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Message: <blockquote data-quote="HardRightEdge" data-source="post: 505631">Better yet...how about when Ted Ginn went down and his fill-in Williams had two punt return fumbles in that 2011 playoff game. It's hard not to say those plays cost them the game, and a legit shot at a SB title. But that's not an argument for Cobb. It's an argument for a punt returner who lives up to Job #1...don't fumble. 40 punt returns in a season are a lot after you throw out touchbacks, downs, out of bounds, fair catches. That's 2.5 returns per game. The difference between a good returner vs. a mediocre one is maybe 4 yds. per return (say, 12 yds, vs. 8 yds.). That works out to a 10 yard field position difference per game. The risk / reward equation doesn't argue for the good returner if he has starter value. What these numbers do say is a mediocre returner without starter value who executes Job #1..."don't fumble"...is perfectly adequate. One lost fumble costs about 40 yds, in field position (or worse if there's a scoop and run), wiping out several games of good work. These fumbles also have the nasty habit of being momentum shifters...scores frequently follow. We just have to find a guy who meets those minimum qualifications (sure handed, mediocre runner). If we don't, then Cobb it will be. But the obvious risks go unmitigated.</blockquote>

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