The Bears have confirmed that moving Devin Hester to the offensive side of the ball will be a top priority heading into the 2008 season.
My opinion: terrible idea. Why? See: Dante Hall.
Hester isn't the brightest bulb in the chandelier and overloading him with too much responsibility will most likely result in diminished returns on both ends. When Hester started being a more integral part of the defensive system, his return production plummeted.
Of course I hope I'm wrong...
#2 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .Um, didn't he return two kickoffs for TDs against St. Louis...the same game he got scored on by Torry Holt? Not to mention he scored a TD in the super bowl, literally the last game of the season, which I'm assuming is sometime after he because an "integral part of the defense" (which, I don't think he ever truly was).
In my opinion he isn't fast enough to be a "playmaker" like Deion Sanders was, but he is smooth enough to be a "playmaker" like Gayle Sayers was. It's not as though Dante Hall was the only player that tried this...Randel El had a couple good years doing crazy shit, neither of which was 6'0. We just have to be willing to be creative.
Bear Down!
May 15, 2007
#3 jeff said . . .He needs to be more than a 1 trick pony,An I'm sure he's DB skills still left alot to be desired this off season.
He can't keep a roster spot just to return kicks(D.Hall)
Maybe now Ron Turner can be creative or be exposed as a so-so O Cordinator.
I wonder does this signal the end is near for Moose or Bradley,or Davis?
May 15, 2007
#4 BRIANsong said . . .hester was nowhere near the defense for the playoffs or superbowl...they pulled him away because it was a disaster....
and the st. louis game is what spiralled the decline...from the game he was completely ineffective...
May 15, 2007
#5 Midway Monster said . . .We play football in Chicago. Run the ball and punt. Don't get creative.
May 15, 2007
#6 Pissed off said . . .I say the idea is brilliant. He is not the big back up the middle buy in certian situations... hit him as a back out of the backfield in the falts. The dude can follow blockers.
Its gonna work boys, its gonna work.
--Midway--
(OUT OF REHAB)May 15, 2007
#7 Midway Monster said . . .Are you kidding Decatur....he absolutely can keep a roster spot just as a kick returner, he returned 6 kicks for TDs. If he was an average kick returner, then maybe but the best in the game, he's doesnt have to do shit else to be on this team. Hester is not even comparable to Dante Hall. Hester is a kick returner like no other.
Overall I agree with Jeff, except maybe run a reverse or two occassionally and use him as a decoy at WR or RB or hell even QB but I assume he cant catch and he sure as hell cant defend, even with the speed. It was embarrassing watching him defend Holt in that St. Louis game but thankfully he returned the very next kick for a TD.
Lets not forget if we put him in at offense his injury exposure is greater and we dont want this guy hurt....stick to kick and punt returns man.
May 15, 2007
#8 Gin said . . .PO - "his injury exposure"? I guess you make a valid point but ::geeze:: he has been running full steam on punt returns. Every do that? Man-o-man, high velocity helmet-to-helmet impact is a violent thing! It'll knock you silly (and even cause you to post on blogs for the rest of your athletic career).
--Midway--
(out of rehab)May 15, 2007
#9 mikebdot said . . .How can you not like this attempt? We have one gamebreaker on offense in BB and that's it. We need another big play threat. Even if he's on the field for just a couple of plays he'll be effective. At the very least teams have to adjust, worry and cover him.
I just don't understand how you can't like hearing the biggest gamebreaker in the NFL will be getting more touches this year.May 15, 2007
#10 mikebdot said . . .He played in three games between St. Louis and the playoffs. How can one make a judgement on his effectiveness during three games? That's just asinine. Plus teams were PREPARING for him after that game because he returned two kickoffs for TDs. I don't remember when he started returning kickoffs, but there was certainly a surprise factor that disappeared after that game, even with his success in the punting game.
At least on offense the ball can be placed into his hands. On defense he didn't have the ball, as it turns out.
Bottomline: I'm willing to give it a shot, but if they lose yardage or if he takes big hits or if they fumble the exchange between Grossman and Hester or Benson and Hester or whoever and Hester, then get rid of it. Even if it costs us a game, I'm willing to watch.
Re: Briansong: That's fucking boring. It only works with Walter Payton and Thomas Jones was no Walter Payton, nor is Cedric Benson. You need a system where it doesn't matter who is running the ball. See N.E. See Indy. Unfortunately I don't think Grossman is smart enough to run such a system, so Hester might help open up that running game.
