Punt Returning

Submitted by Marley Nowell on

Is there a reason why someone can't be designated as the punt returner?  This is the 3rd year in a row where someone has muffed a punt and its getting ridiculous.  Can't a player (like Drew Dileo) just literally field punts all day and not learn another position?  HOLD ONTO THE DAMN BALL!!!!

 

GO BLUE!

Phoenix

September 5th, 2010 at 2:54 PM ^

... but my god that was a horrible decision to try to return that punt. Diving catches from passes thrown by a QB? Great. Diving catches on punt returns? Not so much.

ken725

September 5th, 2010 at 2:55 PM ^

The wind shouldn't be an excuse, but I'm sure it caused some problems yesterday.  Also I think the coaches have it covered.  If RR says that Gallon and T-Rob are going to see playing time there, then we should just wait and see what they can do.  

Marley Nowell

September 5th, 2010 at 2:59 PM ^

This was not meant to be a criticism of any player.  Gallon is on the depth chart as a slot reciever as well and should be focusing most of his efforts there.  If all he did was practice punt returning that would be fine with me.  Is that feasible?

MgoViper

September 5th, 2010 at 2:58 PM ^

I would not make much of this, it will be addressed. Without the wind yesterday, i do not believe we would of had that issue. Much less the missed FG and such. Let's just enjoy the game for the weekend and look forward to the next game..

Tater

September 5th, 2010 at 3:02 PM ^

Yesterday was such a great day that RR needs a few "teachable moments" to take from the game.  The return units will be the "beneficiaries" of those moments this week.

rlew

September 5th, 2010 at 3:04 PM ^

I was surprised that Gallon was the number one PR.  Not that I don't think he'll be really good at it, just expected that Odoms would be back there.  Gallon erred by letting the first punt roll down to the 4 yd line and then tried to make up for it by essentially diving to catch the second one in a very tough wind.  (Sidenote:  I think I learned once that if you ever have to leave your feet to catch a punt, you let it go). 

I think he was probably nervous and the wind didn't do him any favors.  I know the tendency is to ask why we're having so many problems with punt returns, given previous years, but I don't know if it's best to judge the position, particularly Gallon, by the performance yesterday.  Give it a few weeks.

TheLastHarbaugh

September 5th, 2010 at 3:09 PM ^

IMO here is what happened on that second attempted fair catch/return.

On the first punt, the ball was wobbling and Gallon smartly called for a fair catch and ran away from the ball. It took a lucky bounce and UCONN ended up downing it at the 4 yard line.

The kid's a freshman and probably felt responsible for the horrible field position we had, so the next time he went out onto the field I would bet he was bound and determined to not let that happen again. So this time he unwisely decided he was going to catch that ball no matter what, and, well, you saw what happened.

Regardless, it was windy, his first appearance in an actual game, and he was attempting to catch a punt in front of 113,090 people, knowing full well the problems we had with handling punts last year. I don't blame him for being nervous. I sure as hell was, and I was sitting 65 rows away from the field.

Jensencoach

September 5th, 2010 at 3:10 PM ^

I am sure that Gallon earned the PR spot from doing great in practice, but it is hard to replicate yesterday (emotion, weather, re-dedication, first time in a game, etc) in practice.  I am hopeful that Gallon and the other returners will have a successful season.

BlueinLansing

September 5th, 2010 at 3:10 PM ^

that a D1 program can have so much trouble fielding punts for so long.  I certainly never remember any other program having so much trouble.

 

I hope it was just the wicked wind + poor decision + plus anxious RS FR's first opportunity to touch the ball in UM uniform.

kb

September 5th, 2010 at 3:42 PM ^

Terrance Robinson falling down with no one near him at the 10 yard line on a kickoff return.  Is this the price the Angry Michigan Hating Gods are making us pay for having such great returners in the past?

kb

September 5th, 2010 at 3:42 PM ^

Terrance Robinson falling down with no one near him at the 10 yard line on a kickoff return.  Is this the price the Angry Michigan Hating Gods are making us pay for having such great returners in the past?

switch26

September 5th, 2010 at 4:09 PM ^

I enjoyed matt millen commentary on the muffed punt by the UCONN player..

 

Millen:  " THAT was pathetic" hahah...

kalamazoo

September 5th, 2010 at 5:43 PM ^

Ha yeah!  I remember it more as "THAT...Was...Pathetic".

As bad as it was, I was just hoping his parents weren't watching on tv.  Your kid just got shown up by Matt Millen (yes, THAT Matt Millen) on national tv!