Gophers football: Special teams keeping emphasis on careful over crazy

[BleedGopher]

per Greder:

But when it comes to punt returners, Minnesota is not seeking a daredevil akin to Capt. Pete Mitchell.

Head coach P.J. Fleck has a list of three attributes he wants at that position, and risk-taking is not one of them. No. 1: Catch the football. No. 2: Make smart and quick decisions. No. 3: Make explosive plays.

Gophers football: Special teams keeping emphasis on careful over crazy

Minnesota will rely on new return specialists for punts and kickoff this season.

www.twincities.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[Governor Sibley]

Does this mean we are returning punts now or not?

 

[USAF]

Not elite.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

last year the Gophers returned 15 punts for 136 yards = 9.1 yds/ret.

I'll be surprised if they top 150 yards this season.

 

[Dakota2]

Does this mean we are returning punts now or not?

Not many, but when there is some daylight, yeah. Fleck wants a guy who is sure-handed and makes good decisions. Fair catching with ten yards running room is not a smart decision.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

According to some analysis I’ve seen there is very roughly on average a linear increase of 1 expected point per 25 yards of improved starting field position ( with a dramatic increase in expected points if starting in opponents red zone). In other words starting at their own 25 yard line instead of the 50 reduces expected points (on average) 1 point. Over the course of a game small increments, probability of expected points could swing the results one way or another.

If there’s a guy that can reliably catch the ball and avoid the incoming defenders long enough to pick up 5,10, 15 yards… significant. Or, at least not let the ball roll 15 yards as we saw a little too much of.

Maybe the coaches are worried about bang bang catch, hit, fumble.