So I'm almost ready to recant weeks of angry declamation against the moving of Devin Hester to the offensive side of the football. Almost. Almost. Here's what the Bears players had to say (including Hester) as brought to you by Fred Mitchell of Chicago's only daily newspaper.
From Hester:
I love running a fake reverse and seeing everybody run at you, and Cedric (Benson) is running with the ball on the other side of the field. That just cracks me up.
From Moose:
We all just fit in different roles. … Devin is going to be kind of the gimmicky guy. I wish we had more than one ball on the field.
From what people are writing, Devin Hester may just be the Bears version of Reggie Bush. He'll be the player defensive units have to account for no matter where he lines up on the field. The last time the Bears had a player like that he wore #34.
Almost.
#2 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .How can this be a bad thing, by any means? Our fastest/quickest players on our team ( may be the fastest player in the league,) now on offense!
Isn't this what we have been wanting for a long time? Bernard has great speed, but imagine Hester going deep on a fade route, it's a beautiful site isn't it? Or down the middle making defensive backs look stupid!
This will also help free up Moose, Bernard, Bradley and R. Davis, this is a win win situation. He's an athlete, now all he has to do is catch the ball, and what follows is what he does best, avoid defenders! Sounds pretty easy to me. This will help Rex tremendously as well.
Could you imagine if John Shoop had Hester, we would be running Wide Receiver screens every play!
As always,
Bear Down!
June 15, 2007
#3 mikebdot said . . .I waiting to see him line up for a quick slant pass,an move the chains on 3rd down.
Also see the reverse run an get excited.
Speed kills an that's what I want it to do to other teams.And my Madden thumbs are waiting,too.
June 15, 2007
#4 BRIANsong said . . .If only he could throw the ball...then a Walter comparison might be even more apt.
Until that time (which will be never), comparing him to Bush will be perfect. If he could be as effective on offense as Bush, I'd be thrilled and feel vindicated for my preference to use him in this role.
We need to get Steve DeBerg or some other guy that performed the play action pass to perfection to teach Rex the art of it all. Until I see Rex actually pull off play action fakes on a regular basis I will be skeptical. If he doesn't have the ball and is only faking the reverse and Benson already has the ball, it's a much better scenario since it's impossible for him to fumble the ball if he doesn't have it.
Overall, I think Hester being on the field will open up space for everyone else, which is always good. It's not as though we have any receivers that warrant a double team most plays, perhaps Hester will turn into "that guy".
June 15, 2007
#5 Pissed off said . . .Only on this site do we have the inspired commentary of "we need Steve Deberg"
June 15, 2007
#6 beardown1982 said . . .Loving Hester on offense, As long as we dont have to see him at DB, I love it. We needed to find more ways to utilize this guy than just returning.
June 15, 2007
#7 Bearfan34 said . . .This seems like it will either be a brilliant idea, or a terrible one.
I think to start this season, it will be a great idea. You can imagine that teams will not kick to Devin for a while...kinda of like the Super Bowl after he returned the opening kick. Which isn't all that bad, because we should end up with awesome field position after kick offs for the first part of the season. Putting him on Offense will at least give him a chance to get the ball or play decoy.
It does seem like this kind of move usually backfires with dynamic kick returners. This move will only hurt badly though, and obviously would be terrible, if Devin gets hurt....but then again, the man is on special teams where guys are coming at him full speed all the time.
So, I guess I will just be optimistic in the hopes this adds another dimension and more speed to the Bears offense.
Anyone see Devin's promo on youtube for Madden 2008 yet? Got me hyped!June 15, 2007
#8 Max said . . .Beardown1982, the Hester Madden Commercial is great! I've been playing the game for ten years, and ready for another edition this August.
If you have not seen the commercial you can see it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smy72-FpgBM
As always,
Bear Down!
June 15, 2007
#9 Midway Monster said . . .I would post a reply, but all of my usable brain cells are still trying to figure out what the hell Midway was talking about in his response to the last post entry. man maybe i should pay more attention in Literature class.
June 15, 2007
#10 Megan said . . .Max - Its offseason, just think of it as an obtuse articulation tangential to the norm.
-Midway-
June 16, 2007
#11 Al in WI said . . .It's not Lit class that you should have paid more attention to, it's the fine art of distraction using "shiney object, shiney object!"
He's boning up for his article writing and testing the waters. Midway wants to see what kind of audience he needs to target. I think we might be a little below him on the IQ scale.
Midway, ugh, you write pretty. You look shiney. Can you put links to definitions of shiney words? Me no understand. Kill Brett Farve.June 16, 2007
#12 Max said . . .It's a little off topic, but I read the story about possibly landing Chris Brown for the backup rb roll today. That would be a great move!!
I know a lot of fans really like AP but I think he is limited to backup status. He'll be fine if all his has to do is spell Benson or fill in for a game but I think if he had to start 2 or 3 games that could be an issue. Especially if Wolf would then assume the #2 spot. Brown is a legit starting quality back with the element of speed that could really be helpful. I for one hope the Bears make this move.
And by the way if they do make the move it will have nothing to do with Rex, rather an understanding that Benson has had some injury concerns, and AP has not come through in this role before (2002-2003).June 16, 2007
#13 Midway Monster said . . .Thats tough. Be nice to have a proven legit running back as a backup to Benson, but Chris Brown has been injury prone since he made it into the league. It would be interesting though cause he was pretty darn good when he was healthy and starting for the Titans.
But regardless, I stand by AP. i think he can get the job done as the change of pace back and can step in and hold his own with Wolfe if Benson goes down.
(Whew, no big words in there for me to fret over.)
June 17, 2007
Sorry folks,
off to another golf tournament.
See you in a week--Midway--
June 17, 2007
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