DC.COM Blog: Ready For Change At Kick Return?

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by nickeatman at 11/11/2009 4:10 PM CST on truebluefanclub.com

When you’re on a four-game winning streak, it’s not exactly the time to be tinkering with stuff. But sometimes, changes are needed.

Who knows what will happen this week on special teams, but the Cowboys might insert Kevin Ogletree, or even Tashard Choice back deep in Green Bay, replacing Felix Jones.

Not saying Jones doesn’t have it anymore, but this season hasn’t been his best on returns, averaging just 20.9 yards a return, with a long of just 38 yards. Whether it’s the knee injury from earlier this year or something else, but Jones has looked rather timid back there.

And considering that Ogletree has done well enough on offense to keep himself active, it makes sense to give him more responsibilities.

The Cowboys have not announced this move and it may not even happen but it’s something to watch out for. And who knows, maybe the Cowboys make the move and end up putting Felix back there later in the game.

We all saw what happened to Crayton when he learned he was no longer returning punts.

Wade Phillips said on Wednesday that both Ogletree and Choice will work on kick returns in practice, along with Jones.

 

[Cover 2]

I've noticed Felix is just jogging on returns. He needs to hit the jets sooner.

 

[Bluefin]

I'm good with turning over kick return duties to Kevin Ogletree.

Felix Jones wasn't "feeling it" on returns before his knee injury, let alone after.

Let him focus on playing running back and let KO have a shot back there.

 

[jobberone]

Something is still wrong with Felix. I'm wondering if he isn't afraid of reinjuring the knee. He did look timid back there. I'd rather Choice take the kickoffs. He doesn't fumble. I'm nervous about a rookie in the return game. We'll see. I still think Austin should be doing it.

 

[chuffly]

Ogletree didn't look too bad on kickoffs from what I remember of the preseason. I'm fine with him taking over duties considering Felix is a bigger part of our offense and kind of dinged up anyways.

 

[BAT]

Something is still wrong with Felix. I'm wondering if he isn't afraid of reinjuring the knee. He did look timid back there. I'd rather Choice take the kickoffs. He doesn't fumble. I'm nervous about a rookie in the return game. We'll see. I still think Austin should be doing it.

I agree about putting Miles back at KO return, the guy is on fire and his confidence is beyond the stratosphere.

 

[theogt]

Ogletree actually looked really bad at kick returns, which is why he didn't last long at all. Maybe he's improved. I'd like to see Choice give it a shot.

 

[Real1st]

I agree about putting Miles back at KO return, the guy is on fire and his confidence is beyond the stratosphere.

No... I don't want to risk Miles getting hurt. Let KO or Choice run back kicks..

 

[DallasEast]

I doubt that his injury has anything to do with Jones' aggressiveness returning kicks. Instead, I believe it has more to do with his untimely fumble against the Giants, which contributed to the loss, made him more cerebral about his returns. In my opinion, he's thinking too much about how he's going to return the kick without turning over the ball. A returner cannot second guess himself. It just has to flow naturally from the very moment he catches the ball. Just my two cents.

 

[Bluefin]

Ogletree actually looked really bad at kick returns, which is why he didn't last long at all. Maybe he's improved. I'd like to see Choice give it a shot.

Kevin Ogletree didn't look good when first activated for kick returns during the regular season, but his average is only 1.2 yards behind Miles Austin's now and he has a longer return.

He was also solid doing it in the pre-season.

I agree about putting Miles back at KO return, the guy is on fire and his confidence is beyond the stratosphere.

I admit it would be interesting to see Miles Austin returning kicks with his self confidence all but boiling over.

He was a good returner before, but I never saw anything that would've made me think he possessed the run after catch skills that we're now seeing at wide receiver.

Perhaps it would show up now that he is playing so confidently.

But I'd rather go with KO right now.

We need Sky Miles on offense, his big play ability has replaced what we were counting on getting from Felix Jones.

 

[JBS]

one thing that has bothered me recently are Jones' kick returns..it does not not surprise me one bit that one of the few areas of are team that make the necessary changes are made by Joe D..what a stud we have in that guy

 

[Danny White]

I vote for Andrew Hawkins

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Wade initially didn't want Felix returning kicks last year

so I can definitely see someone else doing it

and besides, Felix just had his brace removed, he still could be feeling it out

 

[bbgun]

All I can say is, it must be a lot harder to do than it looks.

 

[craig71]

Wade initially didn't want Felix returning kicks last year

so I can definitely see someone else doing it

and besides, Felix just had his brace removed, he still could be feeling it out

He had the brace on in Philly,he went through practice without it but put the brace back on during the game.

Craig

 

[Hostile]

I'll support this move. I don't want Felix injured and he doesn't seem to have it right now. Too valuable and if Ogletree or Choice can give us even slightly better field position then it is worth it. At least let them try. If they can't we can switch back.

 

[Future]

I doubt that his injury has anything to do with Jones' aggressiveness returning kicks. Instead, I believe it has more to do with his untimely fumble against the Giants, which contributed to the loss, made him more cerebral about his returns. In my opinion, he's thinking too much about how he's going to return the kick without turning over the ball. A returner cannot second guess himself. It just has to flow naturally from the very moment he catches the ball. Just my two cents.

I think you're right on. Give it time and he'll get back to being explosive. Miles is now too valuable on offense, and because Choice is getting touches, Felix isn't. I think things are fine the way they are, even if we aren't getting big returns.

 

[davidb257]

I agree, we just got our Ferrari back from the shop. We don't need to go mudding in it just yet.

However, Austin should not be back there returning. He's our #1 reciever and is far too valuable to be exposed to hits returning kicks. You don't see Moss, Ochocinco, Wayne, A. Johnson, returning kicks. Ours shouldn't either.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

LINK

Posted by nickeatman at 11/11/2009 4:10 PM CST on truebluefanclub.com
When you’re on a four-game winning streak, it’s not exactly the time to be tinkering with stuff. But sometimes, changes are needed.

Who knows what will happen this week on special teams, but the Cowboys might insert Kevin Ogletree, or even Tashard Choice back deep in Green Bay, replacing Felix Jones.

Not saying Jones doesn’t have it anymore, but this season hasn’t been his best on returns, averaging just 20.9 yards a return, with a long of just 38 yards. Whether it’s the knee injury from earlier this year or something else, but Jones has looked rather timid back there.

And considering that Ogletree has done well enough on offense to keep himself active, it makes sense to give him more responsibilities.

The Cowboys have not announced this move and it may not even happen but it’s something to watch out for. And who knows, maybe the Cowboys make the move and end up putting Felix back there later in the game.

We all saw what happened to Crayton when he learned he was no longer returning punts.

Wade Phillips said on Wednesday that both Ogletree and Choice will work on kick returns in practice, along with Jones.

 

[Word Mofo]

Will we get Rossum back anytime soon? I'm willing to give him one more shot