madlithuanian Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2010/11/if...ot_miami_f.html If not Chicago, why not Miami for Hester's record? By Neil Hayeson November 16, 2010 7:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) Devin Hester prefers to break the NFL record for kick return touchdown at Soldier Field. His second choice would be in front of friends and family in the city where he played college football and near the southeastern Florida community of Riviera Beach where he grew up. Sun Life Stadium, where the Miami Dolphins will host the Bears on Thursday night, also happens to be where Hester returned the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI 92 yards for a touchdown, which he considers the biggest highlight of his five-year career. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano isn't saying whether his team will give Hester the opportunity after he scorched the Vikings for 147 return yards on Sunday. "We'll see when we get to the game," Sparano said. "The game plan is probably to try to sneak a three or four extra [players] out there on the field against him and see if we can have any success." Hester tied Brian Mitchell's NFL record of 13 kicks returned for touchdowns with an 89-yard punt return in an Oct. 17 loss to the Seahawks. When and where he will break the record has been on his mind ever since. It's also been on the minds of his teammates on the punt-and kickoff-return units as well as something that coach Lovie Smith chose to discuss with the team. "We realize where Devin is, and [that he has] a chance to do something that no one has done in the history of the game," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "All the players who are a part of those return teams realize that too, that they can be a part of history too. "And we want to get it for him. We don't talk a lot about individual goals, but this is one. We want to get that record for him." Hester had been primarily a punt returner for the past two season but it was decided that he would go back to returning kicks when receiver Johnny Knox, who also returns kicks along with safety Danieal Manning, played more snaps than Hester against the Bills. Hester returned two kickoffs in a 27-13 win over the Vikings on Sunday at Soldier Field. His first kick return since since the 2009 season opener came in the first-quarter and netted 32 yards. In the third quarter, he returned another 68 yards to set up a field goal. He also averaged 23.5 yards on two punt returns and was named NFC special team's player of the week. "When got in the huddle for the kickoff return, he said, 'Meet me in the end zone for the celebration,'" special teams coordinator Dave Toub said. "That kind of lifts everybody up, when they hear that coming from the returner." Hester said being on the field with 10 teammates eager to help him break the record means a lot. "At the end of the day, I'm not going to say that I broke the record," he said. "I'm going to say [we did it] as a unit." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connorbear Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 Best kick returner ever - period. Peace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlithuanian Posted November 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 No argument from me! Best kick returner ever - period. Peace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearsFan1974 Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 WHAT ABOUT WILLIE GAULT?!?! JUST KIDDING. HESTER IS BY FAR THE BEST RETURN MAN TO EVER STAND DEEP!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlithuanian Posted November 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 I'd give Sayers a thought... But, I'm going with Devin! WHAT ABOUT WILLIE GAULT?!?! JUST KIDDING. HESTER IS BY FAR THE BEST RETURN MAN TO EVER STAND DEEP!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearsFan1974 Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 Another amazing one. WHat is different about Hester is, how short of a time it has taken him to get here. Look at Mitchell, Meggett, Dante Hall...Devin has done it in less than half the time...not even taking into consideration being primarily a WR last year and most of this year. Boys and girls, what we have witnessed over the past 4 years is truly special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChileBear Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 Boys and girls, what we have witnessed over the past 4 years is truly special. So true! The guy is just a pleasure to watch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlithuanian Posted November 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 Indeed! So true! The guy is just a pleasure to watch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Hochuli 3:16 Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 Another amazing one. WHat is different about Hester is, how short of a time it has taken him to get here. Look at Mitchell, Meggett, Dante Hall...Devin has done it in less than half the time...not even taking into consideration being primarily a WR last year and most of this year. Boys and girls, what we have witnessed over the past 4 years is truly special. Half? More like an 8th of the time. Doesn't Hester only have like 180 returns? And didn't Mitchell have like 830? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearsFan1974 Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 Half? More like an 8th of the time. Doesn't Hester only have like 180 returns? And didn't Mitchell have like 830? With all due respect, I did say less than half and 1/8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defiantgiant Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 Half? More like an 8th of the time. Doesn't Hester only have like 180 returns? And didn't Mitchell have like 830? Yeah, when you look at it in terms of number of returns, it's really staggering. There's no question that Hester's the best ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TerraTor Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 Yeah, when you look at it in terms of number of returns, it's really staggering. There's no question that Hester's the best ever. Sad thing is that our retarded staff took him away from the role for two years and pretended he was a WR.