Thread: Hestory in the making

Originally Posted by soulman

Hester shows no signs of slowing down


Bears' kick return specialist credits increased diligence with his craft

By Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune reporter 6:19 p.m. CDT, October 3, 2011


He turns 29 next month, but NFL record-holder Devin Hester shows no signs of slowing down, giving him a chance to put his final career numbers in a place where they won't be challenged for a long time to come.

Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, the returner on the NFL's 75th anniversary team, said last year Hester could have 20 return touchdowns before he's done. He has 15 now after he broke a tie with Eric Metcalf for the all-time punt return record with his 11th, a 69-yarder Sunday against the Panthers at Soldier Field.

Carolina's Jeff Baker tried a high, rugby-style kick that Hester would be forced to fair catch. It's what the Packers have had success doing. It backfired, and the result was the worst-case scenario for the Panthers.

"It was like baseball," Hester said. "He pitched me right down the middle and it gives me great field position to go either way. I can set the defense up, starting one way and go back the other way."

Hester faked right, working with extra space as a result of the low kick, and then turned the corner when the Panthers missed a tackle. What Hester has been able to do is unprecedented because top returners have never been at an elite level for more than a few seasons.

Hester credited increased diligence with his craft. He read an article where former record-holder Brian Mitchell, a big fan of Hester's, talked about the need to study film, something the former Redskin did by getting old tapes of Rick Upchurch.

"I am getting a little better," Hester said. "I am still in the middle of my career and to see a Hall of Fame player mention that, it lets me know ahead of time — start realizing how your blocking scheme is designed. I can improve my games while I am still ahead."

It's hard for Hester to even imagine how well his career has gone.

"I knew I had the ability to do it, but I didn't think it was going to go this far," he said. "Fortunately, I was blessed with the opportunity to be on a great team like this, you know, with guys on special teams that want the return just as bad as the returner does. And that helps out a lot."

It's amazing to see how he's still kept all of his speed as he ages. I think there are two things that make him the best there ever was. One, he sets up his intial blocking very well. He paces himself until he gets the opening he wants and just when you think he's running at top end he kicks in that overdrive and just flys through the opening.

The second thing that makes him great is his abilty to change direction without ever breaking stride. Once he gets through that opening it's like OK guys I'll take it from here. No one is gonna catch him and as long as he has room no one is gonna tackle him one on one. Sayers is the only other runnr I've seen who could do that.

Originally Posted by The Benjamin

I will update this thread as the season goes on, and his career goes on. Lets take a look at his magical numbers so far in his career

Devin Hester 16 Returns for TDs. (17 if you count the missed FG, 18 if you count the Superbowl. Neither count towards the return record though) Devin Hester owns the record for returns in a career

Devin Hester has a 11 total Punt Returns for TDs. He owns the record for PRs in a career!

Devin Hester has 5 total Kick Off Returns for TDs. He is 3 away from tying the record for KOR in a career, and 4 away from setting the record.

Have to make a note that he's chasing Deion's 19 for most returns all time of any sort too.

How's Hester ranking in the total kr/pr return yards and attempts vs return yards Benji?

Who cares about the yds. I just count the 6's.

I want him to crush 'em all and the HOF easy.