Ducks Attack Message Board Forum

I was thinking that if we do indeed get an LOI from E. Grant/Avery Patterson, imagine those two back deep for KR!!!! That would have to be one of the fastest special teams in the nation!! I think even Florida would have to be impressed!!! haaa!
Some KR/PR options for next season:
KR-Holland/Harper
KR-L. James/Patterson/Grant

I'd like too see L. James/ or Patterson return punts. Diante Jackson an option for PR?

Sorry, I'm bored and just waiting for LOI day too come. Thought i'd bring up some special teams talk.

Don't be surprised if Pflugrad is returning punts next season. He isn't the flashiest choice, but he is likely the one the coaches will trust the most to do it. First and foremost, a coach must have complete confidence in a punt returner making smart decisions while catching the ball. Pflugrad has some experience doing it in actual game action and was second on the depth chart last year.

I don't care how flipping fast you are... Catch the ball, and hold on to it!

If you can't do that consistently, sit down and let somebody who will have a shot.

Man, I really hope we don't have to rely on Pflu for punt returns next year. I hope we are beyond simply praying that we don't fumble the catch and we can actually have a good return game. We have some really fast and talented guys that could add a real sense of excitement to our return game, I just hope we use them.

Pflugrad isn't good, there is no way he should be fielding punts. He can hardly catch passes, what makes people think he will catch punts? He barely did it his frosh year and did not look good. We got Harris, if he does not redshirt he is a viable option, along with Walter, Holland, or hell, put Harper back there. He has some serious hands and if he is the most dangerous player with the ball in his hands on the team, I would love to see him fielding punts!

Actually Plufgrad has some of the best hands on the team. He has good football IQ and does a good job in whatever the coaches ask him to do. The bad thing for returning punts is he isn't the quickest player out there.

How is that funny?...I seem to remember him dropping quite a few passes this last year...probably the reason he stopped seeing the field.

The only thing Pflugrad can do is run routes. Other important things like blocking for one (he gets blown up every time), yes, catching, and fumbling, he leaves much to be desired, let alone his size and speed. I have nothing against the kid, I wish him well, but it pains me to see him play over guys with so much more talent who have proved they belong on the field much more than him i.e. Harper, Holland, Davis, etc. I'm sure there is at least one player on the team who can field punts and not fumble on a regular basis just as well as he can and yet is much fasted, bigger, and more athletic. If not, we have a much bigger problem than losing a few recruits this year.

Cliff Harris is one of the best kick returners in the country. I bet after this year he's got a spot back there til he leaves.

With our defense, any 3rd down stop is gold.... So in regards to punt returns, just catch the damn thing, don't turn it over and get it back over to our offense, which will score a ton of points next year.

Seems to me the priority is:
1) Hands
2) Burst
3) Vision (including setting up your blocks)
4) Cut back ability
5) Open field moves
6) Top speed
7) A poignant endzone pose

Game situation awareness is another, but it is fluid dependent upon the risk/reward factor of the returner.

Pflu, as much as I admire him, is not a gamebreaker, but because game situations are fluid (and yes this does include mop up time mind you) I could see him in there. It is unlikely though, I believe.

Watching Harris return kicks in the AA game was a joy... Guys just couldn't seem to find a handle on him!

VinnyKnuckles wrote:Don't be surprised if Pflugrad is returning punts next season. He isn't the flashiest choice, but he is likely the one the coaches will trust the most to do it. First and foremost, a coach must have complete confidence in a punt returner making smart decisions while catching the ball. Pflugrad has some experience doing it in actual game action and was second on the depth chart last year.

IMO, Harper will be returning punts and k.o. next year he has great hand eye,catches the ball good and seems to have great speed and power..

Lamichael James. I think most of you saw what Darren Sproles could do.