News and views on Hester from around the Web

Makes you wonder what's up with the players that come out of the Miami Hurricanes program. A couple years of success, then head games.

Jeremy Shockey
Kellen Winslow, Jr.
Devin Hester

Hope he can turn around his season.

Sayer's is the man. He tells it like it is. Obviously something is wrong with Hester so if the coaches don't see a change this week, then they have to go with Danieal Manning. It's a no brainer right? Put your best guys on the field for the right circumstances. And those who criticize the blockers, why isn't Manning having problems on his returns? Hester seemed to return TDs in spite of his blockers like last year in Ford Field and here against Minnesota.

I agree with Gayle.

Oh-oh!! If Gayle Sayers see the same thing I have been talking about for weeks, then it might be time for the Devinator to have a talk with him.

But as Sayers said what do he know about football and if that is the case I ain't even a football player, BUT I'AM JUST SAYING, a little TALK with the "Kansas Comet" might not hurt Mr. Hester.

Come on Devin we know you can do it, but something is going on in your head. Have a talk with Sayers or even Deion Sanders. It definitely won't hurt at this point.

I don't think that he scared, I just feel that when he has only the job of return man that was what he like doing at the time, he was having fun then, But now the Bear put some must on him to lear plays in the book that he don't look like he care any more about return and he don't look like he having fun no more in the game, And thats just one more thing that the Bear coaching staff did wrong...that taking the fun out of the game for him or any of the players don't work they need to get loose and just play the game.....

Thats the reason why you dont pay kick returners the type of money he demanded. I am less concerned however about Hester returning kicks, than I am with Brad Maynard punting the ball, Maynard has really fallen off over the last year or so. And its time to get someone in to challenge him for his job. Maynard LOOKS PATHETIC!

By the way, can anyone understand what the heck Hester is saying or trying to say when he speaks? Please tell me he is either drunk and/or high when he talks to the media. Hester makes Joe Frazier sound like a "Rhodes Scholar". The Bears should not even allow this kid to have a microphone shoved in his face.

Just a thought

He needs better blocking, we used to have ayebendejo, a pro bowl special teams guy blocking for him. Now players are in his face before he has a chance to break tackles. It's ridiculous that we are cursing Hester already. Get better guys in front of him, Hester will turn it around.

Michael Wilbon said today on PTI that the Bears coaches are to blame for killing the most exciting player in the NFL. Too many sets at WR have turned Hester into mush.
He said "If you want a number one receiver then GO AND GET ONE! Don't take the best return man in NFL history and turn him into a mediocre player at both positions!"

I agree with that 100%

Nice job guys. You did the one thing that the rest of the league could not do. You stopped Devin Hester dead in his tracks and have made him a non factor.

You want to know what's wrong with Hester?? Hmmmmm Didn't receive a huge contract recently?? Too much money? Some hard hits?? Or is it a combinination of both.............I think so.

What I see when Hester is returning a kick, is Hester hesitation, or hestertation. I believe Toub needs to do some coaching to get him going again. To me, it looks like the coverage teams have figured out how to hem hester in. Looks like they're herding hester. First coverage player downfield hasnt been going full speed at hester to make a tackle, instead they go downfield and show on one side of the field and turn hester to the other side of the field. Meanwhile, the rest of the coverage team stays back a little bit and doesn't let him run by them. So, instead of trying to split the line of sagging defenders, hester has to try and out hustle them by running all the way around them to the sideline, where he just goes out of bounds. He's looking for a lane to turn up, but the coverage team, is laying back and not letting the bears blockers create a seam. So they give up 15 yards but don't let Hester break one.

I think the answer is All of the Above. Devin is already probably the best there ever was and that is not easy to do in 2 seasons. You have teams expecting and studying ways to stop him. Guys like this strike lightening and then fade back to the pack. I would love to see him regain his form, but history is against it.

