Detroit Lions Address Why Riley Patterson Handled Kickoffs

Punter Jack Fox is considered the Detroit Lions top option to handle kickoffs.

Prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, supporters had become accustomed to seeing Fox handle the majority of kickoffs.

When the decision was made by the coaching staff for Riley Patterson to handle kickoffs more in Week 6, many wondered why?

Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp addressed the decision during his entertaining weekly media session with reporters. 

Following an introduction that featured referencing singer Luke Combs, Fipp addressed a topic that fans discussed following Detroit's victory against the Buccaneers.

"I thought that would come up there. I thought it would catch you off guard, too. For us, it's a thing that he's been working hard on," Fipp said. "I think a while back I had said that part of the reason why he (Riley Patterson) was here is because he had the ability to both kickoff and kick field goals, and that really is true. And then for him, as somebody who's worked hard at something, we know that at some point there may be a time where he has to do that for us.

"And if he has to do that for us, because at the end of the day, Fox is an exceptional at it. He's outstanding. He's got an incredible leg. It's like, 'Well, why are you having Fox kick off?' Because he's one of the best," Fipp continued. "And I've always said it's about winning games and putting the best players out there to play. So ultimately, that's kind of why he (Fox) does it game to game."

Detroit felt the conditions at Raymond James Stadium were conducive to provide Patterson more experience kicking off, should the need arise later in the season. 

"For us, also, it's kind of like we talked about earlier in the year learning how to cover kicks. Well, what happens if there's a necessity at some point and Fox is not able to do that for us, then what are we going to do? So, it was a good opportunity to get Riley (Patterson) ready for that," said Fipp. "We didn't have to do it, but we thought the conditions would be good. We knew we're going to have to kick both right and left with the wind and all that stuff. And he does a good job of both of those things. And so it was just a good opportunity."

Fipp indicated both could handle kickoffs at some point moving forward.

"We'll see. Probably a combination of both at some point, it'll just kind of depend. But I would say for the most part Fox is probably the number one guy. But, I see those guys being able to do it."