Why is Felix doing so poorly on kickoff returns?

[Baileyneverfailey]

Felix is obviously playing great on offense. My question is why has he been so weak on kickoff returns? He was a huge weapon in college at the position, and even last year he seemed more dangerous on returns.

To me it looks like he's not getting up to top speed right away and instead he's dancing and waiting on things to set up like you might on a punt return. I think if he'd just take off full speed from the start he'd at least get it back to the 25ish purely on speed and if he makes that first guy miss he has a chance to take it all the way.

Anybody else seeing the same things on KO returns?

 

[nalam]

Guess it is a runningback's instinct to see the blocks and go from there.

May be time for Kevin Ogletree for this.

 

[Doomsday101]

Felix is obviously playing great on offense. My question is why has he been so weak on kickoff returns? He was a huge weapon in college at the position, and even last year he seemed more dangerous on returns.

To me it looks like he's not getting up to top speed right away and instead he's dancing and waiting on things to set up like you might on a punt return. I think if he'd just take off full speed from the start he'd at least get it back to the 25ish purely on speed and if he makes that first guy miss he has a chance to take it all the way.

Anybody else seeing the same things on KO returns?

He is trying to let his blocks setup before running full speed. Not just blindly running full speed into on coming defenders

 

[Seven]

It could be the way DeCamillas schemes the returns?



IMO, as i've said before, I don't think Felix wants that job.

 

[LongSnapper]

business decision

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I think he really misses the wedge. His real talent was patiently hiding behind it and waiting for a hole to open up, then bursting through it. I've rarely seen other KO returners do that the same way -- most just charge ahead as fast as they can from the start -- but he was brilliant at it. Now he can't do that anymore.

 

[zrinkill]

Why do they not let Crayton do it?

I trust the guys instincts.

 

[Aikmaniac]

He'd rather have the rushing yardage.

 

[joseephuss]

It looked as if Dallas kept their blockers pushed up field a lot more this game than they have in the past. Usually the back line drops back around the 15 yard line or so. They didn't seem to drop back as deep this game. Perhaps they were staying up more in case Reid had Philly on-side kick the ball. It really appeared that Dallas was very conservative in the kick return scheme because we all know the Eagles were holding back last week.

 

[Dcowboy84]

what i was wondering was why when he caught the ball you saw no other Cowboys on the screen? they seemed to be going upfield really early, so by the time he caught the ball and got going he already had Eagles all over him.

 

[TD-33]

Good question but Ogletree did take the last one. Hopefully he takes them from here on. I'd rather not risk Felix plus OTree is faster and we know he has great hands.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

Maybe it is just that he misses being able to run behind the wedge. It just seems to me that KO returners who are successful are usually going full speed right from the start and just trying to hit a gap and break it. I'm just tired of seeing a guy with his speed get tackled before the 20 yard line, or right at it.

I love Felix, I just want our offense to have even better field position to score even more points. :laugh2:

 

[JBell]

It could be the way DeCamillas schemes the returns?



IMO, as i've said before, I don't think Felix wants that job.

That's what I'm maybe thinking.

The kickoff coverage, punt coverage, and punt returning are all phenomenal. Only thing that's lacking is the kick returns.

 

[TD-33]

what i was wondering was why when he caught the ball you saw no other Cowboys on the screen? they seemed to be going upfield really early, so by the time he caught the ball and got going he already had Eagles all over him.

Yeah they also had very good kick return coverage. (at least on kickoffs )

 

[Doomsay]

Good question but Ogletree did take the last one. Hopefully he takes them from here on. I'd rather not risk Felix plus OTree is faster and we know he has great hands.

Especially with Barber and Choice banged up.

 

[arync]

because he jogs while looking for a block instead of just hitting that thing up in there full speed ahead

 

[reddyuta]

i dont felix to be the KR as it looks like he is the only healthy RB we have for this game.

 

[jazzcat22]

Felix is obviously playing great on offense. My question is why has he been so weak on kickoff returns? He was a huge weapon in college at the position, and even last year he seemed more dangerous on returns.

To me it looks like he's not getting up to top speed right away and instead he's dancing and waiting on things to set up like you might on a punt return. I think if he'd just take off full speed from the start he'd at least get it back to the 25ish purely on speed and if he makes that first guy miss he has a chance to take it all the way.

Anybody else seeing the same things on KO returns?

Players much faster in the NFL. Maybe he's still adjusting to that.
As someone else said....maybe put Ogletree in there.