Devin Hester (leaving Bears)
 

I don't do a lot of "what about" threads but Devin Hester will not be back with the Bears. He may be 31 years old and has lost a step but the thing about return guys is not so much the speed but the knowing when to zig and knowing when to zag...

He was pricy with the Bears, perhaps we could get him for less than Sproles?

Re: Devin Hester (leaving Bears)
 

Wouldn't Ted Ginn be cheaper and have a little mote alround use?.
Not a great fan of his either

Re: Devin Hester (leaving Bears)
 

You can have all the speed in the world but hester just has the knack for kick and punt returns

Hester is to kick returns what PT is to screen passes, I'd be happy if we could get him for cheap and use him as a return specialist only

Re: Devin Hester (leaving Bears)
 

Ginn is younger and there is probably a price difference but there is also a performance difference.
2013 NFL Player Returning Stats - National Football League - ESPN

Re: Devin Hester (leaving Bears)
 

I thought Hester was having some concussion issues.

Ginn's freakin' fast. Maybe we could figure a way to sneak some stickum on his hands...

Re: Devin Hester (leaving Bears)
 

Didn't read the stats before.
Surprised at the difference, I thought Hester was worse and Ginn better.

Re: Devin Hester (leaving Bears)
 

I wouldn't sign anyone exclusively as a returner:

The NFL has taken the KO return out of the game.
Although Sproles is no longer explosive as a returner, he is reliable.
Punt and KO return TD's are really no longer a part of the game.

Re: Devin Hester (leaving Bears)
 

I agree that return TDs are pretty much nullified but Hester is averaging 28 yards per KO return and 15 yards per PR, to Sproles 21 KO and 6 PR.

That translates to starting from the 30 instead of 20 and an extra 7 yards on put returns. That is big difference and advantage. How many times has 7-10 yards put us out of FG range? Keep in mind that Shayne Graham could certainly use that 7-10 yards with his leg.

Re: Devin Hester (leaving Bears)
 

Sproles did really drop off on PR, and that KR stat is actually worse when you consider that he started those returns 5 yards deep

Re: Devin Hester (leaving Bears)
 

I think Rezburna may have said it best... "I would prefer a guy who is a exclusively a kick return guy and nothing else". Devin fits that title and I would welcome him to the B&G to take over kick return duty.