Devin Hester on offense (1 Viewer)

[Stabmug]

It seems Devin Hester will be seeing some time on offense in 2007. His explosiveness seems too much to pass on in deep dynasty leagues, but to pick him up he needs to have a position on offense.

Does anyone know what this maybe?

His number is 23, that could be a RB, right?

He was drafted as a WR.

He was categorized as a DB by NFL.com last year and remains so to this day.

Just curious what people are thinking/have heard.

 

[duaneok66]

It seems Devin Hester will be seeing some time on offense in 2007. His explosiveness seems too much to pass on in deep dynasty leagues, but to pick him up he needs to have a position on offense.Does anyone know what this maybe?His number is 23, that could be a RB, right?He was drafted as a WR.He was categorized as a DB by NFL.com last year and remains so to this day.Just curious what people are thinking/have heard.

haven't heard much, but I will speculate that he will be (again) a non factor on offense . . . they are still trying to get Bradley up to speed, and Davis was decent in the slot last year . . . more spring/summer fluff . . .

 

[sholditch]

No, Hester will be significant to the Bears offense, but not to us. Did you see how Tennessee used Pacman on offense towards the end of last year? That is exactly how Hester will be used. They'll get the defense in a nickel and line him up in the slot, throw him a really quick dump off and let him use his speed and moves in space. He will be a very significant addition to the Bears offense but starting him in fantasy leagues will be basically like playing Russian roulette with 5 bullets in a six-shooter.

 

[Alluro]

No, Hester will be significant to the Bears offense, but not to us. Did you see how Tennessee used Pacman on offense towards the end of last year? That is exactly how Hester will be used. They'll get the defense in a nickel and line him up in the slot, throw him a really quick dump off and let him use his speed and moves in space. He will be a very significant addition to the Bears offense but starting him in fantasy leagues will be basically like playing Russian roulette with 5 bullets in a six-shooter.

Unless you are in a league that rewards pts for return yards. In my league, Hester is pure gold.

 

[Nookular Power]

It seems Devin Hester will be seeing some time on offense in 2007. His explosiveness seems too much to pass on in deep dynasty leagues, but to pick him up he needs to have a position on offense.Does anyone know what this maybe?His number is 23, that could be a RB, right?He was drafted as a WR.He was categorized as a DB by NFL.com last year and remains so to this day.Just curious what people are thinking/have heard.

Actually, he was drafted as a DB, and practiced with the defense all of last year. It took some convincing from Ron Turner, et al., to get him to try offense -- he really saw himself as a Deion Sanders in time.As for his place in the offense, they'll list him as a WR, but will probably line him up in the back-field on occasion. Everything I've read (mostly from chicagobears.com) says he's looked great, run great routes, etc. But then again, I've never seen the folks at chicagobears.com make a negative comment, ever. Probably, as you say, worth stashing on a deep dynasty roster, just in case -- he does have incredible instincts. But I wouldn't count on much production. As was noted, he'll be valuable to the offense on the whole, since he is so dangerous with the ball in his hands, but his value will come as much as a decoy as it will on plays that go his way. If we're lucky, we see a handful of electric plays this year and a couple TDs...more likely we'll see a few 4 yard WR screens, a couple of 10 yard reverses (or fakes that lead to long Ced Benson runs), and a bunch of plays where the play goes to the other side of the field.

 

[duaneok66]

No, Hester will be significant to the Bears offense, but not to us. Did you see how Tennessee used Pacman on offense towards the end of last year? That is exactly how Hester will be used. They'll get the defense in a nickel and line him up in the slot, throw him a really quick dump off and let him use his speed and moves in space. He will be a very significant addition to the Bears offense but starting him in fantasy leagues will be basically like playing Russian roulette with 5 bullets in a six-shooter.

significant means that he is a prominent and important cog ; lining up for 5-10 plays a game (maybe) isn't significant . . .

