Devin Hester (1 Viewer)

[GroveDiesel]

Joe Bryant asks this question in his email sent out today. And for the most part I completely agree. It seems insane to keep kicking to him.

On the other hand, he's already put the ball on the carpet 4 times this season. He hasn't lost one yet, but it's only a matter of time. He put the ball on the carpet 8 times last season and lost 2 of them.

Some coaches may be willing to gamble hoping against the return for a TD and for a fumble that puts them in great field position.

 

[Capella]

Some coaches may be willing to gamble hoping against the return for a TD and for a fumble that puts them in great field position.

What's the point of that? Just wait until Grossman or Griese takes the field.No way in hell that guy should ever see the ball on a return. I'd rather give them the 40.

 

[nysfl2]

I was screaming at the TV each time the Lions kicked off on Sunday to kick the ball out of bounds. Hester was one tackle away from a TD on at least three other kicks before the one he returned for the TD. They started squib kicking, but it was still getting back to Hester for a return. Teams kicking off to Chicago should either:

1) kick the ball out of bounds and sacrifice some field position, or

2) have the kicker practice getting the ball high, but only back to about the 30-35 yard line. I'd think that the kickoff could stay in the air for ~4 seconds, which would allow the coverage team to be there when the ball comes down and force the up man to call for a fair catch. Always the chance he bobbles it (or doesn't think to call for the fair catch) and you can get a turnover.

 

[MDSkinner]

As a Bears fan, I think it is absurd to kick to the guy given the ineptitude on offense. Seriously, even if you spot the Bears the 50 yard line are they going to score? Certainly no better odds of it from there than it is if Hester safely catches a ball.

Punters should aim for the sidelines every time against the Bears. Taking Hester out of the return game and forcing the offense to do something (anything) is clearly the way to beat the Bears.

Hopefully the Packers are too dumb to realize it.

 

[nxmehta]

Question: Why would you kick to Devin Hester?

Answer: BECAUSE YOU WANT TO LOSE

 

[GroveDiesel]

I really don't know why you wouldn't kick to Hester on kickoff returns to be honest. If you look at his stats, he's a MUCH better punt returner than kickoff returner.

Out of 16 guys that currently have 10+ kickoff returns, Hester is 11th in average return yards on a kickoff.

Out of the 15 guys with the most punt returns, Hester has the 2nd most returns and the highest return average by about 2.7 yards.

 

[Bermuda_Chub]

Because Hester is excitement, and excitement is good for football.

 

[PsychoMan]

As a Bears fan, I think it is absurd to kick to the guy given the ineptitude on offense.

This is all that needs to be said. As long as the offense continues to suck this bad, give it to them on the 40. If they pick it up at some point in the season, kick it high and leave it to the special teams coach to figure something out.

 

[MDSkinner]

I really don't know why you wouldn't kick to Hester on kickoff returns to be honest. If you look at his stats, he's a MUCH better punt returner than kickoff returner. Out of 16 guys that currently have 10+ kickoff returns, Hester is 11th in average return yards on a kickoff.Out of the 15 guys with the most punt returns, Hester has the 2nd most returns and the highest return average by about 2.7 yards.

This is a completely valid point.But at the same time, he is still 11th in average on kickoffs. Where does the Bears offense rank? I would take my chances against their offense starting on the 40 any day over even the 11th best kickoff returner who clearly has the potential to make a big play with every touch of the ball in space.

 

[LHUCKS]

Joe B. is right.

 

[GroveDiesel]

I really don't know why you wouldn't kick to Hester on kickoff returns to be honest. If you look at his stats, he's a MUCH better punt returner than kickoff returner. Out of 16 guys that currently have 10+ kickoff returns, Hester is 11th in average return yards on a kickoff.Out of the 15 guys with the most punt returns, Hester has the 2nd most returns and the highest return average by about 2.7 yards.

This is a completely valid point.But at the same time, he is still 11th in average on kickoffs. Where does the Bears offense rank? I would take my chances against their offense starting on the 40 any day over even the 11th best kickoff returner who clearly has the potential to make a big play with every touch of the ball in space.

Well, that's 11th out of the 16 guys with 10+ kickoff returns. If you change the parameter to include EVERYONE with a kickoff return so far this season, Hester drops all the way down to 32nd.

 

[tombonneau]

Question: Why would you kick to Devin Hester?

Answer: BECAUSE YOU WANT TO LOSE

Not trying to be a jerk, but the Bears are 1-3 with people kicking to Hester. The return game does not a complete team make.

 

[Statorama]

Why did teams still pitch to Barry Bonds?

 

[Foosball God]

Maybe I just didn't realize it but does Hester return a kickoff or punt return every game? Does he even get it to the 50 at least once every game on kickoff returns?

 

[sho nuff]

Joe Bryant asks this question in his email sent out today. And for the most part I completely agree. It seems insane to keep kicking to him. On the other hand, he's already put the ball on the carpet 4 times this season. He hasn't lost one yet, but it's only a matter of time. He put the ball on the carpet 8 times last season and lost 2 of them. Some coaches may be willing to gamble hoping against the return for a TD and for a fumble that puts them in great field position.

Yup...he puts it on the turf more often than he scores.12 times in his career.You kick to him...but carefully...very carefully...in the corners...never in the middle of the field.