Kickoff/Punt returns for TD by M

Submitted by ATLalumni on

Seems like we haven't had a dynamic Kick/Punt return specialist since Steve Breaston.  I believe our last KR for TD was Stonum in [EDIT: 2009].  When i think about the elite/good teams of recent years, they always seemed to have great returners. 

LSU- Mathieu, Peterson, Holliday

Bama- Maze, Menzie, some other little cornerback

Georgia- Boykins

TCU- Kerley

KSU- Banks, Sproles

I wanted to know where we rank in terms of return TD's compared to other top teams, and also wondering if this is from lack of talent, or focus on ST

azian6er

October 11th, 2012 at 11:43 AM ^

give norfleet a year.  When the camera pans to him before kickoffs - he is always so jacked up. No lack of confidence there and he has the speed and will to go to the house.

Also, hasnt fumbled yet (knock on wood) which is always a positive.

 

 

Mr. Yost

October 11th, 2012 at 11:43 AM ^

Think about it this way...how many returns have we given up?

Just because we see it every week from some of the same guys doesn't mean the country is littered with them.

I think we have a special return man in Norfleet, it's only a matter of time before he gets free...could be this week vs. a "meh" Illinois team.

Tuebor

October 11th, 2012 at 12:06 PM ^

I like Gallon.  When he gets the ball in space he has the ability to make alot of people miss.  I do think that the prevelance of the spread punt limits big returns.  I'd actually be interested to see if there has been a major down turn in punt return yardage over the last few years since the spread punt has caught fire.

CoachBP623

October 11th, 2012 at 12:16 PM ^

Ace sanders from South Carolina is a return ballerrrrrr. I really love norfleets approach though and I imagine before the year is out he will bring one back

HipsterCat

October 11th, 2012 at 12:19 PM ^

Odoms got one against purdue in 2008. since then it has been more of a CATCHTHEDAMNBALL/HOLDONTOTHEDAMNBALL situation on punts though gallon has been mixing in a few solid returns here and there.

morepete

October 11th, 2012 at 8:01 PM ^

Who was coaching the return teams from 1990-93? Even though that's the era of Michigan football in which I became a fan (too young before that), I had forgotten just how many returns for TDs they had in that year. Some of that was Howard, Alexander, and Wheatley being total beasts, but not all. The blocking schemes are also fantastic. I have no idea if they would still work today, but the platoon of blockers Desmond has on all of his returns are unbelievable -- though I assume the anti-wedge rules might rule out such things today.