Comments on: Devin Hester wants a “fresh start”

By: ghjjf

ghjjf — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 23:36:12 +0000

The Bears don’t know how to properly use Hester as a receiver. He needs to line up about 30 yards behind the quarterback. After the ball is snapped, the quarterback should then throw a backwards pass straight up into the air towards Hester.

By: iowahbr

iowahbr — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 22:54:18 +0000

Stop planning your next career move with reporters, learn to catch the tough balls, and how to get open across the middle. Father Time catches up with all of us.

By: shorttracknews

shorttracknews — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 06:46:26 +0000

I’m a Bears fan and love what Hester used to bring to the table, but it’s less and less every year. The Lovie/Angelo regime evaluated him to high as a WR and signed him to a huge contract that really wasn’t deserved…to try and turn him into a WR. Sorry, but by the time you make the NFL you are either a WR or your aren’t. He took the big money and had visions of 1200 yard seasons and 14 TD’s dancing in his head and never came close to that. Now with Marshall, Jeffery and Bennett all ahead of him on the depth chart he doesn’t feel like part of the offense. His lack of exciting runs on returns I think weighs on him to much and he always is trying to make something happen, even if it means running backwards on a punt and losing 10 yards or taking a kickoff out of the end zone instead of taking a knee and then getting tackled on the 4 yard line like I saw him do late last year. This sounds like it’s all in his head. Either figure it out or retire and be happy Mr. Hester. No matter what you are the greatest returner in NFL history. I think you have a few more TD’s in you, you just gotta focus on what made you great,

By: stevejjones

stevejjones — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 05:07:48 +0000

This is disappointing. Devin Hester was a great weapon for the Bears. I understood and accepted the move to make him a wide receiver. It is obvious teams were playing keep away with him knowing he could take it to the house. WR was a way to get the ball in his hands more often. Hearing that his “mind wasn’t in it” or whatever is a big disappointment. Wow. I got defensive when people called him dumb. He is such a talent. Even a mental midget like Demaryius Thomas can put his heart into the job and be productive at WR. C’mon Devin. Bear down.

By: larryboodry

larryboodry — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 02:06:46 +0000

Devin Hester has never interviewed well, even when he was in his prime and having fun, he always seemed slow on the uptake…And admitting that you haven’t always been there mentally during games is not a good way to endear yourself to fans and teammates.

That said, I hope Hester finishes his contract as a kick returner for the Bears…With the new coacking staff in place, this is probably the freshest start he’s gonna get.

By: esplife03

esplife03 — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:04:26 +0000

A lot of the time a guy will play CB when they have all the speed to be an offensive threat but can’t catch a ball. In college hester was a return guy and CB for exactly that reason, so why in the heck did lovie expect to take a guy that wasn’t good enough to catch in college and expect him to sling passes from one of the strongest arms in the game? He was doomed from the get go. I always thought about using him just for returns and MAYBE a reverse route RB sort of deal but who knows.

By: chi01town

chi01town — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 22:52:40 +0000

Emery should trade this Lovie loving bum an try not to get none on his shoes. Hester CANT CATCH he cant run a route and when was the last time he ran a kick back? get somebody worth having on the team or a 2nd round draft pick would be nice

By: fbwangus8736

fbwangus8736 — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 21:47:52 +0000

He still Avg. almost 26 yrds a KOR and led the league in Punt return yrds. in 2010 and 2011. Teams got smart and started to finally kick away from Him on punts. He caught 23 passes from the great “Jay Cutler”. I think He still has a lot left in the tank. Not sure if His talk about “making the game fun” is “wanting more money” or a new contract. Bears win because of Hester being on that team. People seem to forget that.

By: seamus0317

seamus0317 — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 21:42:45 +0000

Release this goof! Right up there with Randy Moss as a colossal underachiever! Plus he had no clue what’s in the play book! Another example of the quality education at the U!!!

By: punkyqb

punkyqb — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 21:34:36 +0000

To all the people out there that think the Bears screwed him up, that’s completely false. He “was” a great return man but he wanted a big payday and you can not give a huge contract to a man that only returns kickoffs and punts, so the Bears try to keep him happy and try to make a WR out of him to justify the larger contract.Well it didn’t work out. I used to like him but the time has come for him to move on or retire. His contract may not be large by today’s standards but he inked that contract years ago. Good by Devin.

By: chawk12thman

chawk12thman — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 21:32:10 +0000

Going into a contract year his comments may not be the best move. He won’t be a WR, but will keep returning in a game where returns are part of the past due, to rule changes. My guess is he won’t get traded, nor extension. Frustration will continue.

By: jprcox

jprcox — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:48:51 +0000

teams don’t trade for a 30 yr old special teams player going backward in his career. to even suggest Bears could “trade” him is a joke.

