Taysom Hill, the Swiss Army Knife of the Saints, is latest in NFL multi-faceted standouts

All the buzz surrounding the human Swiss Army Knife of the New Orleans Saints is deserved.

Taysom Hill, the 28-year old Jack of all trades, has filled a number of roles thus far. He has outstanding speed (4.4 in the 40-yard dash) and athleticism (38.5-inch vertical), squats over 500 pounds and had just 6 percent body fat on Pro Day. But more importantly, he’s a true football player.

Hill is listed as a QB/WR/KR/PR. That’s a lot of positions and slashes for an NFL player. He is talented enough to be a good H-Back, tight end or even a free safety.

In choosing to play for BYU, Hill turned away offers from Stanford, Utah, Arizona, Washington State, Boise State and Oregon State.

The Saints have not had such a player on their roster since Guido Merkens played for the Black and Gold from 1980-85. The blond-haired Texan played special teams with abandon, returned punts (7.9 yard average) and kickoffs (12 yard average) and even punted four times. Merkens caught 32 passes for 519 yards and two touchdowns in New Orleans. He ran for 35 yards and threw four passes with one for a touchdown.

Hill evokes memories of quite a few NFL multi-skilled players who were difference makers. He possesses the ability to change the complexion of a game with a big play. Here are a few names that you may recall.

Antwaan Randle-El was an impact player with terrific skills. The former 5-foot-10, 185 pounder out of Indiana was the first player in NCAA Division I history to throw 42 touchdown passes and run for 45 scores while with the Hoosiers. He played both football and basketball in college while also athletic enough for the Chicago Cubs to take a flyer on him in the 1997 MLB draft.

The Steelers’ second round draft pick in 2002 recorded 370 catches for 4,467 yards and 15 touchdowns during his nine-year career. He also had 79 carries for 438 yards and completed 22 passes including six for scores. While in Pittsburgh, he lined up at receiver primarily but shined as a return man as well. In Super Bowl XL, he completed a touchdown pass to Hines Ward in a 21-10 win over Seattle.

Brian Mitchell, a Plaquemine High School product, was the first player in NCAA history to pass for 5,447 yards and run for 3,335 yards while at Louisiana-Lafayette (then USL). He set an NCAA mark with 47 rushing touchdowns, most by a quarterback.

After being selected by the Redskins in the fifth round of the 1990 draft, Mitchell led the NFL four times (including three straight seasons) in all purpose yards. He is in the Redskin Ring of Honor and Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Mitchell ranks second in NFL history with 23,330 all purpose yards, only trailing Jerry Rice, and scored 29 touchdowns. He totaled 4,999 punt return yards with nine TD’s, 14,014 kick return yards with four scores, rushed for 1,967 yards with 12 touchdowns, caught 255 passes for 2,336 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also attempted 18 passes, completing seven, one for a score. He added 13 tackles on special teams.

Kordell Stewart, known as “Slash’ during his NFL days, played one year at receiver but usually lined up at quarterback for the Steelers. The John Ehret product was named the Steelers’ MVP in 2001. He made 41 catches for 658 yards and five touchdowns, threw for 14,746 yards with 77 touchdowns and ran for 2,874 yards including 38 more scores.

Stewart left his mark in college while at Colorado with his 64-yard “Miracle at Michigan” in a game on Sept. 24, 1994, that lifted the Buffaloes over Michigan, 27-26.

Hines Ward played quarterback, running back and wide receiver at Georgia before he was grabbed in the third round by Pittsburgh where he spent 14 years. Twice a Super Bowl champion and the Super Bowl XL MVP, he made 1,000 career catches for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns. A fierce blocker, he played special teams with 22 career tackles as well.

Brad Smith played quarterback at Missouri, becoming the 1st NCAA D-I player to pass for 2,000 yards and run for 1,000 yards in a season. He was the first player in NCAA history to have 8,000 career passing yards with 4,000 rushing. Drafted by the Jets in 2006, Smith was utilized as a WR, RB and QB. His nine seasons in the NFL were spread among the Jets, Bills and Eagles with 104 catches for 987 yards and five scores. He added 972 yards and four touchdowns as a runner. As a return man, Smith managed a 25.7 yard kickoff return average and a 13.5 yard average on punts. Oh, and yes he threw 10 passes, one for a TD.

Deion Sanders, the 1989 first round pick by the Falcons, spent 14 seasons in the NFL. The Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer had 53 career interceptions and 60 catches on offense for 784 yards including three scores. Sanders also returned nine kicks for touchdowns as football’s ultimate weapon in his prime. He spent time in MLB with the Yankees, Braves, Reds and Giants.

Sammy Baugh shined in 16 seasons with the Redskins, doing a little bit of everything many decades before Sanders. Before that, Slingin’ Sammy led TCU to a 3-2 win over LSU in the 1936 Sugar Bowl thanks to his passing and punting exploits. He signed a MLB contract with the St. Louis Cardinals as a shortstop.

As a NFL rookie in 1937, Baugh tossed for 335 yards in the NFL Championship game against the Bears and led the league in punting with a 45.9 average. In 1945, he completed 70.3 percent of his attempts, ran for 325 yards with nine touchdowns and had a nine-yard punt return average. He paced the NFL with 11 interceptions in 1943 as a defensive back, part of his career total of 31 picks.

Troy Brown, in 15 NFL seasons, was quite the valuable eighth round pick by Bill Parcells and the Patriots. He lined up at wide receiver, cornerback and return specialist, finishing as New England’s all-time punt return leader with a 10.4 yard average and three touchdowns. The Marshall alum is the franchise’s second leading receiver with 557 catches for 6,366 yards and 31 touchdowns. As to help on defense later in his career, Brown picked off passes as the Patriots won three Super Bowls.

George Blanda’s remarkable 26 seasons as a quarterback, placekicker and linebacker are pro football legend. While with the Bears from 1949-’51, he played linebacker and made 22 tackles. Blanda threw for 26,920 yards and 236 touchdowns. As a kicker, he converted on 52.4 percent of his kicks, with a long of 55 yards. One of the early NFL Films stars and novelties, Blanda also ran for 344 yards and 9 TD’s.

Roy Green was called a three-dimensional player in his 13 pro seasons with the Cardinals and Eagles. His high point came when he paced the NFL in receiving yards in 1984. He had 559 career catches for 8,965 yards and 66 touchdowns. Green chipped in 23 carries, attempted two passes, averaged 22.5 yards per kickoff return, 8.5 yards per punt run back, intercepted four passes on defense and had 20 fumble recoveries. In 1979, Green returned a kickoff 106 yards for a touchdown against the Cowboys in a career that deserves to be remembered.

Now, I’m not sure if Taysom Hill will end up being a member of this elite NFL fraternity, but he has the skills to play nearly every position on the field. If he stays healthy, he’ll keep making plays.