Luke Johnson's News & Notes from Wednesday

[Ragin4U]

The reason you see more RBs getting injured may be because they carry the ball more than punt returners.
Someone enlighten me about what would make a player better at KO returns than punt returns. Would speed be more preferable at KO since you get a running start and elusiveness better for punts because the cover team is closer?
Montrell was extremely fast and elusive before the ACL. Hopefully he has that burst back. The more weapons the better!

[DocCajun]

IMO, I would not have McGuire returning kicks at all. To valuable in the run game behind Zo or split with Zo.

I agree but we all know how much emphasis HUD puts on special teams. I guess in his mind the potential gain in special teams is worth the risk

[Just1More]

The reason you see more RBs getting injured may be because they carry the ball more than punt returners.
Someone enlighten me about what would make a player better at KO returns than punt returns. Would speed be more preferable at KO since you get a running start and elusiveness better for punts because the cover team is closer?
Montrell was extremely fast and elusive before the ACL. Hopefully he has that burst back. The more weapons the better!

First sentence: That's correct. Doesn't change the context of the discussion. As for punts versus kickoffs - a punt return specialist has more decisions and less time to decide/react than a kick off return specialist, normally. Punt returners have to be more sure-handed. A lot of KO returners are picked for blazing speed in a straight line. A punt returner often is a hands guy that is asked to first secure the ball, then work to gain yardage. They can be the same guy, but you really place a lot of trust in a punt returner to use his head, and most certain of all, do not risk mishandling the ball. You see pure sprinters as KO returners. They may never be asked to catch a ball otherwise. Punt returners are almost always one of the top sure handed "ball catchers" on the team. If they're not, the staff isn't very bright.

[Just1More]

I agree but we all know how much emphasis HUD puts on special teams. I guess in his mind the potential gain in special teams is worth the risk

And exactly who would he put back there to "take the injury risk" while still trying to win football games? I may not want to charge the hill with my best Marine... for fear of losing him... but if I want the hill... I send him. Great returns are game-changers.

I'm not knocking the question of risk versus reward. I just fall on the side of putting a couple of your absolute best athletes, with good hands, as returners. If we didn't have Zo as RB, we'd have to use someone other than Elijah.

[Rebel02]

I've scratched myself about this too. But, being you have to have an experienced ball handler taking punts, it's a terrible shift in fortune to muff or fumble, and it is an outstanding opportunity to get fantastic field position, or even take it to the house... I'm stoked about Elijah returning punts (and Montrel returning KOs).

Many will kick it either high and shallow for coverage, or they may avoid Elijah altogether and angle toward the sidelines... where he doesn't even take a hit. Either way, he becomes a fantastic special teams weapon. I feel pretty good about Zo taking the pill and delivering some ground and pound... having Elijah installed for a variety of double back sets, slide to the slot, etc options. But again, you can seriously change games with special teams... and I like Elijah returning punts.

And in each one of those punting situations (angling toward sideline, hang time), the punting team sacrifices field position. I look at this as a win-win. If the punter out kicks his coverage, Eli gets to do his thing. If he sacrifices distance for hang time, Broadway and company will have a short field to work with. None of the punters we will face this year are NFL caliber punters like Legatron, so it's like we will face someone who can kick it high and far.

[Just1More]

And in each one of those punting situations (angling toward sideline, hang time), the punting team sacrifices field position. I look at this as a win-win. If the punter out kicks his coverage, Eli gets to do his thing. If he sacrifices distance for hang time, Broadway and company will have a short field to work with. None of the punters we will face this year are NFL caliber punters like Legatron, so it's like we will face someone who can kick it high and far.

That's correct. I think the first two games are going to make every opponent seriously worried about out kicking coverage. And that should result in better field position. Those that risk deep kicks, well beyond coverage, are going to be in our highlight films.

[DocCajun]

And exactly who would he put back there to "take the injury risk" while still trying to win football games? I may not want to charge the hill with my best Marine... for fear of losing him... but if I want the hill... I send him. Great returns are game-changers.

I'm not knocking the question of risk versus reward. I just fall on the side of putting a couple of your absolute best athletes, with good hands, as returners. If we didn't have Zo as RB, we'd have to use someone other than Elijah.

There is likely no one better for the punt return job than Eli. There is no denying that. Frankly, it just scares me to have him back there with guys flying at him with a 40 yard headstart. But there is no doubt he can change a game with one special teams play.

But he can also change a game every time he touches the ball. I'm not qualified to make the call and I trust in HUD. But I'm still going to be nervous

[Cajun Soldier]

You want to hear stupid when my son was a Jr. at Comeaux our coach put our stud senior running back on the KICK OFF team not return I said kick off team. First play of the season he torn his knee up on the kick off team we never recovered from that situation all year. If we need him (Eli) play him on punt return if we don't lets not risk the season I only count 5 running backs on the roster.

[SiliconRed]

You want to hear stupid .... at Comeaux our coach...

That is how I used to describe Coach Long to people too.

[Boomer]

That is how I used to describe Coach Long to people too.

I would love to know the 5 fastest on our team---Yes I realize that straight on speed is different then a shifting elusive quickness, but I would think that Scott, EMcG, and Carter are right up there

-Does anybody know???