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Return engagement. (I-Formation).(Brief Article)
I heard someone describe a punt returner as the NFL version of a Hollywood stunt man. That's about right, because every time I field a punt, I'm risking my neck.
When the ball is kicked, I run to the spot where I think the ball will land, like a center fielder in baseball. When I get there, I sneak a peek to see how close the kick coverage is to me. I block out any thoughts about the fact there are 10 large opponents ready to feast on me like jackals attacking a wounded animal.
As I camp under the ball, I must decide among the following: catch and run with the ball; make a fair catch, or let the ball bounce. All in about a second.
If I decide to field the ball, I have to be set and let the ball find me, instead of me fishing for the ball. The secret to catching the ball is staying completely still. Where most returners get in trouble--and I've been guilty of this--is reaching for the ball or trying to make a move before securing the ball. That's when fumbles ...
- Kansas State punt returner David Allen has always been tough, fast.
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Burch, Jimmy December 4, 1998 700+ words
...most prolific punt returner began to blossom...man with the ball veered toward...t kick any balls straight to...seen'' as a punt returner at the college...touches the ball, it's...has been as a punt returner that Allen...
- Role of punt returner is nothing new for Brown.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Corkran, Steve December 5, 2001 700+ words
...Dr. Brown. Now Gruden can add punt returner Brown to the expansive list of monikers...catch, make the catch, throw the ball to an official and line up at receiver...ball. He's the all-time leading punt returner of the Oakland Raiders.'' Now...
- Bly in, fumble-prone Hakim out as top punt returner; turnover against Panthers...
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Korte, Steve December 24, 2001 700+ words
...problems with catching the ball. "He has never muffed a...problem with fumbling the ball after he catches it. "When...one fumble he has had as a punt returner was down the field," Martz said. "It's a ball-security problem. It...
- WANTED: A PUNT RETURNER GREEN BAY COACHES WILL GIVE VETERANS A SHOT AT FILLING...
- Newspaper article from: Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI) July 21, 2000 700+ words
...Bay Packers are for a punt returner. ``Don't get too...position player as his punt returner. When the veterans...we're asking in a punt returner, then they won't...been catching 75 to 100 balls a day. ``Things are...
- RETURN RODGERS TO SENDER? THE TCU ROOKIE HAS FAILED TO IMPRESS AS A PUNT...
- Newspaper article from: Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI) August 10, 2006 700+ words
...When you are a punt returner for the Green...he catch the ball, but the Packers...to catch the ball, general manager...Stock is shooting balls from the Jugs...Every dropped ball, 10 push-ups...is his No. 1 punt returner, and Woodson...
- PACKERS POINT TO SHARPER THE SAFETY IS NOW THE LEADING CANDIDATE TO BE THE PUNT...
- Newspaper article from: Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI) August 9, 2000 700+ words
...would be the team's punt returner. So said special teams...are in the market for a punt returner because general manager...yards), did work as a punt returner during his rookie year...onto the job -- or the ball. With the Packers struggling...
- SC INSIDE LOOK: LOCKETT NOT KEY, THANKS TO USC K-STATE PUNT RETURNER...
- Newspaper article from: Daily News (Los Angeles, CA) September 9, 2001 700+ words
...Lockett, the best punt returner in the nation last season...yard space to catch the ball. Polamalu didn't...statistically the best punt returner in this nation...Photo: Kansas State punt returner Aaron Lockett gets a...
- TECH'S TOP PUNT RETURNER SUFFERS BROKEN LEFT FOOT.(SPORTS)
- Newspaper article from: The Virginian Pilot Minium, Harry January 2, 2000 700+ words
...when wide receiver and punt returner Ricky Hall broke a bone...reached behind him for a ball during passing drills...will sub for Hall as the punt returner. ``Ike's had some...Receivers coach Tony Ball says he and Witten will...
