The Bobcat Nation

After reading todays article in the chronicle about epikipo king (think thats how you spell it?) I was thinking why not have him return punts? Apparently he's the second fastest guy on the team, very strong, very athletic, and he was a running back in high school. Nothing against ryan force, but he is just average at best at returning punts. I miss seeing guys like corey smith out there with blazing speed... Anyway, just a thought? how does anyone else feel about our return guys?

Force doesn't drop the ball, end of story. Until we can find someone that can field a punt with sure hands, I don't care how slow he is I want Force back there.

kmax wrote:Force doesn't drop the ball, end of story. Until we can find someone that can field a punt with sure hands, I don't care how slow he is I want Force back there.

Bingo! And for the record, Force isnt slow. Returning punts is an art that Corey Smith mastered. You cant just put your head down and power over people, and you cant rely soley on speed to outrun people. You have to read seams, blocks, anticipate lanes opening, and be totally fearless.

But of the guys who I would like to see back there would be...
Rosey
Tra Murray
Eddie Smith
Ricky Gatewood

I'll echo this. King never practices with the ball in his hand. It's been two years since HS? Since then no ball (but then that can be said about Force).

I like Murray and Bass, if they can hold onto the ball. But I don't know if they will get a chance. Possibly if we get ahead in some game late.

BobcatLionFan wrote:I'll echo this. King never practices with the ball in his hand. It's been two years since HS? Since then no ball (but then that can be said about Force).

I like Murray and Bass, if they can hold onto the ball. But I don't know if they will get a chance. Possibly if we get ahead in some game late.

One of them, can't remember which, got the chance against SFA and dropped the punt and next time Force came out. At least I thought that happened, maybe I am remembering wrong.

It was Bass and that was one of his 3 fumbles that day (only lost 2).

kmax wrote:

BobcatLionFan wrote:I'll echo this. King never practices with the ball in his hand. It's been two years since HS? Since then no ball (but then that can be said about Force).

I like Murray and Bass, if they can hold onto the ball. But I don't know if they will get a chance. Possibly if we get ahead in some game late.

One of them, can't remember which, got the chance against SFA and dropped the punt and next time Force came out. At least I thought that happened, maybe I am remembering wrong.

No, you are 100% right. I think it was Bass that got a chance in the 3rQ. Fumbled and Force was in the next punt SFA had in the 4th.

It's just Bass would bring something electric to the mix. Possibly we can have Force and Bass back together side by side. Force catches the ball, hands it to Bass and the magic starts (just kidding).

But I would like to see Bass again. I'm a half full guy and he can't fumble more than Lulay and Brent have been?? Murray and Bass are the Kickoff Return guys also I believe.

Cat Pride wrote:

kmax wrote:Force doesn't drop the ball, end of story. Until we can find someone that can field a punt with sure hands, I don't care how slow he is I want Force back there.

Bingo! And for the record, Force isnt slow. Returning punts is an art that Corey Smith mastered. You cant just put your head down and power over people, and you cant rely soley on speed to outrun people. You have to read seams, blocks, anticipate lanes opening, and be totally fearless.

But of the guys who I would like to see back there would be...
Rosey
Tra Murray
Eddie Smith
Ricky Gatewood

I dont think you want Rosey back there either. He is so scared to get hit that he is a fumble waiting to happen.

94VegasCat wrote:

Cat Pride wrote:

kmax wrote:Force doesn't drop the ball, end of story. Until we can find someone that can field a punt with sure hands, I don't care how slow he is I want Force back there.

Bingo! And for the record, Force isnt slow. Returning punts is an art that Corey Smith mastered. You cant just put your head down and power over people, and you cant rely soley on speed to outrun people. You have to read seams, blocks, anticipate lanes opening, and be totally fearless.

But of the guys who I would like to see back there would be...
Rosey
Tra Murray
Eddie Smith
Ricky Gatewood

I dont think you want Rosey back there either. He is so scared to get hit that he is a fumble waiting to happen.

He was the return man last year until he got injured at Idaho State. I don't remember him having any problems with fumbles.

I think Roosevelt would be worth a try again as well. He has the speed and I haven't seen the fumble tendencies everyone keeps talking about.

Everyone is so down on Roosevelt. I remember last year the first few games thinking he was the only one who could freaking hold on to the ball. He is very fast, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to put him on special teams somewhere, at least on kickoffs.

Well apparently I wasn't the only one who was not satisfied with force returning punts! I'll take murray returning them any day of the week over force, he almost broke one today for a TD, (was that the only punt from ND?) Hell of a win! Go Cats!!

Corey was a good returner, but for the most part, it was the blocking scheme and Junior who helped him get to that point. Junior Adams mastered the punt return, he had moves that nobody has seen since his knee injury. He taught Corey how to return and that is why we had a great return game two years ago.

kmax wrote:Force doesn't drop the ball, end of story. Until we can find someone that can field a punt with sure hands, I don't care how slow he is I want Force back there.

Same problem the Griz have. Our freshman returner/receiver returned a punt for a TD the 1st game and had some good returns against the Ducks but has put the ball on the ground several times. Last game he watched from the sidelines. Kick and punt returns MAY win a game for you when you do well, but they WILL loose games for you if you turn it over!

Well, surprises all over this weekend. Murray was back returning NDSU punts all game!!

Cold windy day and not the slightest problem catching the ball.

I would say there are other reasons why Force is back there some times and Murray others.

Would expect this to vary all year depending upon the team and score?