Today we begin a position-by-position offseason breakdown that should continue through the Super Bowl. Here's the only ground rule: keep the comments ON SUBJECT. We're going to hit every single aspect of this football team and there will be time to weigh-in on all things Chicago Bears. I understand that analysis of one position may crossover with another but I don't want every post to end up resulting in an unwinnable quarterbacks debate.
Today we're starting not with a position but with a player: Devin Hester. Hester transcends the Bears organization as their most dynamic and inspiring talent. His use has become the subject of great conversation. When Dan Pompei of the Trib asked Jerry Angelo about an increased offensive role, here was Angelo's response:
I would think we would increase his role. It's how we're going to do it. How many times do we want to get his hands on the ball, in what capacities? Do you want to keep him as your punt and kickoff returner? Can you play him as a full-time wide receiver and returner? If we don't feel he can do that, we might have to cut his numbers as a returner and increase his play time as a wide receiver. These are the things we have to talk about. We need to have a really good plan for Devin.
QUESTION ONE: Should Devin Hester become a major factor in the 2008 offensive scheme?
QUESTION TWO: Should that role lead to a decrease in his special teams reps?
QUESTION THREE: What - in your opinion - is the perfect role for the Skunk?
Get it started. I'll join you below.
#2 texas bears fan said . . .1st!!!!!!!
January 15, 2008
#3 Mike said . . ."We need to have a really good plan for Devin." This is from the guy in charge. For Devins' sake they should trade him to the Patriots so he can have the career he deserves, instead of being ruined by the management clowns of the Bears.
January 15, 2008
#4 AK said . . .Devin Hester will be looked upon to fill the role vacated by Bernard Berrian in the passing game. In other words, the "plan" will be for him to be the new "speed receiver." Whether this plan will be successful or not is debatable. Personally, I think it is asking too much to expect Hester to become the de facto # 1 wide receiver on this football team. And a potential recipe for disaster. In a perfect world he should be a difference making weapon as a # 3 type receiver.
Something tells me the Bears will go after Javon Walker. And something else tells me I won't like it one bit.
January 15, 2008
#5 DTB said . . .QUESTION ONE: Should Devin Hester become a major factor in the 2008 offensive scheme?
Yes. He has the speed and talent to turn this offense around. He just needs someone to chuck the ball to him.
QUESTION TWO: Should that role lead to a decrease in his special teams reps?
No. Just by Hester standing on the field, Da Bears are guaranteed to either start at their own 40 or hit a home run.
QUESTION THREE: What - in your opinion - is the perfect role for the Skunk?
The perfect role is for him to have the ball in his hands as often as possible.
January 15, 2008
#6 Pissed Off said . . .An increased role? Taking him off the field for kick and punt returns at this stage of his development as a WR would be the worst possible thing we could do. Hester, in any position is a threat for 6 every time he touches the ball. I dont think that he should be gauged upon size of role but instead by number of touches. The only problem we have is weighing touches with ammount of times he is used as a decoy. Should be at least 50/50 split. The problem that occurred all year was how he was used as the decoy while in the game. You dont flank him out and call a dive, that does no good in exploiting his talents.
I see plays all the time from other teams and think that they would rock if we featured Hester as this type of decoy.
Example: SD lines up, send the right WR in motion toward the QB, snap the ball, fake dive right, fake end aroound to WR, setting up the screen to the RB the whole time to the right. Imagine that over pursuit of the defense after doing that end around once.He needs to be moved all over the field. It just seemed to me that RT attempted to sneak him onto the field, it's not going to work. Put him in motion, in the backfield, carry him in on Kruetz's shoulders. Point is you can not effectively utilize a talent like this if you dont wave the skunk under everyone's nose. Show everyone that he is front and center, utilize this guy to open up realistic chances for others as well as himself.
In final, he should handle all returns in game (the more returns in theory the more we need him), and about 20-30 snaps a game. Asking him for 40 plays is perfectly reasonable given his talent and influence on an opposition's game plan.
