Hester Unlikely For Offense

by Adam T on May 9, 2007 8:02 AM CDT in News

While early indications were that Pro Bowl return man Devin Hester, would be spending some time on the offensive side of the ball, it now appears that that is not going to happen. The reason is three fold.

Firstly, Hester himself still wants to be a cornerback. He has admitted he will play anywhere they want him, but would prefer to stay on defense.

Secondly, the Bears are still reluctant to increase Hester's role in fear of taking away from his return abilities. Briefly, last year when Hester was forced into the lineup due to injuries, his return numbers decreases.

Lastly, the Bears drafted running back Garrett Wolfe to fill the role they envisioned for Hester, which is getting him into the open field with the ball in hand and let his speed take over.

It would have been nice to see Hester play offense, but if he wants to focus on defense and Wolfe can fill the same role, I am all for whatever they decide.

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That's good...

If he were saying he wanted to play on offense, and they didn't want him to, I'd probably feel a little bad for him, and say, "Well, whatever's best for the team," and get over it.

As it is, I think this is best for the team. Now and in the future. Maybe he thinks he can be good enough to allow Tillman or Vasher to go and he'll start.

He's still so raw, too. Don't forget that he played four/five different positions in college AND came out a year early AND focused almost exclusively on returning last year. Maybe he can be a starting CB in the league.

by tyger1147 on May 9, 2007 11:10 AM CDT reply actions

I think the most likely plan

for Till or Vash leaving is Danieal Manning. I haven't heard anything concrete yet, but it keeps being a topic the coaches are looking at.

by Adam T on May 9, 2007 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions

I say...

Go with Vash and RMJ. Let Tillman walk and leave DMan at safety.

by lopey986 on May 9, 2007 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions

I think

they are thinking precisely the opposite. Tillman's size makes him more "prototypical" as a c-2 corner.

by Santos Sorrow on May 11, 2007 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions

i don't understand...

Why Devin can't just take a couple of snaps on offense a game. Just a couple. Most of the time it can be a running play. But this will keep the defense focused on him. Maybe a couple times a season we run a reverse to him.

I'm just saying that I don't think that 3 snaps a game will wear him out.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on May 9, 2007 1:04 PM CDT reply actions

I don't have an issue with that

but whenever I read these articles on Hester on offense they always include the I want to play defense line, maybe he just really doesn't want to???

by Adam T on May 9, 2007 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions

good point

He doesn't need to be involved in the play, just the decoy. But......he needs to make some plays every now and then for that to work. I'm all for it, take advantage of a play maker any chance you get.

hit him in his earhole

by draftday on May 9, 2007 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Honestly

I have heard that Devin is as dumb as a box of rocks. What's the downside? What if he starts worrying about his offensive role enough to effect his concentration for returning. He already has iffy hands, is it really worth risking the muffed punts?

ps the highest correlation of any given play if football with losses, is fumbled punts.

by Santos Sorrow on May 11, 2007 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions