Dunn To Return Punts

[auburn91 0]

It also looks like Robert Dunn will return punts. That worries me. He's been inconsistent at practice. He dropped two during the scrimmage Friday night. My guess is that Fannin eventually gets that job.

[ATLauburnfan 0]

Hasnt dunn been involved with punt returns in the past?

I agree, Fannin would be the better choice-especially with his speed.

[Defense(clap clap) 4]

If your a receiver and you can't catch punts, that worries me a bit.

[Guest Tigrinum Major]

If your a receiver and you can't catch punts, that worries me a bit.

"You're". "Your" denotes possession or ownership. "You're" means "you are".

Catching a thrown ball and catching a punted ball, especially one that is punted well, is doing completely different things, with vast differences in their degree of difficulty. That's like saying, "He pass blocks so well, but I'm worried that he can't dunk a basketball." Two completely different skill sets. Catching and hanging onto a punt is vastly more difficult that catching a thrown ball. The fact that receivers and running backs usually possess those skills, along with speed, is great, but just because one is not a great punt returner doesn't mean that he has bad hands.

Worry about something productive, like proper word usage on office memos.

[WAR EAGLE!!! 0]

Exactly TM. Catching a punt is one of the hardest things to do on the field. Also, how come people still want someone other than the one TT chooses in there? There is a reason Dunn is in there. He may not be the best in the country but I promise you he is the best on the team right now. The coaches are not not playing Fannin just because they are mean. The coaches have all been to a lot more practices and watched a lot more reps that you guys have...why still all the doubt that they got it wrong? I don't understand.....

[AURoadhouse09 0]

Sounds a lot like we will be repeating the Tre Smith process. Drop, catch, fumble, catch, drop

I agree that it would make since for Fannin with all that speed and agility to return punts.

[WAR EAGLE!!! 0]

Sounds a lot like we will be repeating the Tre Smith process. Drop, catch, fumble, catch, drop

I agree that it would make since for Fannin with all that speed and agility to return punts.

What makes you say that? Have you seen Fannin play? Have you seen him return punts? Just curious...

[McWeagle 4]

I agree that it would make since for Fannin with all that speed and agility to return punts.

What about his ability to catch a punt? I would think that would factor in somewhere.

[abrnfanatc 6]

Sounds a lot like we will be repeating the Tre Smith process. Drop, catch, fumble, catch, drop

I agree that it would make since for Fannin with all that speed and agility to return punts.

since /sɪns/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[sins] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–adverb 1. from then till now (often prec. by ever): He was elected in 1978 and has been president ever since.

sense /sɛns/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[sens] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, sensed, sens·ing.

–noun

the recognition of something as incumbent or fitting: a sense of duty.

[aumd03 2]

I would just like to see someone back there with good judgement and can hold onto the ball. With our ball control type of offense, and in the past, the quality of our kicking game, we just needed our return guys to not make mistakes. We fumbled way too often, and other times we had returns for negative yards, and others fair catches when there was enough room for our left tackle to get a 20 yd return. I don't care if we stick King Dunlap back there, I just want someone with hands and something between his ears.

[Defense(clap clap) 4]

If your a receiver and you can't catch punts, that worries me a bit.

"You're". "Your" denotes possession or ownership. "You're" means "you are".

Catching a thrown ball and catching a punted ball, especially one that is punted well, is doing completely different things, with vast differences in their degree of difficulty. That's like saying, "He pass blocks so well, but I'm worried that he can't dunk a basketball." Two completely different skill sets. Catching and hanging onto a punt is vastly more difficult that catching a thrown ball. The fact that receivers and running backs usually possess those skills, along with speed, is great, but just because one is not a great punt returner doesn't mean that he has bad hands.

Worry about something productive, like proper word usage on office memos.

YOU ARE being ridiculous in that comparison. I'll worry about proper word usage when we can put someone back there who can field a punt without dropping it. True, YOU ARE catching two different types of moving balls, but the fact remains that if you are a receiver, it's expected that you should have good hands and be able to catch a ball no matter where it's coming from. I'm not saying all receivers should be kick returners, but when you have a guy that catches passes "for a living," if you will, I would like to think he can catch a punt as well.

