PFT opinion on Hester HOF

[gallagher]

I would ask this question of anyone who watched Devin Hester in his prime and for any significant number of games:

How many of the other Hall of Fame candidates on the ballot including those you intend to vote for impacted any single game as greatly as Devin Hester did when he was playing?

Anyone who watched Hester closely knows it was not simply a matter of the incredible number of touchdown returns but also the incredible number of long returns setting the Bears up in great position and also the underrated aspect of how many times the Bears started in excellent field position after a kick off because the other team kicked out of bounds or squib kicked to avoid Hester.

Many many times the Bears would start at the 30 or 35 because the other team did not want to kick to Devin. That’s huge.

I can’t see others on the Hall of Fame ballot who impacted the games any more greatly than Hester did.

Ask Torry Holt, who is up for the HOF and whom Hester defended against, how the team had to prepare for Hester. If you only have a minute, just start the linked video at 4m30s. We all remember, Holt scores two touchdowns, and Hester returns both of the ensuing kicks for TDs0. 2006 Week 14 is burned into my memory just as much as 2006 Week 6.

Hester didnt play special teams, he turned special teams into an offensive unit. It isnt a great comparison, but Donald Driver, Steve Smith, and Devin Hester were all in the probowl that year - Driver had 92 catches for 1300 yards and 8 TDs that year while Smith had 87 catches, nearly 1200 yards and 8 TDs. Hester had more than 1100 return yards on 67 touches, and 6 total TDs during the regular season if you include the FG return against the Giants. If a returner is churning out stats that imitate a pro bowl receiver, gets the yards that put the team in position to win at the end of a game (or, in some cases, getting the points himself that decide the game) then I cannot help but conclude that his returns compare to an offensive play. To add to that, he was a rookie, Driver and Smith had been in the league and already made names for themselves.

 

[Omeletpants]

Wah, wah, wah, wah............

Meatballs here value Hester more than the rest of the football world

 

[gallagher]

Ask Torry Holt, who is up for the HOF and whom Hester defended against, how the team had to prepare for Hester. If you only have a minute, just start the linked video at 4m30s. We all remember, Holt scores two touchdowns, and Hester returns both of the ensuing kicks for TDs0. 2006 Week 14 is burned into my memory just as much as 2006 Week 6.

Hester didnt play special teams, he turned special teams into an offensive unit. It isnt a great comparison, but Donald Driver, Steve Smith, and Devin Hester were all in the probowl that year - Driver had 92 catches for 1300 yards and 8 TDs that year while Smith had 87 catches, nearly 1200 yards and 8 TDs. Hester had more than 1100 return yards on 67 touches, and 6 total TDs during the regular season if you include the FG return against the Giants. If a returner is churning out stats that imitate a pro bowl receiver, gets the yards that put the team in position to win at the end of a game (or, in some cases, getting the points himself that decide the game) then I cannot help but conclude that his returns compare to an offensive play. To add to that, he was a rookie, Driver and Smith had been in the league and already made names for themselves.

A further argument I have, which is both less serious and somehow more serious of an argument than comparing Hester on ST to other players on offense...

Every one of us, and millions more at games and at home, chose to hold our piss until after the kick or punt return. Hester gave you a chance to score every time, and you didnt want to miss a moment of it. You'd then go take your piss when Grossman had the ball because you didnt want to see a second of it.

So my question, which gives rise to my argument... How many times did Hester get someone to literally piss themselves celebrating an awesome return?

 

[gallagher]

Wah, wah, wah, wah............

Meatballs here value Hester more than the rest of the football world

Nope. Meatballs here value Hester as much as Deion Sanders values Hester.

 

[pseudonym]

It's not about being a meatball, EVERY team had to deal with him, they GAME PLANNED for him. And those who said, "Fuck it, he's not that good, we'll kick to him," got burned almost every time. He was a niche player, but much like closers in baseball, he deserves to get in for being the best at that niche to ever play the game IMO.

 

[gallagher]

It's not about being a meatball, EVERY team had to deal with him, the GAME PLANNED for him. And those who said, "Fuck it, he's not that good, we'll kick to him," got burned almost every time. He was a niche player, but much like closers in baseball, he deserves to get in for being the best at that niche to ever play the game IMO.

Has Tony Dungy given his opinion? His thoughts on the matter are at least as valid as Deion Sanders, given that the man had kicked to Hester in the Superbowl, then completely changed his tactics after getting burned.

