10X as many fair catches as the 80s, so many cowards

[railbird]

Calling FC on own 5 a thing now, why?

Fair catches with nobody within 10 yards also.

Suppose to peak at gunner and ball then decide, so many call FC as soon as the ball leaves the punter's foot.

 

[John Kelly]

The safe play is a product of the concussion crowd.

If things continue at the current pace, we soon will see the kicking game eliminated altogether.

We've gone from protecting the quarterback to protecting the ball carrier.

What's next?

The middle of the secondary went from the most dangerous place on the field to the safest place on the field.

Waiting for the day when the referee announces the following penalty: "Personal foul, fifteen yards, for TOO MUCH FOOTBALL."

 

[ComptrBob]

What's even worse is when the potential returner is even afraid to call the fair catch.

An example tonight was the Wyoming returner just watched a Nevada punt bounce by him. Result was a 70+ yard net.

So what happened on Nevada's next punt? Same thing, another net 70+ yard punt. Jeez.

 

[John Kelly]

With no big plays in the kicking game, current trend figures to help UNDER bettors marginally.

 

[railbird]

i was a very good punt returner my freshman yr in hs. i had great hands, good decisions and good 1st step and wiggle, i only lacked front line speed.

 

[Patrick McIrish]

What % of punts did you return Rail? Sounds like you didn't take a lot of FC's.

I wouldn't return punts for all the money in China, that's the last job on the field I wanted.

 

[railbird]

no fair catches, but not many 14 yr olds had great hang time with rubber footballs, and we had twin returners

 

[Viejo Dinosaur]

i was a very good punt returner my freshman yr in hs. i had great hands, good decisions and good 1st step and wiggle, i only lacked front line speed.

It’s absolutely amazing you didn’t play Division 1 and then go right to an NFL or MLB career....what happened?

 

[Foresthill]

What's even worse is when the potential returner is even afraid to call the fair catch.

An example tonight was the Wyoming returner just watched a Nevada punt bounce by him. Result was a 70+ yard net.

So what happened on Nevada's next punt? Same thing, another net 70+ yard punt. Jeez.

They are probably afraid to call the fair catch because they are afraid they are going to muff and/or drop the punt, fair catch or not.

For instance, Missouri this season has had massive problems with fumbled/muffed punts --so against Kentucky they had a "punt returner" fair catch every punt to avoid the turnover. He didn't look the part of a punt returner, rather a sure handed guy who would catch the punt and not muff it.

 

[Valuist]

With no big plays in the kicking game, current trend figures to help UNDER bettors marginally.

Next year, when the crowds return.

 

[railbird]

They are probably afraid to call the fair catch because they are afraid they are going to muff and/or drop the punt, fair catch or not.

For instance, Missouri this season has had massive problems with fumbled/muffed punts --so against Kentucky they had a "punt returner" fair catch every punt to avoid the turnover. He didn't look the part of a punt returner, rather a sure handed guy who would catch the punt and not muff it.

this is why you need a sure handed white guy returner and decision maker inside own 20 instead of break away speedster who muffs lots of them

 

[Viejo Dinosaur]

this is why you need a sure handed white guy returner and decision maker inside own 20 instead of break away speedster who muffs lots of them

What does being white have to do with a good punt returner?

 

[Almost Allright]

It’s absolutely amazing you didn’t play Division 1 and then go right to an NFL or MLB career....what happened?

I’ll take reality for $500