adam Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?STORY_ID=4215 LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Given the progress that Devin Hester has made on offense this season, don’t be surprised if the Bears’ electrifying return specialist challenges for a starting wide receiver position in 2008. “He has that kind of ability,” said receivers coach Darryl Drake. “He has that kind of upside. We’ll be working towards allowing him to have the opportunity to do that.” Hester has emerged in recent weeks on offense, catching nine passes for 95 yards in the Bears’ last two games after compiling nine receptions for 139 yards in the first 12 contests. “He’s taken some of those steps [toward] becoming maybe a full-time guy where we’re talking about Devin Hester the receiver rather than Devin Hester the Pro Bowl kick returner,” said coach Lovie Smith. “He’s made big strides to becoming a better receiver. “In time, that’s what I see him being. I see him being an every down wide receiver and doing the same type of special things once he gets his hands on the football as a receiver.” After being selected to his second straight Pro Bowl as a return specialist earlier this week, Hester admitted that he has thought about one day making the all-star game as a receiver. “I think I’m gradually getting better,” said Hester, a 2006 second-round draft pick from Miami. “I don’t feel I’m a complete receiver right now. [but] I feel I’m improving with each game.” Drake agrees with that assertion and also believes that Hester has gotten a bum rap from some outsiders who believe that the second-year pro has been slow to learn the offense. The receivers coach points to a pass play a few weeks ago when Hester ran the correct route, but it appeared he wasn’t on the same page as the quarterback because of where the ball was thrown. “Sometimes he’s been unfairly tagged as not knowing what to do in certain situations, and it hasn’t been his fault,” Drake said. Possibly leverage against Berrian? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flea Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 He damn well better improve a lot over the off-season if he's gonna start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted December 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 He damn well better improve a lot over the off-season if he's gonna start If it does happen, I hope it does not affect his return game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChileBear Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 If it does happen, I hope it does not affect his return game. He's a guy they have to get the ball to more. He's so damn explosive and knows what to do after he has the ball that he has to start. He is just raw right now and hopefully the next OC can bring his development along. As far as returns, no one is going to kick to him anyway until we have an O that can make them pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenom283 Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 He's a guy they have to get the ball to more. He's so damn explosive and knows what to do after he has the ball that he has to start. He is just raw right now and hopefully the next OC can bring his development along. As far as returns, no one is going to kick to him anyway until we have an O that can make them pay. If they bring in a New OC then it has to be quick he needs to all the time he can get to digest the new playbook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WheresMyronBaker Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 In my opinion he HAS to be a guaranteed starter. There will be growing pains but the guy appears to be capable of domination. He has to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkBomber Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 If he has a good offseason he will be very comparable to Berrian but faster and cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 If he has a good offseason he will be very comparable to Berrian but faster and cheaper. I don't see that comparison at all to be honest... I think Hester is best suited to be the slot man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradjock Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 He's a guy they have to get the ball to more. He's so damn explosive and knows what to do after he has the ball that he has to start. He is just raw right now and hopefully the next OC can bring his development along. As far as returns, no one is going to kick to him anyway until we have an O that can make them pay. Getting him the ball more sounds great in theory, but how the hell do we do that effectively??? Everytime we run a reverse, or a quick one yard pass, he's erased immediately. Everytime the play calls for him to go down-field he appears to have his helmet on back-wards. Not to mention that the last few games he's been on the field more, and his return ability appears to have suffered. This reminds me of last season when he was starting at CB and if hurt his return game. He's a great 3rd receiver because he's a weapon. Asking anything more then that hurts his return ability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChileBear Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 He's a great 3rd receiver because he's a weapon. Asking anything more then that hurts his return ability. You may be right Bradjock. Hester is not the second coming of Red Grange. He's probably the best return guy so far to play football. And perhaps I'm laying too much on him to expect that he can transfer what he does on returns to the rgular O. He has a long way to go to learn routes, positioning, blocking, etc., that goes into making a solid WR. Realistically, then, writie him in as our no. 3 WR next season, try to sign Berrian, drop moose and draft or bring in a FA guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkBomber Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 I don't see that comparison at all to be honest... I think Hester is best suited to be the slot man. I was pretty sure you wouldnt see it considering you think Benson and Berrian are top flight offensive talents but if Hester can improve on his route running, field awareness and learn the playbook he can be used the same way Berrian is. Just because you think Berrian is our best offensive weapon doesnt mean he is that good. Put him on almost any other team and hes a 2nd or 3rd receiver talent wise. His only upside is stretching the field which is something Hester can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeBears Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 Getting him the ball more sounds great in theory, but how the hell do we do that effectively??? Everytime we run a reverse, or a quick one yard pass, he's erased immediately. Everytime the play calls for him to go down-field he appears to have his helmet on back-wards. Hester made some crucial catches in one of Griese's late game drives and made some nice (not necessarily difficult) catches in the last game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownman Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 I think adding Hester as a starting receiver would definitely make the defenses pay more attention to the offense versus keying on Devin every time he is brought in. If Devin is starting then the defense really does not know where the rock is going and if our QB who ever it is hits Devin in the open field, the defense is going to be scrambling to catch up to him. It sounds like a great idea and they just need to work harder in Devin's conversion process from DB to WR. I just hope that there is a better OC for this team next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattymac Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 I have to agree with Bradjock. Hester is a great talent, and is best suited as a return man who moonlights as a #3 receiver, with his responsibilities being stretching the field and creating matchup problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenom283 Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 I have to agree with Bradjock. Hester is a great talent, and is best suited as a return man who moonlights as a #3 receiver, with his responsibilities being stretching the field and creating matchup problems. I agree do you think he could be our version of Wes Welker. Granted Welker runs better routes but instead of getting him the ball on screens and reverses why not move him in the slot and have him go across the field. Try and make him a first down machine and mixmatch him against safeties. I just feel if Turner doesnt have some imagination he needs to be let go we have to many weapons and we need to utilize them. Sean Payton and Jason Garret these guys are known for being creative with the offense we need someone like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 I have to agree with Bradjock. Hester is a great talent, and is best suited as a return man who moonlights as a #3 receiver, with his responsibilities being stretching the field and creating matchup problems. and decoy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.