Actually we have guys in both ODs I'm in that can field that punt... it requires a bit of gamesmanship but if they can pick it up, they've racked up big yards against me. I've even shared with them the best way to field it... manually move the returner over, then click off once near the ball and let him field it.
As well, directional punts, rugby punts, coffin corners, etc. are things that are done in real life. There are times that a return man can't get over to field the punt in real life. I agree that it's a bit of a gimmick but considering how lacking special teams are in the game, something has to be done to make it more than "punt it straight down the field".
All that said, I've only received one or two complaints in the 7 years that I've been using these types of punts...
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