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Hester as RB


ASHKUM BEAR

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Imagine if the Bears got Devin Hester in the right position from the get go. He's failed at DB and has never lived up to the #1 WR that the Bears envisioned. Maybe if he was used primarily out of the slot he'd do better, or maybe not. But I think using him like Darren Sproles would've been the best way to go. Return specialist and change of pace RB. Hub Arkish brought this up and I thought this would be an excellant thought to consider. RB is alot easier to learn and Devin should grasp it pretty quickly. He would probably be open more often than not coming out of the backfield and being a check down or screen option.

 

Combine comparison of the two-

 

Devin Hester:

height: 5-11

weight: 190

40 time:4.35

20 time:2.59

10 time:1.54

3cone: 6.78

20yd shttl: 4.2

vert: 38

broad: 10'4

 

Darren Sproles:

height: 5'6"

weight: 187

40 time:4.47

20 time:2.62

10 time:1.55

3 cone: 6.96

20yd shttl: 3.96

vert: 33

broad: 8'9"

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Not sure Hester is tough enough to play RB.

 

Imagine if the Bears got Devin Hester in the right position from the get go. He's failed at DB and has never lived up to the #1 WR that the Bears envisioned. Maybe if he was used primarily out of the slot he'd do better, or maybe not. But I think using him like Darren Sproles would've been the best way to go. Return specialist and change of pace RB. Hub Arkish brought this up and I thought this would be an excellant thought to consider. RB is alot easier to learn and Devin should grasp it pretty quickly. He would probably be open more often than not coming out of the backfield and being a check down or screen option.

 

Combine comparison of the two-

 

Devin Hester:

height: 5-11

weight: 190

40 time:4.35

20 time:2.59

10 time:1.54

3cone: 6.78

20yd shttl: 4.2

vert: 38

broad: 10'4

 

Darren Sproles:

height: 5'6"

weight: 187

40 time:4.47

20 time:2.62

10 time:1.55

3 cone: 6.96

20yd shttl: 3.96

vert: 33

broad: 8'9"

 

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Guest TerraTor
Not sure Hester is tough enough to play RB.

 

 

I agree. Lbs for Lbs sproles was the strongest guy at the combine too. Did 23 reps as I recall. And his 190 is packed into a much smaller frame

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Not sure Hester is tough enough to play RB.

 

Why would Hester not be tough enough but Sproles is? Also, most recommendations that I have seen suggests Hester as the #4 WR. Basically taking him off the field all together. I think playing that change of pace position puts him in a similiar place to how Harvin gets used at times and Sproles.

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Why would Hester not be tough enough but Sproles is? Also, most recommendations that I have seen suggests Hester as the #4 WR. Basically taking him off the field all together. I think playing that change of pace position puts him in a similiar place to how Harvin gets used at times and Sproles.

1. Sproles has a lot more muscle in his body than Hester does.

2. Sproles is shorter than Hester yet he weighs more than Hester.

3. Sproles has been an RB his whole life, Hester has not.

4. Solution- keep Hester on ST permanently and nothing else but a few offensive plays weekly.

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1. Sproles has a lot more muscle in his body than Hester does.

2. Sproles is shorter than Hester yet he weighs more than Hester.

3. Sproles has been an RB his whole life, Hester has not.

4. Solution- keep Hester on ST permanently and nothing else but a few offensive plays weekly.

 

 

The coaching staff has to find a way to get Hester out in the open field with the ball in his hand. There is no reason for them not to design a play or two that opens up the field and gets him the ball with a enough room to make some moves and break a big gain!

 

 

I do agree Hester is not a RB and Sproles is a different type of football player then Hester

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Why would Hester not be tough enough but Sproles is? Also, most recommendations that I have seen suggests Hester as the #4 WR. Basically taking him off the field all together. I think playing that change of pace position puts him in a similiar place to how Harvin gets used at times and Sproles.

