Why Bobo?

[appst89]

OK, so now that we've won 3 in a row and the Haters can't bitch and moan about the team, we're back to crapping on individual players?

SInce when is discussing concerns bitching and moaning? I think you would rather all of us stand around and sing we are the champions!

Kevin Bacon?

This is where somebody says, "That is what message boards are for,"

And that would be wrong how?

[NewApp]

OK, so now that we've won 3 in a row and the Haters can't bitch and moan about the team, we're back to crapping on individual players?

SInce when is discussing concerns bitching and moaning? I think you would rather all of us stand around and sing we are the champions!

Kevin Bacon?

This is where somebody says, "That is what message boards are for,"

And that would be wrong how?

Didn't say it was wrong. Some like it and some don't.

[Rick0714]

Since watching Corey Lynch suffer a serious injury returning punts, I soundly disagree with putting a "starter" back there to return punts. McElf has been too valuable as a receiver this season. I have no idea why people are down on him. He has better "football speed" than most anyone on the team, will block his hind end off, runs the best routes on the team, works his tail off and the best dang hands you'll see. I have been told Bobo has great ball security and they felt like he has the best judgement. I'd rather have a guy that is rarely going to put us in a bad situation.

For those that have never done it, fielding a punt is nothing like catching a pass, so just because someone has good hands as a receiver it does not mean he will be great at fielding a punt. Look at Devin Hester, he has crap hands at receiver, but awesome at fielding punts. Also, there are "speedsters" that are good punt returners, but you usually want someone more shifty than fast. You do not build return walls returning punts, that's for kick returns. In a punt you have to have guys at the line (usually a 7-3-1, 8-2-1, 7-2-1-1, etc), what you look for is taking the gunners out of the play and getting guys back to seal a lane. I've been forced, literally, to coach special teams in the past and it is one of the most difficult things to do as a player or a coach.

IMHO, the thing really lacking for App is they need to get a Special Teams COACH. Ivey does well with the DL, but we've been having issues with Special Teams long before Bobo got here. Some schools use a Grad Ass or two position coaches to work ST, but we need more brain power. Maybe its the "kickers aren't football players" mentality, but punt returning isn't our only issue.

[mtnjax]

Here is a better question.

Why Bobo on the reverses? Why not Sumler or Lewis who have much better speed to beat the defenders to the edge? On the 1 reverse we ran, I knew it was going to be a negative play because Bobo couldn't beat the DL to the edge and tried to cut back inside and the DL beat him there too.

[ASUPATCH]

Here is a better question.

Why Bobo on the reverses? Why not Sumler or Lewis who have much better speed to beat the defenders to the edge? On the 1 reverse we ran, I knew it was going to be a negative play because Bobo couldn't beat the DL to the edge and tried to cut back inside and the DL beat him there too.

Why they ran Bobo on the reverse was very odd. Reverses are normal for a speedster with bad hand to get the guy in space, Bobo has proven to be sure handed and hard nosed, one thing he has never proven is making people miss in space. Which is why you run a reverse in the first place.

[bcoach]

Since watching Corey Lynch suffer a serious injury returning punts, I soundly disagree with putting a "starter" back there to return punts. McElf has been too valuable as a receiver this season. I have no idea why people are down on him. He has better "football speed" than most anyone on the team, will block his hind end off, runs the best routes on the team, works his tail off and the best dang hands you'll see. I have been told Bobo has great ball security and they felt like he has the best judgement. I'd rather have a guy that is rarely going to put us in a bad situation.

For those that have never done it, fielding a punt is nothing like catching a pass, so just because someone has good hands as a receiver it does not mean he will be great at fielding a punt. Look at Devin Hester, he has crap hands at receiver, but awesome at fielding punts. Also, there are "speedsters" that are good punt returners, but you usually want someone more shifty than fast. You do not build return walls returning punts, that's for kick returns. In a punt you have to have guys at the line (usually a 7-3-1, 8-2-1, 7-2-1-1, etc), what you look for is taking the gunners out of the play and getting guys back to seal a lane. I've been forced, literally, to coach special teams in the past and it is one of the most difficult things to do as a player or a coach.

IMHO, the thing really lacking for App is they need to get a Special Teams COACH. Ivey does well with the DL, but we've been having issues with Special Teams long before Bobo got here. Some schools use a Grad Ass or two position coaches to work ST, but we need more brain power. Maybe its the "kickers aren't football players" mentality, but punt returning isn't our only issue.

That hits the nail on the head. we have many more issues with ST than Bobo. You are absolutely right about Mark. DL great but we need a ST coach. That has been a problem for a long time.