Not sure why this would signal the end for Moose, Bradley, Davis...nothing wrong with having 4+ WRs on a team...I thought 6 was normal. Moose, Bradley, Berrian, Davis, Hester, whatever rookie shows up in camp (hopefully it's "white rice").
Just think about this scenario:
Grossman drops back, fakes the hand off to Benson, fakes the reverse to Wolfe, fakes the double reverse to Hester, good protection allows deep throw to Berrian running a deep post...TD (Tecmo super bowl style). Or, if not open, Moose or Olsen will be open in the middle of the field with everyone on the defense running around.
I'm just really excited about the prospect of having all these weapons. I don't care what they do with them. When was the last time we had this luxury? I'm thinking the answer is fairly close to "never".
May 15, 2007
#11 Midway Monster said . . .And, for the record, Jeff, they pulled him away from defense because Vash/Peanut got healthy. They were evaluating the talent, I do not blame them.
May 15, 2007
#12 jdawg said . . .He ran back a 108 yarder against the Gothams that gave me personal bragging rights throughout the year. It's not often that I can shut up the Gmen fans.
If he can run ANYTHING close to that & follow his blockers, we kick a$$. (I was going to find the many many highlights on youtube.com, but I know all of you true Bear fans have them all book marked).
I say do it and let em rip!
--Midway--
May 15, 2007
#13 Pissed off said . . .Well, next season got even more interesting.
BTW, I don't think 5-8 plays a game are going to effect the return game. Plus, the Bears are probably anticipating more Colts-after-the-first-kick-off treatment from the rest of the NFL So if teams are going to squib kick and kick out of bounds why not put him on O to get him those touches?
May 15, 2007
#14 mikebdot said . . .Hey Mike, regarding #9, it is fair then to rip Rex's effectiveness after playing just about the same amount of games as Hester for his performances? HUH? Zing...
May 15, 2007
#15 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .PO'd: No, but 3 vs. 20+ is surely a difference. Regardless, I've said I'm giving Rex a chance to prove himself this year, but if he continues to throw off his back foot and throw INTs when we're actually trailing (which, thankfully, didn't happen much last year), then I'll throw his ass right under your "Rex for MVP" bus as I leave it.
I will sure as shit leave a bus that is about to crash into a mountain. I will, however, NEVER leave my team!
Bear Down!
I could actually debate the merits of your argument, but I don't really see any. Hester played a few snaps when people were injured. He was a warm body. They evaluated his talent and said "ok, this kid might be of more use on offense". They drafted a bunch of DBs and signed free agents to fill the roster spot and potentially get a decent player to step in for Vash/Peanut when (yes, when) we lose one/both of them in free agency/trade. I have no qualms with our team's decisions of late. Rex is still the quarterback. He played a full season at QB. Did Hester play a full season at DB? No, but I'd much rather see him with the ball in his hands than trying to prevent someone else from catching it.
Basically the whole point of my posting today was to say "Jeff, you will be proven wrong". If not, I'll eat me some crow any day of the week. I'm man enough for that bird.
May 15, 2007
#16 Al in WI said . . .PO'd My point was teams will figure him out,an won't kick to him.
This would really limit what he can do.
His shutdown corner skills are not there(so at this point he's a 1 trick pony)
With him on offense who sits down?(Moose or Davis)
They all can't be on the field at the same time.
May 15, 2007
#17 Mad Braynard said . . .I like this idea if he has a package created for him, and that's it. Run some draws, reverses, and screen plays to him, but don't ask him to run out patterns and deep ins. He doesn't have the hands for that. The key will be to get him the ball quickly and see what he can do.
May 15, 2007
#18 jeff said . . .I don't see how this is even a debatable point. Hester is a playmaker. Maybe the best playmaker in football right now. He needs to have the ball in his hands to do that. He's obviously not an NFL defensive back. I was amazed at how many teams kicked the ball away from Hester last year, even when it meant great field position for the offense. There's no reason to think that that sort of mindset won't continue this year. Hester HAS to be on offense. I thought that we should've seen him on offense during the playoffs.
May 15, 2007
#19 mikebdot said . . .speaking for jeff, i hope he's proven wrong. being jeff, i watched the dante hall experiment on offense lead to a completely ineffective offensive player and a complete erosion of his return skills due to over-activity.
