The rise of the Salary cap in football pretty much killed this idea. Instead of a small group of dedicated special teams guys around which you put your young guys for seasoning... now you just toss everyone who isn't a starter on the field and tell them to go hit someone.... it's certainly had in impact in the number of big returns over the least several seasons. And, I believe, inflated the impact of some return guys who really aren't much, if any better than what's come before.
This brings me to my question who is the best Special Teams Specialist... kickers and punters not included... in NFL History? Time to put on your thinking caps people.. we're talking block punts, deflected kicks, open field game saving tackles.. onside kick recoveries..
Sean Rogers of the Browns has (most recent memory) a lot of blocked kicks. I remmeber he got 2 in a game last year against the Bengal.
Alright.
Remember too from further back, guys like Bill Bates of the Cowboys made a career out of being an emotional leader in Special Teams..
Don Bebe of the Bills was also a great special teams contributor as well as a solid receiver..
Both of those are from the 90's but there are tons more.
BEBE WAS AWESOME didnt he also win like Pro Bowl MVP one year? I remember that Superbowl fumble he he engineered against the cowboys
I think he did yeah. The guy had a motor that just didn't quit. That seems to be constant on special teams.. it's just pure who wants it more.