Punt returns

[FirstDownB]

Ok, here is a dumb question for the experts..

I've watched nearly every minute of Purdue football this season and can't help but notice Anthrop never, I mean literally never, has an inch of space to work with returning punts. There is always one or two defenders right in his face when he catches the ball. The stats show 17 returns for 23 yards. That's absolutely atrocious. For reference, last year the team had a combined 12 returns for 91 yards. In 2015, it was a combined 10 returns for 73 yards. This year IU has a player with 266 punt return yards and 2 TDs.

Is this scheme or simply lack of talent? I know sometimes the returner has to make people miss, but I'm not sure Antonio Brown or Tyreke Hill could do anything with a guy bearing in on him as he's catching the ball. Every. single. time. Is there a gunner that is unaccounted for in the blocking scheme or is this failed execution over and over again?

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Ok, here is a dumb question for the experts..

I've watched nearly every minute of Purdue football this season and can't help but notice Anthrop never, I mean literally never, has an inch of space to work with returning punts. There is always one or two defenders right in his face when he catches the ball. The stats show 17 returns for 23 yards. That's absolutely atrocious. For reference, last year the team had a combined 12 returns for 91 yards. In 2015, it was a combined 10 returns for 73 yards. This year IU has a player with 266 punt return yards and 2 TDs.

Is this scheme or simply lack of talent? I know sometimes the returner has to make people miss, but I'm not sure Antonio Brown or Tyreke Hill could do anything with a guy bearing in on him as he's catching the ball. Every. single. time. Is there a gunner that is unaccounted for in the blocking scheme or is this failed execution over and over again?

Lack of talent at the outside positions to force the flow outside and then get inside the player to block. You don't want to try to block the entire time the guy is running down the field...you'll get beat 100% of the time. What you want to do is run on his hip and force him to the outside as much as possible (similar to a DB) and then get in front and establish a block. Just don't have the horses to do so at this point and the goal is to not have Purdue beat itself this year. If that means Anthrop fair catches everything outside of the 10 yard line, so be it.

 

[FirstDownB]

Lack of talent at the outside positions to force the flow outside and then get inside the player to block. You don't want to try to block the entire time the guy is running down the field...you'll get beat 100% of the time. What you want to do is run on his hip and force him to the outside as much as possible (similar to a DB) and then get in front and establish a block. Just don't have the horses to do so at this point and the goal is to not have Purdue beat itself this year. If that means Anthrop fair catches everything outside of the 10 yard line, so be it.

A couple things:
(1) I might be wrong, but as I understand it the decision to fair catch is not premeditated but determined "on the fly" by the returner based on whether there is a dude in his face ready to lay the lumber.
(2) I understand there is a lot involved in blocking the gunners, but regardless of whether you are expecting your guy to fair catch, you're still trying to block them, right? I mean, there's no down side to doing so.

Meanwhile, I actually stumbled upon an article from a few years ago where Ferentz was quoted as saying his team might never return a punt again after being burned multiple times on fakes. Perhaps with Brohm's familiarity with trick plays, he and Levine prioritize guarding against the fake ahead of setting up the return, thereby having fewer guys downfield to block. I haven't paid close enough attention to see if this is what is happening. Or maybe our backup freshman wide receivers and db's are just not getting it done. I'm just surprised they haven't "accidentally" gotten one decent return set up by game 9.

 

[nat100]

I think half the return team is walk ons. Talent is an issue.

Also, I am fairly certain that Tiller used to instruct Waynelle Gravesande to fair catch every punt as i dont recall him ever returning one despite being the returner for 2 years.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

A couple things:
(1) I might be wrong, but as I understand it the decision to fair catch is not premeditated but determined "on the fly" by the returner based on whether there is a dude in his face ready to lay the lumber.
(2) I understand there is a lot involved in blocking the gunners, but regardless of whether you are expecting your guy to fair catch, you're still trying to block them, right? I mean, there's no down side to doing so.

Meanwhile, I actually stumbled upon an article from a few years ago where Ferentz was quoted as saying his team might never return a punt again after being burned multiple times on fakes. Perhaps with Brohm's familiarity with trick plays, he and Levine prioritize guarding against the fake ahead of setting up the return, thereby having fewer guys downfield to block. I haven't paid close enough attention to see if this is what is happening. Or maybe our backup freshman wide receivers and db's are just not getting it done. I'm just surprised they haven't "accidentally" gotten one decent return set up by game 9.

You are correct but I was referencing that after the first few chances to return a punt, Anthrop probably understands he isn't going to get much room to return and likely has been told when at all in doubt, fair catch the ball. I believe the issue stems from the blockers not being at a level to allow for a return and not having a guy back there who can truly make some one miss to allow for a big return. The last returner that was like that was Dorien Bryant or possibly Anthony Chambers.

 

[TheBoris]

Ok, here is a dumb question for the experts..

I've watched nearly every minute of Purdue football this season and can't help but notice Anthrop never, I mean literally never, has an inch of space to work with returning punts. There is always one or two defenders right in his face when he catches the ball. The stats show 17 returns for 23 yards. That's absolutely atrocious. For reference, last year the team had a combined 12 returns for 91 yards. In 2015, it was a combined 10 returns for 73 yards. This year IU has a player with 266 punt return yards and 2 TDs.

Is this scheme or simply lack of talent? I know sometimes the returner has to make people miss, but I'm not sure Antonio Brown or Tyreke Hill could do anything with a guy bearing in on him as he's catching the ball. Every. single. time. Is there a gunner that is unaccounted for in the blocking scheme or is this failed execution over and over again?

IMHO, Brohm is keeping guys up near the line of scrimmage to guard against fake punts. If opponents know that 8-9 Boilers will be up near the line of scrimmage on the prowl for a fake, they'll note that in the scouting films and won't dare attempt the fake.

Does that reduce our chance of returning a punt? Yep.