AUBURN, Ala. - Robert Dunn wasn't what I expected.
I expected cartwheels. I expected an I-just-won-the-lottery smile.
But he didn't seem that much different from the other Auburn Tigers who met the media. He was polite, accommodating and probably happy to get through the interview phase of a busy Tuesday. There wasn't even a hint of giddiness.
You never would have guessed he's a punt returner, scheduled to spend his next Saturday with the Tennessee punt-coverage team, a.k.a. the Brandon James End Zone Escort Service.
Maybe he hasn't seen a Brandon James highlight video. Or maybe he's just discouraged by the last two games.
"They've been angling the ball away from me," Dunn said.
The closest he came to a punt return against LSU last week were a couple of fair catches. The week before, Mississippi State had six punts of 37 yards or shorter, but Dunn hurt the Bulldogs only once - on a 20-yard return.
Pooch punts, out-of-bounds punts, sky-high punts: What a bunch of sissies. Fortunately for Dunn, that's not UT's style. So what if you're averaging better than 20 yards per return - which Dunn is - the Vols say, "Bring it on."
The Vols say it, and the punt returners bring it, which might explain why UT ranks 108th nationally in punt-return defense.
An average punt return against UT's defense goes for 21 yards. An average Dunn return goes for 21.4 yards. How's that for a perfect match?
After chasing James last Saturday in a 30-6 loss to Florida, a 21-yard punt return would be an improvement. He returned one 78 yards for a touchdown and averaged 46 yards on two returns against the Vols. Last year, James had an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown against UT. That came two weeks after Cal's DeSean Jackson scored on a 77-yard punt return against UT.
Dunn is good at what he does. He's not DeSean Jackson or Brandon James good.
But he's working at it.
He averaged only 5.5 yards per return two years ago as a sophomore. Last year, he averaged 9.4 yards.
"I was trying to do too much," Dunn said. "I was trying to score a touchdown on every return."
That often didn't make for very pleasant Sundays.
"Special teams are the first thing we look at on Sundays," said Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, who always has taken a special interest in special teams. "Many of those days, there weren't positive things said to him. Sometimes, you can get too bold back there.
"At the end of the (last) year, he started getting better."
Dunn has continued to improve this season. In the opener against Louisiana-Monroe, he had a 66-yard return. A week later against Southern Mississippi, he had four returns for 103 yards. He ranks eighth nationally in punt returns - even if LSU treated him as if he were Brandon James.
But if UT remains true to its fearless philosophy, Dunn won't get any special treatment Saturday. He will just get the ball.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or >adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 20
invisiblekid writes:
Siad it last week about James, I'll say it again this week about Dunn: KICK THE BALL OUT OF BOUNDS. Really have to say it is a little sad that our special teams has turned any returner for the opposing team into a focal point.
Madkels writes:
"You never would have guessed he's a punt returner, scheduled to spend his next Saturday with the Tennessee punt-coverage team, a.k.a. the Brandon James End Zone Escort Service"
Now John, that was pretty good!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Aubie hasn't faced anything like the "Who's on 1st" that's coming shortly.
Punt return! Pshaaw, we don't plan on punting. We will go on 4th down regardless of field position.
I believe we will see aerials Saturday.
TommyJack writes:
But will there be any high phlying aerials from Phil?
Smallmike4pres writes:
What, a coach that focuses on special teams & they are actually good at it? Doesn't Tommy know that all you have to do is spread those useless assignments out amongst each & every coach to completely render them meaningless? Come on Tommy, the kicking game is not going to win you games.
DennisVols writes:
The solution is simple. Keep getting 1st downs and you don;t have to punt.
rblakeh writes:
Funny article.
John Adams still makes me sick though.
murrayvol writes:
We had the only clue we needed when Drew Edwards didn't review special teams in his preseason article.
Not enough work for meaningful review or some such.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
When we get rid of Bob Kesling and John Adams maybe then some positive vibs will take over again. John Adams want s you to think, it's all execution, talent, training, and poorer coaching. Wonder what he really thinks??
CoverOrange writes:
Murray, yep.
Sunday, JA was pissed. Today he is back to his smarmy self. For a day, thought he cared.
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
Our sorry, pathetic excuse for a head coach also coaches our special teams. Need I say more???
Bigger_Al writes:
Adams is a pathetic excuse for a journalist. Please leave town soon.
blhvols#536551 writes:
Country 410. If Fulmer raises cain with the team, you say he is not stepping up. If he steps up, you say he is not demanding of the team. QUIT TALKING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF YOUR MOUTH AND SHORTEN YOUR NEGATIVITY TO ONE SENTENCE!!!!!!!!!!!
jasonn1970 writes:
Special teams don't matter - just ask CPF
TheVolMan writes:
Bigger_Al = don't be a Bigger_Weenie. Don't shoot the messenger. You'll be blaming JA even if Fulmer stays and has consecutive losing seasons. That's not JA's fault. It's just that he and others see a disturbing trend with the program. The Weenies don't see this and instead direct their anger towards a journalist.
OK, enough of Weenie talk. Another good article by Adams. I hope the Vols can spring an upset on the Plains this Saturday--will be tough but I can only hope. That's all I have right now as a Vol fan.
TommyJack writes:
Boycott no one. (or as some say, boycott noone)
chucker6 writes:
You Fulmer supporters are pathetic. If you had any combat experience you would recognize that he is not holding his troops (team) accountable and he and his staff are doing the football equivalent of marching in straight lines through the woods while wearing red uniforms and only shooting on command. No, that would require discipline, forget it, UT is hopeless until a coaching change occurs.
pdowned writes:
Almost as pathetic a loser as someone who is so hopelessly misguided that he equates a game of football with military combat. Get a life chucker6. Should he court martial them genius? Or maybe hang them for deserting? Moron.
khelton657 writes:
"...your Momma mate with Casro....heh, heh...that's a pretty good one ....
OrangeAndWhite4Life writes:
I have read where General Neyland would sometimes punt on 1st down as he felt that there were more ways to score on defense than on offense.
Just my guess, but he probably put his best athletes on the punt coverage team too.
Let's take a page from that notebook and apply it on Saturday on "The Plains."
Go Vols !!
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