[WVAPPeer]

You guys can argue who should/shouldn't return punts but I have one simple philosophy with this --- Give me the guy who catches the punt and doesn't fumble and I don't care if our return average is ZERO as long as our fumbled punts is ZERO as well --- 2 reasons I feel this way
1. We have a very good offensive unit which can move the ball in the air and on the ground - Take the fair catch and get our offense onto the field ---
2. And most importantly - Our defense has just stopped our opponents and forced them to punt - We fumble the punt and the defense has to go right back out there with no break - AND, in many cases our opponents will take over inside the RedZone and all averages say they will come away with points ---

[ASUPATCH]

You guys can argue who should/shouldn't return punts but I have one simple philosophy with this --- Give me the guy who catches the punt and doesn't fumble and I don't care if our return average is ZERO as long as our fumbled punts is ZERO as well --- 2 reasons I feel this way
1. We have a very good offensive unit which can move the ball in the air and on the ground - Take the fair catch and get our offense onto the field ---
2. And most importantly - Our defense has just stopped our opponents and forced them to punt - We fumble the punt and the defense has to go right back out there with no break - AND, in many cases our opponents will take over inside the RedZone and all averages say they will come away with points ---

Bobo has muffed two kicks this year. So who would you like then WV?

[WVAPPeer]

You guys can argue who should/shouldn't return punts but I have one simple philosophy with this --- Give me the guy who catches the punt and doesn't fumble and I don't care if our return average is ZERO as long as our fumbled punts is ZERO as well --- 2 reasons I feel this way
1. We have a very good offensive unit which can move the ball in the air and on the ground - Take the fair catch and get our offense onto the field ---
2. And most importantly - Our defense has just stopped our opponents and forced them to punt - We fumble the punt and the defense has to go right back out there with no break - AND, in many cases our opponents will take over inside the RedZone and all averages say they will come away with points ---

Bobo has muffed two kicks this year. So who would you like then WV?

Don't remember - did we lose possession on those? ---

[EastHallApp]

You guys can argue who should/shouldn't return punts but I have one simple philosophy with this --- Give me the guy who catches the punt and doesn't fumble and I don't care if our return average is ZERO as long as our fumbled punts is ZERO as well --- 2 reasons I feel this way
1. We have a very good offensive unit which can move the ball in the air and on the ground - Take the fair catch and get our offense onto the field ---
2. And most importantly - Our defense has just stopped our opponents and forced them to punt - We fumble the punt and the defense has to go right back out there with no break - AND, in many cases our opponents will take over inside the RedZone and all averages say they will come away with points ---

You are certainly entitled to that view (and I think we discussed it a while back re: Armanti). I just disagree with it. Way too conservative IMO. Reminds me of the old saying, "Three things can happen when you pass the ball, and two of them are bad." Both examples of playing not to lose, or playing out of fear of making a mistake.

[ASUPATCH]

You guys can argue who should/shouldn't return punts but I have one simple philosophy with this --- Give me the guy who catches the punt and doesn't fumble and I don't care if our return average is ZERO as long as our fumbled punts is ZERO as well --- 2 reasons I feel this way
1. We have a very good offensive unit which can move the ball in the air and on the ground - Take the fair catch and get our offense onto the field ---
2. And most importantly - Our defense has just stopped our opponents and forced them to punt - We fumble the punt and the defense has to go right back out there with no break - AND, in many cases our opponents will take over inside the RedZone and all averages say they will come away with points ---

Bobo has muffed two kicks this year. So who would you like then WV?

Don't remember - did we lose possession on those? ---

One for sure, cant remember on the second one. The important thing is he is putting them on the ground and giving the other team a chance at a short field.

[WVAPPeer]

You guys can argue who should/shouldn't return punts but I have one simple philosophy with this --- Give me the guy who catches the punt and doesn't fumble and I don't care if our return average is ZERO as long as our fumbled punts is ZERO as well --- 2 reasons I feel this way
1. We have a very good offensive unit which can move the ball in the air and on the ground - Take the fair catch and get our offense onto the field ---
2. And most importantly - Our defense has just stopped our opponents and forced them to punt - We fumble the punt and the defense has to go right back out there with no break - AND, in many cases our opponents will take over inside the RedZone and all averages say they will come away with points ---

You are certainly entitled to that view (and I think we discussed it a while back re: Armanti). I just disagree with it. Way too conservative IMO. Reminds me of the old saying, "Three things can happen when you pass the ball, and two of them are bad." Both examples of playing not to lose, or playing out of fear of making a mistake.

Yes - I felt the same about Armanti --- In my mind it is not way too conservative if you have an offense which is moving the ball like our guys are right now - and just for the record I have for years always thought that quote about passing was hogwash

[sixtoes9134]

I'm sure Bobo learned from that.

[EastHallApp]

You guys can argue who should/shouldn't return punts but I have one simple philosophy with this --- Give me the guy who catches the punt and doesn't fumble and I don't care if our return average is ZERO as long as our fumbled punts is ZERO as well --- 2 reasons I feel this way
1. We have a very good offensive unit which can move the ball in the air and on the ground - Take the fair catch and get our offense onto the field ---
2. And most importantly - Our defense has just stopped our opponents and forced them to punt - We fumble the punt and the defense has to go right back out there with no break - AND, in many cases our opponents will take over inside the RedZone and all averages say they will come away with points ---

You are certainly entitled to that view (and I think we discussed it a while back re: Armanti). I just disagree with it. Way too conservative IMO. Reminds me of the old saying, "Three things can happen when you pass the ball, and two of them are bad." Both examples of playing not to lose, or playing out of fear of making a mistake.

