Hester no longer returning kicks

DuckHunt · 08-07-2009, 08:35 PM

http://www.chicitysports.com/2009/08...entrate-on-wr/

Devin Hester isn't going to be returning kicks any longer (kicks) so he can concentrate on WR. How do you think that's going to turn out? He had 51 catches, 650 yards+, 3 TD's in his first season at WR with Orton. I expect him to do better with Cutler.

Crickett · 08-07-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckHunt

http://www.chicitysports.com/2009/08...entrate-on-wr/

Devin Hester isn't going to be returning kicks any longer (kicks) so he can concentrate on WR. How do you think that's going to turn out? He had 51 catches, 650 yards+, 3 TD's in his first season at WR with Orton. I expect him to do better with Cutler.

I understand it given Hester's speed and Cutler's arm, but I'm not a fan. Hester made his name returning kicks.

iowatreat54 · 08-07-2009, 08:38 PM

He made his name returning punts. Hester isn't as good at returning kicks (albeit, still well above average at it) but the Bears have Daniel Manning who is better at kick returning.

Hester dances around to much on kick returns, rather than hitting holes and taking field position. I like the move because Manning is better at returning kicks and it let's Hester focus more on receiving and PR.

StackJaxx · 08-07-2009, 08:38 PM

wonderful choice by the bears.

ThePudge · 08-07-2009, 08:39 PM

It was actually his second year at wideout, though perhaps his first full-time. This is a poor idea for the Bears as Hester is the best special teams player in the NFL and helps the Bears to consistently win the field position battle.

He is an unbelievable PR, but also a very good Kick Returner. Two Td's each of his first two years as a KR before 0 a year ago. he may dance a bit much, but his presence has to be respected regardless. If I'm trying to protect a lead, I'm not kicking to Devin Hester. That pressure, on kickoffs, now will be gone unless Manning, Garrett Wolfe, or Johnny Knox can establish themselves as a big time threat.

Gay Ork Wang · 08-07-2009, 08:39 PM

he is still returning punts. Danieal Manning is a great Kickoff returner. Shouldnt be that much of an issue.

I wonder if the people who read this seen Danieal manning returning the ball in the games vs Saints/Packers

Go_Eagles77 · 08-07-2009, 08:40 PM

He could've gone down as the greatest returner in NFL history. I doubt he ever even becomes a top 15 WR in the NFL at any given time.

Gay Ork Wang · 08-07-2009, 08:42 PM

He Is Still Returning Punts.

iowatreat54 · 08-07-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *** Ork Wang

He Is Still Returning Punts.

Please people, read this multiple times.

He is still returning punts.

He is still returning punts.

If that doesn't work, let me know.

Brent · 08-07-2009, 08:45 PM

punts, kicks, like people here have the time to read!

Go_Eagles77 · 08-07-2009, 08:48 PM

Eh, I didn't see iowatreat and renji's posts until after I made mine. lol.

ThePudge · 08-07-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iowatreat54

Please people, read this multiple times.

He is still returning punts.

He is still returning punts.

If that doesn't work, let me know.

That works fine. He is a more natural returning punts where his change of direction, change of speed, and terrific vision are more deadly. His inability to consistently hit holes hard and instead look for the big play hampered him as a Kick Returner. Still, regardless, coaches and players respected Hester's talent as a returner and he changed gameplans as a KR. People aren't going to kick away from Manning though. He is a very good KR, but you won't necessarily change your gameplan for him. Hester made teams think twice about kicking to him and if the game was on the line, very few special teams coaches will advise kicking the ball to Hester.

In the end, I really don't think this move will cost the Bears any games. If they are a 9-7 team, they'll remain a 9-7 team. But what I'm saying is special teams coaches around the league may sigh in relief a bit when they hear the news.

b316 · 08-07-2009, 08:49 PM

I don't think he is gonna cut it as WR. He probably won't be able to hang on to Cutlers throws half the time.

Yes, he is still gonna return punts, but come on tell him having his presence there on KR, doesn't help. Who scored the first TD in that superbowl game against the Colts?

Gay Ork Wang · 08-07-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhaarat316

I don't think he is gonna cut it as WR. He probably won't be able to hang on to Cutlers throws half the time.

Yes, he is still gonna return punts, but come on tell him having his presence there on KR, doesn't help. Who scored the first TD in that superbowl game against the Colts?

to be fair, the Colts ST was horrible that year.

