What concerns me with LF returning the kickoffs is more times than not he gets absolutely trucked. He has been just blown up quite a few times and makes me wonder why he can't see it on a return but does well off tackle.
Returning kicks is not about pure speed, it is about the right cuts and the right angles and requires a guy with good vision and some moves. Fournette is fast and powerful and prefers to punish the tackler rather than evading him. He's good at getting back to the 25 and a few yards extra, which is fine, but he's not breaking any big ones. It's time to finds a more effective punt and kick returner for next year and save Fournette's body for the offense.
I agree, he's consistent, but doesn't give much of a big play potential at that position. The roster is littered with athletes, there should be other options available.
Littered with athletes whose loss from an injury incurred returning a kick wouldn't be nearly as devastating as the loss of Fournette. If LF had a gift for kick returning like Patrick Peterson or Tyrann Mathieu it would be a no brainer but there are much better options on the roster than LF
I think we should let someone else return the kicks. He is a great tailback, but from what I've observed, an average return man. I'd rather have him fresh for 1st and 10. Plus, it exposes him to injury, because of the speed of some of those collisions on kick returns.
There are other flashier players that could/should return. You can have a tackle return to the 20, but to go all the way, you need speed, moves, etc.
There are many opinions on this topic & I have to admit I've changed my mind several times reading this thread.
LF isnt game fast or shifty. I was not shocked he was caught from behind. Im more shocked at the 2 times he sorta pulled away from a defender. Not a good choice for kick returner. yeah les figured that one out by by petersons 3rd year. prolly didnt know the play book.
