NFL's Best All-Purpose Players

Leon Washington New York Jets NFL's best all-purpose player
Leon Washington, New York Jets

Last year, three players amassed more than 2,000 combined yards -- Leon Washington of the New York Jets, Darren Sproles of the San Diego Chargers and Jerious Norwood of the Atlanta Falcons.

Multi-purpose players like these can help a team -- and haunt an opponent -- in many different ways.

Always a threat for the big run, catch or return, opposing clubs can never lose sight of these multi-threat players whether it's on offense or special teams.

For Norwood and Washington, 2008 marked the second consecutive season that each player hit the 2,000-yard mark. Norwood's 2,138 combined yards contributed to the Falcons' 11-5 record and Wild Card berth, while Washington's NFL-best 2,337 combined yards helped keep the Jets in the thick of the ultra-competitive AFC East until the final weekend.

Sproles showed off his talents in the Chargers' overtime victory on Wild Card Weekend during the playoffs, punctuating the best season of his four-year NFL career. In San Diego's 23-17 win over Indianapolis, Sproles totaled 328 combined yards -- the third most in NFL postseason history (105 rushing, 106 kick-return, 72 punt-return, 45 receiving).

Leon Washington is "dynamic. He's very smart. Versatile is an understatement with him. He's quick as a cat, and he's just got great hands." -- Former Jets QB BRETT FAVRE

"I've got the best seat in the house. I hand [Darren Sproles] the ball, he heads into the line, it doesn't look good, and then, all of a sudden, he squirts through." -- Chargers QB PHILIP RIVERS

"Jerious Norwood is a very gifted athlete. He can do a number of things. He's very multi-faceted. When you give him opportunities to get touches, he makes the most of them." -- Falcons head coach MIKE SMITH

Players with 2,000 all-purpose yards in 2008

Player Team Rush Rec KR PR Total
Source: National Football League
Leon WashingtonNY Jets4483551,2313032,337
Darren SprolesSan Diego3303421,3762492,297
Jerious NorwoodAtlanta4893381,31102,138

 

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