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Hester wants a fresh start


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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/...start/#comments

 

I hope he gets that fresh start. His mind wasn't in games according to him because he wasn't being used enough. He doesn't want to play offense for the Bears if he isn't traded. Let him go and free up some money for some O-Linemen. Trade him for Tebow or something, lol.

 

trade for Tebow and he instantly becomes our best TE lol

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He does? I haven't seen it. On kick returns and punt returns, he looked hesitant and slow. There were a few times that I thought he was chased down. In 2006 and 2007, that wouldn't have happened. He put on weight in an attempt to be a WR, and so he doesn't have elite speed anymore. Is it "good" speed? Maybe, but that won't cut it when your game was based off of speed.

 

Yes you say...the whole point hesitant and slow....he will be faster if he runs north and south like Jones for the Ravens did in the super Bowl

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Yes you say...the whole point hesitant and slow....he will be faster if he runs north and south like Jones for the Ravens did in the super Bowl

 

There isn't much to dispute about that statement as anybody would be faster running in a straight line but Hester does not have Jacoby Jones' speed. He never really had elite top speed and for proof of that watch some past highlight videos of other players escorting him into the endzone. What he used to have was elite quickness and the ability to cut in one motion, one step, in a different direction. He still has most of that quickness but no longer uses it correctly in decisive moves and so he's easy to tackle.

 

 

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That's a matter of choice, not speed. He has the capability to still run fast...he just doesn't do so. Sounds like coaching to me.

Perhaps this is the case...but the other thing that has happened to him has been a lot of leg injuries, hamstring pulls, nagging things, etc. How much has that impacted his speed? The difference between elite speed and really good speed for a guy in Hester's position would be really important.

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That's a matter of choice, not speed. He has the capability to still run fast...he just doesn't do so. Sounds like coaching to me.

What did Lovie coach him to run slower? He has lost a step, confidence, and his decision making sucks. He needs to be gone, enough with people that cant play anymore, but we need to respect them because there were good once.

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What did Lovie coach him to run slower? He has lost a step, confidence, and his decision making sucks. He needs to be gone, enough with people that cant play anymore, but we need to respect them because there were good once.

Exactly. Lovie Smith didn't make him slower. No one told him he must gain weight to play WR. He did it on his own, and now, he doesn't have elite speed anymore. His game was based off of elite speed. It's gone, and he should be as well.

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Perhaps this is the case...but the other thing that has happened to him has been a lot of leg injuries, hamstring pulls, nagging things, etc. How much has that impacted his speed? The difference between elite speed and really good speed for a guy in Hester's position would be really important.

 

 

That's funny. It's much easier to just say he's getting old.

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What did Lovie coach him to run slower? He has lost a step, confidence, and his decision making sucks. He needs to be gone, enough with people that cant play anymore, but we need to respect them because there were good once.

 

Read between the lines please.

 

He is "slower" because he lost confidence and has eroded decision making. This is directly connected to Lovie and staff wanting him to be a WR rather than the best Return man in history. He's still got elite physical speed; in my opinion, he just doesn't know how to use it. A good coach would be able to accentuate his speed with techniques and philosophy on special teams, followed by harsh discipline when not followed. First time he runs backwards or sideways? Benched.

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He is "slower" because he lost confidence and has eroded decision making. This is directly connected to Lovie and staff wanting him to be a WR rather than the best Return man in history. He's still got elite physical speed; in my opinion, he just doesn't know how to use it. A good coach would be able to accentuate his speed with techniques and philosophy on special teams, followed by harsh discipline when not followed. First time he runs backwards or sideways? Benched.

How do you know for certain he hasn't lost a step or two because of all the leg injuries?

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How do you know for certain he hasn't lost a step or two because of all the leg injuries?

 

For certain? I don't know. I haven't seen him run a straight-line 40 and timed it.

 

But when I see him in the game, he still looks lightning fast with crazy misdirection ability. The eye test, for me anyway, says he still possesses very rare speed.

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For certain? I don't know. I haven't seen him run a straight-line 40 and timed it.

 

But when I see him in the game, he still looks lightning fast with crazy misdirection ability. The eye test, for me anyway, says he still possesses very rare speed.

It is quite simply look at his production, 0 zip. we dont need to pretend anything here. done, gone, new guy

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When did you see this? 2011?

 

There were several glimpses this year when he showed his burst. Look at his one receiving TD this year, for instance. You don't get that kind of separation from a pro DB unless you possess serious speed or great route running ability. And we all know he doesn't possess the latter.

 

Watch his return from the Tennessee game. Undoubtedly the same Hester from years past. He just needed someone to step up and make one more block.

 

A breakdown...

He makes a drastic cut at the 50 and gets between two Titans who are about two yards apart.

Absolutely flies by the second level of players who thought they had an angle/chance.

Makes a jab-step cut at the 30 that leaves the Titans punter nearly falling down at 8-yards away.

And if #37 Anthony Walters (who?) had looked to make a block instead of watching the play, Hester has a return TD again.

 

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Yes he looks fast running straight up field while the defenders are running in from the side to tackle him. Faking out a punter does not make anyone in the NFL elite. Look how quickly the defender who made the tackle got into position to even make the tackle on him. Admittedly it was aided by Hester avoiding the punter and forcing Hester toward the tackler. Yet I won't argue the point about his speed and I'll stick with results. His salary equates to more TDs IMO if used for a good OG than it does spent on him.

 

Now I would take Hester back for the right price. I'm not sure his head is on straight but if he'd be happy as PR/KR for say $1mil/yr then I'd do that. I just think he values himself a lot higher than that.

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There were several glimpses this year when he showed his burst. Look at his one receiving TD this year, for instance. You don't get that kind of separation from a pro DB unless you possess serious speed or great route running ability. And we all know he doesn't possess the latter.

 

Watch his return from the Tennessee game. Undoubtedly the same Hester from years past. He just needed someone to step up and make one more block.

 

A breakdown...

He makes a drastic cut at the 50 and gets between two Titans who are about two yards apart.

Absolutely flies by the second level of players who thought they had an angle/chance.

Makes a jab-step cut at the 30 that leaves the Titans punter nearly falling down at 8-yards away.

And if #37 Anthony Walters (who?) had looked to make a block instead of watching the play, Hester has a return TD again.

So were down to seeking out one play to tell us how good he is? His production sucked for the last 1 1/2 years. Look at game tape, not good, not good, ok, one good play, aint happening.

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So were down to seeking out one play to tell us how good he is? His production sucked for the last 1 1/2 years. Look at game tape, not good, not good, ok, one good play, aint happening.

 

Why does everything have to be so elementary all the time? Jeez. If you have access to an online resource of every time Hester had the ball in his hands, I'd love to see it. I'll gladly break down the film.

 

In the meantime, the plays I mentioned demonstrate he still has lethal speed. What he lacks is the vision and decision making.

 

Having said that, I don't disagree with the production angle you and AZ bring up. Hester has done little to warrant his salary the past two years.

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