Should Teams Still Return Punts?

[Fat Elvis]

From a strategic standpoint? Hmmmm...that is actually a pretty interesting question. If you choose to not return punts--as a matter of rule for your particular team--it begs the question as to whether or not you would actually want a returner back to recieve/fair catch the ball. If you *don't* have someone back to catch the ball, then that means you can rush the punter with 11 guys---and given the numbers, that means someone will always be unblocked. So can you get someone fast enough to either block the kick entirely, or at least get in the punter's face so that he can't perform a good directional kick?

You might actually get more net yards by harassing the kicker these days.

On the flip side, then, is the question of whether or not you should ever punt on 4th down? Personally, and I'm more of the gambling type-especially since we have Mahomes, but I'd just as soon never punt the ball.