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The punt returner position for those who are squawking

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uihawk82

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2021
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Some on here are wanting the next DeJean-Dwight-Wetjen to just magically appear out of the tunnel or bench. Saturday we had two punt returns and both by RVZ and both in the 4th qtr.

First one at about 12:30 of the 4th with a nice 11 yard run back. It was a 55 yd punt to the iowa 32 and two gunners were about 8 yards from him when he caught it. He made those two miss and had nice return.

The 2nd punt return was kicked from the isu 29 at the 4:37 mark. RVZ was standing at the iowa 25 which is about 46 yards from scrimmage especially after the previous 55 yard punt. But this punt he caught at the 33 so only a 38 yard punt and he was on the move when he caught it. You know the rest, RVZ did a stop and shift to make the first gunner miss and he got a 12 yard return to the iowa 45. A very good play

We heard Lutmer didnt get enough time in August at his safety spot so the didnt take many punts. Maybe he will be the returner soon. Usually, fast, quick short guys with moves make the great returners and RVZ is not short and is fast enough but not a burner.

I am fine with RVZ until James shows he can field all the decent punts. James maybe has more speed and moves so if he wins the job that is great.

But I wouldnt bag on RVZ.
 
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uihawk82

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2021
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TheGuy9 said:
a
AHHHH. But he has already returned one for a touchdown. Just sayin.
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I know and I said he will probably be getting a lot of practice fielding practice punts and he might be the guy.

RVZ might be safe but Evans might be the great one and Lutmer can run as he did when he picked on Mendoza the Great last year and weaved his way for about 40 yard return (too bad he couldnt have housed that INT)
 
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Lionhawk85

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Jun 8, 2022
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Catching punts is much MUCH harder than catching kickoffs. Punts have a more challenging trajectory, less predictable on distance, and the other team gunners possibly breathing down your neck. So the decision AND the execution are both much more challenging than kickoffs. Therefore I don’t see Doll or anyone else not very accustomed to catching balls and/or tracking (adjusting to) deep throws being a viable option.

we all know the huge momentum swing we get with a huge punt return, but the lost yardage by not catching the ball and letting it roll is a more consistent issue. Until James (or other) can demonstrate the ability to consistently make the right decision AND execute the catch without turning it over, I’m totally fine with RVZ back there even without much threat of big returns. The truth is we’ve probably been spoiled the last number of years and it’s time the offense make up for it now!
 
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herkhatescy2

All-Conference
Dec 2, 2024
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Lionhawk85 said:
Catching punts is much MUCH harder than catching kickoffs. Punts have a more challenging trajectory, less predictable on distance, and the other team gunners possibly breathing down your neck. So the decision AND the execution are both much more challenging than kickoffs. Therefore I don’t see Doll or anyone else not very accustomed to catching balls and/or tracking (adjusting to) deep throws being a viable option.

we all know the huge momentum swing we get with a huge punt return, but the lost yardage by not catching the ball and letting it roll is a more consistent issue. Until James (or other) can demonstrate the ability to consistently make the right decision AND execute the catch without turning it over, I’m totally fine with RVZ back there even without much threat of big returns. The truth is we’ve probably been spoiled the last number of years and it’s time the offense make up for it now!
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What's James got to do to demonstrate the ability to make the right decision? He has had 2 chances at a return and one was a touchdown and one bounced in front of the gunners.
 
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Sett1997

All-Conference
Oct 23, 2025
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herkhatescy2 said:
What's James got to do to demonstrate the ability to make the right decision? He has had 2 chances at a return and one was a touchdown and one bounced in front of the gunners.
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Exactly, he's had two opportunities. One was a 57 yard td, burner speed. The other he waved off! Zee backed off a couple , one costing 20 yards. He's nowhere near the threat James is. It's not close. Did they also miss the short side bad pass that James caught and did his best to try and stay in bounds? Mind boggling how most of the board could determine Zee is the better option based on the sample size. Lol
If you are going off of the two returns, it's obviously James.
 
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ItsinourTNA

ItsinourTNA

All-Conference
May 24, 2021
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Continue to split time between the two. Use VDZ when you simply need to field it. Use James when we are up against a weaker punt team or just need a spark.
 
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LetsGoHawks83

LetsGoHawks83

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Mar 20, 2015
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Seems that against UNI we should get James some more reps. I'd like to think we'll be fielding a lot of punts.

It is a REALLY difficult position to play and as we've seen it's high risk high reward. You are on a razers edge between hero and costing your team in a very visible way.
 
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Rifler

Rifler

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James will be fine as he gains experience fielding the ball,... He's already got the speed and agility for moving it.
 
