Game Day - 2020 Week 17 - Washington @ Philadelphia Eagles - SNF Edition

[MisterPinstripe]

As already said, fielding a punt is a very different skill set and mentality. From the way the ball moves in the air to having guys ready to hit you as soon as you catch the ball. Heck just fielding a punt from a left footed punter is very difficult even for experienced returner. sims shouldn't be out there, but Johnson cannot be asked to do it if he doesn't have experience with punts.

 

[Chris]

Just for my education, I would be curious to know why it's different btw - because that doesn't make logical sense to me (at least from the vantage point of being able to field one without fumbling it)...

In addition to trajectory and spin, receiving a punt requires a higher focus due to defenders in close proximity bearing down on you. Kick returners do not have that or the much greater likelihood of a turnover when mishandled. I would liken it to the difference between a contested jump shot vs a free throw in basketball.

 

[Chris]

They're coming to knock your block off on kickoffs too ST. I understand you have to look up more and probably are more vulnerable on punts - but they are not that dissimilar, are they? I don't doubt what you are describing is mostly correct.

But my question would be, put Sims on kickoff returns. Think he has a problem muffing those too? I do. It's a hands and concentration issue. If it weren't, all punt returners would frequently muff or mishandle the ball.

That's not to say Danny Johnson (or any other kickoff returner) is a cinch to handle punts. I get it. But I don't think it could get much worse than Sims. And you know they are practicing this a significant amount of time - and he's still high risk. Why NOT try someone else who has better hands?

I don’t think it’s a hands problem with Sims, I think it’s a concentration issue.

Either way, he has no business out there fielding punts. Punt returns of more than 5 yards are rare anyway. The team needs someone who can reliably catch the damn ball. Anything more is gravy.

 

[Boone]

Thanks for the insights on kickoffs vs. punt returns. I think confidence and a short memory also factor in. We all know that NFL kickers will miss kicks at times. But there are some kickers that, having missed a kick, get on their head about it and may miss the next couple due to nerves, fear of failure, etc...

I think Sims is in his head about it and that’s why he’s a big risk (and maybe doesn’t have the right temperament/mentality to perform in that role).

The bigger question is why the ST’s coach keeps flirting with disaster putting him back there?

 

[Bulldog]

There is more than one player that has returned punts on this team in college or the NFL.

The issue may be guys like Terry McLaurin and Kendall Fuller are just too damn valuable to put back there.

The team might think about scanning practice squads to find a guy that returned before who can take over. At this point we in the postseason.

If a backup WR or other has to go on IR or be waived we need to consider that.