There are six nominees for the special teams player of the Bills 50th Season All-Time Team to be named on April 25th. Four were primarily returners, while two others revolutionized the coverage game.
Remember you can register to vote for the 50th Season All-Time Team online at Buffalobills.com.
Here's a brief preview of the men who are largely responsible for making Buffalo's special teams as respected as it is around the league today, knowing only one can be chosen.
Terrence McGee – (2003-present)
The Bills former fourth-round pick was a Pro Bowl representative for the AFC in 2005 after his spectacular 2004 season in which he returned three kickoffs for touchdowns, including his career-long 104-yard opening kickoff return against the Dolphins in Miami for which he's most remembered.
McGee is the franchise's all-time leader in kickoff return yards and is only the 10th player in league history with 5,000 or more kickoff return yards for one team.
He's also one of only 10 players in NFL annals with five kick return touchdowns.
McGee holds the team record for most kick returns touchdowns in a season and longest return for a touchdown in team history.
Keith Moody – (1976-1979)
The Syracuse product was a former 10th-round pick and is tied with Roscoe Parrish for most punt return touchdowns in a Bills career with three.
His most memorable was his career-long 91-yarder against Cleveland in 1977, which Moody reversed his field twice to reach the end zone.
Moody is also tied for second in team history in punt return average (10.5).
"Keith was just another one of those great athletes that helped our football team in a lot of ways," said Joe Ferguson. "He was a great returner for us and put our offense in a lot of good situations."
Roscoe Parrish – (2005-present)
The Bills electrifying punt returner is currently first in NFL history in punt return average with a mark of 14 per return. Obviously, he's also the Bills all-time leader in punt return average.
Parrish also holds the team record for most punt return yards in a career (1,312), most punt return yards in a game (120) and is tied with Moody for most punt return touchdowns in a Bills career (3).
His most memorable return is his career-long 82-yard return in a win against Jacksonville in 2006, though some might argue in favor of his 64-yard return in last year's opener against Seattle.
Lou Piccone – (1977-82)
Used as both a returner and coverage player Piccone was the team's first multi-purpose special teamer.
His most memorable moment came as a coverage player when he corralled Cincinnati punt returner Dennis Law in the end zone for a fourth-quarter safety in a 5-0 victory over the Bengals in 1978.
"Lou Piccone did everything for us," said Joe Ferguson. "He was my third down guy on offense, but he was a great special teams player. He knew how to play the special teams game."
Mark Pike – (1987-98)
A coverage specialist by trade, Pike was one of the most feared big man coverage players in the NFL. Capable of covering ground quickly the 272-pound linebacker/defensive end led the Bills special teams units in tackles seven times in an eight-year span.
Named NFL 1st team All-Pro special teams in 1995, Pike's best performance was arguably his five special teams tackle outing against Cincinnati in 1996.
"He was the best big man special teams player ever," said Steve Tasker. "He was a great coverage guy and an impossible matchup for other teams because of his speed and he made more tackles than I did. He was so impossible to block, and they didn't break his tackles."
Steve Tasker – (1987-97)
A seven-time Pro Bowl selection (six consecutive) and Pro Bowl MVP in 1993, Tasker helped to revolutionize special teams beyond just kick and punt returns.
Tasker covered punts and kickoffs, returned punts, held for field goals and PATs and blocked punts and field goals.
Though there were many spectacular plays in Tasker's career, the one most remembered was his blocked punt in Super Bowl XXVII against Dallas.
