Vikings Special Teams: Why Hixon needs to be on kick and punt returns this Sunday

by mahmoodzaky on Dec 24, 2008 1:16 PM EST

TC needs to get Ahmad Bradshaw off the kick returns and get Hixon back in there. It might be a rule that an eligible receiver can't play the down directly after special teams play, and I see two advantages to that: first, the Giants' drives are SO much more successful when we start out by pounding out 4-5-6 yards, giving us 2nd and manageable where we can run or pass. It frustrates the holy f*ck out of me to see a run up the gut on 2nd/3rd and long after an incomplete pass play on first down. It makes us so much less dynamic and thats when you see 3rd and outs like last week. I cant deal with it, and running the ball on 1st down means we can make due without Hixon in as a receiver for one play. Then, he can come back in after. The Bears do the exact same thing with Devin Hester and that is the end of any similiarity I ever want to have with that awful team.

Another reason is that we face a vulnerable Vikings special teams that has given up alot of points this year, meaning Hixon can have his way and get us good field position and quick points on the board so our starters aren't out there too long. Another, you can't trust Ahmad Bradshaws hands so close to our end zone!! He almost fumbled away home field advantage last week. Let him actually play his position, after Derrick Ward picks up the 50-60 yards to give him 1,000 on the season.

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Comments

Disagree on Hixon this week

Keep him off there this week. He isn’t 100% healthy, do don’t expose him. I think it is more important that he plays snaps w/Eli and continues to build a rapport with the quarterback. Come playoff time, yes, Hixon needs to be the return man. I have stated that before. I would like to win this weekend, but I am not going to worry about it.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 24, 2008 2:43 PM EST reply actions

Is it really a rule that you can’t have an eligible receiver can’t be on special teams, then play the next down on offense? I’ve never heard that before.

Also, Bradshaw didn’t bobble that punt, McQuarters did. But I agree that I’d rather have Hixon back there for punts and kicks.

by long time listener on Dec 24, 2008 3:01 PM EST reply actions

I didn't realize that was a rule

While I agree with you about grinding out yards on the ground on first down more often than not, a team will be more successful at doing that if it’s not obvious that that’s their intention. Come out on first down every time with a running formation and run every time and teams will start to stuff it, especially good run defenses like the Vikes or (looking ahead to who we might see in the playoffs) the Falcons or Bears or Panthers. If Hixon is, in fact, one of your two top receivers, he needs to be out there on first down so the defense respects the pass.

Now, once you’re into the playoffs, the field position advantage you might gain from using Hixon on returns might outweigh the above, but when you factor in the fact that he’s banged up and the Vikings game means nothing, I don’t think you need to use him on returns this weekend.

by JoshNY on Dec 24, 2008 5:37 PM EST reply actions