I have noticed this NFL season that punt returners have been fielding the ball inside their own 10 yard line. I question this practice, because the general rule was to put your heels on the 10 yard line and signal for a fair catch, while hoping the ball travels to the end zone for a touchback.

Even today in the Indianapolis Colts - Jacksonville Jaguars game, I saw Colt's WR Troy Walters returning a punt inside his 10 yard line. This is a phenomenon I've noticed this NFL season. Always in the past football announcers would ridicule punt returners who didn't let to ball go, but not now. Maybe NFL coaches changed their minds during the offseason, and those outside the world of football were not alerted. I know that punters work on causing the ball to die inside the 10 yard line, however if you muff the punt, then a touchdown going the other way is almost certain.

I don't know why you should field a punt inside your 10 yard line, unless it is the end of the half or game. It is too risky, except when the game is clearly out of reach. Maybe I am too cautious in regards to my football play calling, which explains why I am not a football coach.

More 2005 Football Archive Articles

Sport Article Sections