BEST EVER SERIES: Redskins Best Ever Kick Returner

[PennSkinsFan]

Please vote. Not much of a choice here,this is a toughies, and it comes down to just two legitimate choices...

Best Ever Punter Results: Mike Bragg won with 52.4% of the vote with Matt Turk nabbing the runner up position with 25.4%. Little different form last year when Bragg received over 70% with Turk in second with just 11%

[IndianBaller27]

mitchell

[badpigs442]

Mithcell. He was consistent and reliable. *Good returns, no mental errors*

[fent]

gotta go with mitchell...he's the first guy i can remember and he was a stud back there for us til he took off to philly

[rskinsfan10]

BMitch

[Patrick]

Have to go with Mitchell.

[lb56blitz]

went with Nelms cause he's my neighbor and an all around good guy plus he holds the single season kick return record avg. at 29.7 yds per return.

[RichardBradley]

Mike Nelms was the man plus he wasn't punk #itch like Mitchell

[hail2skins]

Mitch

[WinslowRedskin]

Mitch. That guy still tears it up at age 37!

[SkinsCT]

Brian Mitchell, all-time NFL record holder in most of the yardage and the touchdown catagory.

[TwistyNiblet]

It's gotta be Brian.

[davepharmd]

Darrell Green...Anyone remember the 87 playoff game in Chicago. He may not have the stats/quantity but that was the most important kick return in Skins history. He may have possibly been the most talented KR/PR in history but Gibbs decided to save him for CB...not a bad choice though.

[badpigs442]

That was a punt return.

[davepharmd]

I didn't realize we were differentiating between KR & PR.

[badpigs442]

I didn't realize we were differentiating between KR & PR.

Its a good post, but save it for the BEst Punt Returner poll.

[juskins]

B. Mitchell, dont like the fact that he isn't a SKIN... but his numbers speak for itself

[IowaSkinsFan]

MItchell.

[Axegrinder]

B. Mitchell, dont like the fact that he isn't a SKIN... but his numbers speak for itself
I believe he's the NFL's alltime yardage leader.He gets my vote.

[garedskin]

I went with Mitchell.This was a tough one. I loved Mike Nelms. Gibbs said he scared him because he almost never called for a fair catch and I dont recall him ever fumbling a punt. They both where outstanding return men and special team players.

[wewantdallas]

I guess Mitchell because he lasted longer, but I loved watching Nelms more than anyone else. He was FEARLESS!

But, like Yoda said, "There is another."

Anyone remember Eddie Brown from the '70s? I was just a kid, but one of my earliest Redskin memories is watching Eddie Brown run a bunch of punts and kickoffs back for TDs in the mud during a monday night game against St. Louis. That guy was great, too! :dalassuk:

[Spence]

Nelms was terrific, but Mitchell did it longer.

[joethefan]

Some of you probably don't remember Mike Nelms...but he was a beast

[LuvSkins17]

Brian Mitchell. I still think he was gone just a little too soon.....

[smoak]

mitchell. he brought a lot of energy and talent to a position that has been a weak spot since.

[smoak]

plus, i don't blame him for being bitter about the way he was treated by snyder.

[ShaggySkins]

Brian Mitchell may very well be the first ever player into the HOF based on his ability to return kicks. He is simply one of the best return men of all time and possibly ever.

[Keino]

Guys, Mike Nelms was a Superior Kickoff Returner even when compared to B Mitch.

B Mitch excelled on Punt Returns, but Kick Returns, hands down, Mike Nelms was the best in team history....Im actually kind of appauled at the way this vote has gone. Makes me think some of you don't watch football or worse, never saw Mike Nelms play.

[GloryHog]

Nelms.

Mitchell was very good for a long time, but assumeing both guys were in their prime, if we were behind in the last minute of a game and needed a big return, Nelms would be my choice every time.

[RedskinsFanInTX]

Loved watching both of them! Brian Mitchell gets my vote. :wacky:

[IowaSkinsFan]

Nelms could have been the best if he had Mitchell's longevity. Too bad he didn't last longer.