January 15, 2008
#7 Pissed Off said . . .Havent been around since yesterday morning. On this topic I would like to see Hester become a full time reciever, and a good one but I dont know if he has it in him. He didnt last year. He was OK at times but not good enough to be a #1 and catch a lot of balls every game. Not yet. I am all for an increased role for him at WR but if it doesnt work this coming year we have to pretty much abandon it. I just think that he's in on too few plays and it actually screws up our offense when he's in there cuz we always try to go to him and it doesnt work half the time...wasting a play...a drive.
January 15, 2008
#8 mikebdot said . . .And no, I'm not in favor of EVER taking him off of punt or kick returns..EVER, even if that means no role in the offense.
January 15, 2008
#9 Phil from SATX said . . .1: Yes, he should become a major factor in the 2008 offensive scheme. I will define a "major factor" as 40-60% of offensive snaps.
2: No. Due to the % of snaps, I don't feel the 5-10 plays on special teams per game should hurt his effectiveness at either position. The balancing act shouldn't be done by only putting him on the field for 3 snaps per drive. The balancing act will be to plug in other guys when he says he's tired. I'm not sure how much simpler that could possibly be.
3: Continuation of above: In my opinion the "perfect role" would involve putting Skunk in three or four fixed positions, where he can do any number of things. I'd like him to at least line up at tailback once in awhile. Send him streaking up the middle of the field and then if he's not open throw it underneath to either TE or a crossing WR. If they blitz, use the other back as an outlet receiver. Basically, I'd like to see anything other than a "vanilla" offense. Creativity shouldn't ALWAYS be used, but at least put some damn sprinkles on that vanilla ice cream.
As for my ideal world. In a perfect world we draft Felix Jones. I think he would be the perfect back for us, especially putting him out there on kickoffs with Hester as the "up" man, as opposed to Rashied Davis. That is a pipe dream and all, but I don't care. Jones would also be a very good back-up for CB. And I think "Felix Jones" is on topic as well, since if Hester does in fact get tired, he'd be the perfect guy to throw in there since he's already returned kickoffs and punts in college (4 KO returns for TDs in 3 years, two last season).
January 15, 2008
#10 Phil from SATX said . . .I answered this somewhat on the last thread, but taking him off a single punt or kick return should be a firable offense. By definition he has the most impact in this position. He's either getting the ball directly or they're kicking it out of bounds/squibbing it, which is even better in the long run for us/him because he's not taking a hit nor getting tired. Instant field position.
On offense, there's so many more moving parts - you're running a route, a defender is right on you, a QB has to throw you the ball, you're in a lot of plays where you're not even touching the ball, etc.
I would really like to see Hester used in more of a Reggie Bush mode, because that's who I think he is, more than a speed receiver. I think he can be taught the speed receiver role, I just think the other role would be much more productive and higher percentage. If he's being handed the ball, you're essentially certain he's going to touch it. Catching a ball in a dump-off from the RB position is a high percentage throw/catch. You could always mix in the go route just to freak out the opposition too, because we know he can blast by anyone. But running him consistently on those routes IS likely to tire him out throughout a game and potentially make him less effective (of course I've yet to see that).
I think that answers the three.
January 15, 2008
#11 Rancid said . . .And MikeB, the only thing I take exception to in what you wrote is you have the Felix Jones/Hester thing reversed. Since DH is THE BEST RETURNER WHO EVER LIVED, he obviously gets to be deep, and let them squib it to Felix Jones, and maybe Felix takes it to the house. But putting Hester up only ensures they'll kick away from him, and while Felix Jones may be good, I'm sure he's no Devin Hester. Otherwise I agree with you.
January 15, 2008
#12 mikebdot said . . .I'm not sure that he really expends that much energy in a game. They don't kick to him that much anymore so you're basically looking at maybe 1 100 yd dash on any given day. Before Hester, Tillman was returning kicks and no one was talking about giving him a break on D.
What I really like about an expanded role in the offense is that other teams may kick to him to see if he is getting tired out by his role in the offense. Any plan that might get people to kick to him I am in favor of.
