I have been looking forward to this one for since the start of the season. The chance to wax lyrically about the most slept on returner of all time – Andre Roberts.
Earlier in his career, Roberts was seen as a capable Wide Receiver, a third or fourth option that would develop over time. In his 3rd season with the Cardinals, he even managed a 64 catch, 759 yard and 5 TD season. Even though Roberts was a special team standout, it always seemed strange that his usage on offense dried up in later years, (he only has 16 catches in his last 4 seasons).
Either way, now aged 32, Roberts now focuses his energy on being one of the best return players the NFL has seen since Devin Hester. Roberts doesn’t have the gaudy numbers when it comes to TD’s that Hester had, but what he does have is frightening consistency, good decision making and the ability to get beyond the 25 yard line.
In today’s modern NFL where Punters are more adept at placing their punts, and coaches are always trying to minimize their opposition’s strengths, Roberts still excels. In three out of the last 5 years he has managed 12 yards or more on punt returns and in the last three seasons, he is averaging 28.3 yards per kick return.
For some context, former Patriot and much more publicly vaunted returner – Cordarrelle Patterson averages around the same on Kick Returns, and doesn’t return punts. Patterson has been an All-Pro 3 times as a Special Teams player, Roberts, just once. This is despite the fact that he offers significantly more in the Punt game.
-
Ep 164: Patriots Pick Up Win, Week 14 Discussion
by Full Press Coverage on December 10, 2023 at 3:53 pm
Bill Belichick usually has something positive to say about Roberts’ play in the week leading up to a game. In 2018 Bill described him as “explosive”, and “fast”, “he doesn’t need much space — once he hits the seam, it’s all over.” In an interview with Zach Cox from NESN (https://nesn.com/2018/12/andre-roberts-is-best-returner-patriots-have-seen-in-years-matthew-slater-says/) Matthew Slater claimed that Roberts was the “best returner they had played in 5 years” and drew comparisons with Devin Hester.
The Patriots are well equipped to handle Roberts with their talent on Special Teams remaining largely healthy while all the other position groups have suffered. In Slater, the Patriots have a Hall of Fame Gunner (if there is such a thing) so the matchup will be intriguing. It’s always fun to see the best players in the NFL at their positions, do what they do best, hopefully Roberts will have an off day this week. Based on last weeks performance versus the 49ers, they need all the help they can get.
–Luke O’Brien is a Staff Writer for Full Press Coverage and covers the New England Patriots. Follow him on Twitter @lukeobrienNFL
-
Ep 181: HOF Semifinalist Tiki Barber Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 3:13 am
Hall of Fame semifinalist and former Giants running back, Tiki Barber, […]
-
Ep 180: Hall of Fame Class Of 2024 Semifinalists Discussionby Full Press Coverage on November 28, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Ira and Clark dissect the 2024 Hall of Fame class semifinalists. Learn […]
-
Ep 179: Hall of Famer Drew Pearson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Hall of Fame wide receiver Drew Pearson returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 178: Patriots, Eagles, 49ers, and More With Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on November 18, 2023 at 3:00 am
Former NFL executive Joe Banner returns to the show to talk with Clark and […]
-
The Good & Bad from NFL Week 14 Sunday actionby LandryFootball.com on December 11, 2023 at 12:25 pm
As we inch closer to the NFL playoffs, the games are starting to mean a […]
-
What to look for in huge Eagles vs Cowboys matchup tonightby LandryFootball.com on December 10, 2023 at 3:50 pm
Eagles vs Cowboys will have a playoff feel as well as playoff implications […]
-
Ep 317: Week 14 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 4:04 am
-
Ep 316: Week 13 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 4:08 am
-
Ep 315: Week 12 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 3:46 am
-
Ep 314: Week 11 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 15, 2023 at 3:18 am
-
Ep 200: Week 14 @ Giantsby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 9:54 pm
