I'm glad we got the win and I'm sure there's always something to pick out that we didn't do well, but I've noticed the last few games we've had no real punt returning yards. Is it time for Jarrett to step down from being our punt returner or is it just that he hasn't had any breaks? I think he's talented enough to do it, I just don't think he's explosive enough to do it, but that's just my opinion?
So my question is do you think Jarrett is doing good with what we have or do you think he should step down as our punt returner and if so, who do you think should replace him if you think he should step down? This is just a freindly debate I just wanted to know what what others thought about it.
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
Comments
There are a lot of things at play here, so it's not entirely on Jarrett. We've been a lot more aggressive going after punts this year (love it), but that leaves fewer blockers downfield. We've also had pretty poor blocking even when we try to set up for a return, so there's never really any running room. Jarrett does bear some blame for not fair-catching a few balls that definitely should have been. To me, though, the whole kicking game (kickoff returns, punt returns, and coverage when we are kicking the ball) has been mediocre. Not abysmal like it was against Bama, but not quite back to the standards of the late 90s/early 2000s. Putting the starters in on special teams was a wise move, and the punt block against Marshall was a thing of beauty, but we need more consistency from everyone. Like someone else said on another thread, Kyle has been a step away from blocking a few more punts in the last couple of games. Only a matter of time before he gets another one.
Good point VTGuitarMan
I don't even want us to be spectacular on special teams, just mistake-free and solid. Don't need a lot of blocks, don't need a lot of explosive returns, just stop the returner where they catch it and don't turn it over when we get it.
I agree with HOAT above me on this. Doesn't need to be amazing, just consistent, stingy, and hard-nosed. If we are running a punt block scheme, I would much rather the returner just fair catch the ball every single time unless there are very clear running lanes. In addition, KJ runs about 100-200 yards returning each game-----east west....In many cases I feel like he could get 5-10 yards by just going north south but he runs to the side and there are no blockers to stop the opponents.
Upvote for HOAT
Kendall Fuller returned the last few punts. I wonder if that was just a breather for Jarrett or if the coaches think he's a better fit there.
Jarrett was out with cramps. He missed a defensive series or two as well. Doubt it's a full time replacement going forward.
I'm more worried about our kickoff returns. Demitri isn't good at it. He jogs at the beginning and runs sideways instead of straight ahead.
Yea I noticed that he seems to be looking for cut backs or those cutbacks all across the field instead of going straight.
One thing that I (and probably a few others) have noticed is that Demitri steps back when he catches a kickoff and then progresses forward. One of the things that made David Wilson SO GOOD last year for the Giants is that he began catching kickoffs with his momentum already carrying forward. He didn't do that very well as an undergrad and besides a few spectacular plays (NC STATE and GT come to mind), he wasn't nearly as productive like last year for the G-Men where I think he set some sort of NFL Return Yards Record. He also has superhuman powers but that's inconsequential to this discussion.
I think heard Frank mention that Knowles steps back a few weeks ago when a beat writer asked him about the lack of yards/production from the kickoff guys but it doesn't seem like they've corrected it yet. Wierd, to me at least, because it seems like a rather simple fix - see the ball, step back, and attack it as it's caught. Probably much easier said than done though.
Dang I never noticed that that's definitely some good observation right there
DW got to the Pro Bowl this past season as a KR/PR Specialist for the NFC. I think he was named to All-Pro as well. Liked how you said "he also has superhuman powers but that's inconsequential to this discussion." It's like saying "he's also DAVID WILSON but that doesn't really matter for this discussion."
Maybe I'm misreading your comment but I tried to say that David Wilson changed the way he returned kicks when he got to the NFL, helping him set records and get to the Pro Bowl. However, save for a few freakish returns, he wasn't that dynamic yard hog when he was at Tech. Is it something we don't teach well in Blacksburg? I'm not sure but I think if Knowles (or whoever returns kicks) can start doing that, the momentum he starts with should pay off with at least 5 yards per kick as he's basically starting in 2nd gear and not in reverse.
Should be a pretty simple fix, but that's a lot of timing running forward onto the ball id rather they perfect it at practice before breaking it out in games I really dont want him fumbling a kickoff or something horrible like that
Agreed: Mistake free, no stupidity special teams. That's all we need.
I disagree with the first point made about how the punt return game is suffering because we are going after punts. I believe that in the early 2000's one of the reasons we had success in the return was BECAUSE we went after punts. teams were so worried about blocking our rush that they couldnt get into their return defense effectively, and all andre/hall/royal had to do was make one person miss and it was smooth sailing from there. I believe that if we get more punt blocks, our return game will improve just based off of that. But our return blocking does need to improve as well
Simple: We need RVD double blocks and he isn't available this year.
On the serious side though, it is a "you have it or you don't position." I think Jarrett has it, just has been banged up and special teams as a whole starts with blocking and it just hasn't really been there this year.
#MANBEARPIG4PUNTRETURNER
We need a healthy Jarrett on defense, I think we should give Mangus a serious look at punt returns
Mangus should be on Kick return IMO. My coaches would never let a WR return because we had no idea about reading holes in blocking. Granted that is not always true but I tend to agree that a fast H back or RB would be best. Harvin, Wilson, etc type player.
Punt and kickoff returns are places of big collisions, and I don't think KJ should be back there for that reason. I think French did and article about his importance to the defense late in the offseason. Combine this with his risky fielding (lack of fair catches) and I'd be happy if they replace him back there.