DMN: BLOG: Adam 'Pacman' Jones' punt returns are work in progress

[Cbz40]

Adam 'Pacman' Jones' punt returns are work in progress

5:05 PM Mon, Sep 22, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon


The Cowboys believed they acquired an elite punt returner when they traded for Adam "Pacman" Jones. After all, the dude led the NFL in punt returns (12.9 per) in 2006, when he took three punts to the house.
But the Cowboys' punt returns have been poor in the first three games this season.


Wade Phillips said it's a matter of Pacman, who has averaged only 4.0 yards on eight returns, getting comfortable with his blockers and the Cowboys' blocking schemes. In some cases, Pacman has done too much freelancing. In others, the blocking didn't give him a chance to get free.


"We may need to change some blocking on it," Phillips said. "He likes to just have man on man and find a hole.

We do some of that and we do some side and wall returns. I think you have to have both. If you can get him to the wall, he's gone.



"We just need some work on it, and we need him to feel better [about] where the blocks are going to be."

 

[Coakleys Dad]

Hes gonna break one sooner or later..

 

[rysko]

he runs side to side too much

 

[Aikbach]

He performs ballet instead of hitting a seam and bolting up field.

 

[ethiostar]

I know what makes him dangerous is his freelansing and creativity but i wish he would get upfield asap in some of those returns.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

"We just need some work on it, and we need him to feel better [about] where the blocks are going to be."

I don't think MacMahon should have inserted that "about". I listened to the PC live, and I think Wade meant that Jones needed to do a better job of sensing where his blocking was and getting behind it.

In other words, the blocking needs to do better, but he can do better on his end, too.

 

[Doomsday]

He needs to stop running laterally so much it puts our blockers in bad situations and it usually ends with a flag being thrown.

 

[Kangaroo]

Hes gonna break one sooner or later..

Which will be called back every time

Have we had a punt return yet with out a block in the back :bang2::bang2:

 

[DALLAS D]

he runs side to side too much

Thats what im saying. He makes matters worse, because he moves so much that blockers get put in bad situations. I rather him only gain 3 or 4 yards, then gain 6 yards and cause our blockers to get penalities that set us back more than he gained.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

I really can't say that the blocks in the back are his fault. Even if he changes field that does mean you hit the back of some ones jerseys.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Which will be called back every time

Have we had a punt return yet with out a block in the back :bang2::bang2:

Also though, you cant expect good blocking with the way PacMan is returning punts. I understand he wants to make a play, but he's trying so hard that he's making it tough on his teammates to block for him.

Zigging and zagging laterally across the field is a disaster if you're blocking with your back to him. Like others have said he needs to make a move and go. Dance a little bit when you need to, but not every play.

 

[rcaldw]

If the guy returned 3 for TD's using a man on man approach, why would you even mess around with the wall approach? It reminds me of Tom Landry telling Dorsett that he would never be able to break a running play to the opposite side of the field and to stay onside, until he actually did it in a game, and then Landry changed the way he coached the run blocking in Dallas to fit Dorsett's unique abilities.

Pacman has PROVEN he is a great return man. Don't make him fit your scheme, fit your scheme to what he likes to do.

Adam 'Pacman' Jones' punt returns are work in progress

5:05 PM Mon, Sep 22, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon


The Cowboys believed they acquired an elite punt returner when they traded for Adam "Pacman" Jones. After all, the dude led the NFL in punt returns (12.9 per) in 2006, when he took three punts to the house.
But the Cowboys' punt returns have been poor in the first three games this season.


Wade Phillips said it's a matter of Pacman, who has averaged only 4.0 yards on eight returns, getting comfortable with his blockers and the Cowboys' blocking schemes. In some cases, Pacman has done too much freelancing. In others, the blocking didn't give him a chance to get free.


"We may need to change some blocking on it," Phillips said. "He likes to just have man on man and find a hole.

We do some of that and we do some side and wall returns. I think you have to have both. If you can get him to the wall, he's gone.



"We just need some work on it, and we need him to feel better [about] where the blocks are going to be."

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Mr. Fix it will have it working soon ;-)

 

[kevwun]

His running laterally so much is a big part of the penalties as has already been mentioned. It's hard to block someone in the back when you're taking them head on. When you're both running sideways, it's really easy.

 

[Canadian BoyzFan]

He needs to simply run North and South...stop getting cute.
He ends up costing us yards going East/West and getting the flags for blocks in the back.

 

[Seven]

Right now he sucks. He gains 80+ yards side to side. He's gonna draw a flag everytime or worse, get somebody hurt. He's trying to do too much in general.