Stop Kicking the Ball In Bounds

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

 

Regarding the underlined, do you really think that TDs are the only way to measure the impact of the return? How about the 20 yarders, 40 yarders? 

 

As far as kickoffs, if the avergae kick return gets you to the 20, and a touch back is at the 25, is that 5 yards really worth the risk of a larger return?

 

 

There are too few to be worried about.

 

You are suggesting that punters, who struggle to accurately drop fairly short punts inside the 10, will now be able to determine exactly where to punt the ball across the sideline.  That's kind of nuts.

 

As for kickoffs, I would think nearly every single one is meant to reach the end zone for a touchback unless there is a specific advantage for a particular kick to be short and a return encouraged, so no change needed there.   In fact, Football Outsiders reviewed the results of every kickoff last year and concluded the returns should not even be attempted as the results vs a touch back are abysmal.  

[billsbackto81]

Just kick it through the EZ!! Even the most prolific returners won't bring it out if its at least 3 yards deep. Even when its done right kicking short on a return might yield you a 5-7 yard advantage with an opponents starting point at the 18-20 yard line. Not worth it in my opinion. 

[SinceThe70s]

 

Whatever happened to the coffin corner punt? 

 

I have to assume that analytics revealed that taking your chance on the bounce and downing it was a better option. 

 

If so, it's time to retrain our punter and buck the trend.

[Utah John]

With the new rules on kickoffs, it's getting harder for return teams to be effective.  Almost always, a high kickoff that reaches the 1 or 2 yard line and has to be returned gets the returner tackled at the 20, or before.  There are exceptions when coverage units break down, as ours did in Miami, but that doesn't happen often.  What happens more often is that the receiving team gets bad field position, at the 18 instead of the 25. Go ask NFL coaches whether they want that or not. 

 

As for punts, when a punter can pin the other team back within the 5, or even closer, it usually leads to points for the punting team.  Aside from the occasional safety, the receiving team struggles to get a first down, and when it punts as it usually has to do, the original punting team gets the ball inside the other team's territory.  Punting can be an offensive weapon when your team is anywhere beyond your own 40.  

[MrSarcasm]

12 hours ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

 

I used to really be annoyed by those kick off specialists taking a perfectly good roster spot. 

...but when this team has 2 spots toward a FB and a TE who specializes in getting penalties it's a different story.

 

?

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

13 hours ago, KD in CA said:

I don't look at punt returns as an offensive play.  I look at it as a 'please don't fumble play'.

 

Huh.  On second thought, I guess I do look at it as an offensive play.

 

 

 

The way Leodis fielded punts was offensive.  ?

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

14 hours ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

I've been saying this for three years now...

 

I view ST plays as an offensive opportunity for the receiving team. As we all know McD hangs his hat on defense, and rightfully so. We have a very good one by many measures. If this is the case, why allow the opposing team a chance to move the field on your unit against players who are often right off of the practice squad or are playing in a reserve roll? Play to your strengths! 

 

All kickoffs should be through the back of the EZ and punts should be angled out of bounds. Let the defense handle their business and decrease the number of potential big plays our ST units can give up.

 

The risk of giving up field position on a large return severely outweighs the chance at pinning a team 5-10 yards deeper or a potential muffed punt or turn over. If you want to cop out and vote for "it depends" I get it. Thats probably the right choice. But McD needs to wake up, and start playing to his strengths by allowing fewer chances at the big plays on ST, especially when your coverage units are sub-par.

 

It's kind of windy in buffalo - no kicker is just blasting them out of the end zone every try.  Angling punts is the same thing - u also run the risk of shanking.  Punting high is often enough.

[The Wiz]

7 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

The way Leodis fielded punts was offensive.  ?

Which was scarier?

 

The way leodis fielded punts or the way McCoy carried the ball?

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

40 minutes ago, The Wiz said:

Which was scarier?

 

The way leodis fielded punts or the way McCoy carried the ball?

I once posted the comment that an autograph session with Mr. McKelvin had to be cancelled due to his repeated dropping of the Sharpie.  L.McK definitely scarier in my book.

[row_33]

16 hours ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

Whatever Belichick does is probably the correct answer

 

not really, nobody seems to want to copy the obvious things that have led to 20 or so years of dominance.....

 

 

with a minimal effort at obtaining top talent at the skill positions for Brady