In this solo Senra show, your host Kyle Senra talks about the upcoming […]
-
Ep 199: Week 13 Instant Reactionsby Full Press Coverage on December 4, 2023 at 11:32 pm
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
Full Press Panthers - 12-11 - Florida Panthers take care of business at home and on the road.by Full Press Coverage on December 11, 2023 at 2:00 pm
The Panthers end their homestand on a W and start their road trip in […]
-
Full Press Wild - 12-11 - Recapping the two Wild games over the weekend.by Full Press Coverage on December 11, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Loss, Edmonton, shutout win, Seattle. Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 12-11 - The Good and The Bad Over The Weekend For The Blackhawksby Full Press Coverage on December 11, 2023 at 1:30 pm
Recapping the Chicago Blackhawks’ first back-to-back of the season, […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 834by Charlie Saunier on December 11, 2023 at 9:11 am
Ep 834 The Renegades Of Puck Recap 2-1 W At Habs Preview Flyers & Talk […]
-
ROP Recap Preds 2 Habs 1 Game 28 2023-24 NHL Seasonby Charlie Saunier on December 11, 2023 at 3:49 am
ROP Recap Preds 2 Habs 1 Game 28 2023-24 NHL Season Learn more about your […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 833by Charlie Saunier on December 10, 2023 at 8:01 pm
Ep 833 The Renegades Of Puck Recap 4-0 L At Leafs Preview Canadiens & […]
-
12/8 - Patriots Outlast Steelers, Week 14 Picks and Previewby Full Press Coverage on December 9, 2023 at 5:57 am
Ian and John react to the Patriots win over the Steelers, Belichick's […]
-
12/5 - MNF Reaction, Endless QB Debatesby Full Press Coverage on December 5, 2023 at 11:28 am
Ian and John discuss the Bengals OT victory over the Jags and more […]
-
12/4 - Chiefs/Packers, Patriots, and Week 13 Reactionsby Full Press Coverage on December 4, 2023 at 5:26 pm
Ian and John discuss the Packers win over the Chiefs, the Patriots […]
-
12/1 - NFL MVP, Week 13 Picksby Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 2:18 am
Ian and John discuss the ever-changing MVP race and give their predictions […]
-
11/28 - MNF Reaction, State Of The NFLby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 3:49 am
Ian and John react to Monday Night Football and discuss more of the state […]
-
11/27 - Thanksgiving Recap; Jalen Hurts, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 10:43 pm
Ian and John recap Thanksgiving weekend, discuss Jalen Hurts' moment, and […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Raptors at Knicks - Nuggets at Hawks - Jazz at Thunderby Broken Controller Media on December 11, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Wizards at 76ers - Cavaliers at Magic - Pacers at Pistons - Heat at Hornetsby Broken Controller Media on December 11, 2023 at 1:10 pm
-
Ep. 325: Missouri S&T Baseball Coach Todd DeGraffenreidby Full Press Coverage on December 11, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Ep. 326: Mercyhurst Univ. WBB Brooklyn Kohlheimby Full Press Coverage on December 11, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Ep 164: Patriots Pick Up Win, Week 14 Discussionby Full Press Coverage on December 10, 2023 at 3:53 pm
-
Ep 194: Kevin Nash Part One - Big Daddy Coolby Full Press Coverage on December 9, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Pacers vs Lakersby Broken Controller Media on December 9, 2023 at 11:00 am
-
12/8 - Patriots Outlast Steelers, Week 14 Picks and Previewby Full Press Coverage on December 9, 2023 at 5:57 am
-
Ep 200: Week 14 @ Giantsby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 9:54 pm
-
Full Press MMA - 12-8 - The New Irish Prime Minister?by Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 5:55 pm
-
Who is the Devil as Christian Cage Out Works Everyoneby Full Press Coverage on December 11, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Teddy Repantis as they discuss […]
-
CM Punk and Randy Orton Return To WWE as Momentum Swingsby Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Teddy Repantis as they discuss […]
-
Ep 194: Kevin Nash Part One - Big Daddy Coolby Full Press Coverage on December 9, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Kevin Nash had quite a journey to the NWO. In part one of our two-part […]