The long undervalued solid punt returner

[CouchCoach]

How about Lamb? He's known for breaking tackles and RAC and let's not forget that's how WR's Chad Johnson and Steve Smith earned their badges.

The Cowboys decisions about players mystifies me. They will talk about some player's ability to play multiple positions but when they get one like Terrence Newman, an All American at PR at K State, they limit his usage. He was a s good as Sanders in college. They did the same thing with Felix and he was the back to back AA KR at AR.

PR is not as dangerous as KR because the majority of players are contact close and a good one can protect himself with the sideline.

Put Lamb or Wilson back there.

 

[Bobhaze]

How about Lamb? He's known for breaking tackles and RAC and let's not forget that's how WR's Chad Johnson and Steve Smith earned their badges.

The Cowboys decisions about players mystifies me. They will talk about some player's ability to play multiple positions but when they get one like Terrence Newman, an All American at PR at K State, they limit his usage. He was a s good as Sanders in college. They did the same thing with Felix and he was the back to back AA KR at AR.

PR is not as dangerous as KR because the majority of players are contact close and a good one can protect himself with the sideline.

Put Lamb or Wilson back there.

It’s interesting how underrated Bob Hayes was as a punt returner. He returned punts for the Cowboys (not exclusively) for 8 years and usually had between 15-25 punts returned a year. AND- he averaged a whopping 11.1 yds per return for his career! Mel Renfro, the HOF CB who also played with Hayes was also used as a PR.

In 1968, Bob Hayes averaged 20.8 yards per punt return and had 2 TDs on returns that year. He only fielded 15 punts, but took two of those returns to the House.

Even if we have just used Lamb 1/2 the time and Wilson the other half, it would be a huge upgrade IMO.

 

[blueblood70]

It’s interesting how underrated Bob Hayes was as a punt returner. He returned punts for the Cowboys (not exclusively) for 8 years and usually had between 15-25 punts returned a year. AND- he averaged a whopping 11.1 yds per return for his career! Mel Renfro, the HOF CB who also played with Hayes was also used as a PR.

In 1968, Bob Hayes averaged 20.8 yards per punt return and had 2 TDs on returns that year. He only fielded 15 punts, but took two of those returns to the House.

Even if we have just used Lamb 1/2 the time and Wilson the other half, it would be a huge upgrade IMO.

i said this 2 pages ago, been saying it.. but im adding Pollard in the mix..he needs to earn his hype as fast, wiggle , and can take things to the house..earn it!

 

[stilltheguru]

thats the issue with his a;lleged speed, wiggle, and home run ability, shouldnt he? instead getting his 10 offensive snaps and waiting around for zeke to take a break..id say if hes all hes hyped to be he dang sure would be practicing being punt returner, those that say hes should be taking snaps from zeke drool over his talent...

punt returner sounds nice for a fast back with home run ability..why not?

Punt returning is a skill unlike kick returning. You drop the ball on a kr you can more than likely pick it up easily

 

[blueblood70]

Punt returning is a skill unlike kick returning. You drop the ball on a kr you can more than likely pick it up easily

doesnt matter dude supposed to be great at pass catching like a slot WR, supposed to be fast, quick, wiggle and home run ability, sound like a Punt returner to me

..let him field punt from 7 am until, 7pm for all i care. Pollard is overhyped and id like to get him snaps at PR to show me more..

if not Pollard then Diggs will get shot..

 

[conner01]

And he might end up being the guy. But I don't want it to be because we are scared to use Lamb in the role. If Wilson's just as good of an option, then he should get the role.

I agree
Injuries happen and you can’t hide from them
I always hated we didn’t use Dez more as a return guy
But to me lamb is not our best option at returner

 

[ArtClink]

A reliable, solid return specialist is so underrated. Because in the NFL, it’s the little things that separate the good teams from the great.

Having a solid punt returner is one of the most underrated ways to improve your team’s performance. Too many fans overrate the “home run” excitement of long punt returns (which rarely happen) while underrating the value of a dependable punt return man who never fumbles or never lets the punt hit the ground, watching 10-15 yards of field position melt away.

Great coaches have known for years how important special teams are for so many reasons. Bill Parcells used to talk a lot about the “hidden yards” on STs that can mean the difference between winning and losing.

For too many years, Jason Garrett undervalued the role of having a solid reliable punt returner that could mean 10-30 yards of field position every week. The Cowboys under Garrett were consistently in the bottom third of the NFL in punt return yardage, field position, etc. Last year, we all watched in horror as he ordered Tavon Austin to make a fair catch against the Vikes with half the field wide open for a return in waning seconds of a close game.

