Punt Returners

[ThunderDan]

I'd really prefer it if we had some people in on the PR/KR team who could block opposing tacklers more effectively. With the way we've blocked on returns, it doesn't really matter whether it's Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, or Jason Spitz out there returning punts.

This is exactly it!!!

3 or 4 players get downfield on kick coverage without getting blocked every time. It doesn't matter who you put back there if 3 guys are running free.

[Pugger]

Both are surprising, but not that big of a deal. Why not? You can't fear injuries.

The real issue with special teams is the protection. Until that improves it wouldn't matter if you put Barry Sanders back there.

+1

[pbmax]

After a highly successful season in 1997, Sehorn suffered a debilitating knee injury, tearing both his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, returning the opening kickoff in the 1998 preseason game against the New York Jets.[5] Though Sehorn returned the next season, his speed was greatly diminished.

I believe the giants tried this trick once upon a time.

Is there a position or unit where a torn ACL wouldn't be a concern? Its mostly a matter of the number of snaps. It probably is a greater risk, but its incremented by about 4-5 snaps a game.

[bobblehead]

After a highly successful season in 1997, Sehorn suffered a debilitating knee injury, tearing both his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, returning the opening kickoff in the 1998 preseason game against the New York Jets.[5] Though Sehorn returned the next season, his speed was greatly diminished.

I believe the giants tried this trick once upon a time.

Is there a position or unit where a torn ACL wouldn't be a concern? Its mostly a matter of the number of snaps. It probably is a greater risk, but its incremented by about 4-5 snaps a game.

I somewhat agree with you, just pointing out the history. Teams don't do it generally for a reason. I personally wouldn't put Jennings in a position that would increase his chances of getting hurt.

I would like to see stats on the serious injuries per snap of a wide receiver vs. a punt returner.

[mraynrand]

I like this move. You have to believe you can force the other team to punt, even if it seems unlikely.

[Noodle]

Darrell Green, Hall of Fame CB for the Redskins, also did the punt return duties for a brief period. He was really good at it, but on a return against the Bears for a TD, he tore cartilege in his rib cage, and I can remember him getting whacked pretty good.

I'm fine with Nelson doing it, not so much with Tramon, as it will be much harder to replace the latter than the former.

[packerbacker1234]

Look, bottom line is, we don't have the sort of players for returners that some other teams do. On top of that, we wouldn't be the only team out there putting some of their best players in on the return game. Remember that Browms WR? He is like, the only weapon they have on offense, and he is their returner.

You need to send a message to your team that special teams can be just as important to winning football games as offense, and its' true. Special teams is the game of field position, and that can go A LONG WAY to helping out the offense and the defense. This is our biggest glaring weakness, and apparently MM is saying "fuck it" and going to do what he thinks is best - and htat is putting the best return people we have on the field.

Right now: Kick Return = Jordy and Brandon

Punt Return Depth = Tramon, and then Jennings - you may see them flip at times based on performance, or based on who is more tired, etc. Like if were facing an extremely pass heavy team, I could see Jennings returning instead, because williams would need the rest.

I am not sure there is really any more risk playing special teams then there is playing any other position on offense or defense. You cannot play with the fear of injury. Period.

I think this is a strong show of how important MM thinks special teams is this year, and I absolutely applaud him for it. There is no reason our return game shouldn't be decent if not pretty good with the playmakers he is putting back there.

[vince]

http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/this-is-your-team

And so it begins.

It’s been seven long months since we had a Packer football game that mattered to look forward to. The fanbase and, it would seem, Packer coaches and players are thinking Super Bowl. The national media has hopped on board with what seems like every significant national prognosticator picking the Packers to at least reach the big game in Dallas if not outright win the thing.

Now, of course, they have to start playing the games. And the second guessing will begin. “I TOLD you they should have picked up that linebacker”; “What the hell was Thompson thinking not drafting a cornerback?”; And, yes, even “They’re crazy if they think they can use Tramon Williams or Greg Jennings on punt returns.”

That last one obviously was all the talk yesterday on Twitter. I thought the idea was beyond absurd. Alex thought otherwise. After a long night spent dealing with various things and stepping away completely from the blog and Twitter I came to one conclusion:

Alex is right.

Damn the torpedoes. Full steam ahead. This team has a chance to do something special and it won’t do it by playing it safe or being tepid in the decisions it makes. If Tramon Williams or, heaven help us, Greg Jennings are the best options, then they are the best options and that’s how they’re gonna roll.

