Miami Dolphins’ Marcus Thigpen Aiming to Break NFL Record For Kick Return Touchdowns
By Josh Sanchez
The Miami Dolphins appear to be entering this season with some high hopes. Earlier in the day, we passed along the news that Dolphins running back Lamar Miller was looking to rush for more than 1,500 yards and 5.0 yards per carry this season, ando now return man Marcus Thigpen shared his own personal goals.
Thigpen did a very good job as the Dolphins return man a season ago, but now he is looking to improve on special teams and put his name in the NFL record books.
He is aiming to break Devin Hester’s NFL record for combined kick return touchdowns, which was set in 2007 when Hester returned four punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. Thigpen is hoping that he can one-up the Chicago Bears star.
“My goal is to get at least seven returns for touchdowns on kick returns and punt returns combined,” Thigpen said, according to the Dolphins’ official website. “I want to do something that’s never been done before and anything’s possible.”
But Thigpen setting his eyes on the record return number. He also has hopes of becoming the team’s starting running back, which looks like Miller’s job to lose.
“I’m working towards that right now and I’ve put on maybe six or seven pounds. I’m up to 200 right now and my goal is to be the starting running back for this team,” Thigpen said.
It is great to see a confident young man going in to the season, but it is highly unlikely that he will earn the starting gig in the backfield. In fact, it’s all but guaranteed that he will not win the job.
Thigpen needs to focus on his goals in the return game and take things one step at a time.
If Miller can reach his personal goals and Thigpen can break the NFL return record, the Miami Dolphins may end up as one of the most exciting teams in the NFL this season.