Kickoff returns

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Originally Posted by ShotgunDawg

THIS

I agree that Redmond would be good on kickoff returns, but we have talent. Between Smokey, Gray, Myles, Bryant, Peters, Mixon, & Dear we have similar options as Redmond that we aren't relying on be one of the most important players on our defense.

Why can't we use our talent?

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Exactly.

And if we're fine with putting a guy like Graham in on punt returns as a freshman in SEC games...why not put Peters back on kickoffs as a freshman? He may not be ready to start on defense this year, but why waste a year of that talent?...stick him back there on kickoffs and let the playmaker make plays. That's my opinion.

It's things like Holloway and Robert Johnson being kick returners, that make it still possible to get pissed at a coach that leads MSU to a 10-2 season. To be such a great coach, how can you make terrible decisions like that, and Never learn from them? Even after failed kick return after failed kick return.

I mean, if that's the worst thing he does, that's fine..but it's just a really easy fix, and could help us tremendously with field position. Kick return is a crucial part of the game...it's not a reward for the best practice field heroes. We need a game breaker returning kicks....and we have several. And none of them are named Holloway.

/end rant

No, can't stand the thought of Redmond back there. Need him anchoring down the top opposing WR all year. Also, I'm sure he's a nice kid but Holloway is not the answer as a return guy. He runs timid and quite frankly don't blame him, being that size and the hit Christian Jones landed on him 2 years ago. I'd give it to Gray and Myles, maybe try out Bryant and Graham.

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Originally Posted by CadaverDawg

It's things like Holloway and Robert Johnson being kick returners, that make it still possible to get pissed at a coach that leads MSU to a 10-2 season. To be such a great coach, how can you make terrible decisions like that, and Never learn from them? Even after failed kick return after failed kick return.

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I would say, "Give him a chance to prove you wrong....he may change" but IfYouOnlyKnew is one stubborn dude. IfYouOnlyKnew would tell you that a return right up the gut to the 17 yrd line every time is not a failure......you and I might disagree.

The answer, I am afraid, is to have our talent overshadow Dan's stubbornness and predictability. We have that in a QB and it worked well for us most of time last year, except the last three games. I can't explain Holloway, unless he is really good at following orders...."catch it, run straight up the middle as fast as you can with no variation." The others I bet don't follow orders as well as Holloway. Who knows, it is troubling, but like you said, if that is our worst problem and we can win 9-10 games we should probably shut up.

Graham should never field a kick or punt again.

Redmond has the big play ability but you do put him at risk of getting hurt, but that is a case with any player and it didn't stop Dan from putting Banks back there ahead of bumphis and slay. Still pisses me off that slay was a juco all American returner and never fielded a single kick.

Gray needs to be returning punts and kicks to get him touches.

Only problem with holloway is that he has zero cutting ability and unless it's just awful coverage he won't get anything out of it.

If we aren't gonna redshirt Dear, he and Gray should be the return guys. Holloway should stick to trying to run the speed sweep on offense. Redmond needs to be like glue on the opposing team's best receiver, and Graham should be learning from Redmond.

Rarely do straight ahead KO returns yield big plays. Normally, the receiver takes three steps in one direction which the Defense has to respect and then cuts to another lane. That makes it easier for the return team to stick their blocks and open a lane.

We do not EVER do this. It is one of the things that shows the lack of a real Special Teams coach.

Gray, Myles, and Graham should handle all of it. Putting Redmond back there is a potential season crusher. I don't understand why Holloway is on the 3 deep anywhere.

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Originally Posted by I seen it dawg

Gray, Myles, and Graham should handle all of it. Putting Redmond back there is a potential season crusher. I don't understand why Holloway is on the 3 deep anywhere.

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It should be gray and smokey. With the caveat that Myles and Bryant should get a shot at some point if needed.

Fournette returned kick-offs for LSU pretty well.

No idea if he's ever done it but the idea of putting D. Lee back there has some appeal to me. I know it's just one spring game but he seemed to have great field vision, he's pretty fast and he's big enough to run through some arm tackles.

Maybe pair him up with Donald Gray.

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Originally Posted by deltadawg99

Graham should never field a kick or punt again.

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Even if you don't think a true freshman can get better as a sophomore, fielding kicks versus punts are two completely different ball games. Not nearly as much pressure returning kicks. Even if you flub it, you're not likely to lose possession.

I like Myles in this spot. He's good at making one nice cut and using straight line speed without messing around. Also want to see Gray just based on the fact everyone on this board has been on his jock all offseason.

Myles and Gray should be returning kicks. If gray is not returning kicks it is just outright dumb.

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Originally Posted by I seen it dawg

I don't understand why Holloway is on the 3 deep anywhere.

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I don't see why he's even on scholarship.

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Originally Posted by CadaverDawg

Exactly.

And if we're fine with putting a guy like Graham in on punt returns as a freshman in SEC games...why not put Peters back on kickoffs as a freshman? He may not be ready to start on defense this year, but why waste a year of that talent?...stick him back there on kickoffs and let the playmaker make plays. That's my opinion.

It's things like Holloway and Robert Johnson being kick returners, that make it still possible to get pissed at a coach that leads MSU to a 10-2 season. To be such a great coach, how can you make terrible decisions like that, and Never learn from them? Even after failed kick return after failed kick return.

I mean, if that's the worst thing he does, that's fine..but it's just a really easy fix, and could help us tremendously with field position. Kick return is a crucial part of the game...it's not a reward for the best practice field heroes. We need a game breaker returning kicks....and we have several. And none of them are named Holloway.

/end rant

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There is a reason Cadaver is my favorite poster... It's because he freakin nails it with posts like this.

Holloway is a track guy playing football. With his speed, he would be an awesome kick returner IF he had the football instincts and vision to hit the hole hard on kickoff returns, but he just does not have that ability.

As long as Holloway is back there, I'm not worried about Redmond because no one is going to kick the ball to him.

Dan has to re-invent the wheel with special teams. And it kills us in field position.

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Originally Posted by chef dixon

I like Myles in this spot. He's good at making one nice cut and using straight line speed without messing around. Also want to see Gray just based on the fact everyone on this board has been on his jock all offseason.

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Well, with Gray it's just about utilizing him better. From what I have heard Gray is still learning our offense to a degree- so putting him in at KR/PR gives him a chance to help us and contribute while he is developing.

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Originally Posted by preachermatt83

Myles and Gray should be returning kicks. If gray is not returning kicks it is just outright dumb.

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I agree with you, but as long as Holloway is on the roster, Dan is going to be intrigued by him and he will return kicks even though he sucks at it.

I love Mullen being our coach but these are the kind of things that frustrate the ever living $@&! out of me. He becomes obsessed with a certain player that isn't producing and keeps playing him. He did this with Perkins in his JR and SR year, when you could tell JRob was the answer... especially in LDP's SR year.

I just HOPE beyond all HOPE that when the ball is kicked into the end zone we do not attempt to return the ball if Holloway is returning the kick. Also I'd like to see us kick off into the end zone a few times this year "fingers crossed"

Mullen is brain dead regarding special teams. At least he's smart enough to delegate the defense. He should do the same with special teams.