How far will Hester's athleticism take him?

[FirstTimer]

Even before he started playing a lot at WR,[/b] he was falling off on his returns. I love how all of the non-bear fans are chiming in on how great of a returner he is. He averaged 6 yards a return this year and more then not, he lost yards and bobbled returns. Must of been psychological or something because his play in the return game in 2008 was atrocious. However he did show flashes at WR that he could be good. With a better QB in Cutler, I honestly think Hester will do good. Also I know Hester isn't Steve Smith and he's very far from being in the Pro Bowl, it was just a hypothetical comparison. Nobody expected Smith to do shit at WR in the NFL...same for Hester.

Now that he is REALLY in the offense and not merely a decoy, he'll do a lot better.

2007 when he saw some time at WR as a decoy/one trick pony he was still agreat return man. Fast forward to 2008 and he's the guy at WR and his return game takes a tumble. Can't be a coincidence. Guy just had to much on his plae mentally IMO to do both. He's a better return man than he is a WR. Make him a full time return man, use him sparingly on offense and have a 2007 type season with him. Fuck this dumb idea that he can be a legit #1. Won't ever happen. Comparing him to Steve Smith is ridiculous. He doesn't have Smith's leaping ability or strength or his polish.

[Sven Draconian]

2007 when he saw some time at WR as a decoy/one trick pony he was still agreat return man. Fast forward to 2008 and he's the guy at WR and his return game takes a tumble. Can't be a coincidence. Guy just had to much on his plae mentally IMO to do both. He's a better return man than he is a WR. Make him a full time return man, use him sparingly on offense and have a 2007 type season with him. Fuck this dumb idea that he can be a legit #1. Won't ever happen. Comparing him to Steve Smith is ridiculous. He doesn't have Smith's leaping ability or strength or his polish.

Uh, why can't it just be coincidence? I don't really understand how playing receiver hurts your abilities as a returner when you've already done it for two years.

I think his drop off in returns is more likely a combination of teams kicking away or improving their kickoff coverage and the Bears blockers not being as solid in the return game.

The return man is only one part. The guys who block the gunners and the punter himself plays a pretty big role.

It's also possible that he just had a bad year. It happens. Got off to a slow start and it got into his head. Maybe he pressed a bit. Maybe he had an injury that wasn't really talked about.

A correlation doesn't indicate causation. There are several other explanations for his dropoff in return-production other than his new role as a WR.

[FirstTimer]

Uh, why can't it just be coincidence? I don't really understand how playing receiver hurts your abilities as a returner when you've already done it for two years.

Hester is a mental midget. He was able to spend the amount of time in preperation for the reutn game as he normally would. More of that time went to the WR portion.

The guy can't handle a lot on his plate at once. It was obvious in 2007 when he tried playing WR. Moose ws helping him lineup half the time and calling TO's in certain occasions(vs Philly) b/c Hester didn't know what to do.

The Bears had to have Hester commit more time to the WR part because they wanted him to be one of the main targets out there at some point and couldn't risk him not knowing what was going on.

A correlation doesn't indicate causation. There are several other explanations for his dropoff in return-production other than his new role as a WR.

It's the most glaringly obvious one and the one that makes the most sense. I doubt it was the blocking because Manning lit up people when he took over. Same blockers as Hester had.

Maybe a bad start? But Hester always responded well to shit headed mistakes he made in years past. Last year it snowballed. Guy just didn't have the time to devote to the return game.

[dboy_dc]

oh Rush...

Deion Sanders gave him the nickname "Anytime" he didnt get that in college lol

[G-men]

devin hester will never be a pro bowl receiver IMO. i just dont think he has the ability to be a #1 guy in the NFL. yes, he can catch the long ball because hes faster than everyone but hes not a natural receiver.

[DSpydr84]

All I know is whenever the Bears release him, he'll have a home in Oakland.

[The Messenger]

Hester was never able to break the ice last year with his returns and I think it eventually got to him and destroyed his confidence. He wasn't much good as a returner last year.

I doubt he'd make a good WR in the NFL, but stranger things have happened.

[Hasselbeck]

All I know is whenever the Bears release him, he'll have a home in Oakland.

But the Raiders never go after players based on speed.

[Senser81]

Also I know Hester isn't Steve Smith and he's very far from being in the Pro Bowl, it was just a hypothetical comparison. Nobody expected Smith to do shit at WR in the NFL...same for Hester.

Brilliant comparison. I guess I could make the same comparison with any WR...nobody expected Smith to do anything in the NFL, as no one expects Mike Hass to do anything. Thus, I predict Hass will have a 1500-yard 15 TD season this year.

"Have a take...don't suck"

[Senser81]

LOL @ Mike Hass, is he still playing? He and Danny Farmer could never reach the bar set by McCaffery for big, slow, whit wideouts.

Hass was on the Bears practice squad last year, and he is actually in line for a roster spot on the Bears this year.

You can rip on Farmer all you want, but he basically made Fade McClown a top 10 draft pick.

[FirstTimer]

LOL @ Mike Hass, is he still playing? He and Danny Farmer could never reach the bar set by McCaffery for big, slow, whit wideouts.

He was on the Bears practice squad in 2007 and 2008. Honestly, last year he should have seen playing time. He was cut late last season.

He signed with Seattle early this year.

[FirstTimer]

Hass was on the Bears practice squad last year, and he is actually in line for a roster spot on the Bears this year.

He's not with the Bears.

Seahawks FTW

[Senser81]

I just remembered...Hass isn't on the Bears anymore. I think he signed with Seattle.

[FirstTimer]

I just remembered...Hass isn't on the Bears anymore. I think he signed with Seattle.

I miss Cade McNown

[FirstTimer]

A guy to watch out for could be Brandon Rideau. Spent time on the practice squad last year and by all accounts has made some nice strides. With the Bears complete lack of WR's and if he has another offseason/preseason like he had last year he could find himself a lot of playing time and could be a guy to watch.