[Guest Tigrinum Major]

If you're a receiver, you don't have to possess the same skill set that a kick returner does.

How about this comparision: A baseball catcher might be great, but he struggles to catch a guy like Tim Wakefield, a knuckleballer. It's not just hands, it's a mindset, a mental game and some guys just don't have that.

Just because a guy struggles with catching punts doesn't mean he doesn't have good hands.

Just because a catcher can't catch a knuckleball pitcher doesn't mean he's not a great catcher.

Did that one work a little better for you?

[abrnfanatc 6]

If you're a receiver, you don't have to possess the same skill set that a kick returner does.

How about this comparision: A baseball catcher might be great, but he struggles to catch a guy like Tim Wakefield, a knuckleballer. It's not just hands, it's a mindset, a mental game and some guys just don't have that.

Just because a guy struggles with catching punts doesn't mean he doesn't have good hands.

Just because a catcher can't catch a knuckleball pitcher doesn't mean he's not a great catcher.

Did that one work a little better for you?

You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?

[Guest Tigrinum Major]

Knuckleball. Keep up.

[WAR EAGLE!!! 0]

If your a receiver and you can't catch punts, that worries me a bit.

"You're". "Your" denotes possession or ownership. "You're" means "you are".

Catching a thrown ball and catching a punted ball, especially one that is punted well, is doing completely different things, with vast differences in their degree of difficulty. That's like saying, "He pass blocks so well, but I'm worried that he can't dunk a basketball." Two completely different skill sets. Catching and hanging onto a punt is vastly more difficult that catching a thrown ball. The fact that receivers and running backs usually possess those skills, along with speed, is great, but just because one is not a great punt returner doesn't mean that he has bad hands.

Worry about something productive, like proper word usage on office memos.

YOU ARE being ridiculous in that comparison. I'll worry about proper word usage when we can put someone back there who can field a punt without dropping it. True, YOU ARE catching two different types of moving balls, but the fact remains that if you are a receiver, it's expected that you should have good hands and be able to catch a ball no matter where it's coming from. I'm not saying all receivers should be kick returners, but when you have a guy that catches passes "for a living," if you will, I would like to think he can catch a punt as well.

Sorry bud but you are wrong. Just because you have good hands doesn't mean you can automatically catch punts...it just doesn't work like that.

[TitanTiger 22,001]

If your a receiver and you can't catch punts, that worries me a bit.

"You're". "Your" denotes possession or ownership. "You're" means "you are".

Catching a thrown ball and catching a punted ball, especially one that is punted well, is doing completely different things, with vast differences in their degree of difficulty. That's like saying, "He pass blocks so well, but I'm worried that he can't dunk a basketball." Two completely different skill sets. Catching and hanging onto a punt is vastly more difficult that catching a thrown ball. The fact that receivers and running backs usually possess those skills, along with speed, is great, but just because one is not a great punt returner doesn't mean that he has bad hands.

Worry about something productive, like proper word usage on office memos.

YOU ARE being ridiculous in that comparison. I'll worry about proper word usage when we can put someone back there who can field a punt without dropping it. True, YOU ARE catching two different types of moving balls, but the fact remains that if you are a receiver, it's expected that you should have good hands and be able to catch a ball no matter where it's coming from. I'm not saying all receivers should be kick returners, but when you have a guy that catches passes "for a living," if you will, I would like to think he can catch a punt as well.

Overall, Dunn has been very consistent in fall practice at fielding kicks. He had a couple of drops in one practice or scrimmage. It's not like it's an epidemic with him.

[Defense(clap clap) 4]

If your a receiver and you can't catch punts, that worries me a bit.

"You're". "Your" denotes possession or ownership. "You're" means "you are".

