Why was every punt fair caught?

[Alsacs]

I went back and watched the PRs on DVR and it seems every time we get a punt to return Desir fair catches. Most of those returns had room for him to return and he still fair caught them. Is this what the coaches tell him to do? If not put a guy back there who will actually try to return the punt. It's just annoying how every PR is just a fair catch when their is room.

 

[Stern]

He had to. The hang-time that Duke punter was getting was excellent. If he didn't fair catch them he would have gotten killed

 

[Chris02M]

there was little to no blocking by the gunners either

 

[Alsacs]

Third quarter the first two punts Desir had plenty of room and fair caught both. I am not saying every punt should be returned but every punt should not be fair caught if you look at the space on DVR.

 

[orange79]

He had to. The hang-time that Duke punter was getting was excellent. If he didn't fair catch them he would have gotten killed

there was little to no blocking by the gunners either

These. I'm not saying Desir doesn't call a lot of fair catches, but you can't blame him today.

 

[rrlbees]

Today there wasn't a punt that he wouldn't have gotten drilled if he didn't fair catch it. That punter near hit the dome roof everytime.

 

[IHeartSUFball]

punter was good, but man not having brisley most of year to see if could be an X factor in return game sucked

 

[rrlbees]

punter was good, but man not having brisley most of year to see if could be an X factor in return game sucked

That is very true.

 

[SmilinBob]

The kick and punt return teams were dead zones for SU this year. No blocked kicks. Plus someone tell Phillips that when you are lined up in the end zone and have to go back to catch the ball...don't touch it because nothing good will happen. Let it hit 5 + yards deep into the end zone as it's a dead ball. And you are absolutely right Estime being out hurt big time.

 

[Toga]

Couldn't he have waved for the fair catch but then run with it? I think that may have faked people out.

 

[orangepassion]

Our blocking on returns have been terrible all year, even when Estime has been in. It's at the point where I am actually excited for a touchback so we can get it to the 25.

 

[007]

The fair catches all seemed to be the right call. Desir is very good at what he is asked to do.

Different question: When punting to one of the best punt returners in the country, from the back of your endzone, with 5 less yards than normal punt formation, and using a max protect, why would you not try to kick it out of bounds?

 

[Fjoinkay]

Couldn't he have waved for the fair catch but then run with it? I think that may have faked people out.

I think he was flagged for that earlier this season. Similar situation where his arm raised but he never intended for that to be a fair catch, and he was flagged for attempting to return the punt. Was it against Clemson? I'm not sure.

 

[Cheriehoop]

I'm glad every fair catch was caught.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

The fair catches all seemed to be the right call. Desir is very good at what he is asked to do.

Different question: When punting to one of the best punt returners in the country, from the back of your endzone, with 5 less yards than normal punt formation, and using a max protect, why would you not try to kick it out of bounds?

Because there's a good chance when you angle a kick like that you just end up shanking it. I'd love the reaction if Dixon netted us 9 yards there. Crowder's good, but you have to believe you can tackle him. Just let Dixon boom it.

 

[Millhouse]

I can think of one punt that i wish were fair caught

mckelvin you jerk

 

[SUFan44]

I can think of one punt that i wish were fair caught

mckelvin you jerk

Why have they continued to keep him on the roster? he does not get better and for every good play he makes he gives the other team 7 horrific, game-changing ones

 

[Millhouse]

Why have they continued to keep him on the roster? he does not get better and for every good play he makes he gives the other team 7 horrific, game-changing ones

he's like stevie johnson - will fail anytime it matters

 

[007]

Because there's a good chance when you angle a kick like that you just end up shanking it. I'd love the reaction if Dixon netted us 9 yards there. Crowder's good, but you have to believe you can tackle him. Just let Dixon boom it.

The issue Otto was that SU was in a max protect formation. From that formation, the goal is to minimize penetration and to get the punt off as quickly as possible. It is very difficult to cover the kick when in max protect - you give up coverage to protect the punter. Add to that, Duke opted to double the gunners to maximize the return. It was clear from the presnap that Duke was playing for the return, and SU was going to protect. The punter needs to read that and angle the punt out of bounds to take away the return, of course this is at the cost of distance, but it takes Crowder out of the play.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

The issue Otto was that SU was in a max protect formation. From that formation, the goal is to minimize penetration and to get the punt off as quickly as possible. It is very difficult to cover the kick when in max protect - you give up coverage to protect the punter. Add to that, Duke opted to double the gunners to maximize the return. It was clear from the presnap that Duke was playing for the return, and SU was going to protect. The punter needs to read that and angle the punt out of bounds to take away the return, of course this is at the cost of distance, but it takes Crowder out of the play.

I get that. I just don't trust punters and the ball to have that kick angle the way it is intended.

 

[007]

I get that. I just don't trust punters and the ball to have that kick angle the way it is intended.

Yup, that's true. In that particular situation, you go ahead and kick the ball out of bounds regardless.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Yup, that's true. In that particular situation, you go ahead and kick the ball out of bounds regardless.

You fear Crowder that much? I just don't see that as the right odds to play.

 

[007]

You fear Crowder that much? I just don't see that as the right odds to play.

It was the combination of Crowder (an elite punt returner under normal circumstances, let alone that one), and, maybe more importantly, the way Duke played it. The counter/less risky play was to kick away from him and let the D have a chance, IMO. Duke knew we would max protect, and then they also schemed to take away the gunners. Perfect storm.