Covey is averaging 6.6 yards on his 17 returns, with a long of 15 yards. After a career at the University of Utah during which Covey returned four punts for touchdowns – and another kickoff for a score – he has learned that the NFL is an entirely different animal. The punters are so much better at pinning a return man in a corner with their directional kicks. The gunners are long and fast and powerful. Those covering kicks – both punts and kickoffs – are disciplined with lane integrity, so there are few opportunities to bust a big one.
It’s going to happen. Covey is convinced of that. He reviews film of every return from every NFL team each week, looking for ways to improve his performance. He is in total concentration mode on the practice field and in meetings. The Eagles are working to get their return game better and they feel progress is being made, if not in huge plays quite yet then in specific blocks and returns that Clay can work with his players to build upon.
There are times when Covey is at home watching college football and seeing big returns and laughing, because life in college, with the open lanes and the lack of precision, lends itself to explosive gains.
“I’ve watched and it’s enjoyable,” he said. “But what I really watch is the returners in the league and look to see what separates the really good returners from the rest of the return men. And you know what? You see that all it takes is for a return man to catch it one time with a lot of space to work with and you see a big return and then things really start to happen. But 90 percent of the time, return men have such little room to operate and there aren’t many busts. It gives me confidence. When I watch the film, I see that I’m not that far behind these great returners and I know that I’m going to get there.
“We’re going to get it. And when we do get it, it’s going to be great.”
In fact, to back up what Covey sees, there hasn’t been a punt return for a touchdown yet in the league. Covey says there are only two decisions he has made that he would like to have back, a very strong percentage. Securing the football and giving the potent Eagles offense an opportunity to take possession is the first key for the return, and then gaining positive yards and hopefully busting one comes next.
A punt returner has the odds against him on every kick.
“I think it all encompasses where these punters are so good in terms of the hang time, putting this directionally towards the sideline, cutting off…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at News…