 

[sholditch]

if he breaks one of those plays for a TD it is. Especially with their defense where 14 points is at least somewhat likely to win you a game.

 

[Stabmug]

It seems Devin Hester will be seeing some time on offense in 2007. His explosiveness seems too much to pass on in deep dynasty leagues, but to pick him up he needs to have a position on offense.Does anyone know what this maybe?His number is 23, that could be a RB, right?He was drafted as a WR.He was categorized as a DB by NFL.com last year and remains so to this day.Just curious what people are thinking/have heard.

Actually, he was drafted as a DB, and practiced with the defense all of last year. It took some convincing from Ron Turner, et al., to get him to try offense -- he really saw himself as a Deion Sanders in time.As for his place in the offense, they'll list him as a WR, but will probably line him up in the back-field on occasion. Everything I've read (mostly from chicagobears.com) says he's looked great, run great routes, etc. But then again, I've never seen the folks at chicagobears.com make a negative comment, ever. Probably, as you say, worth stashing on a deep dynasty roster, just in case -- he does have incredible instincts. But I wouldn't count on much production. As was noted, he'll be valuable to the offense on the whole, since he is so dangerous with the ball in his hands, but his value will come as much as a decoy as it will on plays that go his way. If we're lucky, we see a handful of electric plays this year and a couple TDs...more likely we'll see a few 4 yard WR screens, a couple of 10 yard reverses (or fakes that lead to long Ced Benson runs), and a bunch of plays where the play goes to the other side of the field.

Right, CHI did draft him as a DB, NFL.com had him drafted as a WR - that is what I meant.I too seem to get the most info out of chicagobears.com and like you said, you got to beware the homerific themes to most of the propoganda on the site.Most of what I have seem has him trending towards a WR rather than RB as an offensive position. It also sounds as if he goes into an offensive role in 2007, he will leave his DB role in 2007. Wonder if his # would have to change...

 

[PsychoMan]

FWIW, I had a dream last night that Rex threw a pass to Devin in the flat. It was picked off and returned for a touchdown.

 

[sholditch]

are you sure you aren't psychic? That could be the first play of the season.

 

[hephner]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...4&hl=hester

The same topic discussed about a week or so ago. Here was my post on that thread:

Coming from a Chicago homer, Hester is basically going to be the WR4 or 5 for the Bears.

First with regard to him at receiver, Berrian and Muhammad are WR 1 and 1a, depending on which way you put them in order, then Mark Bradley is WR3, followed by either Rashied Davis or Hester at 4 and 5. Bradley is more talented than Davis or Hester, as a receiver anyway, and will likely get quite a few more reps in any 3 WR packages (provided he stays healthy). Hester will be run out there a handful of times a game at receiver, and they'll probably try to get him the ball in space, on short routes, WR screens, or a reverse, hoping he breaks one with his playmaking ability. He'll be used as a decoy too, plus they also might use him to stretch the field occasionally, but I think less than most are guessing. Berrian is already the established deep threat, and has a great ability to find the ball and outjump the defender (making Grossman look good). That's something that will take time for Hester to develop.

As for his return game, the fact that your league would reward any return TDs gives him a bit more value, but still not enough to really warrant upgrading him much. There's no doubt he's got gamebreaking ability as a return specialist, but are return TDs something you really want to rely on. You're throwing darts at that point hoping you get lucky and catch one of the 3 or 4 games he might get a return TD.

Keep in mind the Bears also drafted Olsen at TE, and want to keep Desmond Clark in the mix since he had a career year last year. That's a lot of looks to share overall. Hester is not going to be a receiver that puts up any kind of consistent numbers, but he may be a big play threat. I still don't think he really warrants roster consideration, except in VERY deep leagues, if at all.

Also, you never know, David Ball might end up in the mix here as well at receiver. But I don't think anyone beyond Berrian or Muhammad should ever crack your starting lineup, and don't see any of the other receivers really being roster worthy.