Lions' Jack Fox, Special Teams Unit Can Aid in Improving Return Issues

The Lions' special teams unit has been giving up more yards in the return game than the team would like.

Through the first 150 punts of his NFL career, Lions punter Jack Fox set an NFL record for averaging 49.2 gross yards per punt. 

His net average of 43.0 yards per boot has also set the standard for all of those at his position. 

But, over the past couple of weeks, Fox and the special teams unit have seen the overall net average plummet, meaning teams have been able to rack up some return yards against the special teams unit. 

Various factors will impact a team's net return average, including a punter's hang time, coverage and tackling. 

Detroit special teams coordinator Dave Fipp acknowledged that the league's highest-paid punter has not played up to his own personal standards and can punt better moving forward. 

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This season, Fox's net average per punt, which Fipp expressed is more of a relevant statistic to him compared to return yards, has been down. 

Through the first nine games of the 2022 season, Fox's net punt per average is at 39.8 yards, down significantly from previous seasons. 

"I would say return yards is not a huge stat to me. We talked about this maybe a year ago. Like, we can hammer the ball 70 yards down the field, give up a 20-yard return and still have a 50-yard net and that would be a good play. But, I would say to answer your question, the net would be important to me," Fipp said. "And, our net has been down. So, I'm not sidestepping the question. I totally get that.

"Our net's definitely not where we want it to be. It's not up to really where I want it to be. I know Fox, too. I would say it really does start with the punter," Fipp continued. "We got to punt a little bit better. He hasn't played quite up to his standard the last couple of weeks. That being said, we haven't had a huge sample size." 

Fox has also been tasked with handling kickoff duties, which could be impacting his punting effectiveness. 

Detroit's coaching staff does not believe that the added responsibility has been the root cause of his recent punting issues, though. 

"People love to say that. We all want to look for one thing, the easy answer to point to," Fipp expressed. "I would say that would definitely be something easy we could point to. But, personally, do I feel that way? I don't at all. I feel like he's managed that fine, and I don't think it affects the way he punts the ball."