All the second guessing, all the “I told you so’s”, all that nonsense will sure follow us throughout the year – and I’m sure I’ll have more than my fair share along the way. But for this week – I’m on board, one thousand percent. Thompson has made all the right moves. McCarthy and his coaches have the lineup perfectly set. The coaches and players have, for the most part, been working and preparing since March.

That kind of commitment and effort deserves and demands your respect.

"This is your team."

[HarveyWallbangers]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth

Among the late-developing storylines of Week 1 has been the identities of NFC North kickoff and punt returners. Few of our teams have established players in those roles, and one of them -- the Minnesota Vikings -- traded away their top option last weekend. So based on what coaches and players have said this week, here is our best guess for each role:

Chicago Bears
Kickoffs: Danieal Manning or Johnny Knox
Comment: Manning is a bruising, full-speed returner. Knox had a 102-yard return last season, but the Bears probably want to protect him.
Punts: Devin Hester
Comment: Once the best in the NFL, Hester hasn't had a touchdown in two years.

Detroit Lions
Kickoffs: Stefan Logan or Aaron Brown
Comment: Logan, claimed on waivers over the weekend, averaged 26.7 yards per kickoff return for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. He had four returns of 40 or more yards.
Punts: Logan
Comment: Averaged 9.3 yards per return last season.

Green Bay Packers
Kickoffs: Jordy Nelson
Comment: He's sure-handed and productive but not necessarily a breakaway threat. Twenty-five of his 36 career returns have gone for more than 20 yards, but longest is 54.
Punts: Tramon Williams
Comment: An excellent open-field runner but a risk given his role as a starting cornerback.

Minnesota Vikings
Kickoffs: Percy Harvin
Comment: Was excellent last season until teams started kicking away from him. Averaged 30.7 yards per return in first half of season and 21.1 yards in second half.
Punts: Bernard Berrian or Greg Camarillo
Comment: Berrian returned a punt 82 yards for a score during a limited tenure in this role two years ago. Camarillo is sure-handed.

[swede]

I'd really prefer it if we had some people in on the PR/KR team who could block opposing tacklers more effectively. With the way we've blocked on returns, it doesn't really matter whether it's Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, or Jason Spitz out there returning punts.

This is exactly it!!!

3 or 4 players get downfield on kick coverage without getting blocked every time. It doesn't matter who you put back there if 3 guys are running free.

Maybe there were some negative dynamics at work during the pre-season.

If Player A makes his block Player B scores a touchdown and takes Player A's spot on the team thus creating a deincentive for blocking.

[vince]

2008 PRO BOWL RETURN MAN CLIFTON SMITH IS HEADING TO GREEN BAY...

http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/clifton-smith-visiting-green-bay-decision-forthcoming?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CheeseheadTv+%28Cheesehead+TV%29

Clifton Smith Visiting Green Bay, Decision Forthcoming
By Brian Carriveau on Sep 07, 2010

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back and All-Pro kick returner Clifton Smith is visiting with the Packers in Green Bay today, according to his agent Jason Lamont Dillard.

“We’re thinking about it right now,” said Dillard.

At this point, no signing is imminent as Smith is mulling offers from other teams. However, Dillard indicated that the timeframe for a decision is today.

Ironically, Smith was cut from the Buccaneers after Tampa Bay claimed former Green Bay running back Kregg Lumpkin. Smith and rookie offensive tackle Derek Hardman to make room for Lumpkin and fellow waiver pick-up center Ted Larson (from New England).

MORE TO COME…

The Bucs originally had Smith on their roster, but released him after picking up Kregg Lumpkin off waivers. He missed the first 2 games of preseason while battling knee pain related to gout. He was on IR last year after suffering two concussions.

[HarveyWallbangers]

How come they let that guy go?

PUNT RETURNS
2009 - 23 returns for 10.1 average
2008 - 23 returns for 14.1 average

KICK RETURNS
2009 - 31 returns for 29.1 average
2008 - 36 returns for 27.6 average

I don't know the guy that well, but those are great numbers.

[pbmax]

Gout and 2 concussions?

I preferred when they pretended they were not worried. Who gets the axe if he signs? I think its got to be Patrick Lee. Or Crabtree. McDonald, if they aren't worried about 9 lineman on the 53 man roster.

[pbmax]

How come they let that guy go?

PUNT RETURNS
2009 - 23 returns for 10.1 average
2008 - 23 returns for 14.1 average

KICK RETURNS
2009 - 31 returns for 29.1 average
2008 - 36 returns for 27.6 average

I don't know the guy that well, but those are great numbers.

I don't know him either Harv, but with Gout, 2 brain injuries and a balky knee, he might be my Grandfather's age.

[vince]

He also has put the ball on the ground quite a bit. 7 fumbles in 20 games played. We'll see.