Bringing it: record-setting Brian Mitchell is the best return man ever because of his linebacker's mentality, his dedication to his craft--and because he's so damn smart.(NFL)

Let's establish this from the start: Brian Mitchell is the craziest man in football. There's no other explanation for why he has willingly--no, eagerly--stood under punts and kickoffs for 14 years now. And for why he has accepted as part of the job such inflictions of damage to his body, relished even the mere hint of possible contact and come away yapping and jawing every time, just daring anyone to hit him harder.

Talk about a man in serious need of job therapy.

Any sane player doing what he has done for so long would be retired, knowing that he already has far exceeded the norm for return specialists, who usually have a short shelf life because of the ...