Thread: Bennett out; Hester practices again

Originally Posted by ZifanQ

Screw Hester we need Jeffery way more. Seriously I hope we can have Jeffery back on Sunday it would make our offense way more dangerous with him insted of Hester. If we actually had a Hester package and we knew it was working then it might have been otherwise ..

Z, there never was any "Hester package". Except in very select circumstances (which we seem utterly unable to implement on game days), he's pretty useless as a receiver. Both Jeffery and Bennett are far better weapons in the passing game. Either confine him strictly to returns next year (knowing that element is in decline too) or take what you can get for him in trade. I'm so tired of the "Hester is going to be a receiver" charade we hear and see every year.

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

MP, actually Hester is not useless as a WR, his stat's show he's pretty average for other WR's that are fourth options.
He is limited, but when you get outside of the 1 and 2, most players in most positions are limited, or they would be higher up on the food chain. Bennett is also limited, same as Knox and Dane, and Weems. We have 2 guys that are worth a damn(like most lucky teams) Marshal and Jeffery.

Except that's not how he's utilized or billed (as a "4th" or "niche" receiver). Before getting hurt, he was seeing way more snaps than that. He was getting PT as a 2nd or 3rd WR would expect to get. As far as being "limited", his chief limitation as a receiver seems to be that he CAN'T CATCH THE BALL if there's a defender within 3 yards of him.

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

What Hester can do for you(if team allows it) is get behind the LB's, and in front of the DB's in the middle of the field, turn to the ball, catch it, and make people miss w/his speed and elusivness, and that's a pretty damn nice option to have; but he's not good enough to do that more then 3-4 times a game(ie 4th option).

Ric, if that actually happened 3-4 times a game, you'd have no argument from me about Hester's value on offense. It doesn't. I doubt it has happened 3 or 4 times all season and one time it actually did, it was called back on a penalty (Houston game).

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

Bennett is nothing more then a possession guy, he's slow and really not capable of making the double move and losing his man.

Bennett certainly doesn't have great top line speed but he's 10 times the receiver Hester is via his far superior route running, hands, and in-traffic abilities. Btw, on the recent very rare drop of his (sun in his eyes and playing with a new head injury), he made a beautiful double move and left the DB completely in the dust. Bennett >>> Hester IMO.

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

Knox slips to often, and is soft when it comes to fighting for a ball.

Agreed, but ironically those legit complaints are exactly what Hester does even more!! Throw in his usually futile PI complaint to boot.

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

Hester rarely slips, but he is doesn't fight for the ball well no doubt, but not worse then Knox; he also has a fraction of the experience Knox has at the position.

I actually like both WR's, I don't believe fans have a real understanding that the team is no longer on board w/the "hester experiement" which is why he's dropped to 4th in the depth chart.

Before Jeffery was hurt first qtr or so of the season, Hester was being used correctly. After that injury he was forced out of position and onto the field more and it hurt his game.

A) Lets be realistic here. It's doubtful that Knox will ever be 100% (pre-injury) again. He may never play again at all sadly. That takes away one of our (former) "speed threats" and return men.

B) Weems was brought in as a secondary returner to replace Knox in that role and, as you mentioned, he's even less of a potential receiving weapon than either Hester is or Knox was. And Knox was far more productive as a WR before getting hurt than Hester was then or is now.

C) Hester could theoretically be of some value on O as a niche "4th" specialty situation receiver, but it never seems to materialize for a variety of reasons, some of which you alluded to. Expecting that it suddenly will starting next year in his 30s is about as likely as expecting that Caleb Hanie will become a solid #2 QB.

D) We are left with the fact the WR roster contains 2 players occupying spots (Hester & Weems) who are basically purely STers with little practical offensive potential.

E) We all know that we are going to have to buy an LT in FA (if available) to "solve" that very serious and long-standing problem. No doubt about it. And it will be pricey. Tough choices may need to be made to ensure the necessary cap space. And of course we want to retain some guys of our own due for paydays (Melton, Louis, Cutler, etc.)

F) The threat of Hester as a returner is fading. Yes, some teams sacrificed field position out of fear mostly for his reputation. Some others (SF) didn't seem all that concerned and had zero problems covering their kicks. I expect that this trend will accentuate going forward as it looks to me like Hester's days as a game-changer on STs are behind him. He's still a threat, but not nearly what he once was and that decline will only continue as age takes its toll.

It all adds up to me that we can't keep TWO pure ST players on as "receivers". And we may need to open additional cap space to deal with the LT problem. And Hester's cost may no longer be worth it going forward given all the above. In other words...it MAY behoove Emery to consider moving on, especially if he can leverage whatever trade value DH has left for say a draft pick.

If reasonable value can be obtained, I'm in favor of Emery pulling the trigger this offseason despite the nostalgia and emotionality of the decision. Lets find a mid-round speedster rookie with hands who can be a true 3rd-4th slot WR (and backup returner too possibly). Let's find a guy to bring along who can start to fill the void next year left by Knox. Lets try to draft our Randall Cobb or TY Hilton or Johnny Knox+. That's a scenario we could really use going forward.

I don't really disagree w/a-e.

I doubt the team trades Hester, might not resign him, but I doubt they cut/trade him.

If you can get a good deal/value I'm up for trading anyone/everyone on the team. This is quickly becoming a team in rebuild mode.

Which is why I say that this is one of those windows where you consider a move with the HC.

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

I don't really disagree w/a-e.

I doubt the team trades Hester, might not resign him, but I doubt they cut/trade him.

If you can get a good deal/value I'm up for trading anyone/everyone on the team. This is quickly becoming a team in rebuild mode.

I am so glad that we will have the Hester Package back in play for this Sundays game.

For you guys that may not be as savvy as some of us old timers are and haven't been able to figure out just what the Hester Package is, I am here to help. The Hester Package, is a very complex Hester will run down the middle of the field as fast as he can and just as Cutler is ready to release the ball, Hester will turn to see the ball sailing thruogh the air into Marshall awaiting hands. Hester then will run to the sidelines to catch is breath.