Devin Hester: How Good is He?
Published by Esteban Olivo on May 27, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The joke at Halas Hall says that the reason Devin Hester was converted to wide receiver was not because of his explosive play-making ability, but because former QB Rex Grossman was really good at throwing to corner backs.
Ah, the pre-Cutler era.
Fast-forward three years into what was once dubbed the Devin Hester Experience, and we see a very capable pass-catcher penciled in as a No. 1 receiver heading into training camp.
But how good is Hester really?
With the criticism the Bears wide receiving corps has received in recent weeks, it’s a pressing question considering Hester will be asked to become Jay Cutler’s top target.
His 51 catches ranked 61st in the league, topped on his own team by a RB and a TE.
Ouch.
However, a closer look reveals a budding play-maker anxious to prove his doubters wrong.
When new savior Jay Cutler was asked about his receivers at the recent Bears Fans Expo, Cutler responded, “Receiving-wise, we’ve got what we need here. You don’t need to worry about it.”
Offensive coordinator Ron Turner expressed direct confidence in Hester as a guest on the Waddle and Silvy show. Pressed on one guy to step up this coming season, Turner very matter-of-factly stated No. 23 would be that guy.
“He’s having a tremendous offseason. Late last year, the last (six) weeks of the season, he really came on,” Turner said. “He was learning how to play the game at the speed it has to be played at all the time. He was learning how to practice the way you have to practice to go out and play in games. And he’s having a great offseason this year working hard and playing fast all the time”
Through the last six weeks of the season, Hester amassed 25 receptions for 347 yards. That averages out to be about four catches per game for 58 yards, and while no one is going to confuse those numbers for Larry Fitzgerald’s anytime soon, consider that in the 12 previous games combined, Hester’s totals read 26 catches for 318 yards.
Those stats become even more impressive when one takes into account Hester started only four of those six games because of the Bears’ rotation.
The stretch also came after Kyle Orton’s much publicized ankle injury which clearly hampered his ability to get the ball downfield during Hester’s stretch.
“We went back and looked at a lot of our tapes from a year ago and we had some opportunities to get him the ball down the field, to get him some big plays and it just didn’t happen,” continued Turner. “With Jay—not just Jay but the offensive line—everything coming into it, I think he’s going to be able to make some of those plays and step up.”
One could argue that Hester’s biggest contribution at WR doesn’t even show up in the stats. In the New Orleans game, Hester was able to draw three huge pass interference plays that allowed the Bears to come back and beat the playoff hungry Saints.
Hester later said of the game, “I felt like no one on the field could stop me.”
Turner has also expressed on multiple occasions that Hester is receptive of the doubts people have about his ability to become a No. 1 receiver.
“He’s a very determined young man; he has a lot of pride and he hears people say he can’t be a No. 1 receiver and he is determined to make sure that he is. And he’s not just talking about it, he’s working at it”
If Hester is to take the next step and join the 1K club, he will of course need just as much help from Jay Cutler as Cutler will need from him.
And if we are to believe the hype about Cutler, the future looks very bright for Hester.
Former Broncos offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger called Cutler’s deep ball “excellent” and went on to add that he “has never seen anyone throw the deep ball like him.”
A look at the all important DYAR (“The simple version: DYAR means a wide receiver with more total value”) stats from FootballOutsiders.com reveals Hester in a favorable ranking in comparison to receivers like Dwayne Bowe, Braylon Edwards, Torry Holt, Santonio Holmes, and Tedd Ginn.
With his teammates, coaches, and city behind him, you have to think Hester is indeed primed for a breakout season.
While most will question Hester, many will doubt, and a few might completely write him off, this much is certain: If his past is any indication of his future, the second you blink with Hester, is the second you miss him.