I like him as a Berrian replacement. I do not mean the #1 receiver that BB became this year. I like him as the speedy #2. At #1 I want a big strong route runner who will fight for the ball, a possession receiver. You know, what we were supposed to get when we bought Moose. We can feel free to stunt him as well with end arounds every once in a while but I feel if he is out there as a regular part of the offense, it will be less obvious they are going to him when they do. In the present system RT might as well send a memo to the other team letting them know it's going to him.
I have two main concerns for this plan. First, Hester isn't a good enough receiver for this yet. He was defenitely getting there. If training camp and pre-season can't get him polished enough to be out there a lot then we can't do it. Secondly, there's the blocking. Hester isn't great at it and I am sick of seeing him take stingers and come out limping after trying to block. What an incredible blow to the team it would be if we lost the best returner in NFL history to a season-ending injury when he was blocking as a WR. Those are my two issues with this plan.
To sum up:
Question 1 - YES
Question 2 - NO (DUH)
Question 3 - The role should be a returner of all kicks and a #2 speed receiver.
January 15, 2008
#13 mikebdot said . . .Phil: Wasn't saying Hester should be "up", just saying put him out there with Hester...should have put a period in there or something. Stupid grammar.
January 15, 2008
#14 jeff said . . .Rancid: Did Tillman return kicks? I just remember Azumah. Also, Curtis Conway returned some punts and kickoffs in '93 and '94. Granted, it wasn't for the whole year or every kickoff, but he was the true #1 and did so. The biggest risk of putting Hester on the field on offense is a possible injury. But, he could just as easily get injured on returns. If you want him to have more returns/touches per game, the risk of injury increases.
January 15, 2008
#15 B.A. Baracus said . . .i will make one point that's been avoided. how often do we think devin hester will actually be kicked to in 2008? will teams actually put the ball in his hands on special teams? how can they justify doing it?
January 15, 2008
#16 jdawg said . . .Taking Hester off of any punt or kick return is madness. He is the best returner of all time. Hester is not the problem or the answer for the Bears at WR. He should be used on offense in high percentage situations that make it possible for him to use his talents - but he should not be over-used.
January 15, 2008
#17 Al in WI said . . .I think its time to quit paying attention to what JA and Lovie say and just watch what happens on the field. They are notoriously close-lipped, so take what ever comes out of their mouths with a grain of salt.
They don't need to limit Hester's returns since half the time the opposing team kicks away from him.
WR is on of the hardest positions to make the transition to from college and Hester wasn't even a WR there. Its going to take at least another season to see if its going to work, but the goal should be to use him as effectively as possible, which we didn't this past season.
January 15, 2008
#18 jeff said . . .Jeff to answer your most recent question; it will depend on how good or bad our offense is. If our offense next year resembles the production of the first half of 2006 teams will have to kick to him or risk giving up points every time they kick off. If our offense is similar to this years or the 2005 unit he'll never get a kick return opportunity unless a squib kick travels that far. The punt returns will somewhat depend on if the NFL passes a rule penalizing teams for kicking out of bounds.
As for his role on offense; he should be the #3 reciever on the team. And when he's on the field he should move to the outside while our possesion guy moves to the slot. I do not want Hester running passes over the middle where he can be creamed by linebackers and safetys. I want him as a threat on the outside where he will take coverage away from Olsen, Berrian and the other recievers.
And of course I do not want Hester's role to reduce on special teams in 2008. Mabey 4-5 years from now if, he becomes a top flight reciever. Which I doubt will happen.January 15, 2008
#19 mikebdot said . . .i think my answer is to my own questions is use him on offense but don't burn him out. brian mitchell was an effective kick returner for a decade but lived on special teams. i'd like to see devin hester step into the az hakim role in the old rams offense - the guy who stretches the field but doesn't catch a lot of balls over the middle of the field. an injury to this guy devastates the franchise. his presence alone on special teams alters everything about the game. losing the presence is not worth 6 catches, 78 yards a week.