[PainterBoy]

Guys, Mike Nelms was a Superior Kickoff Returner even when compared to B Mitch.

B Mitch excelled on Punt Returns, but Kick Returns, hands down, Mike Nelms was the best in team history....Im actually kind of appauled at the way this vote has gone. Makes me think some of you don't watch football or worse, never saw Mike Nelms play.

Once again you share my thoughts!

[Seebs]

Mitchell

[IowaSkinsFan]

Guys, Mike Nelms was a Superior Kickoff Returner even when compared to B Mitch.

B Mitch excelled on Punt Returns, but Kick Returns, hands down, Mike Nelms was the best in team history....Im actually kind of appauled at the way this vote has gone. Makes me think some of you don't watch football or worse, never saw Mike Nelms play.

Well, I can't speak for the others, but personally, longevity played a lot into my vote and I think Mitchell was much more of a contributor on Special Teams as far as covering punts and the offense as a third down back. Taking into account the extra plays Mitchell participated in, the longevity in his career far trumps that of Nelms' career. That's why I voted the way I did.

[kempcolts]

I went with Mitchell, but what ever happen to Speedy Duncan..........

[Keino]

Well, I can't speak for the others, but personally, longevity played a lot into my vote and I think Mitchell was much more of a contributor on Special Teams as far as covering punts and the offense as a third down back. Taking into account the extra plays Mitchell participated in, the longevity in his career far trumps that of Nelms' career. That's why I voted the way I did.

Robert that is sound logic in comparing their Overall careers. The question is specifically about Kick Returning. Nobody in team history was better or more explosive than Mike Nelms at that one aspect of Special Teams. Not even B Mitch. I frankly can't understand why Longevity is even a factor......


I did a little research:

Brian Mitchell - 10 Seasons (1990-1999) as a Redskin
Career KR TD's = 2
YPR = 22.27

Mike Nelms - 5 Seasons (1980-1984) as a Redskin
Career KR TD's = 2
YPR = 23.72

How in the world can anyone look at these numbers and think that B Mitch was a better Kick returner?

Better overall Special Teamer...YES
Better Punt Returner....YES
But this poll is Best Kickoff Returner in Team History - Mike Nelms...the numbers don't lie.

[AGibbsGirl]

When in doubt go with the stats!

Mike Nelms

[redwolf1218]

probably because the numbers are so close, and mitchell did it for 10 years rather than 5.

[Keino]

probably because the numbers are so close, and mitchell did it for 10 years rather than 5.

Or you could take the the view that it took Mitchell twice as long to achieve that same success.....

[natgbz]

I say Mitchell. We gave us 10 good years and we cast him aside.

[hailskins]

B Mitch

[SkinzFan4Life]

Brian Mitchelll....there is not even a close 2nd

[IowaSkinsFan]

Robert that is sound logic in comparing their Overall careers. The question is specifically about Kick Returning. Nobody in team history was better or more explosive than Mike Nelms at that one aspect of Special Teams. Not even B Mitch. I frankly can't understand why Longevity is even a factor......


I did a little research:

Brian Mitchell - 10 Seasons (1990-1999) as a Redskin
Career KR TD's = 2
YPR = 22.27

Mike Nelms - 5 Seasons (1980-1984) as a Redskin
Career KR TD's = 2
YPR = 23.72

How in the world can anyone look at these numbers and think that B Mitch was a better Kick returner?

Better overall Special Teamer...YES
Better Punt Returner....YES
But this poll is Best Kickoff Returner in Team History - Mike Nelms...the numbers don't lie.

In the law of averages, the longer you play, the more likelly your averages are to be lower. I would be interested in seeing the best five year stretch of Mitchell's kick return career and see how it stacks up to Nelms. A 1.5 net yard difference in career averages is statistically significant when you consider Mitchell's career was twice as long as Nelms. Nelms average, while not a certainty, almost assuredly would have been lower than what it is had he played more than 5 years. Just my opinion.