And, good punt returners are not always the flashiest players. Look at this list below. These are the top 5 punt return specialists in the 2019 NFL season:

1. Deonte Harris- NO saints- avg 9.4 yds per return on 36 fielded punts.
2. Ritchie James- SF niners- avg 8.0 yds per return on 33 fielded punts.
3. Andre Roberts- BUFF- avg 8.0 yds per return on 28 fielded punts.
4. Kenyon Barner- ATL- avg 7.6 yds per return on 35 fielded punts.
5. Trevor Davis- GB/OAK- avg. 6.8 yds per return on 26 fielded punts.

These aren’t exactly household names, right? Yet all these guys were huge in helping their teams each week with all important field position. Compare those numbers to ours last year: Tavon Austin and Randall Cobb combined for only 20 fielded punts last year, avg 4.8 yards a return. Our guys watched the ball hit the ground too many times.

So what do we need to do?

1. Find a guy on this roster who will field punts reliably and are able to get 6-8 yards per return.
   
2. Practice, practice, practice the art of fielding punts. Hey, it’s hard. It’s nothing like catching regular passes. It’s very similar to playing outfield in baseball as far as judging location, but harder to do.
3. You don’t have to have a home run playmaker type. The best punt returner in NCAA history for many years was none other than Wes Welker when he was at Texas Tech. He scored 8 TDs in college on punt returns. He wasn’t fast. He was quick, but most of all, he was great at fielding punts and making people miss.

Looking at our roster, maybe a guy like Cedric Wilson, who has good hands might be a candidate. I’ve seen some suggestions for Cedee Lamb, but I don’t think you want someone who you are relying on a lot in the offense to take this role which is pretty tough on the body.

Bottom line- If we’re going get back to competing for playoff glory again, we need to upgrade our punt return game. Who do you think fits this bill?

Our phantom hc is not interested in a great punt returner.

 

[Floatyworm]

A reliable, solid return specialist is so underrated. Because in the NFL, it’s the little things that separate the good teams from the great.

Having a solid punt returner is one of the most underrated ways to improve your team’s performance. Too many fans overrate the “home run” excitement of long punt returns (which rarely happen) while underrating the value of a dependable punt return man who never fumbles or never lets the punt hit the ground, watching 10-15 yards of field position melt away.

Great coaches have known for years how important special teams are for so many reasons. Bill Parcells used to talk a lot about the “hidden yards” on STs that can mean the difference between winning and losing.

For too many years, Jason Garrett undervalued the role of having a solid reliable punt returner that could mean 10-30 yards of field position every week. The Cowboys under Garrett were consistently in the bottom third of the NFL in punt return yardage, field position, etc. Last year, we all watched in horror as he ordered Tavon Austin to make a fair catch against the Vikes with half the field wide open for a return in waning seconds of a close game.

And, good punt returners are not always the flashiest players. Look at this list below. These are the top 5 punt return specialists in the 2019 NFL season:

1. Deonte Harris- NO saints- avg 9.4 yds per return on 36 fielded punts.
2. Ritchie James- SF niners- avg 8.0 yds per return on 33 fielded punts.
3. Andre Roberts- BUFF- avg 8.0 yds per return on 28 fielded punts.
4. Kenyon Barner- ATL- avg 7.6 yds per return on 35 fielded punts.
5. Trevor Davis- GB/OAK- avg. 6.8 yds per return on 26 fielded punts.

These aren’t exactly household names, right? Yet all these guys were huge in helping their teams each week with all important field position. Compare those numbers to ours last year: Tavon Austin and Randall Cobb combined for only 20 fielded punts last year, avg 4.8 yards a return. Our guys watched the ball hit the ground too many times.

So what do we need to do?

1. Find a guy on this roster who will field punts reliably and are able to get 6-8 yards per return.
   
2. Practice, practice, practice the art of fielding punts. Hey, it’s hard. It’s nothing like catching regular passes. It’s very similar to playing outfield in baseball as far as judging location, but harder to do.
3. You don’t have to have a home run playmaker type. The best punt returner in NCAA history for many years was none other than Wes Welker when he was at Texas Tech. He scored 8 TDs in college on punt returns. He wasn’t fast. He was quick, but most of all, he was great at fielding punts and making people miss.

Looking at our roster, maybe a guy like Cedric Wilson, who has good hands might be a candidate. I’ve seen some suggestions for Cedee Lamb, but I don’t think you want someone who you are relying on a lot in the offense to take this role which is pretty tough on the body.

Bottom line- If we’re going get back to competing for playoff glory again, we need to upgrade our punt return game. Who do you think fits this bill?

Couldn't agree more....Garrett absolutely ignored special teams play....and it showed. We need a returner in the worst way...