January 15, 2008
#20 jeff said . . .Brian Mitchell didn't average close to 6 catches 78 yards every week (most receivers don't actually as that would be a pro-bowl season with 96 catches for 1248 yards), but he didn't "live" on special teams. I see no reason he can't be used in a similar capacity.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MitcBr00.htm
January 15, 2008
#21 jeff said . . .wait you looked at that stat sheet and derived he DIDN'T live on special teams? brian mitchell was a third string tailback and third down-y type back his whole career...he never touched the ball 100 times in a season outside of maybe once. devin hester had 27 touches this year (20 catches, 7 carries). i'd like to see those numbers go to about 40-50 catches and 10 carries. i think making the skunk your number one receiver and your kick/punt returner means that you're an injury away from being 5-11.
January 15, 2008
#22 Jeff from Naperville said . . .breaking my own rule but richard dent is a hall of fame finalist. don't think he'll make it but it's worth mentioning.
January 15, 2008
#23 Johnny from Chi-Town said . . .Are we playing this weekend?
January 15, 2008
#24 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .My take on Hester- trade him. Sell him while his stock is high. Trade for a qb. We need somone as good as Favre.
January 15, 2008
#25 startolsen said . . .QUESTION ONE: Should Devin Hester become a major factor in the 2008 offensive scheme?
It still would depend on the make up of our WR corp. if he needs a crash course on being a #2 WR
IMO No, I don't think he shown if he run any other routes besides the Go routes.So moving him into the slot might make sense with his speed to try an move the chains.RT needs to keep him on the field on more downs to make the defense account for him,than the 1 play back to the sideline crap.QUESTION TWO: Should that role lead to a decrease in his special teams reps?
Yes if he rep on Offense goes up keep him in for kickoffs,an remove him from punts.If he only going to be used 30% of the time on Offense then he should stay as the full time returner.
QUESTION THREE: What - in your opinion - is the perfect role for the Skunk?
3rd down slot WR,full time kickoff returner,part time punt returner.(with punt returns he has less chances to return with fair catches vs kickoffs)
January 15, 2008
#26 Johnny from Chi-Town said . . .He needs to play full time WR end of story. We've seen glimpses. I want to see it all. If you play Madden do what i do and put him at WR and throw deep to him 5-6 times a game. He usually has 2-3 catches, 200 yards, 2-3 scores.
January 15, 2008
#27 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .startolsen,
When I play Madden I always trade Urlacher for Favre and I throw it to Hester all day long. I also relocate the team to Nice, France. I get a kick out of seeing a team called the Nice Bears.January 15, 2008
#28 Megan said . . .does anybody think Hester has reliable hands to be a full time #1 or 2 WR?
Can he learn to block?because"we run the football off the bus"
an being a #1 or 2 mean he has to block.January 15, 2008
#29 Megan said . . .I think I remember at one point this season either PO'd or Rancid saying that they didn't think skunk was smart enough or at least didn't have enough practice with pass patterns on this offense to be effective as a full time WR.
I would hate to see us loose that weapon on special teams, but I would like to see us gain one on offense or at the very least develop the newer players we have.
And Jeff brings up a valid point about how many teams will actually kick to him? Unless they get cocky like what's his face this past season. Teams will try to adjust to skunk, we know that. But Skunk has an unbelievable ability to see down the field, almost predict what holes will be there, and he can run like the dickens.
My opinion is that we keep him on special teams one more season perhaps, and try to develop who we have-- olsen, AP/Wolf(e?) on short passes and runs-- If that is possible with RT as offensive coodinator.
Was that "on-topic" enough?
January 15, 2008
#30 jeff said . . .DS#7-- good point, how's his blocking??
January 15, 2008
#31 PolygonHell said . . .i wouldnt trade devin hester for anything in the world. the guy makes me too happy.
January 15, 2008
#32 RandomName said . . .The problem with this sort of speculation is you can't guess how good a wide receiver he can be. And how good the surrounding offense is.
