles here. THAT would be me hiding. Post your politics in FYI. I might even agree with them. You are one of the posters that prompted the shitty announcement today.

You think dealing with this is fun and enjoyable? You think I would rather not just be a poster and enjoy talking crap? I do what is best for this site, not for me and not for you.

If you feel I am threatening you with banning you are wrong. Because if I abused my access your ass wouldn’t even be getting this response.

[SudsMcBucky]

Huh. Didn't think it could get any worse than Ron Zook.

[MadScientist]

Tyler Ervin saves the Packers return game from ignominy.

Given how solid he looked, did MLF lite a fire under the whole return team, or were all the other returners a bunch of useless turds? (Both is of course a possibility).

As for KRs, there was an odd stat earlier this season where the Packers lead the league in field position after a kickoff without having returned a single kick (there was an out of bounds kick that helped things).

[pbmax]

Huh. Didn't think it could get any worse than Ron Zook.

Season's not over yet :D

[texaspackerbacker]

He did ok, but I'm pretty sure Derek Shepherd woulda done just as good or better.

[Joemailman]

He did ok, but I'm pretty sure Derek Shepherd woulda done just as good or better.

Based on what? He had 2 punt returns for -9 yards and averaged 16 yards on 9 kickoff returns. Teams were intentionally kicking short of the goal line to force him to return it.

[texaspackerbacker]

I was talking about punt returns. How did Shepherd do in the preseason?

Arguably, fair catching or just letting the ball go is a better way to go in many cases. That 5 to 10 yards of return is not worth the risk of a fumble. Just get the offense on the field.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I was talking about punt returns. How did Shepherd do in the preseason?

Arguably, fair catching or just letting the ball go is a better way to go in many cases. That 5 to 10 yards of return is not worth the risk of a fumble. Just get the offense on the field.

Preseason doesn't matter anymore. He couldn't get it done in games. He stunk.

Not returning punts for fear of a fumble? That's laughable.

[pbmax]

I was talking about punt returns. How did Shepherd do in the preseason?

Arguably, fair catching or just letting the ball go is a better way to go in many cases. That 5 to 10 yards of return is not worth the risk of a fumble. Just get the offense on the field.

But if the risk of fumble is greater with Shepard, then that is another point against him. And he did fumble.

[beveaux1]

When you're an undrafted free agent with poor speed for a WR and you're given a chance on an NFL roster, you've got to produce.
A fumble on a punt return and a TD pass bouncing out of your hands and off your helmet means you blew your chance.

My guess is he'll never see playing time again. He'll likely never make another NFL roster.

[Zool]

But if the risk of fumble is greater with Shepard, then that is another point against him. And he did fumble.

He also volleyball set an INT at the goal line in a loss. I really think there should be a judge at every game calling INTs and fumbles. Sorta like the guy in baseball that determines if something is an error. How many INTs are the fault of the WR tipping the ball in the air.

[texaspackerbacker]

But if the risk of fumble is greater with Shepard, then that is another point against him. And he did fumble.

He fumbled what? Once? That dumb move trying to catch a punt up in front of his face? I would say a second chance is in order - or was there other fumbles I don't remember?

As for that worn out old line, preseason doesn't matter, that's a lame over generalization, especially when you're talking punt returns, which are usually run against back ups anyway.

Just wait, people will turn on Ervin big time the first time he fumbles or reverses his field and loses 15 yards on a return. And we haven't even seen him on kick offs yet. Is he a speed burner? I don't know. I had hopes for Tremon Smith because he supposedly was. You need shiftiness more on punts - like Shepherd, and like Ervin hasn't shown yet. And Shepherd is potentially the Beasley or Edelman type possession receiver we could use also. It seems to me that he got himself in the dog house and needs an opportunity to get out.

[Zool]

He's the only punt returner I've ever watched judge a kick so badly, he had to jump to get a hand on the punt. Tex I think your faith is misplaced.

[MadScientist]

He fumbled what? Once? That dumb move trying to catch a punt up in front of his face? I would say a second chance is in order - or was there other fumbles I don't remember?

As for that worn out old line, preseason doesn't matter, that's a lame over generalization, especially when you're talking punt returns, which are usually run against back ups anyway.

Just wait, people will turn on Ervin big time the first time he fumbles or reverses his field and loses 15 yards on a return. And we haven't even seen him on kick offs yet. Is he a speed burner? I don't know. I had hopes for Tremon Smith because he supposedly was. You need shiftiness more on punts - like Shepherd, and like Ervin hasn't shown yet. And Shepherd is potentially the Beasley or Edelman type possession receiver we could use also. It seems to me that he got himself in the dog house and needs an opportunity to get out.

That shiftiness that you seek is what led to -8 yards in returns over 12 games. Ervin wasn't dancing around trying to get a big return, he just fielded it cleanly and ran straight up field when he had space. If there was less than 5 yards there for him he took the fair catch, reducing the risk of a big hit and fumble. I'll take that attitude every time vs the shifty guy who runs sideways and backwards trying to make the huge return. Also all that dancing tends to lead to penalties. Just running straight is easier to block for without holding / blocks in the back.

