CSC All-Time Saints Team Nominations: Return Specialist

by Dave Cariello on Feb 21, 2012 6:00 AM CST in CSC All-Time New Orleans Saints Team

Ever since creating CSC's All-Time Saints team I've gotten numerous requests both publicly and privately to add a spot for a return specialist. Since there's absolutely nothing happening with the Saints right now and I'm struggling to come up with topics to write about, I figured now is as good a time as any to give those fans what they want.

So this is the part where you guys nominate players you think should be included on a ballot of best kick return specialists. I'm assuming we can automatically put Michael Lewis down but who else should be considered? The comment section is open for any other possible candidates. I know there are more worthy players out there. Then we'll take those nominations and put it to a vote.

As always, the floor is wide open for more discussion about these great players and the way things used to be. Definitely like to hear from the veteran fans on this one.

Tweet Comment 17 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Since these nominations are for Return Specialist instead of dividing it up between Punt Returners and Kick Returners, then it’s really a two-horse race between Michael Lewis and Tyrone Hughes. Mel Gray would also be placed in the field because they are the only three players in Saints history with both a Kick Return and Punt Return for a Touchdown.

Hughes and Lewis are by far the most prolific KR/PR players in Saints history in both yardage and touchdowns.

If this were divided between KR and PR, the field would be a lot more wide open.

~Anything by Yogi Berra~

by BewareofDog on Feb 21, 2012 7:32 AM CST reply actions

Reggie Bush

let’s stack up the career stats and see where Reggie Bush ends up…I know his PR average isn’t all that good, but he did score on 3 PRs in 2008, so that may put him near the top in career punt return TDs.

"We live by the blitz, and we die by the blitz.'' - Roman Harper

"So I guess the blitz died.'' - Alex Smith

by Hans Petersen on Feb 21, 2012 8:01 AM CST reply actions

I was thinking the same.

Then I looked at his stats. A 7.9 punt return average over his career with the Saints, just 4 PR touchdowns, 1 kickoff return for 32 yards. Not anywhere near the numbers of Lewis and Hughes

Drew Brees- the REAL MVP.

by Alex Swift on Feb 21, 2012 8:10 AM CST up reply actions

Hiya, Peterman

I was wondering if anyone was gonna throw Reggie some love (other than Taye). Reggie has more punt return touchdowns than anyone in Saints history with 4……5 if you include the playoffs. But, since he wasn’t a kick returner it limits him in a race for overall “Return Specialist”.

~Anything by Yogi Berra~

by BewareofDog on Feb 21, 2012 8:19 AM CST up reply actions

yup - that's what I thought might be the case

"We live by the blitz, and we die by the blitz.'' - Roman Harper

"So I guess the blitz died.'' - Alex Smith

by Hans Petersen on Feb 21, 2012 7:19 PM CST up reply actions

and here's a Berra quote for you to use, especially if you drop in on that Tracy Porter thread

A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.

Yogi Berra

"We live by the blitz, and we die by the blitz.'' - Roman Harper

"So I guess the blitz died.'' - Alex Smith

by Hans Petersen on Feb 21, 2012 7:21 PM CST up reply actions

twinkle-toes specialist…i have never yelled “fair catch” or “just go down” in my life before Bush. his lack of consistency far outweighs his big PR TDs.

by NYSaint on Feb 21, 2012 3:19 PM CST up reply actions

I believe this has been brought up before...

But it may depend on if we want to vote based solely on their career with the Saints, or on their NFL career as a whole. If we want to go on any Saints player that had a great NFL career, we should include Chad Morton. His Saints career was only one season, but he was probably the best return man in the game during his prime.

I would half jokingly suggest Az-Zahir Hakim. Think about it. He played for the Saints(2005). He had a decent NFL career. He contributed a lot to the Saints franchise (although he did it while playing for another team). He sort of meets the criteria.

"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.

by VAsaintsfan on Feb 21, 2012 8:27 AM CST reply actions

Also, Deuce returned kicks and a few punts his rookie year. It could never be a bad thing to have 2 Deuces on the team.

"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.

by VAsaintsfan on Feb 21, 2012 8:32 AM CST up reply actions