SPROLES, MORSTEAD CHASE HISTORY
 

SPROLES, MORSTEAD CHASE HISTORY: New Orleans' offense isn't the only unit rewriting the NFL's record book. The Saints set the league record for most touchbacks on kickoffs in a season with 62 so far. Now tailback and kick returner Darren Sproles and punter Thomas Morstead are within range of breaking NFL records as they head into Sunday's regular-season finale against Carolina.

Sproles has a league-leading 2,528 all-purpose yards, the combined total of his rushing, receiving, kick returns and punt returns. He needs 163 yards to break the season NFL record of 2,690 set by the Tennessee Titans' Derrick Mason in 2000.

Sproles needs 120 all-purpose yards to break the franchise record of 2,647 set by Michael Lewis in 2002. Lewis' total ranks second in NFL history.

Asked how long he has known about his record pace, Sproles said, "since just now when you said it."

"That would be cool, but it's not on my mind," Sproles said. "That's not my main focus. My main focus is just to help this team win. And that's all that's on my mind when I go out there and play."

Sproles has 563 yards rushing, 681 yards receiving, 1,035 yards on kickoff returns, 249 yards on punt returns and nine touchdowns.

Sproles said he always admired all-purpose stars such as former New York Giants dynamo Dave Meggett. But in his heart, he's a tailback first and foremost.

"But my all-time favorite is Barry Sanders," Sproles said. "That's who I always tried to be like."

Morstead, meanwhile, is well aware of his shot at the NFL's all-time mark for net punting average. That's the number that all NFL punters and special teams coverage units care most about because it takes into account return yardage.

The current record-holder, Shane Lechler, set the record with a net average of 43.85 yards for the Raiders in 2009. Morstead's net average this season is 43.1 yards. And the San Francisco 49ers' Andy Lee has a net average of 43.5.

Morstead broke the NFL record for touchbacks last week, though that tally is inflated a bit because the NFL pushed kickoffs up 5 yards to the 35 this season and because the high-scoring Saints kick off so often. The net punting record would be even more special, though.

"That would be really cool," Morstead said. "We have a chance. We've had a couple real good games in a row."

Sorry buddy; didn't see that you had already posted the same story.

No Problem.

The net punting average would be a stunner because that needs an awful of personnel to get things right.

Can't wait for the CBS press circus the following day....
Pete Prisco questions the Morstead decision to go for the record late in the game, tainting a special night ........ :doh:

Morstead's record is a reflexion of the amount of TD's we have scored, and I hope he has many,many more. He has a great leg.

Did he make the Pro Bowl. I need to check.

No, but only because Andy Lee plays in the NFC.

Besides, who cares? He's a freakin punter.:rolleyes: