Why hasn't Mike Thomas returned punts all year?

by Alfie Crow on Oct 26, 2011 11:01 AM EDT in Jacksonville Jaguars Off-Topic

On Monday Night Football, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Mike Thomas saw playing time at punt returner for the first time this season. This was a role for him the past two years and he was a proven threat returning the ball and key for field position. Through the first six games of the season, rookie receiver Cecil Shorts III was returning punts and was completely ineffective, even a liability at times.

On Monday, Thomas returned six punts for 37 yards including a 28 yard return that setup a field goal. Thomas also had some other long returns knocked out by penalties.

Conventional wisdom would tell you that Mike Thomas was the team's number one receiver, so he couldn't be risked on punt returns. That's fine and all, but when your passing game is already poor, you need all of the field position you can get. It makes more sense to put a reliable and explosive returner back there instead of a rookie who looks overwhelmed and continues to make poor decisions fielding the ball.

With the return of Mike Sims-Walker, it allowed for another viable wide receiving option and let Thomas go back to punt returns. In the return however, interestingly enough Sims-Walker dominated the snaps for the Jaguars receivers playing in 58 snaps. Jason Hill, who led the team in receptions and targets for the night, played 44 snaps while Mike Thomas played just 30.

So... why wasn't Mike Thomas returning punts all year long again?

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Comments

He needs to continue returning punts from here on out

I agree that it was probably because they wanted to protect him as he is our #1 receiver but its not like its a rule. Percy Harvin is a returner for the Vikings and hes their #1. Its all about who is the most effective at the job, and Cecil Shorts clearly isnt, Thomas is.

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by kterr on Oct 26, 2011 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

My guess is, they thought that Shorts could transition to the game better

if he did some punt returns. You know, build some confidence. Obviously that was a FAIL lol.

by ScottyD4Life on Oct 26, 2011 11:11 AM EDT reply actions

I guess you can't learn without trying something new,

even if it’s a failure.

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by Shane Clemons on Oct 26, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

At first it seemed obvious but when you make this argument

it can only be attributed to the type of “JDR” thought process that makes you say: Why?

I'd rather be golfing.

by iodrew on Oct 26, 2011 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

Because JDR...

is still the head coach.

by jagcat on Oct 26, 2011 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

I like

having a coach who’s as much of a bad-ass as his players, yet one who’s also [somewhat] humble and not a big-mouth. We may never again have a coach that goes for it on fourth down as much as he does, I love that about him. While he’s not perfect, he does have some great qualities. I’ll miss him when he’s gone.

I'd rather be golfing.

by iodrew on Oct 26, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Jack doesn't dermine who the punt returner is.

Just like Jack is blameless in everything that goes wrong on this team.

by Slawsc on Oct 26, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Seriously, it's incredible it took this long to get MT in there.

It was clear from the beginning that Shorts had no idea what he was doing back there. It shouldn’t have taken this long, but thank goodness it’s fixed.

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by JPQ! on Oct 26, 2011 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

At first

My guess is the Jag’s were just trying to get him out there and get him the ball somehow thinking he would be able to make some plays. But after the First game the Jag’s should have made the switch. Im really hoping Shorts can get it together and actually make some sort if impact because everyone knows that our team and Blaine could use the help! But at this point il be happy just to see him make a catch! He’s just looked so overwhelmed at the NFL level and it shows!

by Jags85 on Oct 26, 2011 11:36 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I wonder how long it took Pierre Garcon to adapt to the NFL, since Cecil is the next Pierre Garcon.

by Slawsc on Oct 26, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

He didn't play in his rookie year

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by tiquanunderwear on Oct 26, 2011 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Even if he did...

he would’ve had Manning throwing him the ball which should’ve made his transition much more seamless.

by Keenan J on Oct 26, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

You answered you're own question

First sentence of fourth paragraph.. is why Mike Thomas has not been returning punts all year. Not much more than that.

by Speedy101 on Oct 26, 2011 12:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Exactly

“…your passing game is already poor” – Think of how awful it would’ve been if Mike Thomas got injured on a punt return ?

Also, let’s think about what happens on teams that make knee jerk reactions to player mistakes. Like Baltimore sitting Ray Rice down for much of the game because of one early fumble ? He was out of the game on many 3rd downs where he usually excels catching passes.

Jack believes in his players. Even though MJD had fumbled a few times, he still gave him the ball. He even ran the ball twice just before the half when I’m sure most of us were wanting them to just take a knee and go to the locker room. What Jack was doing was telling MJD that he had faith in him and Maurice was going to have to keep working to help us get a win.

by pksiv on Oct 26, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

It's halfway through the season....

Shorts has shown enough…of the wrong stuff (at least on PR).

As for Rice taking a seat…I agree the coaching staff gave up too early on the run. While the scouting report tells them to pass on us, they needed a better balance.s

by bigcats on Oct 27, 2011 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Simply baffling why he hasn't.

1) If Ed Reed can return kicks, I’m not so sure Mike Thomas is the type of elite, glass-house playmaker that needs to be “protected” from special teams. Absurd.

2) You guys think Shorts has ever returned kicks at any level? I mean it’s not like M80 is an all-world returner…he just knows when to actually return punts/call fair catch.

by bigcats on Oct 27, 2011 12:59 AM EDT reply actions

Punt Returns

Shorts is a Rookie and has made several rookie mistakes this season. That being said…Mike Thomas only had ONE decent punt return on Monday night…and that came on a punt that the Ravens outkicked their coverage. Given the same circumstances, I would expect that Shorts would have performed eqaully as well iof not better on that one long return. The REST OF THE GAME…Thomas was horrible and averaged even less than Shorts has all season on punt returns. Shorts will be awesome and has the right mindset and talent to do so. MJD said on camera during the pre-season that Shorts has shown more playmaking ability than any other receiver on the roster during training camp. I hope to see Shorts back out there as mour punt returner before this season is over.

by flipstone on Oct 27, 2011 3:42 PM EDT reply actions