Theyre different people. This reminds me of when people though Garrett Wolfe should have been good because his size was similar to Sproles. Hester has struggled with corner and wr, he is a great return man, thats it.

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Because not all guys that weigh the same and have the same size are tough. You either are or are not. But, putting Hester in a place where he is better suited is a must. I just don't think that spot is RB.

 

Why would Hester not be tough enough but Sproles is? Also, most recommendations that I have seen suggests Hester as the #4 WR. Basically taking him off the field all together. I think playing that change of pace position puts him in a similiar place to how Harvin gets used at times and Sproles.

 

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Theyre different people. This reminds me of when people though Garrett Wolfe should have been good because his size was similar to Sproles. Hester has struggled with corner and wr, he is a great return man, thats it.

 

Its just not about comparing the body size. Its about using his ability to make plays in the open field. I'm not talking about using him to hand off and run up the gut like they did with Wolfe. Look what Forte can do in the open field with screens and pass plays. Thats all im considering. Bring him in on 3rd down packages as a change. Hester hasn't taken that next step at WR, he seems to have trouble getting seperation and learning routes. Plus he won't be carrying near the load playing that role and that should help his legs in the return game. Maybe look at Harvin, he took 52 hand offs, but came out of the backfield on screens or designed pass plays. Sproles had a larger role and took 86 hand offs and was a huge part of NO's success. It's a thought I hope the Bears consider, but that all depends on the FA's and draft picks they bring in. If the Bears bring in enough WRs to demote #23 to a fourth option, I hope Tice can finds other ways to use his abilities.

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You might as well tell the other team what youre doing when he is on the field as a RB then. They know its either gonna be a run to the outside or a a short pass because Hester wouldnt be able to run up the middle or block. Hes just a good return man and a salvageable 4th wr. Trying to turn him into anything else will probably hurt his return game like it did right when he moved to wr.

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You might as well tell the other team what youre doing when he is on the field as a RB then. They know its either gonna be a run to the outside or a a short pass because Hester wouldnt be able to run up the middle or block. Hes just a good return man and a salvageable 4th wr. Trying to turn him into anything else will probably hurt his return game like it did right when he moved to wr.

 

Maybe, but it hasn't stopped Sproles or Harvin, and Hester is just as gifted. Hester makes too much to only handle ST's, they will find a way to use him on offense. Maybe they'll use him strictly out of the slot, which would also benefit him.

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What the Bears should do with Hester is line him and Forte both in the backfield at the same time.......that way teams will not know what we are doing with him. Like he can be used to do the short screens after a play action fake up the middle to Forte. Putting him on a mismatch with a linebacker in open space.If Forte can run 20 to 80 yards on a screen think about what Hester can do with more speed and moves. Also you can go to the three WR bunch formation a throw the WR screen with the same effect (him being in open space)

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What the Bears should do with Hester is line him and Forte both in the backfield at the same time.......that way teams will not know what we are doing with him. Like he can be used to do the short screens after a play action fake up the middle to Forte. Putting him on a mismatch with a linebacker in open space.If Forte can run 20 to 80 yards on a screen think about what Hester can do with more speed and moves. Also you can go to the three WR bunch formation a throw the WR screen with the same effect (him being in open space)

I don't really like this setup as much more than an occasional gimmick, because having both Forte and Hester in the backfield is going to either make the bears undermanned at the WR spot or undermanned on blocking. You can use anything a couple times a game, but that's not a good "Every down" setup.

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I know this is probably a dumb question with a simple answer and is semi-related to the topic at hand, but I have always wondered if there was any way a receiver (like Hester) in the NFL to sprint at the line of scrimmage like they do in Arena Football?

 

Example (The 2 outside receivers):

 

 

I have always wondered if the NFL players could do that or some alteration/loophole that could be done, because with Hester's and even Knox's speed this could be interesting. I have a feeling there's no possible way they could but I figured I would ask.