Manning lead the league in average, which is a ******** stat, but without him, id think we lose the Saints and the Packers game.

iowatreat54 · 08-07-2009, 08:52 PM

Yes, well even with Manning returning kicks the Bears are prolly better than at least 27-28 teams' return units.

I think it is understood what the Bears are giving up in doing this, but I don't quite think anyone realizes that Manning is prolly a better KR than 75% of the kick returners out there.

b316 · 08-07-2009, 08:57 PM

yeah maybe better than those 75%, but he is not as feared as someone on his team.

ThePudge · 08-07-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iowatreat54

Yes, well even with Manning returning kicks the Bears are prolly better than at least 27-28 teams' return units.

I think it is understood what the Bears are giving up in doing this, but I don't quite think anyone realizes that Manning is prolly a better KR than 75% of the kick returners out there.

Understood. You'd be ignorant to think, however, that Hester's presence has not played into Manning's success. No one knew what to do with him a year ago. He was not previously seen at the NFL level aside from four kicks. Just like teams started to figure out Hester as a KR a year ago, began to wise up, so will coaches about Manning. I don't see him as a game changer though, and game planning for him seems a bit easier than Hester who is a threat to break one at any time, from anywhere.

I'm not coming at the Bears or Manning here. I just think the team should have kept these intentions under wraps and let deception and unpredictability play more of a role.

iowatreat54 · 08-07-2009, 09:02 PM

I can agree with that. Manning isn't going to make teams gameplan around him, which the Bears greatly benefited from with Hester. However, kicking to Manning the Bears are still going to get above average results. So, while the Bears technically are downgrading, I really don't think it will cost them much compared to the rest of the league.

Instead of not getting kick returns and starting at the 40 (I think), we will get kick returns and start at the 35ish.

regoob2 · 08-07-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePudge

Understood. You'd be ignorant to think, however, that Hester's presence has not played into Manning's success. No one knew what to do with him a year ago. He was not previously seen at the NFL level aside from four kicks. Just like teams started to figure out Hester as a KR a year ago, began to wise up, so will coaches about Manning. I don't see him as a game changer though, and game planning for him seems a bit easier than Hester who is a threat to break one at any time, from anywhere.

I'm not coming at the Bears or Manning here. I just think the team should have kept these intentions under wraps and let deception and unpredictability play more of a role.

He stopped returning kicks mid last season. Cant really hide that.

MidwayMonster31 · 08-07-2009, 09:19 PM

Manning might not be as intimidating as Hester, but he made a good amount of big returns late in the season. Either Knox or Iglesias can get good experience returning kicks with Manning. Knox is faster, but Iglesias is harder to tackle.
Hester can still make plays returning punts. That's what he's best at. He can focus on being a receiver and return punts.

Gay Ork Wang · 08-07-2009, 09:21 PM

besides, the coaches started to kick to him again by midseason

ChezPower4 · 08-07-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StackJaxx

wonderful choice by the bears.

Not sure what your getting at. Hester is returning a punt in that video which we already know he's great at.

d34ng3l021 · 08-07-2009, 10:48 PM

I personally like the decision. The Bears need help at WR and Hester is trying to do all he can. I also think he has some potential at WR, especially with Cutler at QB. There were multiple times last year where Hester had coverage beat and Orton launches an under or over thrown throw. If Cutler can consistently get the deep ball to Hester, the least Hester can become is a dangerous deep threat.

GB12 · 08-07-2009, 10:59 PM

Hester didn't do much as a returner last season. He averaged just 21.6 on kick returns and a terrible 6.2 on punt returns with no TDs on either.

I've said it since the beginning, he's just another Daunte Hall. People went crazy on him and said ridiculous things like he was already a hall of famer for his returning in his first two years, but that's just how it goes with the great returners. They get a couple of incredible years and then fizzle out.

If the Bears are serious about him being a WR this is a move that had to be made.

keylime_5 · 08-07-2009, 11:12 PM

it's like Michelangelo giving up sculpting. One of the most fun things to watch in the NFL was teams stupid enough to kick to Hester, dude is probably the best returner in NFL history if he keeps it up.....Though I do understand why he's being taken off KR/PR duty and it makes sense for his future at WR. They're doing the same thing with Ginn in Miami.