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Oldman74

Sophomore
Dec 24, 2012
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Sett1997 said:
Exactly, he's had two opportunities. One was a 57 yard td, burner speed. The other he waved off! Zee backed off a couple , one costing 20 yards. He's nowhere near the threat James is. It's not close. Did they also miss the short side bad pass that James caught and did his best to try and stay in bounds? Mind boggling how most of the board could determine Zee is the better option based on the sample size. Lol
If you are going off of the two returns, it's obviously James.
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I'm not taking a side as to who should be returning punts. However, job number one of a returner is possession of the ball. Don't turn it over. No issues there with either one. Job number two is to catch all catchable punts. It's fair to debate whether or not the ball that James let hit the ground was a catchable punt, but I'd guess that's something that was addressed in films. Being a threat to take it to the house and/or make big plays is secondary to lots of coaches. People can agree or disagree with that. I do know McNeil was a guy they were looking at in the spring as a punt returner, but according to a staff member, ball security was a concern at that time.
 
DukeSlater

DukeSlater

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Jul 2, 2023
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uihawk82 said:
Some on here are wanting the next DeJean-Dwight-Wetjen to just magically appear out of the tunnel or bench. Saturday we had two punt returns and both by RVZ and both in the 4th qtr.

First one at about 12:30 of the 4th with a nice 11 yard run back. It was a 55 yd punt to the iowa 32 and two gunners were about 8 yards from him when he caught it. He made those two miss and had nice return.

The 2nd punt return was kicked from the isu 29 at the 4:37 mark. RVZ was standing at the iowa 25 which is about 46 yards from scrimmage especially after the previous 55 yard punt. But this punt he caught at the 33 so only a 38 yard punt and he was on the move when he caught it. You know the rest, RVZ did a stop and shift to make the first gunner miss and he got a 12 yard return to the iowa 45. A very good play

We heard Lutmer didnt get enough time in August at his safety spot so the didnt take many punts. Maybe he will be the returner soon. Usually, fast, quick short guys with moves make the great returners and RVZ is not short and is fast enough but not a burner.

I am fine with RVZ until James shows he can field all the decent punts. James maybe has more speed and moves so if he wins the job that is great.

But I wouldnt bag on RVZ.
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Vander Zee is another example of KF's conservative approach. James takes it to the house, and he loses his job. RVZ is okay as you say, but having the threat of breaking a punt return makes up for a lot of deficiencies elsewhere. Catching the ball is number one, no doubt about that, but if James or Lutmer can do that and not let the ball roll for 10 or 20 yards, that would be a nice upgrade.
 
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Fight4Iowa

Fight4Iowa

Senior
Nov 25, 2025
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DukeSlater said:
Vander Zee is another example of KF's conservative approach. James takes it to the house, and he loses his job. RVZ is okay as you say, but having the threat of breaking a punt return makes up for a lot of deficiencies elsewhere. Catching the ball is number one, no doubt about that, but if James or Lutmer can do that and not let the ball roll for 10 or 20 yards, that would be a nice upgrade.
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I don't see us scoring more than 1 offensive TD from a legitimate drive against Michigan. If we're going to win, we're going to need a special teams score or a turnover for 6 or that gives us an extremely short field where we get 6.

James better get all the returns against UNI to get some more experience. There's no comparison between RVZ and James. RVZ doesn't have "it" on punt return. It's clear.
 
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AndreTheHawk

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
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Fight4Iowa said:
I don't see us scoring more than 1 offensive TD from a legitimate drive against Michigan. If we're going to win, we're going to need a special teams score or a turnover for 6 or that gives us an extremely short field where we get 6.

James better get all the returns against UNI to get some more experience. There's no comparison between RVZ and James. RVZ doesn't have "it" on punt return. It's clear.
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Lutmer was my pick before the season started, he has some DeJean traits to him IMO. And clearly we have been spoiled with DeJean and Wetjen. But, until we can see the needle move Offensively, we need these type of guys on Special Teams.

Defense and Special Teams win most of the games for a Kirk Ferentz lead team, that's been obvious for years. That's not likely to change until Kirk is gone, so get some field flippers back there returning punts (James, Lutmer, etc.). RVZ has done OK, not ragging on him at all, but he's not a burner.
 
Fight4Iowa

Fight4Iowa

Senior
Nov 25, 2025
299
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AndreTheHawk said:
Lutmer was my pick before the season started, he has some DeJean traits to him IMO. And clearly we have been spoiled with DeJean and Wetjen. But, until we can see the needle move Offensively, we need these type of guys on Special Teams.

Defense and Special Teams win most of the games for a Kirk Ferentz lead team, that's been obvious for years. That's not likely to change until Kirk is gone, so get some field flippers back there returning punts (James, Lutmer, etc.). RVZ has done OK, not ragging on him at all, but he's not a burner.
Click to expand...
I think Lutmer might be too important on the defense this year so that's why he's not back there.
 
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