So it was slightly difficult for me to find a disappointing game or statistical performance this season. There were two plays that I am not fond of against the Pythons this season, though. It all started with practice earlier in the week. Kyle Idlewyld has been itching to return a kick or punt. I remember he came in the first week of training camp and made it known he would like to get a shot in the return game at some point. Our coaching staff decided that if the team locked up home field advantage, Idlewyld would get his chance. The team hasn’t been buzzing about it much lately, as we have been pretty focused, but Kyle sure got the best of me on one of my returns
For those who don’t know the rookie yet, I love the guy. He has a hard work ethic and he wants to win just as bad as anyone. Him, Deck and I like to compete to see who has the better game. With me returning punts and kicks, we can’t really argue much who is better in the return game right now. When we forced the Pythons to a 3 and out the first possession, I went for a return that I shouldn’t have. To make matters worse, I stumbled as I started planting my foot and stumbled. I ended up losing 3 yards on that first punt return. For a guy who prides himself on his returning abilities, I was pretty disappointed. I popped off for a 35-yard punt return later in the 2nd quarter and got my mojo back.
Early in the 3rd quarter, we got another 3 and out. Before running back 40 yards to take the punt, I told Kyle to watch and learn. The Pythons punter boots the ball and I’m tracking it well. As the ball is past it’s peak, I hear a booming Kyle yell out “don’t trip”. Now I’m not sure what I processed when I hear him yell that out, but my brain told me to back away and let the ball bounce. I normally make that decision earlier in the ball’s arc and give myself plenty of time to get back. I caught myself an awkward distance away from the ball and it took a nasty sideways bounce right at me. I instinctively reach down to grab it, but while doing so I catch the left gunner in the corner of my eye. I juke back, immediately going into a spin move in hopes of not getting clobbered. I avoid the gunner, but I see another Python closing in fast. I try to angle backwards in hopes of outrunning him. He was going full speed at me and I was trying to get going from zero to one hundred. It didn’t end well. I had another negative return, this time I lost 4 yards.
When we get over to the sidelines and I was pretty pissed. I’d rather call for a fair catch any day than give up yards on the return. I asked Kyle what the heck he was thinking. He fires back “What? I gave you sound advice. Don’t trip”. The way he delivered it cracked us both up and I felt at ease again. Going forward, we agreed no yelling anything on punt returns. I’m glad we got that figured out. Now if my punt returns suck, I’ll have to find a new excuse.
For those who don’t know the rookie yet, I love the guy. He has a hard work ethic and he wants to win just as bad as anyone. Him, Deck and I like to compete to see who has the better game. With me returning punts and kicks, we can’t really argue much who is better in the return game right now. When we forced the Pythons to a 3 and out the first possession, I went for a return that I shouldn’t have. To make matters worse, I stumbled as I started planting my foot and stumbled. I ended up losing 3 yards on that first punt return. For a guy who prides himself on his returning abilities, I was pretty disappointed. I popped off for a 35-yard punt return later in the 2nd quarter and got my mojo back.
Early in the 3rd quarter, we got another 3 and out. Before running back 40 yards to take the punt, I told Kyle to watch and learn. The Pythons punter boots the ball and I’m tracking it well. As the ball is past it’s peak, I hear a booming Kyle yell out “don’t trip”. Now I’m not sure what I processed when I hear him yell that out, but my brain told me to back away and let the ball bounce. I normally make that decision earlier in the ball’s arc and give myself plenty of time to get back. I caught myself an awkward distance away from the ball and it took a nasty sideways bounce right at me. I instinctively reach down to grab it, but while doing so I catch the left gunner in the corner of my eye. I juke back, immediately going into a spin move in hopes of not getting clobbered. I avoid the gunner, but I see another Python closing in fast. I try to angle backwards in hopes of outrunning him. He was going full speed at me and I was trying to get going from zero to one hundred. It didn’t end well. I had another negative return, this time I lost 4 yards.
When we get over to the sidelines and I was pretty pissed. I’d rather call for a fair catch any day than give up yards on the return. I asked Kyle what the heck he was thinking. He fires back “What? I gave you sound advice. Don’t trip”. The way he delivered it cracked us both up and I felt at ease again. Going forward, we agreed no yelling anything on punt returns. I’m glad we got that figured out. Now if my punt returns suck, I’ll have to find a new excuse.