We have not had a dynamic returner since Scotty. Have we even had a return for a TD since then (cmon BDK, I know you have this info stashed somewhere)? I know we had one against UNC but it was called back (think it was Scott).

Some of the most memorable moments of JMU football for me are kick returns. 2004 Thompson vs UD (to go along with the NO FLAGS call), the RU return and the App St return both by McGee.

Returns setup field position, and get the crowd into it. Such an exciting play.

So does anyone know who will be returning kicks for us this year?

Dukester? He's been known to get the crowd into it!

I'm guessing we'll see Dejor back there again.

I've been pumped about Dejor since the day we signed him. Really hoping he's able to break out & we can see his speed on display as RB2 & KR1/PR1.

I'm much more interested in our kickoffs and kick coverage than kickoff returns.

My guess is DQ will take punt returns and that Dejor and Jeremiah Wilson will take kick returns.

(08-16-2013 07:33 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  I've been pumped about Dejor since the day we signed him. Really hoping he's able to break out & we can see his speed on display as RB2 & KR1/PR1.

From my vantage point, it looked like he was going to the house on the first offensive play against WVU last year and just got tripped up. That would have been awesome. He was very quiet after that but he should be a guy who can thrive in that role.

Dejor goes down too easily. Need someone with a little more strength and ability to break loose/

According to the DNR today, looks like Dejor and WR Coby Branch will handle kickoffs this year. MM claims Branch is the fastest guy on the team. He's also not very big at 5-9 180, so hopefully he and Dejor get some good blocking on special teams.

The change in kickoff yardline probably had some adverse effect on kickoff returns as well the past couple of years.

(08-22-2013 11:04 AM)Yesolitis Wrote:  The change in kickoff yardline probably had some adverse effect on kickoff returns as well the past couple of years.

What impact should it have had on our kickoff coverage?

(08-22-2013 01:29 PM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 11:04 AM)Yesolitis Wrote:  The change in kickoff yardline probably had some adverse effect on kickoff returns as well the past couple of years.

What impact should it have had on our kickoff coverage?

Well having the kicker pooch the ball to the oppositions 25-30 probably hasn't helped in that regard either.

(08-22-2013 02:25 PM)JMaddy Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 01:29 PM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 11:04 AM)Yesolitis Wrote:  The change in kickoff yardline probably had some adverse effect on kickoff returns as well the past couple of years.

What impact should it have had on our kickoff coverage?

Well having the kicker pooch the ball to the oppositions 25-30 probably hasn't helped in that regard either.

Good point

(08-22-2013 08:47 PM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 02:25 PM)JMaddy Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 01:29 PM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 11:04 AM)Yesolitis Wrote:  The change in kickoff yardline probably had some adverse effect on kickoff returns as well the past couple of years.

What impact should it have had on our kickoff coverage?

Well having the kicker pooch the ball to the oppositions 25-30 probably hasn't helped in that regard either.

Good point

I thought we did that pooch kicking a lot less last year, which I attributed to the new kick-off rules. Was I wrong?

(09-03-2013 10:38 AM)fanofallthatisjmu Wrote:  DQ had quite the nice return. Looks like our return game could be solid. Though, I do not quite get the 3 deep return men on punts.

On a forth and forever it makes a lot of sense. The two extra guys back there can help set up a return wall and unlike the gunner coverage* as they won't be running the wrong way when the returner gets the ball. (*Traditional coverage has two guys run with each of the kicking team 'gunners' blocking them down the field, making four people who are effectively unable to give up field blocking support to the returner.)

The problem with the 3 guys deep is on forth and short (up to even 7 yards) you're now outnumbered up front 11-8, giving the kicking team an opportunity to punish you for not having enough people up front to stop them. Just run a blocking back in motion to set up a 'bubble screen' with the flanker/gunner blocking one-on-one vs. the only corner out there. Easy way to get a few yards if you don't need much.

(09-03-2013 10:38 AM)fanofallthatisjmu Wrote:  DQ had quite the nice return. Looks like our return game could be solid. Though, I do not quite get the 3 deep return men on punts.

The thinking behind 3 deep is to counter the other team punting the ball rugby style. Almost every team has gone to that and a single back can't cover the ball. 3 deep prevents the ball from rolling forever. Could improve our field position dramatically. Kudos to MM for making the change.

Plus you have 3 weapons back. Good luck punting away from all 3