Although it was Bears kicker Robbie Gould that sealed the deal for Chicago in their win against Green Bay on Monday night, it was their punt returner that Devin Hester who provided the spark that put his team back in the game. Before his big return on Monday, many speculated whether Hester needed to quit punt returning altogether. Now it seems that the opposite may be true.
Hester is one of the guys in the past few years that came into the league playing on one side of the ball and then asked to switch at some point in his career. For his punt return production to drop while taking on the Bears’ offensive playbook seems inevitable. To me, anyway.
Furthermore, Hester’s additional responsibilities wouldn’t disqualify him as the guy most qualified for that job. He just has a little bit more on his mind now. It’s also worth nothing that, as a wide receiver, he has been getting hit anywhere form 5 to 15 times more in a given game than before.
If Chicago really wants that Devin Hester magic back, they’ll put him back on defense and give him the chance to focus on punt returning. They can only spread a guy so thin, and Lovie Smith will have to decide how badly he wants to maintain the most dangerous weapon in the NFL.
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I think the goal for the Bears is to develop WR talent around Devin Hester so he can be a situational wide-out and not have to take the toll that a #1 or #2 WR takes. The problem is that besides Knox and Olsen, the rest of the depth chart has failed to grasp the Mike Martz offense (Aromashado being a healthy scratch last game). I don’t think the Bears want Devin to be a prime receiver, but they don’t have other options.
/dick joke
If Cutlerfucker returns to his usual ineptness, I don’t think it will matter.
As a coach, I’m not sure why you’d want to give up a player who is a game-changer at a specialty position in order to have another third wideout. Without Hester returning kicks on Monday night, the Packers win. Not just for the TD (altho, hello) and the field position, but the momentum changes they represent. Hester probably wants a bigger role (and hey, it pays more) but maybe he should ask Desmond Howard how well that worked out for him.
Lovie isn’t smart enough to realize that Hester is better used as a return man.
Most dangerous weapon in the NFL? No.
Horrible coverage on a single punt? Yes.
But he’s fast I’ll give you that.
Don’t even bother trying to get into Lovie’s head.
Last time Hester was on defense was at The U, never with the Bears.
He never should have been made a WR, not smart enough to learn the playbook.
Lovie is too stubborn to admit defeat and correct his mistake.
This goes for most punt/kick returners.
Hester did play corner for the Bears in his rookie year. He was HORRIBLE. And from all accounts, Hester does know the playbook, but I’m not sure how because he can’t read.
G-Twice says Hester can’t read, I don’t even know what to say to this statement. What a idiotic thing to say
Devin Hester is learning the hardest offensive playbook he’s ever dealt with and just returned a kick for a TD. Therefore, he can’t do both at the same time and should stop doing one.
Your logic is impeccable.
Hester idolizes Deon. I say more baseball.