prothro should return punts

[crimsonbama]

brandon brooks is very dangerous in the open field, but he is getting killed back there. he hasn't had much in the way of protection for the first five yards after he catches it, but he isn't making plays that benefit our team. he already has over 5 returns for negative yardage, drops, and he gets drilled every time. we haven't been able to get the ball to prothro much through the passing game, and he is one of those players that you have got to get the ball to. even though he isn't much larger than bb, it is easy to tell when he KO's linebackers while blocking that he could break that initial tackle by a wide receiver on coverage. just my 2 cents.

 

[wahpuh]

I tend to agree. As I posted on another thread, I believe that Prothro needs 6-10 touches per game. :biga:

 

[bayoutider]

I tend to agree I would also like to see Prothro return some punts. But as stated, Brooks isn't getting a lot of protection so I don't know how much of an improvement it would be. This is one part of our special teams that could use some improvement but considering the number of freshmen on special teams, it may take a while.

 

[jdpas29]

coverage is the problem...

 

[JessN]

Until our outside gunners start blocking better, I'd rather not have a starting WR back there catching punts. Brooks really hasn't had a fair shot yet.

It's basically the only thing on special teams we're doing consistently wrong at the moment.

 

[wastedmason]

I agree with Jess. With the way season ending injuries have been occuring, Prothro will no doubt be more valuable as a reciever and a go to playmaker than before. It scares the hell out of me watching our punt returns. Someone's gonna get killed.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I would like to see Prothro get the ball on more reverses and end arounds like David Palmer got in his time. Saturday was proof enough that the guy is a playmaker and needs to touch the ball as much as possible.

 

[JessN]

That I'll agree with. Getting him the ball in safe situations cuts down on the risk of injury. Nothing can completely eradicate it, but you have to cut risks when you can.

There's a push among many to make Prothro at least a part-time running back with the loss of Hudson, but with Prothro in the game as a WR, it's like having an extra fullback blocking on the corners. Prothro literally blocks better than some offensive linemen I've seen lately -- Kentucky's center, to name one. This from a guy who is 5'9", 175.

I'd like to see more cross motion from the WRs on running plays, and a WR reverse-pass from Prothro to a receiver downfield isn't out of the question. He can pull it off.

If there's anything I'd like to see Shula do, it's loosen his collar when it comes to motion and playcalling. Not necessarily by throwing downfield 35 times a game, but making this a little more like a college offense. College defenders can be suckered into a lot of things that pro defenders won't bite upon. And when you've got a multi-tool weapon like Prothro on offense, use him.

Prothro would do a very good job returning punts, but I can just see him taking a knee shot during a throw-away game and getting knocked out. It would be our luck.

 

[chris]

he's the closest to................

palmer since,well,palmer! i say do EVERYTHING possible to get the ball in his hands as often as possible. ***!!!

 

[drjamesm]

Agree ,anyone else M Caddell or Prothro.

I just feel someone else needs to return punts,b/c of poor decisions on when to call fair catches,when to field the ball or let it bounce etc.
drjamesm

 

[Mussofan22]

I'd like to see Prothro and Brooks back on punts together for three reasons. (1) If there's a fumble, you have somebody there to recover the ball. (2) One can throw a block for the other, since we have trouble blocking opponents coming down to cover the punt. (3) There's an opportunity for some trickery (like a reverse) when necessary.

Does anybody agree?

 

[ashleync]

I thought Milons was the second coming of David Palmer for One season and one play of another (UCLA 2000). I am not convinced that Prothro is a weapon of that caliber, mainly due to his relative lack of touches so far. I see a lot of throws toward Caddell because of his possession abilities. But it is biting us in the butt against big, fast, physical teams like Arky and S. Carolina. More is needed than mere possession players. With our passing game being way down, we have to prove that there is one or two men who, when they get the ball, are dangerous and must be accounted for. With the loss of Hudson, even more pressure must be relieved on the running attack, even though it's our bread and butter.

The first Q of our game against UK was a pretty good indication of the various ways to beat a defense. Sadly, it was still Kentucky.

 

[crimsonthrough]

We Are

the worst in the league in punt returns so i say why not! Give him a shot

 

[UA90]

I think Prothro needs to be touching the ball 10-15 times a game.