FOXBORO, Mass. — Asking a wide receiver to learn the New England Patriots’ entire offense on the fly in a matter of weeks late in the season is impractical.
But Griff Whalen, who signed with the Patriots last Thursday, could potentially fill in as a punt returner sooner than later. That’s because when it really comes down to it, punt returning is punt returning.
“For the most part I’d say it’s the same,” Whalen said Thursday. “There’s maybe little differences or maybe the coach has different preferences on your decision making or something like that. For the most part, it’s knowing which way the return is set up and just making good decisions fielding the ball.”
Whalen, who’s 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, has 46 career punt returns for 376 yards in his four-year NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers. He returned just two punts in college at Stanford but has the required agility needed for the role in the NFL.
He ran a 4.55-second 40-yard dash with a 1.56-second 10-yard split with a 6.89-second 3-cone drill and 4.06-second short shuttle at his pro day in 2012. He also leaped 36.5 inches in the vertical jump and 9-feet-, 2-inches in the broad jump.
The Patriots certainly could use help at punt returner with Danny Amendola out with a high ankle sprain. The Patriots have tried to rely on cornerback Cyrus Jones in the role, but the rookie has five fumbles on the season, including muffed punts in back-to-back games. He gave the Baltimore Ravens the ball at the Patriots’ 3-yard line when he inadvertently kicked a punted football and failed to recover it. He nearly muffed a second punt in that game.
The Patriots also could use Julian Edelman as a punt returner, but he’s an injury risk. Safety Patrick Chung and running back D.J. Foster also are possibilities for the role.
Whalen said he doesn’t have a sense of when he’ll be able to start contributing in games.
“Nope. That’ll be up to the coaches,” Whalen said.
It was clear Whalen wouldn’t be able to play Monday after just two days of practice. But the Patriots’ Week 15 matchup with the Broncos in Denver is a possibility.
Thumbnail photo via Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports Images
