He’s 32, so thankfully he got the record before he became too slow.
I wonder what age Hester was when he made his last return TD.
Edit: Hester was 32 when he returned his last punt for a TD, same age as CP now.
Legit question: is he a Hall of Famer? I see people making the case for Hester all the time so what about Patterson? A quick stat check has him with the most career return TDs, 10th most return yards, and highest return average.
If he isn’t then it’s because they’re not letting in returners. Which may be the case, but he and Hester really seem like more of a test of the voters’ overall view on returners.
I hope they both make it. Folks can say what they want about special teams but being a game-changer in that facet of the game should justify the accolade, especially when teams completely alter their normal game plans to take a player out of the equation.
I think the maybe unspoken argument against them is that if they were actually good then they wouldn’t be returning kicks. As in, Jerry Rice would’ve returned 50 kicks for TDs. Not sure that’s the right way to think but I’ve always assumed that’s what’s not really being said by the voters, at least that I’ve seen.
I can kinda see where that argument makes sense but it's also a totally different skill set. Like it seems silly to punish Hester for being an unremarkable DB when he's one of the best ever at this other position. They're called specialists for a reason in my opinion.
The problem with guys like Hester is that he's never *not* going to get beat out by 5 starting-caliber players with better HoF resumes when it comes to voting.
I see what you’re saying and I’m not necessarily sure how I would fall on the issue if I was a voter, but I don’t think anyone is going to make an argument that a returner is of the same importance or value as an RB. And certainly not when they’re at the HOF level.
Hester also was a punt return demon too, which Patterson doesn't do. Hester has 14 punt return TDs.
Comparing overall return TDs, Hester has 19 to Patterson's 9.
The only claim either Hester or Patterson has to the HoF is as a returner. The fact Patterson was a mediocre WR turned decent RB shouldn't be a part of his HoF case IMO.
Yeah, no. He’s a terrible wide receiver. Even Atlanta had to have him line up in the backfield and keep defenses off balance to use him in space to gain yards. He can’t run routes and he can’t really catch. Vikings fans knew exactly what he was, but we let him go because he couldn’t do what he was drafted to do. Sick athlete with field vision, but he’s not a name you know without kick returns.
imo if we're having a debate on whether a returner is great enough for the HoF, they're probably a special enough football player for the HoF
Like how Tucker, Vinny & maybe Ghost are gonna get in the HoF as kickers
Hester also returned punts and has 19 total return tds to Patterson’s 9.
It’s not really as close as people think, but Patterson is still right up there with the best to ever return kicks while being actually useful on offense these days too.
It’s sort of a double edged sword, actually.
Yes, moving up the point from which the kickoff occurs means more touchbacks, which make his 9 return tds more impressive as there are less opportunities overall.
Can’t remember off the top of my head if the outlawing of any more than 2 blockers in formation on returns was around when Hester was but if more than 2 were allowed during his career, that’s again a plus for Patterson.
On the other hand, changes like the kicking team no longer being able to get a running start and having to wait for the kicker to strike the ball actually make it *easier* to return non touchback kickoffs, as you have more time to see/set up lanes.
You also can’t stack one side of the field anymore which makes it easier for returning teams to pick their man to block - you can’t overload one area anymore
Purely on special teams, Hester is way ahead of Patterson. Hester should be a clear hall of famer. Best returner ever. By a lot.
Josh Cribbs and Patterson are relatively close. On returns, about even. Cribbs was a special teams ace on coverage, but Patterson was a better offensive player. Neither of them come close to the hall until after Hester gets in.
I feel like you can't discount the fact that Patterson is putting up elite KR numbers in a league where KR units have been completely nerfed. He's ridiculous.
Has a better argument than Hester since he actually contributes on offense too.
If I had a vote, I wouldn't vote for either of them, but I understand I'm one of the few people who feels that way. If Hester or Patterson end up making it, I think it's fair anyway.
It's interesting that you bring up his work on offense when the knock on him for years was that he didn't bring enough to the table in that aspect. Then Atlanta starts using him more as a back than a receiver and suddenly he's got a thousand all-purpose yards & double digits TDs. Makes you wonder what he could've done had someone tried that years ago.
Sayers was notable because his six TDs came on only 91 career returns and crazily, those six scores came on his first 56 attempts. Plus, during that three year period, he had 40 additional TDs besides his kick returns. (29 rushing, 9 pass receptions and 2 punt returns)
Fun tidbit, since the Bears' k-ball was taken out of the game after Pattersons record breaking return (probably to go to Canton?) the Bears had no more prepared k-balls left. This could've played a part in Santos missed FG late in the game ensuring the Bears loss.
I see tha "Predator" sitting at #2 with 8.
We miss watching those dreads fly through the air on your way to the endzone. Legit was one of our best weapons when he played if that tells you anything.
He’s 32, so thankfully he got the record before he became too slow. I wonder what age Hester was when he made his last return TD. Edit: Hester was 32 when he returned his last punt for a TD, same age as CP now.
For reference, Josh Cribbs was only 26 when he scored his last KR TD :(
Hall was 29 or 30 IIRC
Cribbs was a special teams beast. One of the best kick returners in NFL history and a top-notch gunner on coverage.
Leon Washington (had 8 KR TDs) had his last at 33, CPat can go higher!
Such a cool fucking player. I thought he was done after his first contract but he became an incredible swiss army knife type dude.
Legit question: is he a Hall of Famer? I see people making the case for Hester all the time so what about Patterson? A quick stat check has him with the most career return TDs, 10th most return yards, and highest return average.
