Let me start off by saying how much I appreciate Jeff Joniak, the Chicago Bears' radio play-by-play man, for his work on 780 AM the past few years.
Obviously, the two things that really made me love Joniak was his coining of the nickname "The Windy City Flyer" to Devin Hester, and the infamous phrase, "Devin Hester, you are ridiculous!" I mean, who knew that these phrases would be so catchy?
When the Bears drafted Hester 56th overall in 2006, no one envisioned that this young man would change special teams in just two seasons. You know how some offenses and defenses would change gameplans because of one player?
Well, now teams have to start paying attention to Devin Hester, who broke an NFL record with six return TDs in his rookie season, then broke his own record in 2007 with seven return TD. This makes you wonder: why in the hell are teams kicking to him?
That's a great question, but there really is no answer. Here's what it boils down to: are you willing to take on the best returner in the game EVER with a bunch of second stringers against a unit that thrives on special teams, or give the Bears excellent field position and let a sporadic offense take control?
Quite frankly, I have no clue as to why teams even let him touch the ball on kicks. He can literally reach top speed in two steps, has unbelievable vision, and has an uncanny ability to avoid tacklers and make people miss. That, and he has the best special-teams group in the league with Dave Toub, the best ST coordinator in the league.
So, why does this man, who has set ridiculous return records in just two years, alter gameplans, make teams realize the significance of special teams, and has been the Bears' top "offensive" weapon for two years, not deserve an extension?
First of all, Hester has yet to establish himself as a wide receiver. If he wants to make the lucrative money that wide receivers make, he needs to establish himself as the go-to target for the Bears. He must learn how to run better routes and read defenses.
Secondly, he has to learn the playbook inside and out. Last year, there were too many times when he was just lost, and he looked completely out of place. Fortunately, with the help of Muhsin Muhammad, he was able to be in the right place, but it didn't work out all the time, thanks to the God-awful playcalling of Ron Turner.
Third, he still has two years left on his contract. Why should you even think about giving him a big deal before he has even proved himself as a wide receiver? Obviously, the Bears like him and want him to get plenty of looks, but they should be careful about this extension because A) he will need to develop as a wide receiver, and B) continue to be an effective kick/punt returner despite the fact that teams are gunning for him.
While he has enormous potential to be a dynamic playmaker on offense and special teams, the Bears should wait a while before they give Hester an extension.
Of course, I feel that he should be a Bear until the end, but I don't want the Bears throwing money to a guy who will only return kicks. We could be using that money to placate Urlacher or any other rising star that the Bears may have soon.
Jeff Joniak is correct. Devin Hester, you really are ridiculous...but your fans wouldn't have it any other way.
6 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
S M Napier about 1 year ago
The guy deserves, to play the rest of his career a Bear and deserves the money. Just what he does on Kick-offs & punts is worth the price. He's actually a defensive secondary player and not a receiver. Since Ced-r-ic was a bust, your starting a Rookie with Wolfe and Peterson who's way better at special teams. Why not use Hester at what he does best running. Give him the ball 10-15 times a game, plus run him in reverses and direct snaps. It's just unrealistic to expect him to become a #1 or #2 receiver.
You can go out, draft UF's Percy Harvin and LSU's Demetrius Byrd in next years draft. End up with the best receiver in next years draft with Harvin and Byrd can be your #2 guy.
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Sam Wenk about 1 year ago
Adam, no NFL player really "deserves" an extension. They sign their contract and are expected to perform. The reason teams give extensions is to try and save money in case the player explodes onto the scene or has a record setting season. Devin Hester already has done both, and now he is becoming even more valuable. If you sign him now before he can truly see what his market value is, you save millions of dollars and get to keep the player. If anyone in all of Chicago sports deserves an extension, it's Devin Hester. He owns this city!
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Andrew Kneeland about 1 year ago
Him, or Fukudome.
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Jake Perper about 1 year ago
how much money do you give him is the question. Do you pay him as a receiver or a kick returner?? Nice article adam
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Spencer Taylor about 1 year ago
Nice read... It seems best to wait, with him not quite established as a receiver. I'm excited to see what he will do in 2008, and hope that his best is yet to come.
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Sam Brown about 1 year ago
I get nervous when the Bears start talking about expanding Hester's role in the offense. Turner's ineptitude is the main reason. Those reverses he ran last year never worked. Sending Hester over the middle is dangerous, he lacks the big body of most #1 receivers. At his best you send Hester long and deep to either make a great play or simply stretch the defense. I would hate to see Turner send him over the middle into an injury. When he touches the ball with open field in front of him Devin Hester is the most exciting player in sports, period.
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