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flea Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 Sad thing is that our retarded staff took him away from the role for two years and pretended he was a WR.. They did, but lets not just blame the staff, hester wanted the $$ that came with being a #1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defiantgiant Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 Sad thing is that our retarded staff took him away from the role for two years and pretended he was a WR.. He wasn't a bad WR, to be honest - if he hadn't missed 3 games last season he would have put up 950-1000 yards. Plus, they kept him on punt returns, where he was the most special anyway. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but Hester hasn't scored on kickoffs THAT much more than other very-good kick returners. The area where he's just miles better than everyone is on punts - nobody has even come close to scoring as often on punts as he has. I don't blame the coaching staff for trying him as a WR, especially since other teams wouldn't give him the ball any more on returns. That said, it's clear now that the role they gave him in the Vikings game is the best one for him. Handle all the returns, come in for a specific package of plays on offense. They need to stick with that going forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearFan2000 Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 He wasn't a bad WR, to be honest - if he hadn't missed 3 games last season he would have put up 950-1000 yards. Plus, they kept him on punt returns, where he was the most special anyway. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but Hester hasn't scored on kickoffs THAT much more than other very-good kick returners. The area where he's just miles better than everyone is on punts - nobody has even come close to scoring as often on punts as he has. I don't blame the coaching staff for trying him as a WR, especially since other teams wouldn't give him the ball any more on returns. That said, it's clear now that the role they gave him in the Vikings game is the best one for him. Handle all the returns, come in for a specific package of plays on offense. They need to stick with that going forward. I agree with this, especially the last part about the role he was given in the vikings game that is a good blueprint for how to use Hester. I think when they tried to make him a #1 receiver he became tentative and "safe" on his return game not wanting to risk injury or effecting his effort at WR. The thinking was get the ball to Hester in space. Teams started kicking away from him. One way to get the ball to his hands in space is to try him at WR. Where I don't agree with the staff is they tried to make him a #1 which he doesn't have the size or skill set for that role. He's better suited to a speedy slot receiver. The other factor is he wanted more money and you typically don't pay top coin to a one trick pony return specialist even though in Hester's case you could almost make the argument to do that based on the impact his return game had in game. We were enjoying great field position cause no one wanted to kick to him and he generally made them pay when they did kick to him. He isn't a bad receiver and he has gotten better over time but he's middle of the road at best. He lacks many of the instincts that make a good to great receiver. 1000 yards receiving isn't the big deal it used to be. But you are right he's always been more dangerous on Punts than on kickoffs. Though if memory serves me correctly the last time we played in Miami he opened the game with a kick off return for a TD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlithuanian Posted November 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 Bite your tongue flea! Hester always wanted to return! The staff of morons prevented him!!!! They did, but lets not just blame the staff, hester wanted the $$ that came with being a #1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlithuanian Posted November 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 Why is there a myth that Hester wasn't that good on KR's? The dude ran in the most exciting play in Super Bowl history did he not? Yes, he did struggle for a while...but I can't see any justification taking him off the duty. He was/is certainly damn good enough to keep back there no matter what! Agreed, they need to stick with their currrent plan. Butter late than never. He wasn't a bad WR, to be honest - if he hadn't missed 3 games last season he would have put up 950-1000 yards. Plus, they kept him on punt returns, where he was the most special anyway. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but Hester hasn't scored on kickoffs THAT much more than other very-good kick returners. The area where he's just miles better than everyone is on punts - nobody has even come close to scoring as often on punts as he has. I don't blame the coaching staff for trying him as a WR, especially since other teams wouldn't give him the ball any more on returns. That said, it's clear now that the role they gave him in the Vikings game is the best one for him. Handle all the returns, come in for a specific package of plays on offense. They need to stick with that going forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearsFan1974 Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 Why is there a myth that Hester wasn't that good on KR's? The dude ran in the most exciting play in Super Bowl history did he not? Yes, he did struggle for a while...but I can't see any justification taking him off the duty. He was/is certainly damn good enough to keep back there no matter what! Agreed, they need to stick with their currrent plan. Butter late than never. Lith you and me are cut from the same cloth because I have agreed with every post you have made since joining the board. We had no one better so why did we move him? Lovie was