In a move that takes RB Laurence Maroney back to his rookie year, he will return kickoffs during the preseason. It was something he was good at, as he gained 28 yards per return. If Maroney doesn’t do it during the regular season, the search for a full-time returner continues.
During the off-season the Patriots traded away CB Ellis Hobbs because he wasn’t a good enough corner back. But he was the Patriots best kickoff returner, hands down. In his last three years, Hobbs averaged 28.4 yards per return and scored three times, including setting a Patriots record with a 108-yard touchdown return in 2007. Replacing that production won’t be easy.
Maroney gets first crack, but there’s no shortage of candidates. Rookie CB Darius Butler was a returner in college, CB Terrance Wheatley had the dual role as well, and WR Matt Slater was drafted, in part, for his return skills, though he hasn’t done well returning kickoffs. He averaged 14 yards and had two fumbles before the coaching staff pulled Slater off of the return team. Matt might get another chance.
I wouldn’t rule out WR Brandon Tate from returning either. The third round draft pick from North Carolina suffered a serious knee injury while returning a punt for the Tar Heels. If he’s fully recovered, Tate could be right in the mix of the return competition.
What could be a huge help to the return team is the change in league rules that ban return wedges larger than three blockers. Experts are in agreement that the change in rules will help the return game throughout the league.
While the rule change gives a big hand to the return unit, it makes it harder for a coverage unit playing without Larry Izzo for the first time since 2000.
Izzo was the special teams captain a few times with the Patriots and two-time Pro Bowler in his career. He signed with the New York Jets during free agency. Izzo won’t be easy to replace.
If there is a player currently on the roster that could step in for Izzo, Eric Alexander might be him.
Alexander is entering his 5th season with the Patriots and has been almost exclusively a special teamer. The linebacker may never become a regular on defense, but his size (6-2 240) and athleticism is a good fit in coverage. With the new rules in place, Alexander’s speed would be a nice fit New England’s adjusted kick coverage.
Eric’s first goal though is to bounce back from a hamstring injury that kept him from playing in all but one game in 2008. If he stays healthy, Alexander is in position to become a leader on special teams.
