I hope Skylar Green doesn't suit this week

[Yeagermeister]

That job already taken by Patrick Clayton.

Yeah but Ward would fair catch every punt even if there wasn't anyone 20 yards near him.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

He was half-way tackled already because the kicks were really high and really short. That's why he was always running up to them. It had nothing to do with what Skyler was doing, and everything to do with what the Texans punter was doing.

Exactly.

You know Ogt... you've suddenly gotten a lot smarter on stuff. Or you've just taught yourself how to think like "MichaelWinicki"

 

[Yeagermeister]

Exactly.

You know Ogt... you've suddenly gotten a lot smarter on stuff. Or you've just taught yourself how to think like "MichaelWinicki"

Now that's a scary thought. Theogt if I were you I'd :eekmouse:

 

[theogt]

Exactly.

You know Ogt... you've suddenly gotten a lot smarter on stuff. Or you've just taught yourself how to think like "MichaelWinicki"

People tend to think others are smarter when they agree. I guess we didn't agree before -- that must be it, because I'm generally regarded as brilliant otherwise.

 

[Yeagermeister]

People tend to think others are smarter when they agree. I guess we didn't agree before -- that must be it, because I'm generally regarded as brilliant otherwise.

and humble

 

[Ben_n_austin]

Ryan Leaf threw TD's all through college - what happened there?

To ...

 

[theogt]

and humble

That's a town just north of Houston, right?

 

[Bungarian]

Parcells has seen something that he likes. He took him off the practice squad and cut Rector.

 

[Gaede]

I'm expecting big things from Green. I think he's the excitable sort--and last week being his first NFL game, he was a little nervous. Hopefully he eventually calms down and plays to his ability.

 

[America's Team]

ill take Green over Newman or Crayton anyday not because there bad but because I dont want neither of them getting injured

 

[TheEnigma]

Did anyone else notice him at running back for one play?

 

[Frozen700]

i would like it if Green was natural like Newman

the thing about newman...it seems he just blocks everything out n just focuses on having fun with it...n trying to make something happen..

he dosent ever seem rattled back there...maybe its because hes such a superstar

 

[joseephuss]

Did anyone else notice him at running back for one play?

Yep. They had to burn a time out before the play. I was thinking it was going to be a trick play, but then it got changed. Maybe Bledsoe used the "kill" call to change the play at the line. I don't remember.

 

[Clove]

Well, Green has to do something because Crayton is the worst Punt Returner I've seen in a long time. And we can't have Newman back there all the time for obvious reason, so Green needs to step up or we're just not going to have a pleasent year with field position or change of momentum special teams play.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

green had no chance to return a punt last week. it happens that way sometimes and i don't expect many this week either.
i did get nervous on his returns because he is always moving when he makes the catch.
he will get his shot to show something for a few weeks barring any major mistakes.
the only way to know is put them in there. can't really practice punt returns

i just dont want him making one of those MAJOR mistakes this weekend against the Giants because this game will go down to the last minute.

 

[ghst187]

He was half-way tackled already because the kicks were really high and really short. That's why he was always running up to them. It had nothing to do with what Skyler was doing, and everything to do with what the Texans punter was doing.

yes the punts were high and short but there were a few that he some room on and a few that he didn't have to sprint clear across field to catch but he still never had himself gathered when he caught them. He never had his feet under him so it wouldn't have mattered if anyone was around him or not, he wasn't going to get very far because he was already stumbling.
I was sitting in the first row at the 30 yard line and there were several right in front of me.
Green did not field punts worth a crap, the only thing he did right was not fumble them.
He looked really bad IMO. Made it look real tough to field a punt. Newman is really good and natural at it. Crayton scares me running after he catches it, but makes it look really easy because he always has his feet under him and catching the ball is really easy for him.
Green has to DRAMATICALLY improve on this or he'll be back on the street real soon IMO.