If he really can be a number one receiver, you play him at that position and if that means reducing his reps at Kick Returner you do it. You get the ball in his hands more often this way, if he can be effective with the ball in his hands as a Wide Out do it.
Now I don't think he'll be indespensible at Wide Reciever, so I don't think they'll reduce his Return reps. I think he'll be on the field for more downs with the offense and that will equate to a few more touches on offense, but I suspect he will still be primarilly a special teams weapon.
But all of that predicates on my belief that his skill set doesn't necessarilly translate directly to WR.
January 15, 2008
#33 RandomName said . . .Great upload Jeff, I'll respect your rules and stay on subject.
"IF we don't feel he can do that, we MIGHT have to cut his numbers as a returner and increase his play time as a wide receiver"
I have bolded some key words, for my point. I dont believe that the quote is at all damning. Hester is after all( though many may want to deny it) HUMAN. Sprinting nonstop on receiving and returning for every punt/kickoff is taxing. This may cause too much of a negative impact in both positions.
Preseason you up his reps as receiver and keep him on every single return opportunity, if doesn't need an ambulance then you have him do it first week. and so on and so on.
If that plan starts to rattle then I'm in total agreement with Jerry Angelo because receiving is just that dynamic of a position he'll have more chances to improve our field position and I dare say score.
*note* just read #2 about giving hester a career in New England. . . ummm NO. He's a bear, screw the great patriots.
The Bears do have a lot of great talent on the field and will be in the superbowl in this upcoming season.
January 16, 2008
#34 mikebdot said . . .http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/September-2007/You-Should-Know-Devin-Hester/
Ok i think everyone should read this interview if they havent already. hester had issues because they couldnt find a fixed position for the guy. I think wr and returner is all he should worry about. he expends to much energy as a running back and usually loses a yard. his talents would be much better as a receiver where his turn on a dime skills can frustrate many a defensive secondary.
January 16, 2008
#35 Rancid said . . .Jeff, my point was that Brian Mitchell had at least twice as many touches as Hester did last season (sometimes three or like you mention 4 times) in 7 of his seasons, so there is evidence to suggest that a more expanded role in the offense shouldn't be a big burden on someone as integral to special teams as even Brian Mitchell was.
I'll concede and stop arguing what one ought to mean by the phrase "lived on special teams". Though, I will say I meant to distinguish him from someone like, say, Ayanbadejo.
January 16, 2008
#36 Shady McBears Fan said . . .Megan - I probably said he didn't have the practice, I wouldn't have said he wasn't smart enough. By the way, nice fight with Chad last post, you really held your ground!
I think that the lack of practice is primarily the fault of RT. Of course, I think global warming is primarily the fault of RT. That is why I stated in post #11 that my hope of him as our #2 wideout depends on him making some serious progress at route running.
January 16, 2008
#37 Megan said . . .For him to be effective, the Bears need to prove that Hester is a legitimate WR and can run routes other than the streak, screen and end-around. Proving his receiving and route-running abilities will make teams respect Hester as a WR so they won't be able to sit on the obvious route (screen, end around, streak). It became more than obvious last year what Turner would call when Hester was out on the field. I'd say that's about 50% of why Devin wasn't completely effective as a WR last year, and the other 50% I would put on Devin struggling to understand the offense. I just don't see Devin as a #1 type receiver. I think it's an unrealistic (short-term) goal. He is capable, however, as a complementary type of WR who can open things up for a #2 or a #3. But again, the Bears need to make people respect Hester as a true WR for him to become completely effective.
To answer your question Jeff, how much teams will kick to Devin depends on how the offense performs as well. If they prove that they are unable to score on a consistent basis (like last year) there really is no reason to kick the ball to Devin. If things go the way they did in '07, Devin will probably see 2/5 kicks (one being a fair catch). Interestingly enough, much of how the offense performs next year will also depend on Devin Hester.
