No.....Daymond Patterson please.

let's clone kerry meier so that in 20 years we can have 22 kerry meiers to play every position.

Agree. Meier would be a great choice. Big, fast, lots of guts, and very good hands. Plus, he's got the brains to fair catch when it is warranted.

Jake Sharp, espescially if we rotate the backfield. We need to get the ball in this kids hands in the open field more often.

Now I have to say that I had thought ever since we signed Daymond Patterson that he would be the new punt returner, but I have to say that I dont think having Kerry Meier returning them would be such a bad thing. He really is fast has good hands and for the most part can always see the field very well and make smart decisions from what is in front of him so I actually dont think it would be a bad idea. But I still do think that Daymond would make on heck of a return man.

Tom, thank you for writing a football piece. I love the basketball team and am pleased our players were selected in the NBA Draft, but enough already! Football season is a mere 58 days away and we have seen a dearth of KU football stories.

Regarding the punt returner, I think Kerry Meier as punt returner is a strange idea. He has never returned punts. The job is Daymond Patterson's to lose.

I don't like Kerry Meier as a returner any more than I like him as a starting receiver. We are a Todd Reesing sprained ankle away from needing Kerry Meier to quarterback, and how comfortable would you be with your STARTING quarterback running back punts? I'm ok with K. Meier getting some duty at receiver, because he is just too good a football player to let him stand on the sidelines holding a clipboard. However, unless we have another backup that we are confident in (and as yet, I haven't seen anyone say that), I don't think Meier should be back there waiting for a punt while gunners fly down the field intent on taking his head off.

This is one aspect where I am somewhat critical of Mangino. I feel like he micro manages his punt return teams to the point that the returners over think the play. As a punt returner, you can't be thinking, you just have to feel and go. With Mangino though, since you know you will get ripped for making a mistake in the return game, that is always going to be in the back of your mind.

I still think Mangino is a good coach with a chance to take KU into the national spotlight on a consistent basis, so don't think I'm ripping him as a coach. As I said, this is one of the few things I would criticize him for. I just wish that we could get some big plays in the return game more consistently.

Isn't there a freshman coming in from Texas that is expected to be an excellent return man?

Jake Sharp... I like that idea.

natehawk.....Interesting choice in Jake Sharpe! He definitely has the guts and the speed. Can he catch the ball? If so, that might be an electrifying option!

I have no desire to see Kerry Meier's head separated from his body, which is EXACTLY what would happen if we put our backup QB back there!!!!!!

Now Jake Sharp, that's a HELLUVA idea ...

I would need a rolaids if I saw Kerry Meier returning punts...

What a terrible idea.

Fantastic article, if for no other reason it gets people talking about Kansas Football...

On the topic of the article, I can totally see where those of you that say Kerry returning punts is an awful idea--we all cringe at the thought of him going down.

HOWEVER, any time you put the pads and helmet on you are assuming a risk. Whether you are standing on the sidelines or returning punts, you stand the risk of being injured. Football is a collision sport; every player on the field knows that, the coaches know it too. It is their duty to put the best players for the position on the field.

Of course, you can get caught up in the 'what if' game, saying it scares the hell out of you to see your backup QB returning punts, saying 'what if' Reesing gets hurt? You have to look at the flip side and say 'what if' he doesn't? Then have we wasted a good punt returner by keeping him on the sidelines during Punt returns? If we have a guy back there who has cost us with fumbles, bad decisions, etc...could we have better results with Meier back there??

I just think you put the best guy for the job back there and let the chips fall where they may. After all, that thinking is part of what got us 12-1 and an Orange Bowl last year. Just my opinion...

I think if it was late in a game, and it was time to play ball control and we're not necessarily looking for a game-breaking play then I'd be ok with Kerry Meier...as long as he was sent out there with the instructions to take a fair-catch. He's a smart player, and he could do that with no problems. Mangino did something like this a couple years ago with Jonathan Lamb. Put in a smart consistent guy, that won't do anything real flashy, but won't hurt you either.