Edit:

Okay I did some research. Brian Mitchell's best 5 year stretch returning kicks with the Skins was 1994-1998. During that time he average 23.91 yards per return with 2 touchdowns. So when comparing apples to apples, Brian Mitchell more than holds his own against Mike Nelms. It is not as lopsided as many may think. He equaled Mike Nelms in touchdowns and exceeded him in average return. In addition, Nelms career average is weighted higer due to his single season Redskin record, something over 29 yards per return, I believe. Mitchell never averaged over 25.6 during his best 5 year stretch which means that he was more consistent than Nelms during his career as well.

[Keino]

How is it fair to compare BEST (94-98) five year stretch as opposed to FIRST 5 year Stretch (90-94)? Basically comparing a seasoned vet to a rook. The fact that the Single Season Record is held by Nelms shouldn't be discounted, in fact supports the argument that Nelms was the more explosive player. Besides, you already admitted that things other than returning kicks factored into your vote.

Also consider that Nelms was a Defensive Back. As a result, his career was doomed to be shorter because he couldn't contribute in other areas the way B Mitch did. We had to carry an extra D back who wasn't a very good defender during the Pearl Harbor Crew years. For many years B Mitch was our 3rd down back. Mitchell is definately a better overall Football player, and a Better Punt Returner. Mike Nelms was a better Kick returner.

What bothers me about this vote is how it is a landslide, and I suspect that the majority of B Mitch Voters have never seen Nelms play. I posed this question to fans in my office, of which I am the oldest (And Im only 30). The overwhelming response was that they only really remember Mitchell, and they were too young to remember Nelms.

[redwolf1218]

Or you could take the the view that it took Mitchell twice as long to achieve that same success.....
actually i was just answering the post before mine where the guy said "How in the world can anyone look at these numbers and think that B Mitch was a better Kick returner?" nelms was more dangerous, more fearless and crazy and funner to watch, IMO.

[redwolf1218]

How is it fair to compare BEST (94-98) five year stretch as opposed to FIRST 5 year Stretch (90-94)? Basically comparing a seasoned vet to a rook. The fact that the Single Season Record is held by Nelms shouldn't be discounted, in fact supports the argument that Nelms was the more explosive player. Besides, you already admitted that things other than returning kicks factored into your vote.

Also consider that Nelms was a Defensive Back. As a result, his career was doomed to be shorter because he couldn't contribute in other areas the way B Mitch did. We had to carry an extra D back who wasn't a very good defender during the Pearl Harbor Crew years. For many years B Mitch was our 3rd down back. Mitchell is definately a better overall Football player, and a Better Punt Returner. Mike Nelms was a better Kick returner.

What bothers me about this vote is how it is a landslide, and I suspect that the majority of B Mitch Voters have never seen Nelms play. I posed this question to fans in my office, of which I am the oldest (And Im only 30). The overwhelming response was that they only really remember Mitchell, and they were too young to remember Nelms.

[redwolf1218]

oops i did that wrong. but anyways, i'm 39, and the only guys that stand out in my mind are speedy duncan, mike nelms and brian mitchell. nelms was insane. on coverage i remember ravon caldwell losing his helmet and knocking himself out on a tackle. he was insane too. made the team though.

[TexSkin]

BMitch

[NateC124]

Yeah, I don't remember Nelms. Can't count out Darrell Green's punt return vs. Chicago

[JOISBK]

Mr. Nelms, no brainer. Never called for a fair catch, played big in big games.

[redwolf1218]

Yeah, I don't remember Nelms. Can't count out Darrell Green's punt return vs. Chicago
that was awesome. i wonder if he had returned punts how he would have done over the years, stats-wise. i never wanted him to get hurt doing it, but you knew when he went in there it had to be do or die, big game, and he took it to the house.

[Skins57]

Mitchell.. no question