Brian Mitchell

[Turbine]

Perhaps Brian could get involved with our program, then I might care.

Recommendations?

[CajunAmos]

Perhaps Brian could get involved with our program, then I might care.

Pretty sure I saw him post something to former teammates about the alumni weekend.

[Big Poppa]

Recommendations?

Lining up behind center would be a good start.

[Cajunchuck]

Brian Mitchell was the best pure UL football player I've seen at Cajun Field. He deserves to be in HOF but I have my doubts for sure he will ever get in.

[BrockMeaux]

He deserves it when you combine production and longevity, but no, I don't think he ever makes it in. Special Teams aren't very well represented in the HOF. It took Ray Guy, generally regarded as the best punter to ever play, almost 30 years to get in. MAYBE later on as a Senior Committee nominee. With Guy and now Morten Andersen getting in, maybe we're seeing a softening on the hard stance against special teams guys.

[Hark Mudspeth]

He deserves it when you combine production and longevity, but no, I don't think he ever makes it in. Special Teams aren't very well represented in the HOF. It took Ray Guy, generally regarded as the best punter to ever play, almost 30 years to get in. MAYBE later on as a Senior Committee nominee. With Guy and now Morten Andersen getting in, maybe we're seeing a softening on the hard stance against special teams guys.

Specialist aside, I think the view amongst players is that special teams are guys who "aren't good enough" to start. They are the backups. Probably has a lot to do with it. The perception of being the backups I guess is what I'm trying to say.

[sportsfanatic21]

Specialist aside, I think the view amongst players is that special teams are guys who "aren't good enough" to start. They are the backups. Probably has a lot to do with it. The perception of being the backups I guess is what I'm trying to say.

I agree with this. At least they now recognize a special teamer on the Pro Bowl rosters, but the reality is that most of these guys are back ups on offense or defense. A strong argument could be made that had guys like Barry Sanders or Jerry Rice returned kicks, they would have put total yardage numbers up that would likely never be touched.

And yes, Brian had the most total yards at one time, but return yards are nowhere near the same as yards from scrimmage. Before they moved the kickoff up, like when Mitchell was returning kickoffs, you got 15-20 yards each time before you even had a defender near you.

[Turbine]

... Brian had the most total yards at one time, but return yards are nowhere near the same as yards from scrimmage. Before they moved the kickoff up, like when Mitchell was returning kickoffs, you got 15-20 yards each time before you even had a defender near you.

Brain had a lot of peers over the years, yet the fact that in the history of the NFL Brian is the only return man in the top-20 says it isn't so easy for return men to put up career leading numbers.

[duggie85]

Brain had a lot of peers over the years, yet the fact that in the history of the NFL Brian is the only return man in the top-20 says it isn't so easy for return men to put up career leading numbers.

I agree with you, Turbine.

Special teams may be back-ups, but they're still part of the game. Apparently Brian was better at returning kicks & punts than all of the other back-ups.

[Hark Mudspeth]

I agree with you, Turbine.

Special teams may be back-ups, but they're still part of the game. Apparently Brian was better at returning kicks & punts than all of the other back-ups.

They are very much a part of the game but you and I don't vote...their peers do. I think the overall feeling of a locker room in regards to special teams guys is that you aren't good enough for first or second string so you go get hurt on special teams while we save our "good players" for the game. Those guys doing the voting think "imagine if i played special teams, I'm a hall of fame LB or RB, I was too good to risk playing special teams but if I did, I'd be way better than that guy"