 

[Omeletpants]

It's not about being a meatball, EVERY team had to deal with him, the GAME PLANNED for him. And those who said, "Fuck it, he's not that good, we'll kick to him," got burned almost every time. He was a niche player, but much like closers in baseball, he deserves to get in for being the best at that niche to ever play the game IMO.

So, long snappers are also a niche. Does that mean we should have them in the HOF?

 

[ErinAndrewsPeephole]

Why do you guys even engage with OP? Good lord, he's a troll. He's like that chimp at the zoo that throws poo to warrant a reaction and you all oblige him. Yeesh.

 

[pseudonym]

So, long snappers are also a niche. Does that mean we should have them in the HOF?

Show me a long-snapper that changed the way coaches approached the game, show me a long-snapper that scored points, show me a long-snapper that coaches schemed against. JFC. Apples and oranges here. I'd say Hester is in the same category as a kicker. They are only used sparingly, but can change the outcome of the game. They can WIN the game. Not many kickers are going to get into the HOF, but a few have. Two, I believe. Hester should get in. Maybe not first ballot, but he should get in.

 

[SlickWilly]

So, long snappers are also a niche. Does that mean we should have them in the HOF?

Shut up dipshit.

 

[Omeletpants]

Why do you guys even engage with OP? Good lord, he's a troll. He's like that chimp at the zoo that throws poo to warrant a reaction and you all oblige him. Yeesh.

 

[UChiLAbear]

I like all the idiots trying to bring up stats and Brian Mitchell and Steve Tasker. Hester transcended all that bullshit. And everyone that watched football at the time knows it.

He might not be a first ballot HOFer, but he's getting in. And if you don't think he is, and you're talking about stats, then you're probably a fantasy football dumb shit and your opinion sucks and is stupid. Grats.

Hester changed the game. That's all you have to say.

Unequivocally!!!

 

[UChiLAbear]

he changed the game. teams had to plan around kicking off or punting and the ball not going to him. oh, and I know people now like to disagree with this assessment, the league literally changed special teams rules because he was too dominant of a game changer before they started making it about safety. some Snow White sweeping dust under the rug level shit.

Again I say.....unequivocally!!!

 

[UChiLAbear]

Pacman Jones said he was a better kick returner. he had 1 yard per return more than Hester. with probably significantly less attempts. they said kickers were more afraid to kick to Hester than quarterbacks were throwing in Pacman's direction. the end.

And probably many significantly less TDs..... But hey,.. what are TDs? Who needs them to win?

 

[UChiLAbear]

Anyone who thinks Hester ISN'T a First Ballot HOFer imho...( stop me if you've heard this before )...is too young to remember, ignorant or a hateful fool! The choice is yours.

 

[Omeletpants]

Anyone who thinks Hester ISN'T a First Ballot HOFer imho...( stop me if you've heard this before )...is too young to remember, ignorant or a hateful fool! The choice is yours.

You're a fucking Bear's meatball and doesn't understand HOF voting. You will be in tears when Hester is not named later today

 

[UChiLAbear]

You're a fucking Bear's meatball and doesn't understand HOF voting. You will be in tears when Hester is not named later today

I may be what you say I am....... I may be a "meatball" but I overcame pettiness in my being decades ago. I hope you find out some day what I mean. But I can guarantee you that my life will not change one iota because of a HOF vote. I'm on this Forum to discuss, to educate & be educated, about something I love, Bears football. Not to make enemies. That's a dangerous road to travel.

The people in the "Football World" that I have known, met and came across, in my life, I would put up against the ones you have known anytime you want. I'll leave that as it is. One last thing. What insight to HOF voting do you have that I wouldn't understand? How would know what I know or don't know? Quite frankly, you don't. So,. Please don't pretend you do.

And if Devin Hester IS voted into the HOF today..... I hope the only tears that fall are "tears of joy."

 

[Omeletpants]

I may be what you say I am....... I may be a "meatball" but I overcame pettiness in my being decades ago.

Moron, why is it petty to give an opinion supported by virtually everyone in the HOF circle. Homer meatball is dreaming

 

[Omeletpants]

Don't want to say I told you so for the last 15 years

Bear's meatball fans understand less than they think about the NFL and how HOF voters value players.

To Devin, you were a great player but just fell short of the ultimate honor. You should be proud...

 

[Bearly]

Anyone who thinks Hester ISN'T a First Ballot HOFer imho...( stop me if you've heard this before )...is too young to remember, ignorant or a hateful fool! The choice is yours.

Actually, I didn't think he'd make it on the 1st ballot. The Hall seems to have a bias against STers and he also misplayed too a lot of punts. That said, I think he makes it in eventually but 1st ballot is tough.