By Michael Stets
ALLEN PARK–After being drafted out of San Diego in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Lions rookie cornerback and punt returner Agnew had always visualized himself making a big play this season. He just didn’t know it would happen in the form of an 88-yard punt-return touchdown in the fourth quarter of a Week 2 win against the New York Giants.
“I definitely envisioned myself being able to do something like this, but never this quick,” Agnew told reporters at Allen Park on Wednesday, “because you never know what’s going to happen. As a rookie I don’t want to force too many things. Coach Joe [Marciano] always tells me just let it come to me, let it come to me and be patient. I got my opportunity and made something with it. I’m just happy I was patient with that.”
Agnew had to get back on the ball after it was kicked, catching it just a few inches above the turf before making one defender miss, spinning to avoid a second would-be tackler, embarrassing Wing, who made an awful tackle attempt, and then zipping down the sideline to pay dirt.
When asked about having the freedom under coach Marciano to chase down balls the way he did on that particular play, Agnew explained he was actually out of position.
“I think it was more I just misjudged it a little bit,” admitted Agnew, who said his phone was “vibrating 24/7″ with calls and texts” on Tuesday. “It was a really good punt. Throughout the game he was pretty consistent with his punts. They were around the 40, 45-yard range. As soon as that left his foot I knew, ‘I gotta get back and get this one.’ He boomed that one. I have a lot of trust in my jammers and the core unit, and I know when a punt like that comes off the punter’s foot that I’m going to have some time to make some moves. They held their own and I did my part.”
Wing took to Twitter on Tuesday morning and made fun of his poor tackling attempt on Agnew, saying, “Ankles are good. Close call, thought both were broken for a second there …”
Ankles are good. Close call, thought both were broken for a second there….
— Brad Wing (@bwing38) September 19, 2017
When informed of Wing’s tweet Agnew said, “I’m just glad he’s ok. He got the A for effort. That’s a tough on a punter. They are not used to making open-field tackles like that. As a defensive back that’s tough making a tackle in space like that. I couldn’t imagine it for a punter. He did his best . He did what he could. I’m glad he’s ok.”
But what if Wing had made the tackle?
“If I get tackled by a punter I’m telling coach Joe, ‘You need to find another punt returner because that shouldn’t be happening.’ If you get tackled by a punter or kicker you will never hear the last of that. You will probably hear that your whole career. Even if you take one to the house the next week, coach is still going to pull up that clip of you getting tackled by a punter. I didn’t want to let that happen and thankfully I didn’t.”
Agnew’s touchdown certainly made a huge impression on some of his teammates, like veteran wideout Golden Tate, who gave the rookie a glowing review for his efforts.
“Wow,” Tate said. “He caught a ball [with his] fingertips, for one. As a cornerback, that’s pretty huge. And then he took off running and we thought he was about to go down. And next thing you know he goes zero to 60 real quick and definitely gave us a cushion. He’s a dang good player and I’m glad he’s on our team.”
Agnew said he’s modeled his punt-return game after Devin Hester, Dante Hall, and Charles Woodson “back in his college days.” But don’t worry, he’s not about to start running backwards and making the coaching staff worry just yet.
“They were really savvy with the ball in their hands. I definitely wouldn’t take half the risks that Dante Hall or Devon Hester take just because I don’t have the luxury of that. I’m still a rookie. I’m just going to let things come to me and try not to force things. Especially after that. You keep be going out looking for a home run every time because it’s not going to happen. I’m just going to continue to let things come.”