Who was our last premier return specialist

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Bacchus

Upchurch was great but Darien Gordan was great too and he was the last one. He actually was better than Upchurch as well.

er, No. Actually F No. Upchurch=best in franchise history.

[broncosteven]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Everyone who suggested Royal was anything more than average doesn't know football.

Agreed, even Adrian Madise had a 100 yard return.

[Bacchus]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Everyone who suggested Royal was anything more than average doesn't know football.

In the years he was in Denver he had multiple TDs returning. Average returners really don't score TDs. They get 9 yards on PR and 20 yards on KO returns.

Royal was dangerous you can ask any special teams coach that had to go against him. He did not return as much when he start at WR.

[Rock Chalk]

Originally Posted by Wes Mantooth

should not be a debate.

Its like, half of these people weren't fans until Tebow showed up or something.

Gordon was awesome. I dont recall him breaking them to the house all that often but he almost always got a good/great return.

[Tombstone RJ]

Darrien Gordon was the last kick/punt return player that was actually a legit threat to take it to the house every time he caught the ball. Royal was nothing special, in fact, I'd say Royal was pretty disappointing. Of course Upchurch was the all time best, but Gordon was the last real threat for the Broncos and the rest (since the last SBs) have been pretenders.

[broncosteven]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

Darrien Gordon was the last kick/punt return player that was actually a legit threat to take it to the house every time he caught the ball. Royal was nothing special, in fact, I'd say Royal was pretty disappointing. Of course Upchurch was the all time best, but Gordon was the last real threat for the Broncos and the rest have been pretenders.

I would go Upchurch, Little, then Gordon.

[Tombstone RJ]

Originally Posted by broncosteven

I would go Upchurch, Little, then Gordon.

we aren't talking "all time". We are discussing the "last great" one.

[Hamrob]

The only "GREAT" one we've ever had was Upchurch!

Very Good ones:

Royal
Gordon
Rod Smith

[manchambo]

Originally Posted by Beantown Bronco

Huh?

He returned some punts back in the day. If I recall correctly, he also was in as a receiver once in a blue moon.

[broncosteven]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

we aren't talking "all time". We are discussing the "last great" one.

Sidebar. I covered it here: http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showpos...6&postcount=22

[GreatBronco16]

I'm going to throw Darrent Williams name in here as the last great one.

[Wes Mantooth]

This is the bar. When someone does this, they will get the title as the last great returner.

http://kerrycfan.tripod.com/97summaries/97denver.html

[beardedwonder]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Everyone who suggested Royal was anything more than average doesn't know football.

His averages are much higher than an average returner.. and thats with limited opportunities cause of mcgenius.
The guy was a homerun threat everytime he touched the ball.

You might be the one that knows nothing about football..

[Hamrob]

Originally Posted by beardedwonder

His averages are much higher than an average returner.. and thats with limited opportunities cause of mcgenius.
The guy was a homerun threat everytime he touched the ball.

You might be the one that knows nothing about football..

To me,a "Great one" is a returner who is feared everytime he touches the ball. That wasn't Royal. He had the ability to take it the distance, but teams didn't fear him.

Big differece with guys like Upchurch, Mitchell, Sanders, Hall, and Hester. Those guys were/are feared everytime they touch the ball.

Just my opinion......that's the difference between very good...and truly great!

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Hamrob

To me,a "Great one" is a returner who is feared everytime he touches the ball. That wasn't Royal. He had the ability to take it the distance, but teams didn't fear him.

Big differece with guys like Upchurch, Mitchell, Sanders, Hall, and Hester. Those guys were/are feared everytime they touch the ball.

Just my opinion......that's the difference between very good...and truly great!

This

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Deltha O'Neil wasnt terrible at it.

Darrent Williams was not good at it, i dont know who suggested him.

[Punisher]

Originally Posted by TDmvp

Darrien Gordon?

Yup

Ironically he ran back two punt returns on the Panthers

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...9711090den.htm

[Crushaholic]

If Rod Smith had returned more punts, he would have been part of this conversation. He did very well, for the opportunities he received...

[Smilin Assassin]

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

Deltha O'Neil wasnt terrible at it.

Darrent Williams was not good at it, i dont know who suggested him.

Disagree with this. Darrent was exciting with the ball in his hands.

But, I'd agree that Gordon was the best returner we've had since Upchurch.

[Greatspirits]

As far as last one it would be Gordon, as far as overall that would be Upchurch.

[KipCorrington25]

Rod Smith? Yeah he would secure the ball and did break a couple but otherwise was about the least dynamic punt returner since Jim Leonard.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Originally Posted by Smilin Assassin

Disagree with this. Darrent was exciting with the ball in his hands.

But, I'd agree that Gordon was the best returner we've had since Upchurch.

Was he? He averaged about 8.5 per return for his all too brief career. No TDs

[Jetmeck]

Originally Posted by Bacchus

In the years he was in Denver he had multiple TDs returning. Average returners really don't score TDs. They get 9 yards on PR and 20 yards on KO returns.

Royal was dangerous you can ask any special teams coach that had to go against him. He did not return as much when he start at WR.

Afraid not......average is every once in a while you do something.

Royal fits that bill to a tee...............

[WolfpackGuy]

No love for Glenn Martinez?



Gordon was the best I've seen since the mid 80's.