this post was submitted on 27 Oct 2023
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I'm not talking about a kicker, or a punter, or even like a short yardage back or something. Has there ever been a guy who was known for being an elite gunner (guy on the punting team who tries to down the ball on a punt that isn't fielded by a returner)? Or a special teams tackler? Or long snapper? I don't even know if people pay attention to things like this; just curious.

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[–] Spirited_Edge_449@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Bill Bates. The reason they have a pro bowl spot for special teamers

[–] kstate-miamidolphin@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Eric Rowe. Man could play slot really well just not on the islands

[–] gyman122@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Pete Johnson was a 260 pound fullback in the 70s and 80s, in those days that was about the size of an offensive guard.

Well known as the best short yardage back of his era, if not all time. Has one of the best attempt/TD rates ever

[–] PyrokineticLemer@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Paul Seymour, the third tackle in front of Simpson. Devastating blocker.

[–] gyman122@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

All-American tackle at Michigan!

[–] killasuarus@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Devin Hester will go to the Hall of Fame for being the best kick/punt returner ever.

Terrible receiver, God Tier kick returner.

[–] Grass-Kicker@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] killasuarus@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

I don’t. He was a finalist the last two years.

[–] insane_heat@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Taysom Hill seems pretty niche.

[–] sweens90@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

He’s so niche he’s the best because he is 1 of 1

[–] bangharder@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago
[–] Mick_May@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Walter Payton. In terms of being a running back, he was elite at catching, blocking, and throwing.

[–] Untitled-2017@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

For a few seasons the panthers had Rhys Lloyd who was only there for his elite Kickoffs

[–] NervousUniversity951@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Devin Hester?

[–] yalemartin@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

I think Juju Smith-Schuster and TJ Houshmanzadeh are elite WR2's. Do not ask either of them to be a WR1, for some reason they can't do it. Not in their DNA.

But ask them to be a WR2 and they'll pop.

[–] NextTime76@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Steve Tasker

[–] gmil3548@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Matthew Slater

[–] Zxar@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Sam Gash, nobody could clear out holes better. Only running back to make the pro bowl without a single carry in a season.

[–] FluffsBanker611@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Kassim Osgood as the gunner, David Binn as the long snapper

[–] Mick_May@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Hines Ward: THE blocking WR.

[–] LivinLikeHST@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Steve Tasker from the Bills - probably the best special teams player of all time and was not a kicker

Wiki: spent 13 seasons in the NFL from 1985 to 1997, with 12 of them in Buffalo. He was a five-team first-team All-Pro and was selected to seven Pro Bowls as a special teamer. Tasker is regarded as one of the best special teamers of all time.

[–] TKHawk@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Sherrick McManis. At one point he was the longest tenured player for the Chicago Bears but was almost exclusively a special teams ace. Guy was a phenom gunner on punts and kicks.

[–] Justzyn_Jefferzyn@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Marcus Sherels

[–] HoraceBenbow@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

RB Leroy Hoard once said, "if coach says get me 2 yards, I'll get you 4. If coach says get me 6 yards....I'll get you 4."

[–] thedreamcomparison@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Nobody could run the wildcat like Ronnie Brown

[–] alienbringer@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago
[–] SkinNoises@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Jets intentionally signed Justin Hardee in 2021 as a gunner specialist, and has been their special teams captain every season since. He made the pro bowl last season as well. He is an elite gunner and is who I watch on every Jets punt, dude is the tackler on almost every punt. Here is a highlight video of his 2022 play https://youtu.be/SsnBflswW7Y?si=wfDEHfPS1XI_ia39

[–] BV2159@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Travis Jervey. Made the pro bowl as a special teamer

[–] Rah_Rah_RU_Rah@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Joseph Addai's best skill was arguably pass protection even though he was a RB

[–] dmangan56@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Steve Tasker should be in the HOF.