What's Wrong With ND's Punt Return Game?

[nsisk157]

I was at the Utah game when Blanton did it... was that our last blocked punt?

 

[irishog77]

No offense to TJ (I know he is held in high regard) on this one, but isn't the list he provided, more or less, a similar list any number of IE posters could've come up with off the top of our heads? And didn't he say "some guys?" Meaning others could get a look this spring as well?

 

[Emcee77]

No offense to TJ (I know he is held in high regard) on this one, but isn't the list he provided, more or less, a similar list any number of IE posters could've come up with off the top of our heads? And didn't he say "some guys?" Meaning others could get a look this spring as well?

TJ isn't just held in high regard like Whiskey or IM8 or Lax is held in regard ... it's believed that he is on the staff or someone who works in the football office. He's a confirmed insider.

I didn't see the original post so I could have misinterpreted, but just based on GB's post I thought TJ was saying that those 4 are the guys who will get to audition for the job.

 

[T Town Tommy]

We need to try and block a damn punt...haven't seen one attempt in two years. When the punt team has to stick around to block they aren't releasing freely and flying down the field. We need to also stop the gunners from a free release...this requires a special guy with some good coaching on how it's done. Our opponents gunners are getting to the return man at the same time as the damn ball.

A lot of this goes back to the rules changes for punt formations. It is a little harder to block punts based on this change. As well, there is no delay now for people on the punt team to get down field to cover the punt.

Unless a team has a returner that can make the first one or two guys miss on the tackle, it is more prudent just to try and field the ball without coughing it up. TJ did a pretty good job last year at times making some guys miss and the Irish punt return improved from aound 103rd in the country to around 65th. And I agree with IM8 and some others about who should be returning punts. No need to get a defensive starter hurt returning punts... if they are not a threat to take it to the house every time.

 

[irishfan]

We've got to figure out something to do with Carlisle. He's too athletic to be our 4th string RB playing 0-3 snaps a game. He looked great returning kicks against Rutgers (honestly way better and more consistent than GA looked all year), and I think he could be a stud for us back there on kick and punt returns.

 

[Bubbles]

Carlisle and Hunter returning works for me. Better blocking would help.

 

[IrishLion]

My expectation is that Cole will be one of our top 2 corners next year, with a large gap between the top 2 and the third best corner.

I disagree. I don't think Butler is "largely" behind Luke, and I think Watkins is going to challenge for the third corner spot immediately so he won't be far behind either.

I agree with you premise though. I don't think Luke should be in the punt return mix. Prosise is perfect, IMO, because he's not relied on heavily offensively (though I thought he should have been and still might be) and he had plenty of experience as a returner in high school.

I'd like Carlisle at kick return, but please don't put him anywhere near the punt return unit.

 

[philipm31]

I know that somebody pointed out two games that apparently Holtz-led teams lost in large part due to special teams, but do we need to go back and see how many games ND WON because of ST play?


'86 vs USC
'87 vs MSU
'88 Michigan (4 FGs and a ST PR TD for the only points!)
'89 vs UM (Rocket with 2 KRTD, which were the difference)
'90 MIA (95-yd KR TD)



*also the "clip" against CU that cost ND the game, when Rocket housed the punt return with under a minute to go.

Rossum in 2002 versus PU


And games when ND nearly won against superior teams thanks to stupendous ST play.

Getherall and Julius Jones (PR and KO TD vs NEB)
Zibby in '04 vs USC

Also, I was at the TENN-ND game in 91 when Jeremy Lincoln's butt blocked the kick, which resulted in Craig Hentrich (who kicked five FGs vs MIA in the 1990 game) being hurt and the Irish having to rely on a walk-on kicker to come and try for the winning posts, but missed. That is a TEN point swing and it kick-started TENN's team for the next half, where they outsocre ND 21-3 in the second half.

All those games were classic examples of WHY it is imperative that ND gets better at ST...particularly when we cannot really afford to get the best overall talent and depth that teams like Bama, etc. can every year.

 

[philipm31]

Note that Rocket was a starter on offense and played, what, three positions, totally--flanker/pr-kr/rb in his 3 years at ND. Sure he was a threat to house it every time...but so were Tim Brown and Ricky Watters....ALL of whom were starters the majority of their careers.

Watters and Brown also happened to be among the best all-time at their respective positions when they retired from NFL football, so I do not understand why you would handcuff your special teams by NOT playing your most dynamic players back there. It is soooo simple. You do WHATEVER it takes to WIN. I certainly think that having multiple playmakers would be a great start too, but you cannot be afraid to mess up on special teams iF you REALLY want to win.


You put your most dynamic players back there, period. Better blocking and schemes would help a lot too, so we are not out there playing scared all the time. We need to be a threat, at least. If not, then we might as well just chalk up 1-2 Ls every year because we won't take a chance with ST play.