Why does Golden Tate never return punts?

[Riddickulous]

This always mystifies me. It seems that unless Golden has twenty yards of free space, he'll call a fair catch.

WHY?

Is he shellshocked because of his fumbled punt against BC in 2008 that eventually led to BC's 17-0 lead?

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

Because who ever is blocking on gunners cannot. So he never has enough space to make a play. Everytime he was back against Wazzou he looked like he would have gotten killed every single time.

 

[We_Are_ND]

I think the problem is that Charlie Weis wants a sure handed person returning punts, so he sticks Golden back there....ok

But Golden is thinking hey, after this punt I gotta be the number 1 WR. No coach is gunna get mad over a safe fair-catch, so...he calls a fair-catch.

My solution, put Theo or someone back there that doesn't have to be right back on the field after the punt.

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

He never has enough space to even attempt to run, so how can he not call a fair catch?

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

Our special teams are definitely "special".

 

[GoIrish41]

This always mystifies me. It seems that unless Golden has twenty yards of free space, he'll call a fair catch.

WHY?

Is he shellshocked because of his fumbled punt against BC in 2008 that eventually led to BC's 17-0 lead?

I've been thinking the same thing for weeks. And it isn't always that he doesn't have room. Sometimes he has plenty of green and still fair catches.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Bad blocking. That's why Riddick can't return anything to the house either.

 

[Junkhead]

Goodman didn't fair catch his PR.

 

[Brown]

When you have the #5 offense in the country (an offense nobody can stop), just catch the ball and let the offense do its thing -- unless there's a HUGE opening. Frankly, I think this is what the PR game-plan is.

 

[mgriff]

I have been watching this too, and most of the time he is correct to call a fair catch. Our backs can't get good blocks on the kamikazes, leaving him with nowhere to run most of the time. Sometimes it seems like he does have a chance but I'm still okay with him fair catching those as well. With the way the offense has been playing, I'm just happy to have the ball.

 

[irishfan]

I usually hope for a 60-yard punt just so Tate can get a guaranteed return

 

[irishandy]

I personally don't like Tate back there and would prefer Riddick, Toma, or Evans. Tate also has to be careful because he flings the ball out so quickly that the refs may not think he called a fair catch and theres a fumble. Tate does enough for the team.

 

[irishtrain]

I must not be watching the same games you guys are because it seems to me he has had no room. Opponents give me the impression they scheme to stop him, the guys electric and they know it. I also agree that Charlie said just catch it and we'll go from there if you have any doubt. You know he wants to rip one off it he could.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

I must not be watching the same games you guys are because it seems to me he has had no room. Opponents give me the impression they scheme to stop him, the guys electric and they know it. I also agree that Charlie said just catch it and we'll go from there if you have any doubt. You know he wants to rip one off it he could.

Bingo.

To me

I trust his judgement. The guy is good. Seems to make good "flash" decisions.

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

I must not be watching the same games you guys are because it seems to me he has had no room. Opponents give me the impression they scheme to stop him, the guys electric and they know it. I also agree that Charlie said just catch it and we'll go from there if you have any doubt. You know he wants to rip one off it he could.

I've stressed this twice already in this thread. He just hasn't had very much room. Punts have been fairly short. We haven't been able to block on the outside. I haven't seen him barely ever have room. Remember he did try to pick up a ball in that game and go with it because I think he is sick of calling fair catches.

 

[BGIF]

Why does Golden Tate never return punts?

Charlie doesn't want to ruin Clausen's 4th quarter comebacks.


Seriously, there have been few ball he could return. Usually BOTH gunners are in his face when he fields the ball.

There have been 2 or 3 I thought he had enough room to catch and run with but I'm not the guy gauging the wind, the hang time, the approaching footsteps, and the field position.

Nor do I know what instructions/restrictions he has from his coach.

 

[irish4ever]

Goodman didn't fair catch his PR.

Because Goodman is looking to make plays tat will get him more noticed, therefore, more playing time. Tate knows that he has playing time guaranteed!!!

 

[irish1958]

I've stressed this twice already in this thread. He just hasn't had very much room. Punts have been fairly short. We haven't been able to block on the outside. I haven't seen him barely ever have room. Remember he did try to pick up a ball in that game and go with it because I think he is sick of calling fair catches.

I agree; special team blocking does not occur. Better a fair catch than a fumble by getting hit by an unblocked gunner running at you at full speed.
Kickoff blocking is even worse.

 

[Irish.Ca]

Wrap up the ball, run if you can. We don't block well to risk it most of the time although Tate has the hands to keep the ball. I'd also like to see someone else back there, Shaq has great wheels, good hands. Why not him?

 

[patman1868]

Wrap up the ball, run if you can. We don't block well to risk it most of the time although Tate has the hands to keep the ball. I'd also like to see someone else back there, Shaq has great wheels, good hands. Why not him?

I'm not sure I want a true frosh back there on punt returns, even though shaq seems like a dynamic player there is just too much that can go wrong too easily when you are the lone guy back there. Honestly a guy I would like to see get a shot if they ever do replace Tate (which I dont think they will or need to) is D. Walls he seems to have solid speed and some good moves after he has intercepted a pass in the past, if he is not one of the starters all of the time why not give him a shot back there and see what he can do.

 

[BGIF]

Why does Golden Tate never return punts?

Charlie was asked this yesterday at his presser. I tried to find a transcription of the presser rather than try to explain from recollection but I couldnt find a transcript at und.com

Acccording to Charlie, "only 20% of punts are returned".

He mentioned that the "Wall" punt formation (the one people have been complaining about limiting Turk's punting form) is very effective against blocks. The extra steps potential blockers have to take to go around the 3 man wall in front of the punter gives more time and allows more kicking team personnel to release earlier for coverage. It's no longer just the two gunners that are bearing down on the punt returner. It was clear that Golden is doing what he has been instructed to do.

With one exception. Charlie emphasized that Tate exercised poor judgement in trying to pick up the bouncing punt last week in traffic to save yardage.

 

[IrishBlood81]

Our special teams are definitely "special".

Lol and our punter is their "special leader". Charlie ever think of going to Mexico and recruit some one who can actually kick a ball no matter the sport?


purevida
81

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

...He mentioned that the "Wall" punt formation (the one people have been complaining about limiting Turk's punting form) is very effective against blocks. The extra steps potential blockers have to take to go around the 3 man wall in front of the punter gives more time and allows more kicking team personnel to release earlier for coverage...

I'm one of the guys that was complaining boss. I have zero credibility because I don't watch replays and am trying to check out boobies during the game, but it seemed to me the upbacks were lined up too far back if even a step, and getting shoved into the punter. The problem seems to have been fixed, but the new punter seems to


suck.

 

[JeremyND07]

I think most of the time Tate has No room and it does not look like it is just ND or even college football. It seems like there are less and less punt returns lately on any football game! Just me?

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Just you. You are the only one not returning punts.

 

[irishfan]

I think most of the time Tate has No room and it does not look like it is just ND or even college football. It seems like there are less and less punt returns lately on any football game! Just me?

Ya. Weis pretty much said that in his presser this week. Everyone spreads it out so much more that and there are no longer many teams that use the "old fashioned" formation with only two gunners.