RN, that article brings up a good point. Hester never actually wanted to play WR before Lovie convinced him to. It's clear that his past teams have tried putting him at WR but nothing has worked out. Becoming a #1 or #2 WR in the NFL is not an easy thing to do, especially for a guy who was drafted as a CB/return man. The truth is he needs to find away to use his unique natural ability to gain an advantage on a defense, and hope that eventually this experience and practice will catch up to other WRs in the league. If there's one player who HAS the natural ability to do that, it's Devin.
January 16, 2008
#38 RandomName said . . .Rancid-Thanks!
My question is, what kind of fan are you if you want to trade DH away? I can't believe people are even thinking that?January 16, 2008
#39 Phil from SATX said . . .Hester Can be a number one receiver, and the more people who say he can't the more motivation for him.
If anything it's just a mental thing and the guy likes to prove himself.
January 16, 2008
#40 Phil from SATX said . . .Here's the question - do you think Devin Hester has a better chance of making it into the Hall of Fame as a receiver or as a returner? I think the answer should be obvious. It will likely take many years to turn DH into a top receiver, much less a HOF one - think Steve Smith and the like. And it could easily never happen. It is a big time skill position, and although we've seen Hester pick up some of the simpler parts of the role, it was pretty obvious this year that he struggled with the nuances of the fully articulated WR position. And that's no slam on him or his intellect - it's not the position he's played in the past. We saw him playing his chosen "skill" position, at cornerback, and he wasn't good at it despite his immense talents.
We do not want to take away what Hester's already shown he can give us on special teams - it's too important to get that field position. We want that to happen for years and years, and he'll be in the Hall for it. Don't try to force him into a #1 or #2 starting WR position - leave that to the people who have been playing it all their lives, just get better ones or better develop the ones you have. Let him be a #3, and as I said previously, try to use him in a Reggie Bush mode where he can do lots of different things.
But let's not lose his magic on the position where he's already proven he's the greatest of all time.
And once again, there will NEVER be a reason not to line him up on a punt or kick return, maybe only if the other team is pinning us deep. Otherwise NEVER. What could be the point?
January 16, 2008
#41 Pissed Off said . . .Also, re: the MikeB and Jeff argument about Mitchell, remember that at one point late in the season this year it was revealed that DH some ridiculously low number of touches for the year (like 12 through 12 games, something like that), so tripling DH's numbers to get to Mitchell still means VERY light usage. I think he could still go well above Mitchell's touches and still be considered a relatively minor part of the offense.
January 16, 2008
#42 RandomName said . . .Jeff did you say 6 catches for 78 yards....thats a pipe dream for our #1 wideout let alone a fill in WR like Hester.
January 16, 2008
#43 DTB said . . ."Here's the question - do you think Devin Hester has a better chance of making it into the Hall of Fame as a receiver or as a returner?"
Phil, yes this is obvious he will be highlighted as a return-man even if his career were to end today.
The guy is 2 run backs of tying the all time combined touchdowns for a career. If Dante hall doesn't have one more season surprise in him.
But as a limited-role receiver Hester has two touchdowns on fly patterns. No ZigZag no nothing, and a dropped one that would've gone for 6 too.
To telegraphed, you say?
Dont forget he showed a glimpse of his new found skills in a late season game where he caught 5 short passes for 67 yards , with after-the-catch yardage.I don't think it's much of a gamble to have your fastest shiftiest guy as a receiver. once he has the ball in a bit of open space he runs, he dodges, and can get past that little yellow line on all our tvs.
Well in 07 the one thing that they started getting right was toward the end of the season. They kept him in for more than one play at a time.
Before that it was frustrating to watch them sneak him in for one play, and out he goes. Keep him in and here's another ideal, Throw him the ball.
And frankly I can't see why the whole thing is not worth trying. Berrian is fast but he can't make a guy miss. Hester can make three guys miss.
January 16, 2008
#44 Phil from SATX said . . .Devin can make a pack of cheetahs miss.
January 16, 2008
#45 RandomName said . . .Those are all good points Random. Probably why I am guessing there will be big debate within the Bears on how best to use DH, probably leading into next year, with arguments ranging the same way they are here. Just want to make sure that they don't decide he's more important as a receiver than as a returner.