Every time we received a punt last year from about the K-State game to the rest of the season, I was just praying Webb or Pendelton would either: A. Get the heck out of the way, or B. Fair catch it. They made me so nervous. Meier wouldn't make me nervous if he was just sent out there to take the fair catch. I trust him.

Now as far as a game-breaking punt returner, I agree with natehawk. Jake Sharp would be a great choice, if he proves himself in practice. He can make people miss, and runs as hard as anyone. Give him a shot!

kackley,

The freshman from Texas is Daymond Patterson. And yes, he's an excellent returner.

Kackley, that would be a one Mr. Daymond Patterson.
His dad goes by DADEV and is an excellent poster on the Slant and PHOG.NET.

Kerry is fast but he's not quick, which is what you need to be a punt returner. You have a split second to make 1, 2 or 3 guys miss the tackle.

Based on the title of the article, I thought Keegan wanted to eat the next kick returner. Mmm....

My first thought is definately that Daymond Patterson should be our next punt returner, but because he might redshirt I would have to agree the Kerry would be the unconventional yet surprisingly good next choice. Interesting to think about, it will probably happen next year. He plays everything else...why not?

I would like to see Marcus Herford get a chance. He is an awesome kick returner, why can't he be punt returner as well.

I've thought of Herford as well. He would definitely have to react a little quicker than you do on a kickoff, but as long as he's not a starting WR, why not use him for something similar to what he's already good at.

I'm really not too worried about it though. The coaches will get to see numerous guys return punts all summer long and they'll be best suited to knowing who's ready to take on the task.

Daymond Patterson will settle this issue in short order. And Coach Warriner, don't forget about Daymond on the fly sweep.

i watched jake sharp in high school...he should be the guy returning punts and kick offs..hands down..i gurantee that he would return a few for touchdowns

I actually heard Mangino talk on his tv show (some of you probably remember this) about why Herford doesn't return punts. He said something to the effect that 'returning kickoffs has to do with building up an head of steam and looking for lanes from your blockers, whereas returning punts is more about juking single defenders one on one.' This is why hereford doesn't return punts, and one of many reasons why we probably won't see meier back there. Now as jhawkjdub said I'd love to see him back there like Jon Lamb was used in '05. Nothing flashy, but definately reliable. After watching last years' punt "returns" I'd be happy just to have him back there because I know he can catch the ball and hold onto it. i just don't think he has the footwork necessary to be a real weapon back there. (but i guess a brick as a weapon is more effective than a gun that the bullets fall out of.) Sharp on the other hand does have the tools to be a great punt returner, but we havent seen him, and there's probably a good reason for that, whatever it may be.

he needed to add another question to ask yourself when going through the roster: Can he consistently make the first person miss? Not sure if Meier can do that. Haven't had the chance to see Sharp play, but from all accounts is he is someone who could make a person miss and have the speed to take it for a TD. He is also used to running with the ball since he is a RB, as opposed to a defensive back who is not (I personally have always thought that this could pose a higher risk of fumbling when being tackled, but that's just me) As long as Sharp can handle catching the punt and making sound decisions back there, he sounds like the perfect fit.

I think that Patterson will be a good choice for returner. While it would be cool, Meier just isn't the right choice. Knowing that he's a QB, opposing teams would be gunning to injure him, not stop or contain, every single return. Jake Sharp would be an outstanding return man too. Especially if he's struggling against the incoming JUCO national player of the year for playing time, which I'd hate to admit but could be a real possibility. Who'd of thought that he'd play second fiddle to B-Mac last year? Anyway, with Mangino at the helm I'm not particularly concerned about ANY positions. The man just finds a way to get things done.

Can't put Meier back there, we need him for a backup QB and he is a good receiver. Patterson should be the guy. He is probably not ready to contribute in the passing game yet, but kick returning is less about knowing a scheme and more instinct and athleticism. (see Devin Hester)

ok my high school in topeka played jake sharps salina central team in fall of '05. the year they won state. needless to say we would have beaten them had jake not run back 2 kick offs for touchdowns. i realize punt returns are completely different but the kid showed great instinct and everyone knows he has that breakaway speed