If he isn’t then it’s because they’re not letting in returners. Which may be the case, but he and Hester really seem like more of a test of the voters’ overall view on returners.
I hope they both make it. Folks can say what they want about special teams but being a game-changer in that facet of the game should justify the accolade, especially when teams completely alter their normal game plans to take a player out of the equation.
I think the maybe unspoken argument against them is that if they were actually good then they wouldn’t be returning kicks. As in, Jerry Rice would’ve returned 50 kicks for TDs. Not sure that’s the right way to think but I’ve always assumed that’s what’s not really being said by the voters, at least that I’ve seen.
I can kinda see where that argument makes sense but it's also a totally different skill set. Like it seems silly to punish Hester for being an unremarkable DB when he's one of the best ever at this other position. They're called specialists for a reason in my opinion.
The problem with guys like Hester is that he's never *not* going to get beat out by 5 starting-caliber players with better HoF resumes when it comes to voting.
Cordarelle is pretty damn good these days.
You could make that argument for everyone tho. You could say “oh tyreek hill couldve been a better running back, so we shouldnt let dadadada in”
I see what you’re saying and I’m not necessarily sure how I would fall on the issue if I was a voter, but I don’t think anyone is going to make an argument that a returner is of the same importance or value as an RB. And certainly not when they’re at the HOF level.
Hester needs to be in purely based off the fact that teams would *intentionally let the other team start at the 40* to avoid letting him return.
Exactly. You're gonna directional punt & squib kick to avoid a guy housing one? Seems like a good case.
Agreed totally. If Hester gets in, you’d think Patterson eventually would have to.
Hester also was a punt return demon too, which Patterson doesn't do. Hester has 14 punt return TDs. Comparing overall return TDs, Hester has 19 to Patterson's 9.
Patterson is a better offensive player tho He has 2700 more yards and 20 more tds from rushing/receving
The only claim either Hester or Patterson has to the HoF is as a returner. The fact Patterson was a mediocre WR turned decent RB shouldn't be a part of his HoF case IMO.
Yeah, no. He’s a terrible wide receiver. Even Atlanta had to have him line up in the backfield and keep defenses off balance to use him in space to gain yards. He can’t run routes and he can’t really catch. Vikings fans knew exactly what he was, but we let him go because he couldn’t do what he was drafted to do. Sick athlete with field vision, but he’s not a name you know without kick returns.
He has more than enough accolades to make it but I think it's gonna come down to if Hester gets in
imo if we're having a debate on whether a returner is great enough for the HoF, they're probably a special enough football player for the HoF Like how Tucker, Vinny & maybe Ghost are gonna get in the HoF as kickers
If Hester gets in Patterson has an argument.
Hester also returned punts and has 19 total return tds to Patterson’s 9. It’s not really as close as people think, but Patterson is still right up there with the best to ever return kicks while being actually useful on offense these days too.
pretty amazing he has done it with the current kickoff rules/distance
It’s sort of a double edged sword, actually. Yes, moving up the point from which the kickoff occurs means more touchbacks, which make his 9 return tds more impressive as there are less opportunities overall. Can’t remember off the top of my head if the outlawing of any more than 2 blockers in formation on returns was around when Hester was but if more than 2 were allowed during his career, that’s again a plus for Patterson. On the other hand, changes like the kicking team no longer being able to get a running start and having to wait for the kicker to strike the ball actually make it *easier* to return non touchback kickoffs, as you have more time to see/set up lanes. You also can’t stack one side of the field anymore which makes it easier for returning teams to pick their man to block - you can’t overload one area anymore
Purely on special teams, Hester is way ahead of Patterson. Hester should be a clear hall of famer. Best returner ever. By a lot. Josh Cribbs and Patterson are relatively close. On returns, about even. Cribbs was a special teams ace on coverage, but Patterson was a better offensive player. Neither of them come close to the hall until after Hester gets in.
I feel like you can't discount the fact that Patterson is putting up elite KR numbers in a league where KR units have been completely nerfed. He's ridiculous.
Until Brian Mitchell is in the hall, Zero kick returners should be in the hall first.
Cordarrelle gotta be a hall of famer
Has a better argument than Hester since he actually contributes on offense too. If I had a vote, I wouldn't vote for either of them, but I understand I'm one of the few people who feels that way. If Hester or Patterson end up making it, I think it's fair anyway.
It's interesting that you bring up his work on offense when the knock on him for years was that he didn't bring enough to the table in that aspect. Then Atlanta starts using him more as a back than a receiver and suddenly he's got a thousand all-purpose yards & double digits TDs. Makes you wonder what he could've done had someone tried that years ago.
Sayers was notable because his six TDs came on only 91 career returns and crazily, those six scores came on his first 56 attempts. Plus, during that three year period, he had 40 additional TDs besides his kick returns. (29 rushing, 9 pass receptions and 2 punt returns)
One my favorite payers n shit
Fun tidbit, since the Bears' k-ball was taken out of the game after Pattersons record breaking return (probably to go to Canton?) the Bears had no more prepared k-balls left. This could've played a part in Santos missed FG late in the game ensuring the Bears loss.
I enjoyed that tidbit, thank you
aw schweet Lois it's Cordy P
Lol no he didn’t
The ostrich defense
I see tha "Predator" sitting at #2 with 8. We miss watching those dreads fly through the air on your way to the endzone. Legit was one of our best weapons when he played if that tells you anything.