By: lennydpocketqb

lennydpocketqb — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:32:31 +0000

Would you want to live in Chicago? One of the most overrated cities in America. Sadly for Devin I don’t think the free agent market is going to be looking for a punt returner/part time reciever in his 30′s. Maybe Jacksonville?

By: bearfan1957

bearfan1957 — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:21:25 +0000

wish, granted. Hester is starting to complain too much now, and Bears could get another low draft pick this yr. If he stays, do it as k.o. return and punt returns only

By: tabcdef9

tabcdef9 — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:21:23 +0000

Last year was the first one where I saw Devin actually lay out to catch a pass, caught 2 TD’s that way IIRC. I counted that as progress for him as WR. Obviously something’s clouding his judgement on when and where to make his cuts as a return man tho, and it sounds like it’s all in his head. He’s got to kick out those jams and/or get some help doing it. Now.

By: Pacific NW Mark

Pacific NW Mark — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:03:04 +0000

Sorry to say Devin but the frustration is mutual.

Learn the playbook, run the routes, catch the ball, block downfield – do all of the things other WRs do – and you’ll get the ball more often. And you might have more fun.

By: kabasaman

kabasaman — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:28:36 +0000

His mind wasn’t there most of the time? What the hell is that? He’s making millions to drop passes and Lovie didn’t seem care….. I think you’d have to have a brain to be there. Devin sure doesn’t seem to be the brightest bulb in the bag……

By: thompsonway

thompsonway — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:22:31 +0000

Devin, you are not doing yourself any favors. Trestman is an offensive mind, whom might be able to get you involved.

By: jsyphilis

jsyphilis — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:14:56 +0000

The Bears’ coaching staff destroyed his innate, almost superhuman return abilities years ago by trying to develop him as a featured wideout. He lacks both the skill and grasp to function as an every down receiver. That being said, say Hello the newest New England Patriots superstar pass catcher!!

By: vltrophy14

vltrophy14 — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 18:59:01 +0000

There’s no way Jennings goes to play for da Bears. Both the team & the QB is a big down grade from the Packers. GJ would never win another Super Bowl

By: kevinwi

kevinwi — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 18:25:19 +0000

There isn’t a team in the NFL interested in trading for him. he’d be a longshot to be signed to a camp and actually make the cut to final 53… His days in the NFL are over. Call it early retirement. Used to be a good return man. Not any more.

By: firejerry

firejerry — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 18:23:04 +0000

I believe that when Hester is playing WR, the Bears are playing with 10.5 on the field. If you add Kellen Davis then they are playing with 10 against 11.

By: SilentMajority

SilentMajority — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 18:18:32 +0000

They say defensive backs are wide receivers that cannot catch, maybe his fresh start could be on defense…

By: isphet71

isphet71 — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 18:11:48 +0000

The rest of the NFC North is dying to get this guy off of the Bears. He and the Bears’ D have stolen far too many games the offense was trying to give away.

No one is scared of the Bears if they don’t have a special teams threat. If Hester is gone, no one is scared of the Bears unless they can find an equally dangerous replacement.

By: rg3andthensome

rg3andthensome — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 18:11:25 +0000

A poor man’s Brandon Banks….

By: cadillacjosh

cadillacjosh — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 17:47:23 +0000

I am not interested in looking these stats up, but under Martz, Hested had something like 700 yards and a few td’s. If he had stayed healthy that whole year, he probably would’ve gotten to a grand recieving yards. I’m not saying he’s a number 1, but he can definitely fit in the #2/#3 role.

He’s really not as awful at WR as people say. But he’s not amazing. Frankly he has been a part of some huge plays on special teams and as a reciever for us. I would like to see him stay, but I’d rather see him be happy and succesful.

By: cassrangers

cassrangers — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 17:36:10 +0000

I still wouldn’t be ready to give up on him. He didn’t have any return TD’s last year, but he came close to getting a couple. 2 years ago he had 3 total return TD’s. He’s not done by any means. I hope they keep him and do designate him to ONLY return duties.

By: ninerhatersgetready4ring6

ninerhatersgetready4ring6 — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 17:34:58 +0000

Trade him to the 49ers, Ginn will be not resigned and the Niners need a punt returner and slot/4th receiver. He will have an opportunity to compete for a SuperBowl . With 14 picks in this years draft trade a 5th and all sides are in a win win situation. Make it happen Baalke……..Niners for Life……

By: jimmysee

jimmysee — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 17:22:08 +0000

Hmmmmm – who to sign??!! Devin Hester or Greg Jennings. (That’s a tough call!

By: snccoach

snccoach — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 17:19:31 +0000

The problem with Hester is Chicago tried to make him something he’s not, a full-time wide receiver. The “U” even knew that he was not an effective corner or receiver, he was a dominant returner. That’s why hes was drafted! Hester is THE BEST returner in NFL history and the Bears completely messed that up by being smarter than themselves and trying to experiment with him. Huge Fail. Keep him as a KR/PR and he’ll change/win games for you.