Kick and Punt Return Question

Submitted by McFarlin on
Why is Odoms our return guy? He is okay, but he drops the ball way too much. Sure he housed a punt against "PURDUE" but honestly I think that he is better off not returning punts or kicks. I think some freshmen should get a chance at it. Perhaps Teric Jones or Toussaint. I think Terrence Robinson will take the spotlight sooner then later, but only time can tell. Vincent Smith would be a better option. I honestly don't want Odoms to handle punts. That is just death for the most part.

wile_e8

April 15th, 2009 at 1:35 PM ^

I'm glad you pointed all of this out, because it's not like RichRod tried several different kick returners last year, only to have similar results on catching the ball. Seriously, you start one thread with a topic that gets ripped to shreds for its idiocy, and your reaction is... go and start another thread with another poorly thought-out topic?

mhwaldm

April 15th, 2009 at 1:38 PM ^

Come on give the guy a break. Lets treat this thread as a: "Who should get the kick and punt returns?" And we can consider McFarlin's position to be: not odoms

los barcos

April 15th, 2009 at 1:54 PM ^

maybe we can foster a meaningful debate instead of ripping mcfarlin a new one. after last year, i dont care if they put the slowest guy back there to fair catch it each time. i want someone with sure hands that will catch it 100% of the time and maybe break a 10 yarder here and there over the potential home run threat that fumbles 25% of the time.

jg2112

April 15th, 2009 at 2:14 PM ^

....I'm waiting for McFarlin's first post praising something that the University of Michigan football team has done, is doing, or is about to do. Every post is a whine and operates under the assumption that the coaching staff has no ability to understand, address and/or correct problems from the 2008 season.

dmccoy

April 15th, 2009 at 1:38 PM ^

Just when I think you couldn't get any dumber... you go and pull something like this. ... ... And totally redeem yourself!!! In all seriousness and complete contradiction pointed out by Clayzer aside, I think Toussaint, T-Rob, or Gallon can and should and will get an opportunity. Don't freak out just yet, it's only spring. Lots of time to find someone by September.

Clayzer

April 15th, 2009 at 1:44 PM ^

Toussaint, T-Rob, and Gallon would all good choices. If only Denard Robinson wasn't a quarterback, he wouldn't be worth the injury risk of course but what better way to showcase his "track" speed than returning kicks and punts.

Magnus

April 15th, 2009 at 1:38 PM ^

"Hey, that one freshman from Florida couldn't handle punts in the rain/snow last year. Let's try a brand new freshman from Florida who I've never seen return a kick/punt at the college level!" Great idea. Are you a troll?

cargo

April 15th, 2009 at 1:39 PM ^

question do you have a life? you always post like 5 new topics in row, on a site your not liked at because your naive perspective, and ridiculous statements. But to be on topic why do you think Greg Matthews took over returning for a while last season? oh yea cause he could catch the ball. There just trying to give him a chance and if he can learn a few catching tips he'll be a great returner. But if someone replaces him he gets replaced, for all we know he doesn't even start on kick returns anymore. I'm guessing you never played football but alot of times they have multiple people back there returning during practice but doesnt mean they return during the games.

MechE

April 15th, 2009 at 1:49 PM ^

This is sarcasm before anyone flies off the handle. But yeah, pretty much everyone who was given a chance last year fumbled a return. Odoms looked the best when he held onto the ball. Every guy the OP suggested hasn't even had the opportunity to show why he should return kicks, but I'm sure they'll get one eventually if holding onto the ball continues to be a problem.

spybucks182

April 15th, 2009 at 1:45 PM ^

I guarantee that if we did not post on his threads he would eventually vanish. We are fueling his outbursts. Just stop. If no one reacts then he does not have reason to continue making absurd statements.

dmccoy

April 15th, 2009 at 1:59 PM ^

This post wasn't that bad guys. Odoms had issues fumbling last year and fumbled at the spring game. Frustration ensues... If McFarlin's name wasn't on the post, would people flip out the same way? This post was dramatically less terrible than the one before it, and it stirs discussion. Perhaps McFarlin serves a purpose. But one more post like the recruiting one before this and I'll start the Banhammer Dance (similar to the Rain Dance).

Magnus

April 15th, 2009 at 2:10 PM ^

No, people wouldn't have reacted the same way. But replacing Odoms - who has experience - with a guy you've never seen return a kick/punt is a great deal premature. Odoms had trouble catching the ball in bad weather, so what's to say that Smith wouldn't be an exact replica of 2008 Odoms?

jmblue

April 15th, 2009 at 2:10 PM ^

I liked to see us put two deep guys back there in the spring game. OSU has done this for some time and it has helped them recover a lot of muffed punts (and it doesn't seem to have hurt them when it comes to defending fake punts). I'm okay with Odoms returning if we're going to have two deep men.

mhwaldm

April 15th, 2009 at 3:02 PM ^

Bottom line is we have a lot of options this yr at returning. Between Smith, Gallon, Odoms, Toussaint, Matthews, Cissoko, Warren, Turner (im pretty sure he took back kicks in HS), Shaw, Woolfolk, etc., there are some options and im sure theyll all get looks. I have faith that the staff will lend plenty of attention to finding a few adequate players and developing them into smart and secure returners

therealtruth

April 15th, 2009 at 3:19 PM ^

Cissoko looked pretty good doing it, but I'm hesitant to put our starting CB back there, since we're thin at the position. Odoms looked OK to me - fumbling is something that can be corrected (see Brandon Minor or Tiki Barber in the pros).

dankbrogoblue

April 15th, 2009 at 6:33 PM ^

I think it should be a general rule of thumb that whenever you mention Zoltan you have to say the number of words you are going to use to represent him before you actually say them. It's like the guy who would enter the room to say "King _____ enters" and everyone braces for greatness... in a way

brad

April 15th, 2009 at 7:20 PM ^

Seriously though, think about this. If Michigan had simply refused to take part in kick and punt returns last season, they could have gone 6-6. I'll take Mathews catching punts and going nowhere with them all season instead of some true freshman who is scared shitless back there. As far as kick returns, our two fastest tailbacks are Shaw and Brown, so there you go. If they start fumbling, there are more guys, but I would prefer they stick Potempa back there to just down them in the endzone.

tpilews

April 15th, 2009 at 9:15 PM ^

Yeah, I agree with you Brad. Mathews appears to have the most sure hands on the team. He should be the PR guy. KR's by committee until you find two that will work. Odoms since he's got a year under his belt. Add Gallon, T. Rob, Stokes, C. Brown, etc...