Why is Landi returning punts?!?!

[USFbulls0208]

I don't have a problem with Landi back there. I know he'll catch it, and probably get a few yards. Even with T-Rex, I still worry about him securing the catch.

[Jake_Ryan]

The only time Landi should be fielding punts is when he's standing at the 10 yard line, or when it's a crucial game situation where we need to just secure possession.  Otherwise put Lamar or Shaw back there.  If they can catch kickoffs, they can catch punts. 

[Apis Bull]

If they can catch kickoffs, they can catch punts.

Actually, it's more different than you might think.

[snarling Bull]

At Vero Skip had several others including Lamar and Washington on punt returns. they must feel that other than T-Rex, Landi is the best.

[DELdaBull]

Think about it. We have a TEAM of "fast" guys. None of them can catch. So you have to put your tight end out there. First team in history. A tight end ???

[Jake_Ryan]

If they can catch kickoffs, they can catch punts.

Actually, it's more different than you might think.

I'm sure it's a little different, but in my experience either you can catch or you can't.

[DELdaBull]

If they can catch kickoffs, they can catch punts.

Actually, it's more different than you might think.

I'm sure it's a little different, but in my experience either you can catch or you can't.

And we have wide receivers, running backs and corner backs that can't catch. Can you imagine the Bucs sending out Kellen Winslow to field punts?

I am so confused.

No, I would never put S. Griffin or Washington back there to field a punt (#1 WR or CB), but Marc, Webster, Lamar, Joyce, Shaw, or somebody like that, that can actually make a play can't catch the ball? So disappointing.

[TrujilloBull2013]

If they can catch kickoffs, they can catch punts.

Actually, it's more different than you might think.

I'm sure it's a little different, but in my experience either you can catch or you can't.

does your experience include returning punts and kickoffs at the FBS BCS level?

unfortunately for your logic, it's not just the kicker/punter and returner out there. there are coverage teams and block teams also.

as an amateur football fan with little understanding of the nuances of the game, i suggest u watch punt and kick returns closely this saturday, Jake...

what you'll find is that there is more pressure from coverage units on punt returns than kick returns. during many punts you'll notice that coverage often BEATS the ball to the returner. this leads, as everyone except Jake_Ryan apparently knows, to fair catches. with the exception of mental error or extremely rare circumstances, fair catch is almost never called on kick returns... why? why is there more coverage on punts? why is kick catching interference never called on kickoff returns?

because during punts, once the ball is snapped the coverage team heads downfield. there is a second or two between the time the ball is snapped and the time the ball leaves the punter's foot. this gives the coverage a head start, and for guys running 40 yards in >5 seconds, a second or two makes an enormous difference.  compare this to kick returns where the coverage team is not allowed to cross the spot of the ball (30 yard line) before the kicker's foot makes contact with the ball. this means no head start because naturally no human being can outrun a ball kicked at full speed.

in other words, while a kick returner has time to simply "catch the ball" and run, a punt returner not only has to "catch the ball," he also has to be aware of coverage that could literally run full speed downfield and blow him up the nanosecond after he catches a ball. in many instances, there is literally a fraction of a second for a punt returner to see the ball into his hands, secure it and run. punt returners have to be more focused than kick returners. it is not as simple as "catch the ball and run."

now u know, and knowing is half the battle.

[Jake_Ryan]

If they can catch kickoffs, they can catch punts.

Actually, it's more different than you might think.

I'm sure it's a little different, but in my experience either you can catch or you can't.

does your experience include returning punts and kickoffs at the FBS BCS level?

unfortunately for your logic, it's not just the kicker/punter and returner out there. there are coverage teams and block teams also.

as an amateur football fan with little understanding of the nuances of the game, i suggest u watch punt and kick returns closely this saturday, Jake...

what you'll find is that there is more pressure from coverage units on punt returns than kick returns. during many punts you'll notice that coverage often BEATS the ball to the returner. this leads, as everyone except Jake_Ryan apparently knows, to fair catches. with the exception of mental error or extremely rare circumstances, fair catch is almost never called on kick returns... why? why is there more coverage on punts? why is kick catching interference never called on kickoff returns?

because during punts, once the ball is snapped the coverage team heads downfield. there is a second or two between the time the ball is snapped and the time the ball leaves the punter's foot. this gives the coverage a head start, and for guys running 40 yards in >5 seconds, a second or two makes an enormous difference.  compare this to kick returns where the coverage team is not allowed to cross the spot of the ball (30 yard line) before the kicker's foot makes contact with the ball. this means no head start because naturally no human being can outrun a ball kicked at full speed.

in other words, while a kick returner has time to simply "catch the ball" and run, a punt returner not only has to "catch the ball," he also has to be aware of coverage that could literally run full speed downfield and blow him up the nanosecond after he catches a ball. in many instances, there is literally a fraction of a second for a punt returner to see the ball into his hands, secure it and run. punt returners have to be more focused than kick returners. it is not as simple as "catch the ball and run."

now u know, and knowing is half the battle.

I can only assume from your post that you have D1 experience returning punts? Otherwise, you are full of sh**.  I'm not sure what got your panties in a wad, but you don't know jack about my football knowledge. You made some big assumptions about me in your post, big boy, that are way off base.

Anyway, enough time wasted on you.  For the record, I'm talking about catching a football. Nothing else.  The way Holtz talks, no one besides Landi can field a punt consistently. There has to be RB or WR on the roster who can catch the dang ball.

[TrujilloBull2013]

all i need to know about your football knowledge is this:

If they can catch kickoffs, they can catch punts.

that pretty much puts u in the "doesn't know his mouth from his anus" category.