It's been a rough decade for the Buffalo Bills, but one area in which the team has enjoyed consistent production is in the kick return department. Terrence McGee got the ball rolling in that department, with a Pro Bowl berth, five career kick return touchdowns and a 26.3-yard average cementing his status as perhaps the best kick returner in team history.
McGee relinquished his kick return duties in 2008 to then-rookie Leodis McKelvin, who ranked near the top of the league with a 28.2-yard average (with one score) as one of the league's best return men that year. With McKelvin shelved a year ago, starting running back Fred Jackson took over the duties, and while his 24.7-yard average is a bit more pedestrian than his two predecessors (he's not quite the same caliber of scoring threat, either), he did very well as a return man.
One of the more intriguing positional battles set to play out this summer - or, more accurately, during the pre-season, or perhaps even as the 2010 season progresses - is which current Bill becomes the go-to kick return specialist. Jackson remains the likely starter at running back, but is as dependable as they come as a return man. McKelvin could re-claim the role that made him infamous in a Week 1 loss to New England a year ago.
The darkhorse contender here, however, is No. 9 overall pick C.J. Spiller. The rookie running back out of Clemson was perhaps the most dynamic return man in recent memory as a collegian, returning seven kicks for touchdowns during his illustrious career while averaging 27.8 yards per return. His kick return stat line as a senior was particularly incredible, as Spiller returned 23 kicks for 761 yards (a whopping 33.1-yard-per-return clip) with four scintillating touchdowns. Spiller's addition certainly gives the Bills the luxury of outstanding options in the kick return department.