Thread: Hester Punt Returns Leaving Something on the Table...........

I just think this is classic Hester. He goes through periods like this where he makes some bad decisions returning, and there have always been some lulls in his return game - but he ALWAYS comes roaring back looking good again. He's due to have a great game.

You never want to write him off. He's the kind of guy who could make the difference in one of our BIG games coming up - and be the difference between winning and losing. We have some HUGE games ahead of us the 2nd half of the season. Sure would be nice for Hester to crank it up then. And I really expect him to.

What I would like to see at least until the east-west punt returning/blocking improves to north/south is some attempts at punt blocking. At least an extra rusher up on the line to keep the punter out of his comfort zone. I'm sure as the weather changes we will see more shots on goal for punt returns. Would also like to see Weems field a couple as well.

At least now I believe the gunner will improve with Bowman back.

Hester: Like I've been saying, he's thinking too much instead of reacting. That happens every time we give him too much in the way of offensive responsibilities. By his nature Hester is a very aggressive return man but right now he's lacking that and it's up to Toub to get that squared around.

Devin hasn't lost anything he's just not using what he has like he has in the past. Mental block maybe? Whatever it is it's always been overcome in the past by giving him less to think about on offense and let him get himself psyched up for his returns. The opportunities are still there he just has to start recognizing them again.

Panthers: Like I said elsewhere I believe Carolina will try to attack on the ground and not risk Newton turning over the ball like he has so much this year. They have two RBs and Newton himself to do that with.

If they can get us making mistakes, over pursuing and not playing good gap control they can make some big plays on the ground especially of we keep our Safeties back as we did against Detroit. This is another game we should win easily but Carolina always gives us trouble.

Marshall: I still have by concerns that we depend on him too much but you can't argue with success. No one but GB has successfully taken him out of a game and the guy is probably one of the toughest if not the toughest cover in the league.

I'd just hope that we start showing a little more variation of a theme offensively too. We're showing new looks and becoming far less predictable on defense than we have been and I think it's time the offense found some new tricks in their bag too.

Injuries: It makes little difference how Cutler's ribs are feeling. You know he's gonna play regardless. I think Jeffery is still 3-4 games away from returning but I'd like to see us begin using Eldridge at FB and see them move ERod into more of a pass catching role.

Originally Posted by JustAnotherBearsFan99

I just think this is classic Hester. He goes through periods like this where he makes some bad decisions returning, and there have always been some lulls in his return game - but he ALWAYS comes roaring back looking good again. He's due to have a great game.

You never want to write him off. He's the kind of guy who could make the difference in one of our BIG games coming up - and be the difference between winning and losing. We have some HUGE games ahead of us the 2nd half of the season. Sure would be nice for Hester to crank it up then. And I really expect him to.

For sure. We can't forget that he's had 5 TDs on PRs and one on a KR over the past two years and that he had a drought preceding those two. That happened while they were trying to make a #1 WR out of him and it's repeating itself now as they try to use him as a #2.

With any luck we'll see Bennett taking more snaps at Flanker and maybe Tice will get smart (or Cutler convince him) to use Sanz more often. I still think that kid will make a name for himself in the NFL if given the chance. He's one of those really annoying little guys who can nickel and dime you to death. And of course eventually we'll have Jeffery back but probably not until game ten or eleven.

Somewhere in here Devin will cut one loose if he just gets his aggressiveness back. You can't get any long returns off FCs or letting the ball bounce til it's dead.

If we get a KOR for a TD I'm gonna bet it's Weems who gets it and not Hester.

Originally Posted by JPosh2012

Hester is due for a breakout soon. He just needs to stop over thinking he just needs to run when he sees an opening.

I just want his blockers to open those holes for him to run through.

Originally Posted by motownbear

I agree on the te thing soul. Davis isn't taking advantage of his opportunity so instead of trying to make our pass catching te a blocker maybe we should use him like pats use Hernandez lol

and Hester thing is classic Hester everytime he has an expanded role on offense he becomes a worthless returner. At this pace they have a tough decision whether to retain him for next season

Typical Bears thing to do right mo? I swear if they just used guys the way they planned when they draft them we'd be a lot better off. It's working with McClellin so far.

And yeah, the Hester thing has become a systemic problem. This is just repeating history. He needs to free from having to think too much. It affects how he reacts to his job as a returner. Always has. If they're aren't gonna use him to stack up big plays on offense then at least let him do it on STeams.