Catching a thrown ball and catching a punted ball, especially one that is punted well, is doing completely different things, with vast differences in their degree of difficulty. That's like saying, "He pass blocks so well, but I'm worried that he can't dunk a basketball." Two completely different skill sets. Catching and hanging onto a punt is vastly more difficult that catching a thrown ball. The fact that receivers and running backs usually possess those skills, along with speed, is great, but just because one is not a great punt returner doesn't mean that he has bad hands.

Worry about something productive, like proper word usage on office memos.

YOU ARE being ridiculous in that comparison. I'll worry about proper word usage when we can put someone back there who can field a punt without dropping it. True, YOU ARE catching two different types of moving balls, but the fact remains that if you are a receiver, it's expected that you should have good hands and be able to catch a ball no matter where it's coming from. I'm not saying all receivers should be kick returners, but when you have a guy that catches passes "for a living," if you will, I would like to think he can catch a punt as well.

Overall, Dunn has been very consistent in fall practice at fielding kicks. He had a couple of drops in one practice or scrimmage. It's not like it's an epidemic with him.

Good. That's really all I care about. I just don't want to have to squint and watch through one eye when our kick returner is about to field a punt. Hopefully Tristan heals up quick and gets back in there for us sooner than later.

[abrnfanatc 6]

If your a receiver and you can't catch punts, that worries me a bit.

"You're". "Your" denotes possession or ownership. "You're" means "you are".

Catching a thrown ball and catching a punted ball, especially one that is punted well, is doing completely different things, with vast differences in their degree of difficulty. That's like saying, "He pass blocks so well, but I'm worried that he can't dunk a basketball." Two completely different skill sets. Catching and hanging onto a punt is vastly more difficult that catching a thrown ball. The fact that receivers and running backs usually possess those skills, along with speed, is great, but just because one is not a great punt returner doesn't mean that he has bad hands.

Worry about something productive, like proper word usage on office memos.

YOU ARE being ridiculous in that comparison. I'll worry about proper word usage when we can put someone back there who can field a punt without dropping it. True, YOU ARE catching two different types of moving balls, but the fact remains that if you are a receiver, it's expected that you should have good hands and be able to catch a ball no matter where it's coming from. I'm not saying all receivers should be kick returners, but when you have a guy that catches passes "for a living," if you will, I would like to think he can catch a punt as well.

Overall, Dunn has been very consistent in fall practice at fielding kicks. He had a couple of drops in one practice or scrimmage. It's not like it's an epidemic with him.

Good. That's really all I care about. I just don't want to have to squint and watch through one eye when our kick returner is about to field a punt. Hopefully Tristan heals up quick and gets back in there for us sooner than later.

I didn't realize TD was ever an option as a punt returner. Dunn will do just fine back there IMO.

[metafour 5,385]

If your a receiver and you can't catch punts, that worries me a bit.

"You're". "Your" denotes possession or ownership. "You're" means "you are".

Catching a thrown ball and catching a punted ball, especially one that is punted well, is doing completely different things, with vast differences in their degree of difficulty. That's like saying, "He pass blocks so well, but I'm worried that he can't dunk a basketball." Two completely different skill sets. Catching and hanging onto a punt is vastly more difficult that catching a thrown ball. The fact that receivers and running backs usually possess those skills, along with speed, is great, but just because one is not a great punt returner doesn't mean that he has bad hands.

Worry about something productive, like proper word usage on office memos.

YOU ARE being ridiculous in that comparison. I'll worry about proper word usage when we can put someone back there who can field a punt without dropping it. True, YOU ARE catching two different types of moving balls, but the fact remains that if you are a receiver, it's expected that you should have good hands and be able to catch a ball no matter where it's coming from. I'm not saying all receivers should be kick returners, but when you have a guy that catches passes "for a living," if you will, I would like to think he can catch a punt as well.

Overall, Dunn has been very consistent in fall practice at fielding kicks. He had a couple of drops in one practice or scrimmage. It's not like it's an epidemic with him.

Good. That's really all I care about. I just don't want to have to squint and watch through one eye when our kick returner is about to field a punt. Hopefully Tristan heals up quick and gets back in there for us sooner than later.

I didn't realize TD was ever an option as a punt returner. Dunn will do just fine back there IMO.

