We are better off fair catching every punt and not bothering to block

[thekavorka]

Our offense and defense played phenomenally this week. But the one thing that has been bugging me are punt returns. It seemed to me that we always get holdings on returns so I went back and looked at every punt return over the past 4 weeks. I excluded any punts that were downed by the opposing team or went out of bounds.

Game against Minnesota:
1) 4th and 9 at MIN 43
(7:12 - 1st) (Punt formation) J.Locke punts 43 yards to DAL 14, Center-K.McDermott. L.Whitehead to DAL 15 for 1 yard (A.Cole).
2) 4th and 10 at MIN 47
(10:48 - 2nd) (Punt formation) J.Locke punts 37 yards to DAL 16, Center-K.McDermott, fair catch by C.Beasley.
3) 4th and 16 at DAL 47
(10:25 - 3rd) (Punt formation) J.Locke punts 38 yards to DAL 9, Center-K.McDermott, fair catch by C.Beasley.
4) 4th and 12 at MIN 36
(3:08 - 4th) (Punt formation) J.Locke punts 32 yards to DAL 32, Center-K.McDermott. L.Whitehead to DAL 34 for 2 yards (J.Trattou). PENALTY on DAL-K.Frazier, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at DAL 32.
We gained a total of negative 9 yards on punt returns against Minnesota.

Game against Giants:
1) 4th and 5 at NYG 15
(3:10 - 2nd) B.Wing punts 42 yards to DAL 43, Center-Z.DeOssie. C.Beasley to NYG 29 for 28 yards (K.Sheppard, K.Robinson). PENALTY on DAL-B.Jones, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at DAL 43.
2) 4th and 1 at NYG 23
(0:42 - 2nd) B.Wing punts 46 yards to DAL 31, Center-Z.DeOssie. C.Beasley to DAL 32 for 1 yard (D.Harris). PENALTY on DAL, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at DAL 31. Officially, a return for 0 yards.
3) 4th and 1 at NYG 28
(12:32 - 3rd) B.Wing punts 57 yards to DAL 15, Center-Z.DeOssie. C.Beasley pushed ob at DAL 28 for 13 yards (K.Sheppard, Z.DeOssie). PENALTY on DAL-L.McFadden, Offensive Holding, 9 yards, enforced at DAL 18. Officially, a return for 3 yards.
4) 4th and 2 at NYG 39
(4:49 - 4th) B.Wing punts 50 yards to DAL 11, Center-Z.DeOssie, fair catch by C.Beasley.
5) 4th and 6 at NYG 37
(2:46 - 4th) B.Wing punts 39 yards to DAL 24, Center-Z.DeOssie, fair catch by C.Beasley.
We gained negative 17 yards on punt returns against the Giants.

Game against Bucs
1) 4th and 6 at TB 26
(11:45 - 2nd) (Punt formation) B.Anger punts 38 yards to DAL 36, Center-A.DePaola, fair catch by L.Whitehead.
2) 4th and 2 at TB 23
(8:54 - 4th) (Punt formation) B.Anger punts 44 yards to DAL 33, Center-A.DePaola. L.Whitehead to DAL 31 for -2 yards (J.Robinson). PENALTY on TB-P.Barber, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at DAL 31.
3) 4th and 18 at TB 17
(2:16 - 4th) (Punt formation) B.Anger punts 53 yards to DAL 30, Center-A.DePaola, fair catch by L.Whitehead.
We gained 10 yards (due to a penalty by the opposing team) on punt returns against the Bucs.

Game against the Lions
1) 4th and 18 at DET 2
(3:30 - 2nd) (Punt formation) S.Martin punts 54 yards to DAL 44, Center-D.Muhlbach. L.Whitehead to DAL 49 for 5 yards (A.Williams; B.Copeland)
2) 4th and 10 at DET 36
(8:22 - 3rd) (Punt formation) S.Martin punts 54 yards to DAL 10, Center-D.Muhlbach. L.Whitehead pushed ob at DAL 10 for no gain (M.Killebrew). PENALTY on DAL-B.Jones, Offensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 10.
We gained 0 yards on punt returns against the Lions.

Over the past 4 weeks, we've lost 16 yards cumulatively on punt returns. Based on this, we might as well just fair catch every punt and not bother trying to block anybody. I really hope our special teams doesn't come back to bite us in the playoffs, especially with how good the defense and offense looked last night.

 

[romothesavior]

We have a couple of guys (looking at you, Byron) who just can't help themselves with the penalties.

 

[The Realist]

Yeah, but what about the threat of Lucky taking it to the house?

 

[lukin2006]

Special teams are a weakness of this team, no doubt this needs to be addressed in the off season.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

Finally, some common sense. Same with kickoffs. As long as the kick makes the end zone, take a knee. The odds are against getting past the 25, especially without a holding/block in the back penalty.

 

[jrumann59]

Yeah, but what about the threat of Lucky taking it to the house?

You mean Lucky the man of the most electrifying 5 yard returns in the NFL

 

[Risen Star]

Next time you want to start a thread be prepared and do your homework. Have something to back up what you say. This is the major leagues.

 

[Setackin]

Special teams are a weakness of this team, no doubt this needs to be addressed in the off season.

Exactly, a special teams draft and FA!!!! Great idea!!!!

 

[conner01]

Exactly, a special teams draft and FA!!!! Great idea!!!!

That worked well last time

 

[Manwiththeplan]

We have a couple of guys (looking at you, Byron) who just can't help themselves with the penalties.

Byron Jones should really be taken off the return unit...