[run pMc]

I don't think Darrius Shepard is the answer. Maybe he develops on the PS, but it's a big leap to Beasley or Edelman territory. Those guys are faster or more explosive/agile players.

Ervin ran about a 4.42 40 coming out of college, so he has speed. PR is different from KR, and in both cases I think you can either do it or you can't. Tremon Smith was more of a KR -- he had limited experience returning punts. If Ervin can at least return punts they'll find someone to occasionally return a kickoff.

I have noticed some teams experimenting with kicking a little shorter -- ostensibly the idea being that the returning team will barely return the kick to the 20 vs. getting a touchback to the 25. Also opens up the chance for a fumble (or a long return) but it wouldn't surprise me if some analytics comes out in favor of kicking to the 2 yd line.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I don't think Darrius Shepard is the answer. Maybe he develops on the PS, but it's a big leap to Beasley or Edelman territory. Those guys are faster or more explosive/agile players.

Ervin ran about a 4.42 40 coming out of college, so he has speed. PR is different from KR, and in both cases I think you can either do it or you can't. Tremon Smith was more of a KR -- he had limited experience returning punts. If Ervin can at least return punts they'll find someone to occasionally return a kickoff.

I have noticed some teams experimenting with kicking a little shorter -- ostensibly the idea being that the returning team will barely return the kick to the 20 vs. getting a touchback to the 25. Also opens up the chance for a fumble (or a long return) but it wouldn't surprise me if some analytics comes out in favor of kicking to the 2 yd line.

The KO return teams can do a fair catch on those and it's the same as a touchback I believe. No team really uses it though, as they hope for the big return instead.

[texaspackerbacker]

Are you sure about that fair catch on kick offs thing? I think it is only a college rule, not the pros.

[pbmax]

Tex, Shepard was not enough of an elite athletes to spend more than two years developing.

If he had stood out in some way along the lines you mention, we’d at least be having a different conversation.

However, I do acknowledge that the blocking was a notch above earlier efforts so he had some help.

But think how long it’s been since ANY punt returner for the Pack had 4 returns over 10 yards each. Maybe the Washingtonians just suck.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Are you sure about that fair catch on kick offs thing? I think it is only a college rule, not the pros.

I know it was last year in the NFL. I thought it still was in place. It was part of the whole "let's make kickoffs safer because we care about the players health, we really do" movement the NFL had for a few moments.

[esoxx]

You've been able to fair catch a kickoff in the NFL as long as I can remember.

[texaspackerbacker]

I don't think Darrius Shepard is the answer. Maybe he develops on the PS, but it's a big leap to Beasley or Edelman territory. Those guys are faster or more explosive/agile players.


Shepherd's 40 time is 4.57; Edelman's is 4.52; Beasley's is 4.49 - hardly a dime's worth of difference. We probably won't see anything happen until next training camp, but I still think Shepherd has a future with the Packers - receiver, punt returner, probably not kickoff returner. Nothing against Ervin, but I think he is JAG - nothing special, just benefiting from the low standard before he came along as well as maybe Redskins' badness. I really think just about anybody on the roster or practice squad could catch a punt and run straight ahead 5 or 10 yards without fumbling - or fair catch it if that yardage isn't there.

[run pMc]

I really think just about anybody on the roster or practice squad could catch a punt and run straight ahead 5 or 10 yards without fumbling - or fair catch it if that yardage isn't there.


But if this is true why wasn't it happening when Sheppard (or others) were at PR?

With opportunities in real games, Sheppard has not made a single positive play that I can think of, and in fact has been involved in several turnovers/negative plays. With no draft pick invested in him, limited athleticism, and negative production, why keep him vs. another player?
Not saying he can't turn into a good player, but it's unlikely to happen. Sure, keep him thru OTAs etc. next year, but bring in enough competition at WR and ST to improve significantly and force him to prove the doubters wrong. Until then, put guys who have done it (Ervin) on the field. They are squarely in the playoff push, playing Sheppard would be a step back.

FWIW, Tress Way (the WAS punter) is a bombs away down the middle type kicker, which allows for more returnable punts. I think it will be tougher sledding for Ervin against the Bears.

[Fritz]

Wait, if you fair catch a kickoff and it bounces around on the five yard line and the other team downs it, then you're stuck starting on your own five, right?

[texaspackerbacker]

The question is, if you fair catch it inside the 25 yard line, do you get it on the 25 like in college? I think the answer is no, but I'm not sure.

[Zool]

If only there were some interconnected set of computers with readily available banks of knowledge to search.

[George Cumby]

If only there were some interconnected set of computers with readily available banks of knowledge to search.

If only. But then people would only look up porn and funny cat videos.

[Zool]

If only. But then people would only look up porn and funny cat videos.

There are cat videos?

[George Cumby]

^lol