Best Saints Kick/Punt Returner? (1 Viewer)

[MikeInHaaammond]

Gill Finnerty...honerable mention?
At least he was a beast on Super Tecmo Bowl

 

[faceman]

beermans best game.

 

[sainthood]

My rankings on a for the Saints basis.

1. Michael Lewis as the best overall returner. Lewis set an NFL record for combined kick-punt return yardage with 2,432 yards, including 1,807 on kickoffs average 25.8 with 2 td and 625 on punt returns in 2002 1 td avg 14.2 . He was the best kickoff returner in Saints history.

Lewis in 6 years on 432 kick returns 5,989 yards 3 tds avg 24 yds 186 punt returns 1,818 yards 1 TD. Avg 9 yards. Big years 2002 to 2004. Hurt in 2005 and a come back in 2006 and a final year in SFran in 2007. 5 years with Saints. Also averaged 25 yards a reception in 2002 on 8 receptions. Also a great community leader, New Orleans native, amazing walk on story, and continues to work with the Saints in post playing career.

2. Darren Sproles in 3 years with Saints 70 kick returns 1,827 yards 0 TDs avg 26.1 best average of the group. 81 punt returns 671 yards 1 TD. 8.3 Over total 14 career, Sproles only really returned kicks first 8 years (last year in New Orleans) kick returns 332 8,352 2 tds avg 25.2 Punt returns 183 2,961 yards 7 tds avg 9.5. Best Average of all returners. By far the best offensive player and in 2011 with the Saints set a single season all purpose yards record at 2,969 yards. This would put Sproles at 1 for me if he had spent more of his career with the Saints.

3. Tyrone Hughes in 6 years on 283 kick returns 6,999 yards 3 tds avg 24.7 yds 162 punt returns 1,411 yards 2 TD. Avg 8.7 yards. Big years 1993 to 1996. Averaged around 25 yards a kick return. Great Rookie year as a punt returner then the league probably quit kicking to him. Spent last two years with the Bears and Cowboys.

4. Mel Gray in 11 years on 421 kick returns 13,279 yards 6 tds avg 24.3 yds
252 punt returns 2,753 yards 3 TD avg 10.9. Big years 1992 to 1994 with the Lions. Only spent his first three years in NO where he had 1 kick return TD and 1 punt Return TD averaged 300 punt yards in two best seasons 700 punt yards. So great career but most of it was with Detroit and other teams.

5. Deonte Harty in first 3 years with the Saints 69 kick returns 1,770 yards 0 tds avg 25.7 and 36 punt returns 744 yards with 1 TD Avg 10.1 Second best punt return average of the group only to Mel Gray. He may be much higher on this list he stays in the Black and Gold.

6. Reggie Bush in 5 years with Saints only returned 1 kickoff so he does not qualify in this category. As a punt returner 92 returns 720 yards 4 tds Avg 7.8. Bush was electric as a punt returner and had such significant offensive responsibilities it made sense to not put him on kick offs. Spent last 6 years with other teams but never much of a special teams player and never scored a special teams TD again.

 

[BigOdin504]

Beer man
In my opinion

 

[Deuuuuce]

I would say Reggie. Dude almost has 3 punt return tds in one game; that would've been a record for sure. Also had a huge punt return td in the playoffs our sb year.

That game against Minnesota alone puts Reggie in the discussion. The second TD in the 4th quarter was one of the most electric returns i’ve ever seen. I have no idea how we still lost that game.

That said, Beer man has to take the crown. It seemed like once he got going no one could touch him.

 

[Cougar 2]

From a coach's perspective, Mel Gray hands down. From a fan's perspective, Beerman!

Yep!

Gray was quick n fast, and had the ability to “flip field position” nearly every time he touched the ball.

This was HUGE in those late close games, cause we also had the Great Dane back then who could kick 50 yders for breakfast!

Gray went on to become an All Pro in DET. Meanwhile, IIRC, it took the Saints a couple of seasons to find another KR/PR.

Later, I remember Jim Mora sayn the WORST move he ever made as the Saints HC was letting Mel Gray go!!!

But Michael Lewis is arguably the fastest player in a Saints uniform I ever saw!!!

And case u missed it, the Beerman became only the 7th player in NFL history to return a KO and Punt for a TD in the same game!

Enjoy:

 

[jasonsw]

My rankings on a for the Saints basis.

1. Michael Lewis as the best overall returner. Lewis set an NFL record for combined kick-punt return yardage with 2,432 yards, including 1,807 on kickoffs average 25.8 with 2 td and 625 on punt returns in 2002 1 td avg 14.2 . He was the best kickoff returner in Saints history.

Lewis in 6 years on 432 kick returns 5,989 yards 3 tds avg 24 yds 186 punt returns 1,818 yards 1 TD. Avg 9 yards. Big years 2002 to 2004. Hurt in 2005 and a come back in 2006 and a final year in SFran in 2007. 5 years with Saints. Also averaged 25 yards a reception in 2002 on 8 receptions. Also a great community leader, New Orleans native, amazing walk on story, and continues to work with the Saints in post playing career.