Tristan was never an option. If you're worried about Dunn's fielding skills then you should flat out turn off the TV if Tristan is back there. Dude is a heck of a kick returner but isn't made for punt returning.

[WAR EAGLE!!! 0]

If your a receiver and you can't catch punts, that worries me a bit.

"You're". "Your" denotes possession or ownership. "You're" means "you are".

Catching a thrown ball and catching a punted ball, especially one that is punted well, is doing completely different things, with vast differences in their degree of difficulty. That's like saying, "He pass blocks so well, but I'm worried that he can't dunk a basketball." Two completely different skill sets. Catching and hanging onto a punt is vastly more difficult that catching a thrown ball. The fact that receivers and running backs usually possess those skills, along with speed, is great, but just because one is not a great punt returner doesn't mean that he has bad hands.

Worry about something productive, like proper word usage on office memos.

YOU ARE being ridiculous in that comparison. I'll worry about proper word usage when we can put someone back there who can field a punt without dropping it. True, YOU ARE catching two different types of moving balls, but the fact remains that if you are a receiver, it's expected that you should have good hands and be able to catch a ball no matter where it's coming from. I'm not saying all receivers should be kick returners, but when you have a guy that catches passes "for a living," if you will, I would like to think he can catch a punt as well.

Overall, Dunn has been very consistent in fall practice at fielding kicks. He had a couple of drops in one practice or scrimmage. It's not like it's an epidemic with him.

Good. That's really all I care about. I just don't want to have to squint and watch through one eye when our kick returner is about to field a punt. Hopefully Tristan heals up quick and gets back in there for us sooner than later.

I didn't realize TD was ever an option as a punt returner. Dunn will do just fine back there IMO.

Tristan was never an option. If you're worried about Dunn's fielding skills then you should flat out turn off the TV if Tristan is back there. Dude is a heck of a kick returner but isn't made for punt returning.

What do you mean...I thought if you could catch one kind of kick...you could catch all kind of kicks...besides, TD is really fast...

[Defense(clap clap) 4]

I thought TD did punts too.

Who was our main punt returner last year? Tre? I'm having a total memory lapse today. I haven't missed a game in 4 years since I graduated either. jeez

[townhallsavoy 2]

I thought TD did punts too.

Who was our main punt returner last year? Tre? I'm having a total memory lapse today. I haven't missed a game in 4 years since I graduated either. jeez

Tre Smith and Robert Dunn.

The problem I have with Robert Dunn is that he did the sideline to sideline shuffle every time he returned a kick. Hopefully he's learned to run straight ahead and read blocks.

[ProgRock 0]

I disagree catching a pass and a punt requires the same mechanics the ball hits your hands and you apply pressure.The difference is patience, you have to wait and you don't want to do that when 11 guys are steam rolling down the field to take your head off.When all else fails fair catch or just move.I would much rather be on the 1yard line than and over eager returner flubbing at the 35 and the defense going right back in with hung heads.

[mowegl 4]

Catching a kickoff is a cakewalk compared to catching a punt or even a pass. Basicaly to catch a kickoff you just cup your arms and let it fall in between your chest and arms. The problem with catching punts has less to do with hands, and lots to do with being able to judge the ball in the air. Collegiate quality punters kick the ball so high that it falls almost straight down and is VERY hard to catch. Any little change in wind and or spin on the ball affects its flight down a lot. Now take all that into account then factor in you are looking STRAIGHT up and have very little idea what is going on with the 11 guys trying to take your head off (if you do have a good idea, then you prob. wont catch the punt - the whole eye on the ball rule).

Go try to run down and catch punts from a college punter. My guess is average joe would be lucky to get a couple out of 10 without muffing or completely missing it.

I was hoping Mario would be qualified because the coaches said he had the skills. Dunn does a good job of not muffing but there were lots he left uncaught and his returns left a lot to be desired.

[McWeagle 4]

This doesn't say much about his punt returning ability, but it's highly complimentary nonetheless

Robert "Gets It" Dunn