holding the wrong player accountable. The problem with Hester is...there is none. The problem is ours. We have been spoiled by this great return man and expect nothing but amazing things. When he doesn't take a kick or punt back, we feel let down in a way because we know that one block, one cut, or one juke could get us 6. I remember watching Jordan and being disappointed when he would only score 24 pts in a game because I was accustom to seeing him drop 30,40,50 even 60. That is the same aura Hester has brought upon himself. They never told Jordan to do anything different and Lovie shouldn't have had Hester do it either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Hochuli 3:16 Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 Bite your tongue flea! Hester always wanted to return! The staff of morons prevented him!!!! Maybe, but when his contract was made for him to reach incentives and bonuses through catches, yards, and receiving touchdowns, he wanted to be a great WR over a great KR/PR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearsFan1974 Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 Maybe, but when his contract was made for him to reach incentives and bonuses through catches, yards, and receiving touchdowns, he wanted to be a great WR over a great KR/PR. I think that if we kept Hester returning kicks and punts, this thread would have been here a year ago and not the past couple days. Face it guys, Lovie fumbled again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlithuanian Posted November 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 agreed I think that if we kept Hester returning kicks and punts, this thread would have been here a year ago and not the past couple days. Face it guys, Lovie fumbled again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlithuanian Posted November 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 I'm sure many here would say agreeing w/ me often is a scary thought! But, it does appear we have very similar thoughts on the team! Manning and Knox did great jobs filling in. But Hester is just too special to leave off. Lith you and me are cut from the same cloth because I have agreed with every post you have made since joining the board. We had no one better so why did we move him? Lovie was holding the wrong player accountable. The problem with Hester is...there is none. The problem is ours. We have been spoiled by this great return man and expect nothing but amazing things. When he doesn't take a kick or punt back, we feel let down in a way because we know that one block, one cut, or one juke could get us 6. I remember watching Jordan and being disappointed when he would only score 24 pts in a game because I was accustom to seeing him drop 30,40,50 even 60. That is the same aura Hester has brought upon himself. They never told Jordan to do anything different and Lovie shouldn't have had Hester do it either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defiantgiant Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 Why is there a myth that Hester wasn't that good on KR's? The dude ran in the most exciting play in Super Bowl history did he not? Yes, he did struggle for a while...but I can't see any justification taking him off the duty. He was/is certainly damn good enough to keep back there no matter what! Agreed, they need to stick with their currrent plan. Butter late than never. Oh, I'm not saying he wasn't good on kickoff returns. Not by any stretch. I'm saying that, when you look at his KR yardage and how often he scored on KRs back in 2006-2007, there have been other elite kickoff returners in the league who were about as good. That's part of why there wasn't TOO much downturn on KRs when they put Manning or Knox back there - put them behind the same blockers and there's not a big dropoff between Hester and any other elite kick returner. The difference between Hester on kick returns and Hester on punt returns is the difference between "arguably the best KR in the league" and "hands down the best PR in history." I could see an argument that one or two other guys are in the same conversation as Hester when it comes to kickoff returns. Nobody is even in the same universe on punts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlithuanian Posted November 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 I follow.... I just don't like when folks discounted him at KR. A couple of bad returns and a few bad decisions, and too many people piled on him. I think he did have way too much on his plate at the time. But all that said, I'm just jazzed that he's back there again doing his thing and keeping us all in awe! Oh, I'm not saying he wasn't good on kickoff returns. Not by any stretch. I'm saying that, when you look at his KR yardage and how often he scored on KRs back in 2006-2007, there have been other elite kickoff returners in the league who were about as good. That's part of why there wasn't TOO much downturn on KRs when they put Manning or Knox back there - put them behind the same blockers and there's not a big dropoff between Hester and any other elite kick returner. The difference between Hester on kick returns and Hester on punt returns is the difference between "arguably the best KR in the league" and "hands down the best PR in history." I could see an argument that one or two other guys are in the same conversation as Hester when it comes to kickoff returns. Nobody is even in the same universe on punts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defiantgiant Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 I follow.... I just don't like when folks discounted him at KR. A couple of bad returns and a few bad decisions, and too many people piled on him. I think he did have way too much on his plate at the time. But all that said, I'm just jazzed that he's back there again doing his thing and keeping us all in awe! Oh yeah, all the media people who said he'd lost it as a returner look pretty stupid now, huh? I can't wait until he breaks that record. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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