Time for Hixon on kickoff returns?

by Ed Valentine on Nov 18, 2008 8:11 AM EST in New York Giants News

It is pretty difficult to find a chink in the armor of the 9-1 New York Giants. Difficult, but not impossible.

The only area of the Giants performance so far this season that you might classify as disappointing would be kickoff returns. The Giants rank just 29th in the league with an average of 20.2 yards per kickoff return. Only Pittsburgh and Miami are worse.

Ahmad Bradshaw is averaging just 21 yards per return with a long runback of 35 yards. At some point, the Giants will need to get more production from the return game.

Everybody loves Bradshaw's elusiveness and playmaking ability, but it might be time for the Giants to give the kick return job back to Domenik Hixon.

Hixon averaged 27.6 yards on eight late-season returns in 2007, including a 74-yard touchdown. He kept the job in the playoffs and Super Bowl, and averaged 23.9 yards on 12 returns.

This season Hixon has continued to show his return skills, averaging 11.5 yards on punt returns.

The lack of big kickoff returns so far this season might not be Bradshaw's fault. It seems to me that too often there simply hasn't been anyplace to run -- which means the blocking hasn't been up to par.

Yet, it seems to me the Giants are not utilizing their best weapon in the return game. I think it's time to give Hixon an opportunity.

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Comments

Hixon

I agree that it doesn’t appear to be AB’s fault, but Hixon is simply the team’s best return man. Put him out there.

by potroast on Nov 18, 2008 9:09 AM EST reply actions

I would argue

that kickoff coverage has not been good either, we can debate which kicker is responsible, but it seems to me that no matter who kicks off, the return man is finding holes. I wouldn’t call it a cause for alarm yet, it’s not like they’ve reverted to the Fassel days of special teams, but playoff fortunes can turn on one or two special teams plays, so I think it is something the Giants need to button up.

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

NY Ranger fans talk all things Blueshirts at
http://broadwayblueview.blogspot.com/

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Nov 18, 2008 9:18 AM EST reply actions

Agree

I would say coverage is a much worse problem. If you regularly start at the 20 your ok ,our opponents are starting closer to the 30 on every kickoff it seems and my gut tells me there are going to be some longer returns against this team if corrections aren’t made fast.. I don’t think this is attributable to either kicker as both stink on kickoffs.

We're only gonna score 17 points?

by big blue wrecking crew on Nov 18, 2008 10:06 AM EST up reply actions

Coverage

It seems like it hasn’t been great, you’re right. Seems like Bradshaw and Blackburn are the only ones making any plays. Maybe the fact that our kickoff returns have been so bad makes the coverage look worse than it really is.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 18, 2008 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

The reason for the bad kickoff coverage

is the lack of good kickoffs. There is no substtute for a sky high kickoff that hits at the goal line. You can’t blame the cover guys when the ball has a low tradjectory and is caught on the twenty. That just gives the return guys too many options.

In my opinion this is so important that a position could be allocated just for this task. If we got the right guy for this maybe he could also be a holder or backup placekicker as well.

by giant fan since 57 on Nov 18, 2008 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

Further evidence....

Our punt coverage is good with essentially the same personel. Of course part of that is that Jeff “Methuselah” Feagles is so good, but even when he keeps it in play our coverage is good. High kicks that give the cover guys the edge….there is no substitute for that.

by giant fan since 57 on Nov 18, 2008 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

This is why

the Giants prefer Tynes. But, even a couple of Tynes kickoffs Sunday that were pretty deep were returned beyond the 30.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 18, 2008 1:32 PM EST up reply actions

Not enough hang time....

on those kicks. I’m just busting your butt. LOL… You’re right, there is room for improvement on our coverage too, I’m just anal about long, super high kickoffs.

by giant fan since 57 on Nov 18, 2008 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

I hear ya

by Ed Valentine on Nov 18, 2008 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

It's hard to find fault in a 9-1 team

But if anyone can do it, us Giant fans can :)

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

NY Ranger fans talk all things Blueshirts at
http://broadwayblueview.blogspot.com/

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Nov 18, 2008 10:35 AM EST reply actions

Ha ha

It’s not like we’re really complaining here. But, I would like to see the Giants do better than 29th in the league in this category.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 18, 2008 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

At this point

there are a whole lot more blessings to count than complaints. Who would have thought this, say……..after last years Viking game. We didn’t even have to wait for this years version to round in to form.

We're only gonna score 17 points?

by big blue wrecking crew on Nov 18, 2008 11:37 AM EST reply actions

Bring back Hixon!

I have no idea why he isn’t returning kicks but he simply needs to be on the field!!

by Cody K on Nov 18, 2008 12:14 PM EST reply actions

I agree that Bradshaw

hasn’t been spectacular returning kicks. In fact, he’s been downright mediocre. But I have to think it has something to do with the blocking, b/c he was electric when he returned kicks last year. I don’t mind trying out Hixon, but if Hixon had been returning kicks all year and was averaging 20 YPR, we’d be calling for Bradshaw based on what he showed last year.

by cjmulrain on Nov 18, 2008 6:53 PM EST reply actions