And many teams do run them back from in front of goal line. Are you suggesting we don't have 10 other guys on the field? That they have never been taught to set up a return and blocking assignments? (I might agree with that). Or maybe we just don't have good enough athletes? Or good enough coaching?
You sound deeply invested in this. Have you reached out to Fleck or Coyle about your concerns and your suggestions? This could be something they could benefit from hearing
No, unlike apparently you, I just post opinions on a message board based on what I see on the field. But if I decide to call and wish coach a Merry Christmas can you give me his number?
Are you sure it's "most" coaches? Seems like I see a lot of teams fair catch these days. It's really changed in the last 2 years.
Well apparently we have the same philosophy as Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Indiana as we have all returned 9 kicks through 8 conference games. Penn State and Illinois have less than that. Ohio State has 11, Purdue has 14 and has averaged a whopping 11 yard average. Only Ohio State (30) and Iowa (26.5) have managed an average over 25 yards per return.
Well of course I have to run it by him first. I'll get back to you on that, but I wouldn't be too hopeful
27.8 for Bucko
I prefer when the opponent returns kicks because it seems like usually it doesn't end up well for them and they get tackled inside the 20.
Bucko is pretty good at Kick Returns. Of course we can't use him back there right now given that we are down to 2 healthy running backs. Looks like Williams also brought back 5 with much less success than Bucko did.
I think most, as in a majority, is safe to say. Certainly on kicks not past the five yard line.
I actually think the percentage of fair catches probably goes up the shorter the kickoff goes. The guys lined up in those areas are not going to be the guys you want running with the football. They are out there for their ability to block.
And those kicks are usually higher and give the return team more time to cover.
If you have looked up those stats to post, I will accept them. But they do show that it was tried 181 times. I recall Bucky returning one for us. There might have been another one somewhere.
Anything traveling to the 15 or beyond is going to be caught by the supposed return man, not a blocker.
By the way, when you cite the average return (example Purdue 11 yards) are you saying they averaged starting from their 11 yard line or did they catch it at the 10 or 12 and get out to the 21-23?
No, not only a Minnesota thing. But clearly fits a risk aversion coaching philosophy. Do you think the time will come when punts are eliminated and you just get 40 yards of field position. There is actually a lot more risk in receiving a punt than in the kickoff game.
Kickoffs are more dangerous for injuries per return. Total injuries for kickoffs are down because of so many touchbacks and fair catches.
Murr, you didn't get back to me on some easy questions I asked you.
Wasn't referring to injury. Muffed punts, fumbles, trying to circle backwards and losing yardage ... that kind of danger.
Yup. This has just been a dumb argument from the beginning. When they were giving you the 20, maybe you have a little more of an argument but if they're giving you the 25, for doing nothing, you take it. Unless you have some kind of elite returner, which is a whole other discussion.
I think a lot more teams are fair catching punts too for similar reasons as kickoffs. Don't have stats though just my perception from watching lots of college football.
Does the 25 vs the 20 really give you much of an advantage?
And Penn State has 1 kickoff return against them. For 11 yards. In 11 games.
You fair catch punts because they are high and you have guys bearing down on you. Not the case for kickoffs.
Murr, why do teams try to kick in the end zone?
So in 11 games did every team fair catch 3-7 kickoffs or do you think Penn St has a kicker who puts it in the end zone, as in unreturnable?