Woodson back at Punt Return??

[packers11]

You gotta be fkin kidding me...

Coach Mike McCarthy pulled Woodson in the fourth quarter for precautionary reasons because the Packers were well ahead. Woodson was injured two weeks ago while returning a punt at Detroit and said he wants to go back to those duties. However, it’s difficult to see McCarthy exposing one of his most important players to that added injury risk again, especially considering Woodson’s replacement, Will Blackmon, returned one punt 57 yards for a touchdown.

“Taking it back over next week,” Woodson said of punt returning.

[FritzDontBlitz]

Hell no he ain't. Blackmon looked like a punt returner, no hesitation at all. He caught it and he was gone. Besides, why would a guy fighting turf toe want to return punts on astroturf next week?

[Joemailman]

I could see using the sure-handed Woodson in high pressure situations, such as having to field a punt close to the Packer goal line, or in late game situations. Blackmon though, has a chance to be special, and I can't imagine MM not using him.

[Tony Oday]

Woodson should not be on special teams! he is way too important to our defense.

[Partial]

Why does everyone care so much? He has not shown to be injury prone. It is something he is pretty good at and likes doing. He earned the starting job. Dallas, 15-1 uses Terrence Newman and Patrick Creyton on punt returns.

New England uses Wes Welker and I believe used Randy Moss a time or two this year as well.

He got hurt once doing this on a freak accident. He missed a week and was back. I'm not too concerned about him getting hurt.

Personally, I think Blackmon is better at it, but I can see why Woodson loves doing it.

[Scott Campbell]

Why does everyone care so much? He has not shown to be injury prone.

One of the reasons Oakland didn't want him back is because he was injury prone.

[BallHawk]

It was part of the agreement when Woodson came to play here- if he wants to play ST, he plays ST.

[Partial]

Why does everyone care so much? He has not shown to be injury prone.

One of the reasons Oakland didn't want him back is because he was injury prone.

He broke a leg his last year in Oakland. I don't believe he has had any complications relating to that here. He had a bum shoulder last year but played good, and then a bad toe because it landed funny in a freak accident on the turf. No big deal.

[Tony Oday]

WHO THE HELL CARES HE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO RETURN KICKS THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE actually have a chance this year!

[pbmax]

Going to be a severe test of McCarthy's juice. Woodson has always had a jones to play both ways. Clearly they have settled on punt returns as his extra duty.

But it makes too much sense to have Blackmon back there.

Perhaps the Packers go with 6 wides? Woodson could play a guard-eligible

[Partial]

Going to be a severe test of McCarthy's juice. Woodson has always had a jones to play both ways. Clearly they have settled on punt returns as his extra duty.

But it makes too much sense to have Blackmon back there.

Perhaps the Packers go with 6 wides? Woodson could play a guard-eligible

Is that even legal? Don't you need 6 people on the LOS at all times before the snap? How would that work after?

[Scott Campbell]

Why does everyone care so much? He has not shown to be injury prone.

One of the reasons Oakland didn't want him back is because he was injury prone.

He broke a leg his last year in Oakland. I don't believe he has had any complications relating to that here. He had a bum shoulder last year but played good, and then a bad toe because it landed funny in a freak accident on the turf. No big deal.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2423159

Excerpt from ESPN:

In fact, Woodson, sidelined by knee and hip injuries in 2004 and by a broken leg in 2005, has not played a full 16-game schedule since 2001. He suffered the broken leg in a game against Buffalo last Oct. 23, and made just six appearances, a career low.

[FritzDontBlitz]

Going to be a severe test of McCarthy's juice. Woodson has always had a jones to play both ways. Clearly they have settled on punt returns as his extra duty.

But it makes too much sense to have Blackmon back there.

Perhaps the Packers go with 6 wides? Woodson could play a guard-eligible

Is that even legal? Don't you need 6 people on the LOS at all times before the snap? How would that work after?

No, its not possible. There has to be 7 on the line of scrimmage at the snap, and only the two outside players on the LOS are eligible to receive a pass.

The only way to have 6 eligible receivers is to have Woody play QB, shift out of the backfield while another receiver or rb stays in the backfield to receive the snap and then pass it to Woody.

Or, basically the same play they ran against Carolina when Favre lined up in the slot and DD took a direct snap, subbing Woody in Favre's place.

[Zool]

Actually couldn't a WR report as a tackle eligible and lineup in a 3 pt stance next to a guard?

[The Leaper]

Going to be a severe test of McCarthy's juice. Woodson has always had a jones to play both ways. Clearly they have settled on punt returns as his extra duty.

I think Woodson has to recognize that he still isn't 100%, and at this time it is better for him to avoid punt return duty for the rest of the regular season. I don't have a problem with McCarthy telling him that he will be used again in the postseason as a returner...but Woodson should be off those duties for the rest of the regular season, and not have one gripe about it. He's paid for being an elite DB, not for being a punt returner.

Up until now, I'm not sure McCarthy thought he had anyone capable of being a solid returner outside of Woodson. If yesterday didn't change his mind, then he should not be the NFL coach of the year...because he's a moron.

That punt return TD was a thing of beauty...Blackman caught that ball in traffic, and did so perfectly with forward momentum. He's clearly faster than Woodson as well.