Return To Glory: Can Chicago Bears’ Devin Hester Revisit Return Man Supremacy?
Published by Seth Boster on June 14, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Once upon a time, Devin Hester was the ruler of the NFL’s return game.
Hester’s reign began in his 2006 record-breaking rookie season. He burst into the NFL scene, almost literally, after a punt return in his pro debut.
There was that magical 108-yard mad dash to the promised land that came on a New York Giants missed field goal, then record-tying. The desert seemed enchanted after Hester brought back a game-winning punt return against Arizona. A few weeks later, he closed the door on any hope of the Rams winning when he returned two kick returns in the game.
The rookie return man accounted for a major part of his team’s scoring output while an ineffective, Rex Grossman led offense, sputtered.
When his unit advanced to the Super Bowl, the kick return commander became the first to score on a Super Bowl opening kick off. Dreamlike.
To top off his rookie triumph, Hester was elected to the Pro Bowl, named a finalist in the Rookie of the Year voting, and even awarded an ESPY for Best Breakthrough Athlete. He set records for most TD returns in a season (six), most TD returns as a rookie (six), and most returns in a game (two).
2007 was more of the same for Hester, minus the Super Bowl.
He returned six touchdowns in a second consecutive season (another record) and appeared in another Pro Bowl (he took one back there, too).
Ultimately, Lovie Smith—the very coach who pushed to draft Hester in the second round—can be credited for corrupting the rule of the return king.
In 2008, it was foolishly thought that the city’s superstar could solve the team’s wide receiver dilemma. And so, all the sudden, a converted cornerback was expected to become the team’s No.1 option.
Shame on you, Lovie.
The last time Hester played the position was part time for the Chargers of Suncoast High School. To make things worse, Hester, typically labeled a witless wonder, needed to pick up a complicated position like wide receiver. Still worse, a QB like Kyle Orton would not be capable of bringing the new wide out along.
Smith witnessed, or perhaps experienced, the result of his mistake.
Hester was often clueless at the line of scrimmage. Often times, he would be on a totally different page than Orton. Maybe because all his focus was on the playbook, Hester forgot about his responsibilities as a returner.
Hester made zero impact on special teams with zero touchdowns.
2009 showed progress, but nothing too significant in the Hester-project.
Even with Jay Cutler, whose strong arm matched Hester’s blazing speed, he only recorded 92 more receiving yards with the same number of touchdowns from the previous season. And that’s after starting in four more games.
On special teams, Hester was totally dismantled by Daniel Manning and rookie quickster Johnny Knox.
For the second season in a row, no Hester memories were made. Unless you count last year’s Week 11 when Hester revealed his rear end after Philadelphia corner back Dimitri Patterson accidentally yanked his britches down.
In a nut shell, Smith’s decision to convert Hester has made the team’s strongest weapon into a non-entity. The greatest return man in the NFL is now an average wide receiver at best.
It seems that the early fairytale-like career of the return artist was never meant to have a happy ending.
Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz has hinted the idea of Hester putting his primary focus back on his special teams duties while serving as the offense’s slot receiver.
Here’s a better idea. How about we forget about Hester trying out this receiver thing. Forget about the last few years. Abandon this hope of him becoming an elite receiver.
Unlike three years ago, the Bears have players who can handle the wide out positions. Players such as last-season bloomer Devin Aromashodu, rookie speedster Jonny Knox, and Earl Bennett, who has actually practiced the position his whole life.
How about Hester gets back to doing the thing that seemed so simple, yet so effective. Hand him back over to special teams genius Dave Toub, and give him another shot at his true calling.
How about some more make-you-stand-on-your-feet-and-hold-your-breath moments when “Anytime” is back on a kickoff.
Put the return king back in his special teams kingdom.
Chicago, and his throne, awaits him.
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