If you missed the first Would You Rather article, the game “Would You Rather” gives players two options to choose from. You have to choose one, you can’t change the parameters of the game, and there are no wrong answers (except whatever Brian chooses).
This time around, we’ll be comparing a combination of returners and choosing one. You cannot combine players from the two choices. There are only two choices. You have to pick one. That’s the game. This edition of the game pits some all-time greats against each other, but pairs each great with an all-time meh. Which combo of return men would you prefer: Steve Smith returning punts and Mike Goodson returning kickoffs or Captain Munnerlyn returning punts and Michael Bates returning kickoffs? This matchup essentially pits a great punt returner and average kickoff returner against an average punt returner with a great kickoff returner. Let’s measure them up.
We all know Steve Smith as the greatest pound-for-pound player wide receiver NFL history (fight me if you disagree), but he was also one of the most explosive return men of his era. For the purposes of this game, we will not be including his prowess as a kick returner. Instead, we will only be focusing on what he did returning punts, and boy was he fantastic at that. During his stint with the Carolina Panthers, Smith returned a total of 178 punts for an average of 9.3 yards. Not bad. But he also had FOUR punt return touchdowns over that span. His lower-than-expected average was mitigated by the collective breath-holding every time he fielded a punt. More than one opposing punter got chewed out for not keeping the ball away from Smitty. Smith’s battery mate in this exercise is Mike Goodson, who is fourth all time in kick returns and kick return yards for the Panthers franchise. While Goodson never found paydirt, he does have a respectable 21.8 yards per return average. He was very consistent but not exactly dangerous: his longest return was only 46 yards.
If you were surprised that Mike Goodson was fourth all-time in kickoff returns for the Panthers, this one might sting: Captain Munnerlyn is fourth all-time in punt returns and punt return yardage for the franchise. His 75 returns netted 677 yards, good for a solid if unspectacular 9.0 yards per return. The diminutive nickelback never had breakaway speed, as evidenced by a 37 yard return being his career long and him never reaching the endzone in this capacity. Munnerlyn’s partner for this exercise, however, had more than enough breakaway speed for the both of them. Kids these days might not remember, but the Panthers all-time leading kick returner in attempts, yards, and touchdowns is Olympic-level sprinter Michael Bates. The man had over 200 returns for just under 6,000 yards, a 25.7 yards per return average, and FIVE (!) kickoff return touchdowns. What’s even crazier: he did all that in just four years with the team. Obviously, the many rule changes have almost eliminated kickoff returns, but Bates was one guy who would still strike fear in opposing special teamers.
So which is more important? A good punt returner or a good kick returner? Who would you rather have?
Poll
Which pair of returners is more "special"?
This poll is closed
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67%
PR Steve Smith and KR Mike Goodson
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32%
PR Captain Munnerlyn and KR Michael Bates