Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Perhaps NFL coaches around the league are headed to the loony bin because they insist on kicking the ball to Devin Hester.
And I applaud them.
Yes, I’m a Bears fan. Yes, I live in Chicago.
Yes, Devin Hester is the most exciting athlete to enter the second city since another 23 made everyone want to “Be Like Mike”.
And yes, teams need to keep kicking him the ball.
Some have compared Devin Hester to Barry Bonds. If first base was open—hell, if the bases were loaded—managers would elect to walk Bonds because he was so dangerous.
Doesn’t the pitcher have a 70% chance of getting an out when throwing to a guy with a .300 batting average? I like those odds.
This is why football is so great. You don’t want to face Tom Brady? Tough. Figure it out.
Afraid of what Adrian Petersen can do between the tackles? Too bad, make a game plan for it.
And it’s also why I don’t understand the NFL talking heads who constantly scream into the camera: “Don’t kick the ball to Devin Hester!”
I don’t get it. Sure, the kickoff guy is the one player on the field you can “intentionally walk.” But why would you advocate it?
Don’t they want the potential highlight reel? Don’t they want the excitement that “The Windy City Flier” brings to each kick/missed field goal/punt return?
When Barry Bonds was about to break Hank Aaron’s record, ESPN would cut into their programming to show you the live play-by-play. Is it just a matter of time before the networks showing NFL games do the same for Hester?
If so, why in God’s name are they screaming to coaches to not kick him the ball?
In a league filled with challenges that take thirty minutes, announcers that can't get the damn team names right, offsides calls, phantom pass interference calls, ticky tack calls, can't we all agree we want some damn excitement?! I've got three words...
Run, Devin. Run!
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10 months ago
A pitcher has a 70% chance of getting a better out if his OBP is .300.
10 months ago
The highlight reel are one thing, but losing a game just for the sake of seeing Hester run the field zould be idiotic from any perspective but the Bears' one.
In fact, Hester or not, I really don't get why punter are not trying to kick off the field as much as possible.
Do the Maths, even if you're punt is 5-10 yards shorter, you deny any return and TD treat. The rules allow you the punt off the field...Just do it already. It'll get your punter in shape when the corner-coffin is required, it has become a lost art even though there's no better situation for a defensive line when all it has to do is to push the offense around until they give up a safety.
So yes, Hester is a delight when it comes to running the field, but if you Bears fan love him so much, teach him how to follow a route and use him on the offense already. A screen play anyone? Throw him the ball 10 yards behind and watch him run.
from 10 months ago
they have tried getting him into the offense. Word to everyone, Hester isn't the brightest crayon in the box. Basically the scouting report on him was he was an explosive player who could score at any moment, but he was too stupid to learn a defense, let a lone an NFL offense.
9 months ago
it's really starting to make me mad how people say devin is too stupid to learn the offense. u wanna try learning more than a hundred plays in two months having not played offense since high school? he was a cornerback in college and just switched to receiver this year, and look at what he's been able to do already! with two touchdowns and 20 receptions in limited action. it's different, and it's hard. i played wideout in 7th grade, then played running back for two years, took a year off from injury, then came back as a junior and got moved to wide-receiver. it's not even close to being easy. you not only have to know plays and routes, but other intangibles as well: when to break a route off if necessary, which way to release, even blocking is tough as a receiver (devin needs to do that better). but seriously, the fact that he has made such an impact in only his first year as a wideout is something special. i mean, come on: sometimes even seasoned veterans mess up plays and routes. i mean i had to learn throughout the year, game by game, and it wasn't even close to the number of plays in the NFL. and he only had two months prior to the season to start learning. get off his back! he's not stupid; he's learned so fast it's incredible. he's gonna be great next year.
p.s.- the only way devin can successfully run a screen play is if his teammates agree to block for him. if you watched this season, that hasn't been the case.
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