2. Darren Sproles in 3 years with Saints 70 kick returns 1,827 yards 0 TDs avg 26.1 best average of the group. 81 punt returns 671 yards 1 TD. 8.3 Over total 14 career, Sproles only really returned kicks first 8 years (last year in New Orleans) kick returns 332 8,352 2 tds avg 25.2 Punt returns 183 2,961 yards 7 tds avg 9.5. Best Average of all returners. By far the best offensive player and in 2011 with the Saints set a single season all purpose yards record at 2,969 yards. This would put Sproles at 1 for me if he had spent more of his career with the Saints.

3. Tyrone Hughes in 6 years on 283 kick returns 6,999 yards 3 tds avg 24.7 yds 162 punt returns 1,411 yards 2 TD. Avg 8.7 yards. Big years 1993 to 1996. Averaged around 25 yards a kick return. Great Rookie year as a punt returner then the league probably quit kicking to him. Spent last two years with the Bears and Cowboys.

4. Mel Gray in 11 years on 421 kick returns 13,279 yards 6 tds avg 24.3 yds
252 punt returns 2,753 yards 3 TD avg 10.9. Big years 1992 to 1994 with the Lions. Only spent his first three years in NO where he had 1 kick return TD and 1 punt Return TD averaged 300 punt yards in two best seasons 700 punt yards. So great career but most of it was with Detroit and other teams.

5. Deonte Harty in first 3 years with the Saints 69 kick returns 1,770 yards 0 tds avg 25.7 and 36 punt returns 744 yards with 1 TD Avg 10.1 Second best punt return average of the group only to Mel Gray. He may be much higher on this list he stays in the Black and Gold.

6. Reggie Bush in 5 years with Saints only returned 1 kickoff so he does not qualify in this category. As a punt returner 92 returns 720 yards 4 tds Avg 7.8. Bush was electric as a punt returner and had such significant offensive responsibilities it made sense to not put him on kick offs. Spent last 6 years with other teams but never much of a special teams player and never scored a special teams TD again.

I think Harty might be the best. It is so much harder to get a decent return on punts in todays NFL. Same for kickoffs and almost impossible to return one for a TD.

 

[dtc]

I would say Reggie. Dude almost has 3 punt return tds in one game; that would've been a record for sure. Also had a huge punt return td in the playoffs our sb year.

Same here. And he didn't get the same number of attempts I wouldn't think.

 

[Saint Taysom]

WHile I wouldnt call him the best,Roby has some solid returns

Here’s the thing about Roby… he was a very good ST player, but when the Saints needed a big KR during his time here, they usually went with Pierre Thomas or Reggie Bush.

So where’s PT on this list? …because I think he was actually the best at it.

If I was putting together an ALL TIME BEST Saints roster and depth chart, I’d want Pierre Thomas my #4 RB and KR. I know he would do all of the work to be the best at whatever he was asked in STs, he would be a excellent KR specialist, a great spot-duty RB, and a reserve featured RB capable of carrying the load!

*If PT23 didn’t get utilized by PRIME Sean Payton, he would’ve been a better version of former Redskin Brian Mitchell.*

 

[faceman]

I think Harty might be the best. It is so much harder to get a decent return on punts in todays NFL. Same for kickoffs and almost impossible to return one for a TD.

Agree. Most kickoffs go through the end zone and are touchbacks now

 

[GW93]

That game against Minnesota alone puts Reggie in the discussion. The second TD in the 4th quarter was one of the most electric returns i’ve ever seen. I have no idea how we still lost that game.

Here’s how we lost: defense sucked, Martin Grmatica was our kicker (he missed 2 chip shots IIRC), and Ed Hochuli’s ENTIRE crew missed this flagrant personal foul:

That caused a fumble, which Minny recovered, and converted to a TD on the following drive. Such BS.

 

[fahad]

Michael Lewis #1

 

[VPCajun]

Ty Hughes was unreal when he was here, he was on some bad teams though. I would say he was the best with Bush, Sproles, Lewis, and Gray a close second. Lewis has some fumbling issues early in his career and always made me nervous. Gray was in an era were games were not televised so its hard to get a feel for him. I remember Hughes and there were games were he looked like superman. I am hoping Harris takes the #1 on the list, the past couple years he looks the part.

Important bits start around 4:40...

 

[AARPSaint]

Here’s the thing about Roby… he was a very good ST player, but when the Saints needed a big KR during his time here, they usually went with Pierre Thomas or Reggie Bush.

So where’s PT on this list? …because I think he was actually the best at it.

If I was putting together an ALL TIME BEST Saints roster and depth chart, I’d want Pierre Thomas my #4 RB and KR. I know he would do all of the work to be the best at whatever he was asked in STs, he would be a excellent KR specialist, a great spot-duty RB, and a reserve featured RB capable of carrying the load!

*If PT23 didn’t get utilized by PRIME Sean Payton, he would’ve been a better version of former Redskin Brian Mitchell.*

Roby was an average returner in my view, but he was a superb gunner. Next time anyone watches XLIV, focus on Roby, especially in the first half. He was amazing.

 

[Deuuuuce]

Here’s how we lost: defense sucked, Martin Grmatica was our kicker (he missed 2 chip shots IIRC), and Ed Hochuli’s ENTIRE crew missed this flagrant personal foul:

That caused a fumble, which Minny recovered, and converted to a TD on the following drive. Such BS.

Good thing we got them back the next year in the NFCCG