There's plenty of ways to skin the cat on offense, and we already have dynamic playmakers in Des and Greg. We clearly need our receivers to perform better, but with improved QB play bolstered by major changes to the line, we can be effective next year WITHOUT DH on offense. Does that mean don't use him at all? No. But there's really only one way to skin the cat on the return game. There's only one DH there. Don't give it up for the promise of an every down receiver.
January 16, 2008
#46 Pissed Off said . . .Here's something fun to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oguwlez350
done at the Pro level
January 16, 2008
#47 Pissed Off said . . .Sorry Jeff going off topic I just think the Devin question is not that intriguing cuz we all know about Devin, what he brings etc. Theres just not much else to discuss with him except to speculate how good he can be as a WR or if we should use him more there.
WR answer: Lets trade for Chad Johnson, he's attainable and he wants out of Cincy.
January 16, 2008
#48 Johnny Chicago said . . .Rumor is you can get him for a 2nd round pick, maybe 3rd. I'd do that in a heartbeat.
January 16, 2008
#49 big rob said . . .I still don't understand why we're all getting a hard-on over a kick returner/3rd down receiver/nickel defensive back. Sure, he returns kicks alright, but I don't think enough credit goes towards the rest of the special teams for giving Hester the opportunities to make shit happen. I agree with comment #23- trade him while the hype is still there.
January 16, 2008
#50 Pissed Off said . . .anyone who would EVER want to trade Devin Hester is mentally retarded and should confine themselves to a round rubber room immediately......
January 16, 2008
#51 Pissed Off said . . .Hello, you wrote #23 so you're agreeing with yourself? Nice. And if you knew anything about the Bears, which you clearly dont, you'd know that Hester is no longer a defensive back in any capacity and is not a 3rd down WR. If anything he's more of a 1st and 2nd down guy. Quit trying to stir the pot and go visit your Packers blog. BTW we beat you twice this year...did you know that?
January 16, 2008
#52 Al in WI said . . .Big rob, this guy is just a packer fan fronting as a Bears fan trying to get us riled up with crazy ideas. Best not to even read him.
January 16, 2008
#53 Pissed Off said . . .Not to keep going off topic with Po'd but I'd be up for that for the right price. Though the bears would have to think long and hard about the antics and BS he brings to the table. Personally I can't stand guys like that, and would have a tough time with him as a Bear.
My ideal situation for the Bears would be to re-sign Bernard, and make a trade for Javon Walker out of Denver. I think he would be cheaper, and if you add Hester as a #3 reciever to that mix you could finally give a Bears Qb the weapons to be sucessful.January 16, 2008
#54 Johnny Chicago said . . .Al, you're a jerkface. I would never trade Hester and if biologically possible I would have his children. Forget about the fact that Hester can't block- he's fast and has moves. That makes him awsome in my book. I love men.
January 16, 2008
#55 Pissed Off said . . .Pissed Off, you're right. I am a Packer fan just here to stir up emotions. I will leave, but before I do I will say this: BRETT FAVRE IS THE GREATEST EVER. Good luck watching TV for the next 3 weeks without listening to the media drooling over the greatest QB of all time. GO PACK!
p.s. at least I don't love men
January 16, 2008
#56 Pissed Off said . . .Johnny, you're wrong in thinking that I'll be watching the Packer hype on tv because all I watch is PBS. NOVA RULES!
P.S. I love David Hasselhoff
January 16, 2008
#57 Phil from SATX said . . .#53 was not me, it must've been johnny chicago or whatver. I dont mind Chad because he has never had a performance issue like a guy like Moss has (playing only when he wants to when the team is winning). Chad likes to celebrate and talk trash but he never gets in trouble off the field and never quits. He is a great player.
January 16, 2008
#58 Phil from SATX said . . .I don't believe Chad Johnson is a problem player. He's just very funny and has somewhat of a larger than life personality. But he's never been known as as team cancer or anything like TO. IF you could get him for a 2nd or 3rd, I'd do either, although you would be signing him to a HUGE contract. On the other hand, we're contemplating handing $8MM for one year for BB - and Chad Johnson is no BB.