Yes - I felt the same about Armanti --- In my mind it is not way too conservative if you have an offense which is moving the ball like our guys are right now - and just for the record I have for years always thought that quote about passing was hogwash

As well as our offense is playing, they failed to score on 7 of 12 drives Saturday (one of which was a turnover that set up ULM at our 12). Obviously not all of those were preceded by punts, but my point is that, in a game that was decided by a FG, there was plenty of room for more production.

The other point I would make is that I think it's a mistake to suggest that a productive return game is mutually exclusive with ball security. I'm sure we all agree that you can't have someone back there who's a chronic fumbler. But surely we can also agree that the team would be better off if we had a return man who could both cleanly field punts AND gain us better field position.

[WVAPPeer]

Man you are talking in perfect scenarios - if we had a game-breaking punt returner who never fumbled we would have seen him by now ---

[App91]

Man you are talking in perfect scenarios - if we had a game-breaking punt returner who never fumbled we would have seen him by now ---

No, he would be in the NFL!!

[T-Dog]

Look at Percy Harvin. Great hands as a receiver and kickoff returns, but never fields punts because he always muffs them in practice. It's a different animal to catch a ball that is coming straight down with opponents literally three feet from you.

Bobo muffed one late in the Campbell game but got it back. Can't remember another one, so I don't think he's lost one this year.

But yes, his return attempt on Saturday was completely insane.

[ASUPATCH]

Look at Percy Harvin. Great hands as a receiver and kickoff returns, but never fields punts because he always muffs them in practice. It's a different animal to catch a ball that is coming straight down with opponents literally three feet from you.

Bobo muffed one late in the Campbell game but got it back. Can't remember another one, so I don't think he's lost one this year.

But yes, his return attempt on Saturday was completely insane.

Southern Alabama game Bobo lost one.


http://www.appstatesports.com/fls/21500 ... /app05.htm
Usa 4-6 at Usa29 McKee, Brandon punt 36 yards to the APP35, Beathard, Bobo return 0 yards to the APP35, fumble by Beathard, Bobo recovered by USA Johnson, Xavier at APP35.

[hapapp]

Look at Percy Harvin. Great hands as a receiver and kickoff returns, but never fields punts because he always muffs them in practice. It's a different animal to catch a ball that is coming straight down with opponents literally three feet from you.

Bobo muffed one late in the Campbell game but got it back. Can't remember another one, so I don't think he's lost one this year.

But yes, his return attempt on Saturday was completely insane.

Southern Alabama game Bobo lost one.


http://www.appstatesports.com/fls/21500 ... /app05.htm
Usa 4-6 at Usa29 McKee, Brandon punt 36 yards to the APP35, Beathard, Bobo return 0 yards to the APP35, fumble by Beathard, Bobo recovered by USA Johnson, Xavier at APP35.

In other words in the last four games he hasn't muffed one. I do think someone needs to tell him to forget about retreating on punt returns as it usually results in negative yardage and often a block in the back penalty. I do also like Al Groh's advice about returning a KO when one has to step back into the end zone. Your momentum is carrying you in the wrong direction. Bobo has made some bad decisions in the return game that I would chalk up to a lack of coaching some of finer points in returning kicks. Quite frankly if there is no one else the staff has confidence in at this point, I would be fine if he just fair caught all punts for the rest of the season.

[WVAPPeer]

Look at Percy Harvin. Great hands as a receiver and kickoff returns, but never fields punts because he always muffs them in practice. It's a different animal to catch a ball that is coming straight down with opponents literally three feet from you.

Bobo muffed one late in the Campbell game but got it back. Can't remember another one, so I don't think he's lost one this year.

But yes, his return attempt on Saturday was completely insane.

Southern Alabama game Bobo lost one.


http://www.appstatesports.com/fls/21500 ... /app05.htm
Usa 4-6 at Usa29 McKee, Brandon punt 36 yards to the APP35, Beathard, Bobo return 0 yards to the APP35, fumble by Beathard, Bobo recovered by USA Johnson, Xavier at APP35.

In other words in the last four games he hasn't muffed one. I do think someone needs to tell him to forget about retreating on punt returns as it usually results in negative yardage and often a block in the back penalty. I do also like Al Groh's advice about returning a KO when one has to step back into the end zone. Your momentum is carrying you in the wrong direction. Bobo has made some bad decisions in the return game that I would chalk up to a lack of coaching some of finer points in returning kicks. Quite frankly if there is no one else the staff has confidence in at this point, I would be fine if he just fair caught all punts for the rest of the season.

Agree 100% ---