Fo Fiddy
- Thread starter ZRod
- Start date
Seems like when the other team is punting near midfield that Nebraska thinks it is going to be a fair catch situation in almost every case. Because of this they focus on other things. If I am right it is an interesting contrast in philosophy given how much of the rest of the team is based on total effort.
ScottyIce
Banned
Perhaps it's the right philosophy to start the year with? I'd rather go for block or set up for return... but if you see that is my tendency all the time, then you're more likely to dial up a successful fake attempt... but if all you see on film is basically a defense out there... then that's what you'll expect, no?
Hayseed
New member
I'm not that concerned that our guy didn't try to return most of the punts. Apparently it's hard to find good punters these days and the ones on the teams we played can only kick a 30 yard squibber.
If DPE really is worried about returning kicks then we should go with Morgan, Westy, or one of the new guys.
If DPE really is worried about returning kicks then we should go with Morgan, Westy, or one of the new guys.
Hayseed
New member
This is easy......they're hiking the ball on our 45 and we expect a fake. Do you think this is characteristic of every punt return? If you can find zero blocking on ordinary punts then please share it.Made this for everyone to look at. This is a question for anyone who coaches or truly knows special teams, what is the goal in our punt coverage? Why release every Northwestern gunner and allow them to swarm our punt returner? Truly baffling.
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Thanks_Tom RR
New member
Well, you really don't have to go very far to find the examples you are asking for. Look at the OP of this thread.This is easy......they're hiking the ball on our 45 and we expect a fake. Do you think this is characteristic of every punt return? If you can find zero blocking on ordinary punts then please share it.Made this for everyone to look at. This is a question for anyone who coaches or truly knows special teams, what is the goal in our punt coverage? Why release every Northwestern gunner and allow them to swarm our punt returner? Truly baffling.
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It's our special teams low lights from the Wyoming game. Every punt return, green light for the punter with four defenders watching him, and 9 men on a PAT.
Hayseed
New member
I
I'm not doubting you, I've just noticed a bunch of unfieldable punts this year that will probably go away against better teams. This HAS changed my opinion about why DPE is fair-catching everything. Maybe our coach IS an idiot??Well, you really don't have to go very far to find the examples you are asking for. Look at the OP of this thread.This is easy......they're hiking the ball on our 45 and we expect a fake. Do you think this is characteristic of every punt return? If you can find zero blocking on ordinary punts then please share it.Made this for everyone to look at. This is a question for anyone who coaches or truly knows special teams, what is the goal in our punt coverage? Why release every Northwestern gunner and allow them to swarm our punt returner? Truly baffling.
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It's our special teams low lights from the Wyoming game. Every punt return, green light for the punter with four defenders watching him, and 9 men on a PAT.
Thanks_Tom RR
New member
It get it if you want to argue that on a short field it is a judgement call based on philosophy as to whether you play for a return or play against the fake, but what about this one?
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RedDenver
New member
I'll start by saying that I think Fo Fiddy needs to be fired or at least not taking up a coaching spot. Having said that, I heard that the Huskers were worried about NW faking a(some) punt(s) to try to stay in the game.Made this for everyone to look at. This is a question for anyone who coaches or truly knows special teams, what is the goal in our punt coverage? Why release every Northwestern gunner and allow them to swarm our punt returner? Truly baffling.
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Fo Fiddy does get credit for his guys being ready for the fake FG.
Not sure. Maybe playing it safe late in the game with a team that has struggled moving the ball and being down by a few scores.
Thanks_Tom RR
New member
This is not a one game thing. This has occurred in every game this season, during most punts to Nebraska, with the exception of the big DPE return against Oregon and a few others. This is a carryover from last year's special teams punt return scheme. It is a philosophy deal with FoFiddy, and I would like to know why. You put your punt returner on an island nearly every time and ask him to make a clutch catch or seriously risk losing it. Furthermore, you have a Jet Award winner returning your punts and you are icing him on purpose. It is just unfathomable to me.I'll start by saying that I think Fo Fiddy needs to be fired or at least not taking up a coaching spot. Having said that, I heard that the Huskers were worried about NW faking a(some) punt(s) to try to stay in the game.Made this for everyone to look at. This is a question for anyone who coaches or truly knows special teams, what is the goal in our punt coverage? Why release every Northwestern gunner and allow them to swarm our punt returner? Truly baffling.
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Fo Fiddy does get credit for his guys being ready for the fake FG.
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jsneb83
New member
Yeah I was surprised DPE didn't return that one. Yeah, there wasn't any blocking, but the defenders were about 10 yards away so he still could have gotten something of a return with the possibility of breaking a tackle and busting it loose
zoogs
New member
They might happen 90% of the time if they're not covered. Think back to Lightbourn's fake (not atypical) where the punter has that option and he runs it if he sees the defense isn't watching for it.
Once they make sure the kick has happened, the coverage team is far downfield already. They're not going to be chased down from behind and shoved in the back. If the kick doesn't go out of bounds or into the endzone, it's the PR's job to fair catch.
A fair catch isn't an uncommon result for a punt, is it? Especially against decent punters who get good hangtime. I think other times where you have them pinned deep and they're going to try a line drive just to get some distance on it, you have a better chance of fielding the kick early enough to get a return set up. But every good return I've ever seen involves the PR making a few good moves and bursting up field past the first wave. It's not like the punt defense is there man-on-man blocking everybody as he catches the ball.
Thanks_Tom RR
New member
You want DPE to try to return with 6 NW players around and no blockers? No f-ing way!