 

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I don't really like this setup as much more than an occasional gimmick, because having both Forte and Hester in the backfield is going to either make the bears undermanned at the WR spot or undermanned on blocking. You can use anything a couple times a game, but that's not a good "Every down" setup.

 

Completely agreed. First thing I thought of was Hester going into the hole as a FB, or trying to seal an edge on a toss-sweep. Bad idea.

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I know this is probably a dumb question with a simple answer and is semi-related to the topic at hand, but I have always wondered if there was any way a receiver (like Hester) in the NFL to sprint at the line of scrimmage like they do in Arena Football?

 

Example (The 2 outside receivers):

 

 

I have always wondered if the NFL players could do that or some alteration/loophole that could be done, because with Hester's and even Knox's speed this could be interesting. I have a feeling there's no possible way they could but I figured I would ask.

 

No, they can't do that. It's illegal in all shapes and forms to be going forward at the snap. It would result in, based on what else is going on, one of the following fouls:

-False Start

-Illegal Motion

-Illegal Shift

-Illegal Formation

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Sproles runs on other downs than just 3rd. What they are doing with Harvin is similar to Miami's wildcat usage. A nice gimmick for a team going nowhere...

 

Maybe, but it hasn't stopped Sproles or Harvin, and Hester is just as gifted. Hester makes too much to only handle ST's, they will find a way to use him on offense. Maybe they'll use him strictly out of the slot, which would also benefit him.

 

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Also in agreement. We don't need to get tricky. Hester is not what he once was. 5 years ago, doing some of these ideas might have been really valid. But now, he's best suited for Special Teams, and occassionally to have the deep threat on O.

 

Completely agreed. First thing I thought of was Hester going into the hole as a FB, or trying to seal an edge on a toss-sweep. Bad idea.

 

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Sproles runs on other downs than just 3rd. What they are doing with Harvin is similar to Miami's wildcat usage. A nice gimmick for a team going nowhere...

At least IMO, the Wildcat can be used effectively, but teams need to start thinking of it as a power formation rather than a trick formation.

 

The biggest benefit you could get is that it adds an extra blocker in your running game. If you're running the ball, to first order, you're playing 9 players on 11 defenders...the QB gets out of the way and the ball carrier has the ball.

 

Now, pull the QB, and put in an extra FB/TE. Suddenly you're playing 10 on 11, and you can legitimately run a set with 2 TE, a fullback, 5 O-lineman, and then stick another back in or 2 WR's designed to block. That's a power formation now. Snap the ball to your RB, send your blocking in, and overpower one side of the field.

 

Problem is most people still try to use it as trick plays, so they lateral to the QB or they leave the QB in at WR or some other darned thing. Put the extra blocker in and use it to try to blow open one side of the field.

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Maybe, but it hasn't stopped Sproles or Harvin, and Hester is just as gifted. Hester makes too much to only handle ST's, they will find a way to use him on offense. Maybe they'll use him strictly out of the slot, which would also benefit him.

Absolutely a great idea. He is hot a between the talkes kind of guy, but screens, outside the box runs, the defense will have to consider him when in the backfield. I am talking about 12 touches a game, not a front line RB. He is not as strong as Sproales but has ability , if used right can benifit our offense.

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Absolutely a great idea. He is hot a between the talkes kind of guy, but screens, outside the box runs, the defense will have to consider him when in the backfield. I am talking about 12 touches a game, not a front line RB. He is not as strong as Sproales but has ability , if used right can benifit our offense.

 

Thank you Stinger, that's all this was meant to show. Resign Forte, Barber stays, and put Hester in the mix to get 10-15 touchs/plays game. Watch what he can do on draws, screens, coming out on the flats, pitches or motion him out wide or to the slot. Most plays he still be more of a recieving option that a running one, but who is gonna cover him a LB or S. If we bring in two WR's this offseason, they can give this a try.

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