May 15, 2007
#20 mikebdot said . . .Jeff,
I can't really say what I watched regarding Dante Hall as I didn't catch many KC games. However, 2001-2004 look like pretty good seasons returning the football if you ask me, which were all years when he was in the huddle quite a bit.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=2284
I don't see much deviation for rushing attempts or receptions between 2001-2004 and 2005-2006. Perhaps his diminished returning skills (which, to me, haven't really diminished that much) are because he's lost a step. He was 26-27 in 05-06 after all. One thing you might want to consider from the '05 season though is that he had 19 first downs on 34 catches, the best percentage of any of his years. So, what exactly is your beef with KC? I think they used him fairly well. '06 was a slight dip in his numbers, but that happens. Is that the year you're talking about? Or '05?
If we can get four great years out of Hester while he's on offense, I'm so fucking down for that.
Mike B. (mike b dot)
May 15, 2007
#21 Pissed off said . . .I was wrong about the percentage thing. 19/34 is indeed less than 15/25 and 15/26. mmmm, crow. Regardless, this furthers my argument 2004/5/6 were all decent statistical receiving years for Hall. It's not as though both suffered.
Seriously, I don't know what "overuse" you are referring to. How many catches/plays would be reasonable per game? 40 catches is only 2.5 catches per game. I'd much rather have them get a rythym going so when they get into the playoffs it's clockwork not some crap trick play.
May 15, 2007
#22 Midway Monster said . . .Rex is a part of the team, one of the most important parts at that so throwing him under the bus IS abandoning your team. Other players fuck up and no one gets on them like they do on Rex. And it was more like 8 or 9 games when Rex was being grilled for his effectiveness, not 20. So your point is the one without truth or as you like to say...validity.
Hester was a warm body, thats about it. I like your confidence that Hester will be good on offense but I must say that I'm in the "get your BBQ sauce cuz the bird is dry" camp.
Decatur, they will have to pick their poison. If they dont kick to Hester we'll take the good field position and occassionally the penalty for kicking out of bounds that puts us at the 40. We looked shitty against Indy cuz we didnt prepare for what to do if a team doesnt kick to Hester but this year we'll be ready with a scheme to do some damage if they dont kick to him. I think your gettin ahead of yourself asking who sits when Hester is in. When that one or two plays per game happens, who cares...cuz thats all he's gonna get in.
May 15, 2007
#23 mikebdot said . . .*********** N e w s F l a s h **********
Tank Johnson is scheduled to meet with the Big Man (commissioner Roger Goodell) tomorrow. I guess we'll find out how long he will be suspended.
--Midway--
(out of Rehab)May 15, 2007
#24 Max said . . .PO'd: Well, if you are going to "zing" ME personally, I assume you meant the 20 games in which he has played when I, personally, started criticizing him (which was after the Super Bowl). Otherwise "zing" has no meaning if you are talking about the media. I don't think the media created post #9. All I'm saying is if he shows the same fucking habits, fuck him. If we go 3-5 (or worse) our first 8 games and it's because of him and he's showing no signs of last September, I'll throw him under the bus. I don't see how that would be unreasonable. This is all hypothetical anyway. We'll see how it plays out, then you can claim I'm throwing the team under the bus if I voice the opinion that Rex should be benched.
May 16, 2007
#25 Pissed off said . . .yo, i love all you guys. . . but this was a post about Devin Hester. . . and now its turned into a post about Devin Hester and Rex Grossman. . . Somehow it always comes back around to him and I dont know why.
May 16, 2007
#26 JB said . . .Yeah uh-huh
May 16, 2007
#27 Midway Monster said . . .A double fake reverse TD throw? I dont think that even works in video games anymore. But seriously, this is good, if not obvious, for our team. DH is not much of a defender...it really isn't why we drafted him. The guy has explosive home run capabilities. He comes in with a small package of plays, the "Decoy-HomeRun" (DH) package, where its all plays for him to score or draw defenders. He's not going to be playing every down...it will not take away from his effectiveness as a returner. If anything, it will help keep him loose and will get him into the flow of the game. As for injuries...can we make a vow to never use that excuse for why someone shouldnt play? It is a fact of the game. If it happens, it happens...
May 16, 2007
#28 Midway Monster said . . .Jeff, seems to me some of this folks need a Bear Blogs Restraining Order from you to keep em on topic.
(unless of course, you're one of those who feel that a Restraining Order is just another word for 'I love you').
--Midway--
May 16, 2007
#29 Pissed off said . . .I hear Favre plans to skip the Packs 'mandatory' minicamp this weekend.
GOOD! I hope he skips all the practice he can! Man, when is that guy gonna leave!
--Midway--
May 16, 2007
#30 Aniketos said . . .Midway.....speaking of changing subjects...Favre? I think they are strongly considering trying to trade him.
May 16, 2007
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