 

[JonJon]

We need someone back there returning punts that runs with authority. When it comes to punt returns, you're either going to return it, or waste time and get tackled short. Take the Bears for example: everytime the Bears returned against the Cards, the returner turned up field as quickly as posible which puts the return man in better position since the defenders are running full speed in the opposite direction, and you can blow right past them before they can change direction. On the game winning punt return, I knew he was gone after about 3 steps because he hit the hole with such authority and speed that I knew it would be difficult for the defenders to adjust and tackle him. All that was needed was a few fake outs and he was gone. I can't stand when a return dances around like they are performing a basketball crossover maneuver, and end up getting tackled for no return. Just get up field as quickly as possible and good things can happen. Hopefully, Green will get this concept.

 

[theogt]

yes the punts were high and short but there were a few that he some room on and a few that he didn't have to sprint clear across field to catch but he still never had himself gathered when he caught them. He never had his feet under him so it wouldn't have mattered if anyone was around him or not, he wasn't going to get very far because he was already stumbling.
I was sitting in the first row at the 30 yard line and there were several right in front of me.
Green did not field punts worth a crap, the only thing he did right was not fumble them.
He looked really bad IMO. Made it look real tough to field a punt. Newman is really good and natural at it. Crayton scares me running after he catches it, but makes it look really easy because he always has his feet under him and catching the ball is really easy for him.
Green has to DRAMATICALLY improve on this or he'll be back on the street real soon IMO.

I'll map each one out for you.

1. Low and short. Horrible punt. Green runs up and catches it on a one hop. Runs for 5 yards and is tackled. Green ends up getting a penalty for calling fair catch.

2. Extremely high and extremely short. Green has to run up and catch it. Stumbles forward after catching it. There were Cowboys all around (that's how short it was) so if he doesn't catch it there's a good chance it bounces and hits one of the players causing a live ball.

3. High and short punt. Green catches solidly without problem. Three Texans are standing right in front of him waiting to catch (no opportunity for return).

4. Touchback.

5. High and short punt. Catches without a problem. Tackled immediately. No room to run.

6. Average kick. Catches without a problem. Has room to run, but calls fair catch.

Basically, he had one returnable kick (the last one). It's debateable whether or not he should have called fair catch, but I'll give you that one. The only times he looked awkward were with extremely, EXTREMELY short and high kicks. He didn't stumble on any, but he was running forward while catching 2 because they were abnormally short kicks.

At the end of the day you can mark him up for two mistakes. Perhaps you could call the debateable fair catches discussed above a mistake. The other would obviously be the fair catch penalty. Being his first regular season game, I'll give him some slack for that one.

 

[sillycon]

I remember one of the announcers making a remark that Green was set up way too far back waiting for the punt. Perhaps that gave the illusion that the punt was short because Green has to make up ground to get to the ball.

 

[ddh33]

I'll map each one out for you.

1. Low and short. Horrible punt. Green runs up and catches it on a one hop. Runs for 5 yards and is tackled. Green ends up getting a penalty for calling fair catch.

2. Extremely high and extremely short. Green has to run up and catch it. Stumbles forward after catching it. There were Cowboys all around (that's how short it was) so if he doesn't catch it there's a good chance it bounces and hits one of the players causing a live ball.

3. High and short punt. Green catches solidly without problem. Three Texans are standing right in front of him waiting to catch (no opportunity for return).

4. Touchback.

5. High and short punt. Catches without a problem. Tackled immediately. No room to run.

6. Average kick. Catches without a problem. Has room to run, but calls fair catch.

Basically, he had one returnable kick (the last one). It's debateable whether or not he should have called fair catch, but I'll give you that one. The only times he looked awkward were with extremely, EXTREMELY short and high kicks. He didn't stumble on any, but he was running forward while catching 2 because they were abnormally short kicks.

At the end of the day you can mark him up for two mistakes. Perhaps you could call the debateable fair catches discussed above a mistake. The other would obviously be the fair catch penalty. Being his first regular season game, I'll give him some slack for that one.

Thank you. That's the way I remember it too...

In fact, I remember one of Parcells' favorite stories being of his punt returner fielding every kick in a playoff game where the win was whipping. He believed that saved his team a ton of yards and that they won the game because of it.

Studies have shown that when the ball hits the ground on a punt, the returning team usually loses 13 yards or so. Skylar scrambled to catch every ball, and I have a hunch that Bill was much more pleased with him than a lot of fans who expect a huge return on every kick.