We need to get more out of our kickoff returns

[OttoinGrotto]

Seems like we never start a drive beyond the 25. Not sure if our blocking is awful or if Erv just isn't making the most of his alleys, but our kickoff return does nothing to help our offense.

Can't be critical of the defense for getting a turnover or putting the opponent in position to punt and having the ball downed with a short field. Kickoff return needs to do more.

 

[MSOrange]

Seems like we never start a drive beyond the 25. Not sure if our blocking is awful or if Erv just isn't making the most of his alleys, but our kickoff return does nothing to help our offense.

Can't be critical of the defense for getting a turnover or putting the opponent in position to punt and having the ball downed with a short field. Kickoff return needs to do more.

We sure are a long ways from the days of Kevin Johnson on kickoff returns.

 

[kuethstheman]

The least two were out near the 30 but they were exceptions. Phillips doesn't seem to have good instincts for returning kicks.

 

[longislandcuse]

The other teams look like its totally normal to bring it out to the 30. For us, we need Moses to lead block.

 

[Chip]

Everyone seems to be on Phillips, but where do people want him to go? There are always about 3 unblocked people waiting for him around the 15 or 20.

Last couple of returns were pretty good, each out over the 30 I believe.

Most opposing kickers are putting them in the end zone anyway.

 

[PhatOrange]

Agreed. Phillips doesn't have it. I usually hope he can just get back to the 20.

 

[Lawrinson14]

Fair Catch U

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Everyone seems to be on Phillips, but where do people want him to go? There are always about 3 unblocked people waiting for him around the 15 or 20.

Last couple of returns were pretty good, each out over the 30 I believe.

Most opposing kickers are putting them in the end zone anyway.

Yeah it's hard to see on TV how those plays develop. Something ain't right though.

 

[anomander]

I might have to do with 180lb wide receivers blocking for our kick returner

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand as I read this thread I just see USC's kickoff returner take one to the house from like 6 yards deep in the end zone.

I mean, it's USC, but man.

 

[Cootface]

Everyone seems to be on Phillips, but where do people want him to go? There are always about 3 unblocked people waiting for him around the 15 or 20. Last couple of returns were pretty good, each out over the 30 I believe. Most opposing kickers are putting them in the end zone anyway.

My issue is that it looks like he stops and thinks about where to go (he seems to do this on bubble screens too). Just pick a direction and go. Don't hesitate or take 5 seconds to decide where that is.

 

[kuethstheman]

He makes cuts like its a running play. It's gotta be full speed ahead.

 

[Upstate]

Seems like we never start a drive beyond the 25. Not sure if our blocking is awful or if Erv just isn't making the most of his alleys, but our kickoff return does nothing to help our offense.

Can't be critical of the defense for getting a turnover or putting the opponent in position to punt and having the ball downed with a short field. Kickoff return needs to do more.

Agree to an extent. Neither O was doing much for 45 mins. It was a field position battle. Not going to win that against the best D in the country.

 

[jgeorge322]

He seems hesitent but i think the blockers are too. Which is no good. I think this might have to do w depth or lack thereof.

 

[statsgrad]

He makes cuts like its a running play. It's gotta be full speed ahead.

This is 100% accurate. Erv is shifty in tight spaces but he is not a straight line burner. Estime is really the only guy we can put back there that is any threat at all. Gulley isn't the fastest but he would probably be a better choice than Erv at this point. I love Erv and think he will be a great RB here, but he doesn't have kick returner speed.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

This is 100% accurate. Erv is shifty in tight spaces but he is not a straight line burner. Estime is really the only guy we can put back there that is any threat at all. Gulley isn't the fastest but he would probably be a better choice than Erv at this point. I love Erv and think he will be a great RB here, but he doesn't have kick returner speed.

Maybe try McFarlane back there again.

 

[djorange1989]

Does Kirby Dar Dar have any eligibility left?

 

[SUskibum]

I think HCSS has done a good job of shoring up our kick coverage teams and next needs to focus his attention on the return teams.

Special teams were the one place that had not been improved since FHCDM took over, we are halfway to our improvement.

We have had a lot of decent/above average athletes back there for there not to have been any improvement. It can't all be on the players.

I was never FHCPP's biggest fan, but you have to admit, no matter who he had back there he found production (Dar Dar, Spot, KJ, Missle, Hill etc). And it's not as if they all went on to prolific NFL careers. Must be that P put them in good positions to succeed.

 

[SmilinBob]

It's a combo and it's very difficult to watch. Maybe I'm wrong and probably am but they seem to go to the right a lot.

 

[im4cuse]

Maybe a real special teams coach? Nah.

 

[tbonezone]

my heart dropped when he toed the goal line and then took a knee !

 

[Cuse'91]

The "hidden yardage" on returns would really help our anemic offense. Brisly is our only competent returner, the problem is you can't count on him playing even a half a season. Erv is learning, PTG should never return any kind of kick again... Kick returners are our football version of a lacrosse faceoff specialist.

 

[007]

Seems like we never start a drive beyond the 25. Not sure if our blocking is awful or if Erv just isn't making the most of his alleys, but our kickoff return does nothing to help our offense.

Can't be critical of the defense for getting a turnover or putting the opponent in position to punt and having the ball downed with a short field. Kickoff return needs to do more.

Just guessing here - but some of this could be a residual effect of all the injuries. Next man up players could have been key ST players, so there then there needs to a next man up on ST from deeper in the roster.

Further, Erv does not seem to be an instant accelerator type who he is looking for seams on the fly. He is trying to pick his way forward too early. The gunners are on him too fast for that approach to have much success.

It's a combination of factors.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Just guessing here - but some of this could be a residual effect of all the injuries. Next man up players could have been key ST players, so there then there needs to a next man up on ST from deeper in the roster.

Further, Erv does not seem to be an instant accelerator type who he is looking for seams on the fly. He is trying to pick his way forward too early. The gunners are on him too fast for that approach to have much success.

It's a combination of factors.

Agree it is a bunch of factors. Injuries aren't helping, but it can't be all of it since we've struggled all season.

 

[Scooch]

It's been years since we had a staff that prioritized special teams.

Par for the course, sadly.