Devin Hester's Record-Setting Return

soxfan121

soxfan121

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http://central.sonsofsamhorn.net/nfl/general-nfl/devin-hesters-record-setting-return/
By Chuck Zodda
 

In the still above, the Atlanta Falcons prepare to return a 2nd-quarter punt from the Buccaneers. The Falcons have six men near the line of scrimmage with four of them overloaded to the defense’s left side. Their alignment suggests that they are setting up for a return to this side, as teams will typically attempt to put the greatest pressure on the return side of the field in order to impede the punt coverage team. Immediately after the snap, the left side of the Falcons line goes man-to-man against the punt coverage team, with one player rushing from the right side and another dropping off to block further downfield.
 
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kartvelo

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As someone who never played the game and has only the most primitive understanding of "how it's done," I've really enjoyed looking through these commentaries/breakdowns. Very informative, insightful, and entertaining.
 
It looks to my untrained eye as though the gunner who fails to get involved in the play fails, at least in part, because he's being held, starting at :06 in the video.
This is not meant to detract from Hester's career and legacy. But in this particular instance it certainly appears to me that his prodigious skills were complemented by two fouls committed by his teammates; one on the gunner and one on the first defender Hester would have encountered.
 
IdiotKicker

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kartvelo said:
As someone who never played the game and has only the most primitive understanding of "how it's done," I've really enjoyed looking through these commentaries/breakdowns. Very informative, insightful, and entertaining.
 
It looks to my untrained eye as though the gunner who fails to get involved in the play fails, at least in part, because he's being held, starting at :06 in the video.
This is not meant to detract from Hester's career and legacy. But in this particular instance it certainly appears to me that his prodigious skills were complemented by two fouls committed by his teammates; one on the gunner and one on the first defender Hester would have encountered.
Click to expand...
 
I definitely think the block in the back should have been called, but as far as gunners go, it tends to be open season on them for the most part unless it is something truly egregious.  Think of a gunner the way you would a wide receiver, his job is to get off the line cleanly and get to where he needs to be.  If he can't get off the line and shed his blockers, there isn't a lot of help for him.  And unlike wide receivers, he can be blocked all the way down the field if he is unable to get off cleanly.
 
soxfan121

soxfan121

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Chuck Z said:
 
I definitely think the block in the back should have been called, but as far as gunners go, it tends to be open season on them for the most part unless it is something truly egregious.  Think of a gunner the way you would a wide receiver, his job is to get off the line cleanly and get to where he needs to be.  If he can't get off the line and shed his blockers, there isn't a lot of help for him.  And unlike wide receivers, he can be blocked all the way down the field if he is unable to get off cleanly.
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Chuck, does this help explain why Matt Slater is such a great special teams performer? 
 
IdiotKicker

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soxfan121 said:
 
Chuck, does this help explain why Matt Slater is such a great special teams performer? 
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It absolutely does.  You may remember the first punt that the Patriots had in the game last weekend.  I could honestly write an entire book on what Slater did on this play.  Essentially, he starts out as the gunner on the right side of the Patriots formation.  Immediately at the snap, he books it hard inside to avoid his man pressing him.  He then weaves down the field for about 35 yards before seeing daylight, and makes a hard break directly at the returner.  He is then pretty much tackled from behind by a blocker, drawing a penalty, and negating any return.  All because he never let an Oakland blocker lay a finger on him the entire way up the field.
 
Bongorific

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Chuck Z said:
 
I definitely think the block in the back should have been called, but as far as gunners go, it tends to be open season on them for the most part unless it is something truly egregious.  Think of a gunner the way you would a wide receiver, his job is to get off the line cleanly and get to where he needs to be.  If he can't get off the line and shed his blockers, there isn't a lot of help for him.  And unlike wide receivers, he can be blocked all the way down the field if he is unable to get off cleanly.
Click to expand...
Why did Slater never materialize into a solid receiver if the skills are similar?
 
IdiotKicker

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Bongorific said:
Why did Slater never materialize into a solid receiver if the skills are similar?
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I don't know exactly what the Patriots saw, but my guess is that he probably lacks the route-running abilities and hands to be a consistent receiver.  WR is more than just getting off the line, whereas a punt gunner can rely more on athleticism and instincts to get to where he needs to go.
 
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