University of Louisville football fans will able to breathe easier on punt returns because James Quick has been relieved of those duties. Coach Bobby Petrino said during his Monday press conference that Eli Rogers will be handling punts.
Another step backward for Quick who has had more than his share of issues during his freshman and sophomore seasons at UofL.
Quick has been shaky on punt returns all season, with numerous drops, penalties and yards for loss. On at least three occasions, he has signaled for a fair catch, only to take off with the ball, resulting in penalties against UofL. The last straw may have been the one in the second quarter against Florida State, which pushed Louisville back to its own five-yard line.
Before DeVante Parker returned from injury two games ago, Quick was UofL’s leading receiver with 29 catches for 459 yards. His production dropped off sharply, however, against North Carolina State and Florida State when he was credited with two receptions and zero yardage.
Quick, with so much speed and talent, is equally inconsistent and unpredictable, posing a significant challenge for Petrino. This perhaps explains why Quick was still returning punts, the coach hoping the sophomore would learn from his mistakes.
Wasn’t happening, continuing to create drama, the coach knowing the uncertainty could continue.
Despite all his ups and downs, Quick remains the team’s leading offensive weapon, with 671 all-purpose yards for the season. He has the ability to be among the best ever if he can get a grip on the basics. Petrino knows that, and will keep looking for ways to keep him involved when Louisville has the ball. Punt returns aren’t among the options for a while.