'12 AZ WR Davonte Neal (Arizona Transfer)

[peoriairish]

Good post OMM, and the physics you speak of do make sense. One additional point I want to just point out is that many of us speak of wanting Neal to take it to the house, I think we would just be happy with a 15-20 yard return every once in a while. Our major issue, at least from what I can gather, is that for some unknown reason, teams are getting 6-7 players (see my previous post with pictures) past all of our blockers. It is as if we are completely ignoring the gunners. I just want my heart to skip a beat when Davonte catches a punt and starts a run, even if he gets tripped up 10 yards later. Just block someone damnit.

 

[irishandy]

Maybe Davonte will be our hidden secret to success at Oklahoma. I'd like to see him at slot. Imagine what he could do on a screen or shuffle pass with open room...automatic 6 points. If not this year we'll see more of him next year.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

IMO you don't need to know anything about physics or do any sort of deep thinking to see that ND has a horrible punt return strategy.

 

[peoriairish]

IMO you don't need to know anything about physics or do any sort of deep thinking to see that ND has a horrible punt return strategy.

Nope, but it's sometimes interesting to think deeper than just the surface of why something isn't working.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Yeah I agree, but in ND's case it's just baffling at times.

EX: Look at the BYU punt to start the 3rd qtr and tell me what the strategy is on that play.

 

[ND NYC]

one riddick muffed punt is the cause of all this madness!

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Part of it was the return was on Saturday...but give credit to BYUs punter. He got a good hangtime and you are only going to block gunners for a certain amount of time. Its def frustrating, but at the sametime there are more factors that are going into it than just having a return on or off.

 

[Downinthebend]

Part of it was the return was on Saturday...but give credit to BYUs punter. He got a good hangtime and you are only going to block gunners for a certain amount of time. Its def frustrating, but at the sametime there are more factors that are going into it than just having a return on or off.

On the contrary, looking at how we block gunners (or more specifically, that we don't: we have pretty much everyone watch for the fake and let the gunners run down) versus how other teams do, I think that is the one factor. I only hope that when we "return on" Neal can surprise.. everyone.

 

[Grahambo]

I honestly can't remember if they do but I think doubling up on the gunners should be tried. They seem more interested in trying to stop a fake then setup a return.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I lost my voice Saturday screaming "Get this kid a block!"

It's very aggravating to watching the line literally let the other team through without even trying to get in their way.

 

[ND NYC]

Part of it was the return was on Saturday...but give credit to BYUs punter. He got a good hangtime and you are only going to block gunners for a certain amount of time. Its def frustrating, but at the sametime there are more factors that are going into it than just having a return on or off.

now im even more depressed about our punt return game....

paraphrasing here:

"its been on so long it looks like off to me!"

 

[dublinirish]

i watched back to South Carolina - UF game and seeing the ****'s comical Kick return work i suddenly dont feel so bad about ND's fair catch policy!

 

[Golden Glory]

I feel kind of bad for Devonte you can tell he's itching to make something happen in the only moment he get's on the field, only to have 6 defenders in his face when he catches the ball. It would be nice to see what this kid could do with a few blocks and some semblance of open field. Give the kid a chance to suceed.

 

[mgriff]

We haven't had a punt return unit since Zib was back there.

 

[Emcee77]

I feel kind of bad for Devonte you can tell he's itching to make something happen in the only moment he get's on the field, only to have 6 defenders in his face when he catches the ball. It would be nice to see what this kid could do with a few blocks and some semblance of open field. Give the kid a chance to suceed.

+1. Early playing time was important to him, and now here is, not getting offensive reps and doing nothing but fair catching the ball on punt returns. Come on Kelly, set up a return just once!

 

[NDdomer2]

I did a little breakdown of the punt returning from byu game in the condensed video thread. Probably should have posted it here.

 

[ND NYC]

taking a flyer here and i highly/99% doubt it but:

for the very limited amount of game time neal is on the field for punt return duty--is it at all a possibility to still preserve this yr of eligibility for him?

 

[Ironman8]

taking a flyer here and i highly/99% doubt it but:

for the very limited amount of game time neal is on the field for punt return duty--is it at all a possibility to still preserve this yr of eligibility for him?

Nope. All 3 freshmen WRs have burned this year.

 

[irishff1014]

Maybe Kelly should look in to hiring a apecial teams coach to worry just about that. Is there a limit on how many coaches you can have?

 

[irishog77]

Maybe Kelly should look in to hiring a apecial teams coach to worry just about that. Is there a limit on how many coaches you can have?

Yes, there is a limit.

That, however, doesn't preclude Kelly from hiring a genuine ST guy. The problem then becomes you have a ST coach also coaching TE's, RB's, DL, or whatever. And the fact that Kelly would have to replace a current coach on staff to bring a guy in.

 

[TheChosen1]

Tell you what I love this kid's enthusiasm. Seems to really be liking ND.

 

[aubeirish]

We haven't had a punt return unit since Zib was back there.

Golden wasn't so bad if I remember correctly.

 

[AFisch86]

Neal needs to be out there this Saturday. Don't care if he isn't targeted once. Have to make defense think twice about doubling eifert and move lbs and dbs away from where we want to run the ball (left side).

 

[irishff1014]

Yes, there is a limit.

That, however, doesn't preclude Kelly from hiring a genuine ST guy. The problem then becomes you have a ST coach also coaching TE's, RB's, DL, or whatever. And the fact that Kelly would have to replace a current coach on staff to bring a guy in.

Thanks It is already like that with Booker doing TE and ST.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Have to make defense think twice about doubling eifert

Neal won't change that fact.

 

[NDdomer2]

Doubling a wr does everyone else a favor. Presents one one match ups and dictates coverage reads for the qb. It is up to Kelly to call a play that exploits that match up and Golson to deliver.

You make them pay for doubling Eifert. We have only done this against Miami imo.

 

[NDdomer2]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s4V6BavRJLU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HkV8GlsXQZU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SIOtSyeT7qE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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I decided to track all the punt returns in this game since it has been a topic of discussion lately. Air time is estimated as YouTube does not provide decimal timing system

1st qtr

Air Time 8:29-8:33
Return ON
well blocked but did not account for Long Snapper

2nd qtr

Air Time 0:01-0:05
Return ON
everyone gets smoked

Air Time 11:42-11:45
Return ON
We doubled the gunners this time and accounted for the Long Snapper. However, the whole right(our right) side gets beat including the double team on the gunner. Carlo gets toasted in a one on one with the Long Snapper then quits on his block.

3rd qtr

Air Time 2:21-2:25
Rush On
gunners win their one on one and Davonte goes no where.

Air Time 8:09-8:13
Protect Safe

4th qtr

Air Time 5:46-5:51
Protect Safe

BYU punted 6 times. We had returns on for the first 3. We blocked one very well except for leaving long snapper to go free forcing a fair catch. We then choose to double the gunners but doesn't help. We also lose many one on one match-ups including one to their long snapper who is a transfer from Snow junior college. (smh)

Coach then decides to rush one punt, as many have called for in hopes of speeding up the punter and forcing the coverage to stay and block longer. It did neither.

After we cut the lead to 4, and take lead we go protect safe.

 

[Emcee77]

Reps for this. Very interesting.

 

[koonja]

I would like to see him return some kicks. Put him back with GAIII. Clearly ball security isn't the issue since he's returning punts, so let him loose.

 

[NDdomer2]

Reps for this. Very interesting.

After doing my break down it became clear that coach IS trying to figure something out. After we didn't account for the long snapper, the next return someone was attempting to block him. Then we doubled the gunners. Then we rushed.

Bottom line is our defenders/blockers are not getting it done.