this might explain Keiwan's PR average

[jamesbrooks21]

I believe this article explains why Ratliff's numbers are down. He is averaging 7 less yards per return and he has 11 fair catches this year compared to 5 last year. Of course it never did say anything about why he fair catches the ball at the 5 yd line.

From Len Pasquarelli Article ESPN.com

Over the first 12 weeks of this season, return specialists have cried foul over the seemingly exorbitant number of fair catches being forced by the legion of directional and hang-time punters now in such preponderance in the league.

"Just about everyone is concentrating on net [yardage] and maybe sacrificing a little bit of [gross] distance for hang time," noted Indianapolis Colts punt return ace Troy Walters. "You are seeing so many fair catches now, it's unbelievable, really. There are punters out there, and special-teams coaches, basically trying to eliminate the return game."

Here is the rest of the article:

Big plays lacking on punt returns

[jjakq27]

One of the local talking heads also mentioned the fact that the Bengals opponents seem to be punting from their own 40 alot. Therefore Ratliff is catching the ball inside his own 15 alot. If we could have the opposition kick from inside their 20, he would have more room to maneuver and take more chances.

[CantStop85]

Or maybe, just maybe, it's because Ratliff does a dance routine everytime he catches the football.

[walshfan]

watch Ratlif catching a punt.. He should be running up to the punt if he judges it right..

You arent supposed to be moving anyway but up unless its just a flat out boomer....

Parcells said its like a centerfielder catching a flyball and trying to throw a runner out at home.. You dont run back to throw out a runner .. You have to be moving into the ball.....it takes allot of practice by a good punt return coach.....