What if that really happened? Then someone would owe Willie a BIG apology.
January 16, 2008
#59 Pissed Off said . . .Speaking (off-topic) of wide receivers, how the hell did Patriots get Moss for a 4th round draft pick and a 2007 cap value of $3MM? How did that happen and why didn't we get him? (likely a lot of teams' fans are asking the same question)
Chris Chambers' deal was a 2nd round pick and a cap value of $7.3MM in 2007. Chad Johnson is the same age (30 by next year) but with a better resume. But maybe that 2nd round pick plus a lot of money to Johnson gets it done. Just a caution: Bengals fans think Johnson's very up and down. Great games and disappearing games.
January 16, 2008
#60 Phil from SATX said . . .Randy Moss sucked pretty bad going into this year. His stats with the Raiders were horrible and no one wanted him cuz he is a cancer and he hadnt performed in years. Thats how they got him on the cheap.
January 16, 2008
#61 Pissed Off said . . .Pissed Off, with all due respect I think you're wrong about Moss. It's not true that nobody wanted him. In fact, I remember when the Bears were trying to lure Moss to Chicago they said that Moss would be the best thing that happened to Chicago since Ben Afflack. They were willing to trade for Moss with a 2nd round pick last April but then the Bears GM put the brakes on the whole deal because of compensation requirements. Allegedly, Moss was asking for a salary in the range of $2 an hour which falls amazingly below the Illinois minimum wage. When asked why Moss wanted so little for a job that pays more he replied, "I gots to keep it real, yo." Anyway, this is all very disappointing as Moss would have been a fantastic substitution for Hester in the return game. We could have then turned around and traded Hester for an antique refrigerator or something valuable like that. I think all the Bears fans really got Matt Damoned on that non-deal.
January 16, 2008
#62 Z said . . .With the way this team played this year he'd have faked an injury by mid season like he did every year in Oakland cuz we would be losing and he doesnt want to be part of a losing team. Funny how now he never gets hurt now in New England
January 16, 2008
#63 Z said . . .Hester's role definitely should increase on offense. It needs to be kept as simple and with as high a percentage for effectiveness as possible. We should not lose a proven commodity at ST for a potential one on O, at least until we see increased effectiveness on O. His ST play is too valuable. 20 more yards on a return is as good as two ten yard catches. If he'ss tired, less plays on O when needed. Less on ST should only be considerd if he's dominating on O and tired.
As discussed already, WR is tough in the NFL even if you were great in college. He didn't play it much at all. It is unrealistic to expect him to instantly be a great #1 or #2. He shouldn't have that much of the O's weight put on him this soon.
It's not like he was drafted #4 in the 1st Rd to play O and should already be really, really good.
We need a true #1, #2 and shit a #3 WR. But RT needs to use him much more effectively as both a WR and as a decoy.
The 1 thing I think is tough is do u get him the ball more with the short stuff and behind the line (Reggie Bushish) and try to have him make a lot of people miss (better decoy ability there too) or send him out blazing and open it up for the others and hope he hauls a few in (This worked a little so I am leaning towards it. Fewer people to make miss as well and less big hits to take).
They should run a few of these ideas on this site a lot b4 the season starts and go with what is working well. But something we have said here should work 2 use this unbelieveable talent better.
Oh and anyone saying trade him is either not a Bears fan or is legally insane or intoxicated. Go be the Packers GM, please.
January 17, 2008
#64 Jon said . . .Bad spelling, long post.
Hester rules!!
Go Bears!!
January 17, 2008
devin should be a big part of the bears scheme. i think he should be on the field for over 50% of the snaps. whats this crap about less playing time on special teams HE'S YOUNG and in SHAPE!!! anyway, most of the time they don't kick to him anyway, so why should they be concerned about him being to tired!!! devin is a big threat anytime he's on the field so use that to your advantage!!!
January 24, 2008
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.