Reggie Bush finally returns a kickoff (1 Viewer)

[Dome50]

Put me in the camp that would like to see Reggie returning kicks. While the chance of injury is likely greater (probably nominally) I think the guy needs more touches. In the last two seasons Reggie is seeing like 10-12 touches a game. I don't think this is enough and think KR would be a good way to get the ball in his hands. I think the reward could outweigh the injury risk. And not to be a debbie downer, but Bush gets injured nearly every season anyway, so I'm throwing injury concerns out the window at this point.

 

[Blackwood]

I agree with Reggie returning kickoffs but the only problem is that the special teams does a poor job of blocking. Special teams this year IMO have been a disapointment.

So true!!

 

[SaintsRays]

Part of the appeal of Roby is that he catches the ball and gets up the field. I'm pretty sure Payton prefers a safe return to the 20-30 range than the chance (or likelihood really) that we start at the 5-10 every so often after a kick return.

Bush would break some for sure - but with our offense it's better to be safe. No fumbles, no returns that keep us in the shadow of our own goal posts...


Also of note - the main thing I took from that kickoff attempt is that Colston should be throwing a pass on a trick play - because he's got a good arm and was on target.

 

[Saints#34]

Seriously, the injury thing doesn't do it for me. The guy only plays 8-10 games a year already. Its not like our "protecting" him has kept him from getting injured.

Put him back there and see what he can do. There are tons of KRs that play for years at that position without any major injury. Its not like they go down by the half dozen every week. I think the risk of injury as a KR is vastly overstated on this board. Its probably increased some from other positions but not so much as to be a deterrent from putting your best guy at it out there.

 

[bones]

Would have liked to have seen Moore stay to the outside and Reggie take the kicker head on and pitch to Moore rather than Harper. Looks like he could have taken it straight up the sideline.

 

[Cougar 1]

http://saintsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186844&highlight=reggie+bush+kick+return&page=2





Other interesting tidbits, including a suggestion for a trick play by Cougar1 that was similar (in concept) to the final kick return .

Thanks, Dan.

Now tell me, had the Saints actually set up a blocking wall for Reggie to that side, do you think he would he have scored? The Ravens got sucked in pretty good to Colston's side. Heath, Harper, MJ and Lance coulda gotten out and escorted him down the sideline.


Worked for the Titans!

 

[Mule]

I don't understand your question.

Several folks said that players had more room to get up to speed. How many yards does that take? My guess is about 5yds.

 

[diat150]

Would have liked to have seen Moore stay to the outside and Reggie take the kicker head on and pitch to Moore rather than Harper. Looks like he could have taken it straight up the sideline.

we pitched the ball to a guy that couldnt outrun a qb last week.when you think about it.

 

[dd]

I'm glad your not coaching!

 

[FloSaint]

lets all say it together...

BECAUSE HE MUFFS PUNTS AND FUMBLES RETURNS

 

[TCUDan]

Thanks, Dan.

Now tell me, had the Saints actually set up a blocking wall for Reggie to that side, do you think he would he have scored? The Ravens got sucked in pretty good to Colston's side. Heath, Harper, MJ and Lance coulda gotten out and escorted him down the sideline.


Worked for the Titans!

Yes. From what I saw, he was one block away coming down the sideline, but the other players were looking for the pitch rather than selling out for blocks.

lets all say it together...

BECAUSE HE MUFFS PUNTS AND FUMBLES RETURNS

let's all say it together...

THEN WHY DOES HE STILL RETURN PUNTS?

The argument holds no water, seeing as punt returns are much harder to field than KO returns. By that logic, put him on kickoff and take him off of punt.

That's just looking for an excuse...

 

[Cougar 1]

I don't know if anyone brought this up, but I think "the wedge rule" may have had an impact on Roby's drop off in production from last year:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=4428369

Seems it's made the STs coach's job just that much harder. So if Coach Mac has to get more creative, devising more plays with Reggie back there could actually help in a big way, if SP lets him.