I know I was one of the fans who also wanted to see what else this guy could do. Now we know. He is capable, but his specialty is returning the ball. And we need to concentrate exclusively on what used to be a great asset to the team. Not just on Devin, but on the entire blocking scheme etc. Its a weapon that tips the scales in our favor offensively and defensive (field position). Its a very little thing like the thorn in the lion's paw. But it has had a tremendous affect. Bears need to fix what they can right now, and worry about what they can't fix in the off season.

I shockingly agree with Philtration for once...

although...its really him and Wilbon that are agreeing with me actually, since I said WEEKS ago, that TOO MANY PASS ROUTES and BLOCKING ASSIGNMENTS have turned his legs into lead logs. He looks like his legs are cast in cement now when he is back to return.

I dont care how fast your are, if you are running 30 wind sprints a game, your gonna be tired.

Hester as a Return man = Cover of Madden
Hester as a WR = Out of the league in 3 years.

Damn, sky must be green because I agree with Culzie and Phil. But it is a little of all of the above. Manning isn't running on worn out legs and he didn't get a fresh new contract he's trying to live up to. The hits on him have taken a toll. He got knocked out of two games because of injury and running down the field as a decoy is killing him. I told you guys last year that he didn't like contact and that it made him more affectice because he was too busy avoiding it. Plus how come no one mentioned how the special teams have had a rash of holding penalites that have brought back a couple of good runs? If anything the league has taken him out of the game as well. How many of the refs hate on him and want to even the playing field? Earlier in the season it used to happen once or twice a game. Who can honestly say that he doesn't have a "me against the world" or a "been there and done that" mentality? Greatness doesn't disappear that easily.

Bear fans! Stop making excuses for Devin and tell it like it is. All this talk about too many pass routes and blocking schemes doesn't have anything to do with kick returns. Whatever position you're playing, that's the only thing you're thinking about at that time. Why would he be thinking about pass routes when he's returning kicks? Lets not sugar coat this and DEMAND more from Hester than what he's giving. The truth be told, he looks as if he's lost his zeal because of the contract fiasco. He's not playing with the love for the game that he once had. I love my Bears win or lose but i'm not not gonna make excuses for someone who's not playing well. Go Bears!!!

I don't think he's scared. I think he's trying to do it all himself, instead of allowing the his teammates to help him. He's trying to put five moves in a situation where following the wedge is best. Let's give other teams credit as well. Nobody wants Hester to be on sportscenter. Cream rises to the top. The Bears have also changed their special teams players around. Maybe when Hester was getting all of the credit, we should have praised the blocking a little bit. Manning is a solid returner, but he's not "Special." Hester will get it together, and break off some big returns. Like a power hitter in baseball who is slumping, give him time and he'll break out of it.

This is a case where the Bear's front office needs to re-evaulate the situation after the conclusion of the season.

Hester's contract is laden with incentives; most of them based upon his performance as a receiver. If he doesn't come up big at that position, whatever he does as a return man will be of little benefit to him financially.

Perhaps they should split the difference and rework Hester's contract so that he'll be adequately rewarded for what he does best, instead of hopelessly chasing that brass ring as a WR. If he ever does become a premier player at the WR position, it will come at the expense of the pop, and field position he used to provide on special teams.

It is my belief that he is much more valuable as a returner, and could still be used situationally on offense.

"This is a case where the Bear's front office needs to re-evaulate the situation after the conclusion of the season."

I inadvertently left my name off that post.

Good insight Mark..I hadnt thought of that angle yet!

Danieal Manning and Garret Wolfe take over the return duties..

and #3 in Hester's new commercial for Berry Chill...that would be me

pander

Devin Hester.........well he got cute game 1 or 2 tried to walk the ball out the end zone trick..got busted up real bad trying to use the same trick you used last year,this is the NFL not college.
Now he runs east and west and backwards.
Yes I say his nerves are shot,so why keep him back there? Got alligator arms also.
Cant catch a cold so the man said.