Gotta do it...Devin Hester

[*ochocincos*]

I'm actually surprised no one else has already brought it up, but would Devin Hester be considered as an upgrade to the WR depth and KR/PR once fully healthy?
Devin Hester was released by the Falcons last week as he was entering the final year of his 3 year, $9 million contract.
In 2015, he missed 11 games due to a toe injury he suffered in the third preseason game, but not fully recovering from it the final five games, as he needed surgery in January.

Supposedly teams have already reached out to Hester to try and sign him, but he says he is at about 75-80% recovered and won't sign with a team until fully healthy.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/17179154/devin-hester-wants-play-one-more-season-recovering-toe-surgery

He would provide better depth at WR than Tate would, and has proven to still be a better option as a returner even though he's 33 years old. Tate is 28 years old.
Going back just to 2014, he had 504 rec yds, 240 PR yards (13.3 YPR), and 1128 KR yards (25.0 YPR).

[XenoMorph]

upgrade at returner maybe... If you only think tate and not adam jones...


Upgrade at WR idk

Plus hes not healthy yet and I think most people wanna see if there will still be a kickoff lol

[Luvnit2]

He is a great kick returner, but a worse punt returner and WR than Tate. Since the kick off rules changed and kicks are not run out often, he has become obsolete with age in my opinion.

[*ochocincos*]

(08-01-2016, 03:07 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: He is a great kick returner, but a worse punt returner and WR than Tate. Since the kick off rules changed and kicks are not run out often, he has become obsolete with age in my opinion.

Based on what? Other than last year where he was out 11 games and hobbled by the toe injury still for the only five he played, he's been superior to Tate in both PR and as a WR.

[fredtoast]

Kind of OT, but do you guys think Hester should get into the Hall of Fame?

He is the best return man ever, so if you are going to have kickers and punters I think you have to let Hetsre in also.

[*ochocincos*]

(08-01-2016, 03:41 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Kind of OT, but do you guys think Hester should get into the Hall of Fame?

He is the best return man ever, so if you are going to have kickers and punters I think you have to let Hetsre in also.

I would think you have to given his return records, especially for PR TDs (14). He's also accumulated over 10,000 return yards.

[Luvnit2]

(08-01-2016, 03:39 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Based on what? Other than last year where he was out 11 games and hobbled by the toe injury still for the only five he played, he's been superior to Tate in both PR and as a WR.

He was great in his prime, but his prime passed.



I thought I read he has done very little in punt returns the past few years (getting worse each year and yes an aging vet not staying healthy should be considered).

Edit: I went and looked at the stats. I consider Jones our #1 punt returner and kick returner and Tate #2. But if you do compare the past 3 years and take into account Hester hurt a year ago, then Hester is better. The question becomes how much better though as it is close in all 3 areas. Hester has 1 TD in kick returns the past 8 years and none since 2011. Hester also had 6 fumbles, 2 on punts and 4 on kick returns so Tate is much better at not putting the ball on the ground.
 Tate is 29 and Hester is 33 with both with birthdays in October and November.

[*ochocincos*]

(08-01-2016, 04:32 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: He was great in his prime, but his prime passed.

I thought I read he has done very little in punt returns the past few years (getting worse each year and yes an aging vet not staying healthy should be considered).

Outside of last year due to the injury, let's take Hester's 2013 and 2014 seasons as a PR and compare them to Tate's past three....

Hester:
2013 - 18 returns, 256 yds, 14.2 YPR, 1 TD
2014 - 18 returns, 240 yds, 13.3 YPR, 1 TD

Tate:
2013 - 36 returns, 336 yds, 9.3 YPR, 0 TD
2014 - 18 returns, 174 yds, 9.7 YPR, 0 TD
2015 - 27 returns, 171 yds, 6.3 YPR, 0 TD

As long as Hester is healthy, he's the better option.

And with Adam Jones, Hester doesn't have to take every return, so he'd have a better chance to remain healthy and fresh throughout the year.

[Luvnit2]

(08-01-2016, 04:42 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Outside of last year due to the injury, let's take Hester's 2013 and 2014 seasons as a PR and compare them to Tate's past three....

Hester:
2013 - 18 returns, 256 yds, 14.2 YPR, 1 TD
2014 - 18 returns, 240 yds, 13.3 YPR, 1 TD

Tate:
2013 - 36 returns, 336 yds, 9.3 YPR, 0 TD
2014 - 18 returns, 174 yds, 9.7 YPR, 0 TD
2015 - 27 returns, 171 yds, 6.3 YPR, 0 TD

As long as Hester is healthy, he's the better option.

And with Adam Jones, Hester doesn't have to take every return, so he'd have a better chance to remain healthy and fresh throughout the year.

I revised my post and added Hester is better everywhere but 2 areas, he is 4 years older and he fumbles a lot more. If Hester was a Tate option price wise, it may make sense to sign him and cut Tate, but you chances are Hester will get worse each year. Or do the Bengals have a better option other than Tate or Hester on their roster so they can cut Tate and keep a better WR? I don't dislike Hester, he was awesome many years ago, but not sure how much he has left and to me his value would be minimal so a year low cost option is all I would be willing to pay for a look.

[SunsetBengal]

Only if he's willing to sign for vet minimum guaranteed, but get incentive clauses for every TD..

[XenoMorph]

(08-01-2016, 04:42 PM)ochocincos Wrote: And with Adam Jones, Hester doesn't have to take every return, so he'd have a better chance to remain healthy and fresh throughout the year.

which decreases his value as if hes not returning hes riding the pine.. So Pass....  Hes not effective at WR at all  keep the guy that's been in the system. over the injured vet.

[*ochocincos*]

(08-02-2016, 11:00 AM)XenoMorph Wrote: which decreases his value as if hes not returning hes riding the pine.. So Pass....  Hes not effective at WR at all  keep the guy that's been in the system. over the injured vet.

Not following this logic...Why is Hester not effective as a WR, at least compared to Tate? If you compare his receiving numbers the past three years to Tate (while very injured in 2015 to boot)....

Hester:
2013 - 0 receptions, 0 yds (all he did this year was returns for Bears)
2014 - 38 receptions, 504 yds, 2 TDs (first year with Falcons)
2014 - 0 receptions, 0 yds (out 11 games, ineffective from toe injury for remaining 5)
------------------------------------------------
total: 38 receptions, 504 yds, 2 TDs

Tate:
2013 - 1 reception, 6 yds
2014 - 17 receptions, 193 yds, 1 TD
2015 - 2 receptions, 59 yds, 1 TD
----------------------------------------------
total: 20 receptions, 258 yds, 2 TDs

So even saying he's not an effective WR in recent years is still far better than what Tate brings. And better production as a returner.

If Alford or one of the other young guys shows quality return abilities this year and consistent contributions at WR in the offseason, obviously go with them, but it wouldn't hurt to bring Hester in to compete for that same role (return specialist and backup WR). If someone outperforms him, cut him before the start of the season. Same with Tate.

[yellowxdiscipline]

He's always hurt and doesn't offer much at WR. Nope ill pass.

[XenoMorph]

(08-02-2016, 11:21 AM)ochocincos Wrote: Not following this logic...Why is Hester not effective as a WR, at least compared to Tate? If you compare his receiving numbers the past three years to Tate (while very injured in 2015 to boot)....

Hester:
2013 - 0 receptions, 0 yds (all he did this year was returns for Bears)
2014 - 38 receptions, 504 yds, 2 TDs (first year with Falcons)
2014 - 0 receptions, 0 yds (out 11 games, ineffective from toe injury for remaining 5)
------------------------------------------------
total: 38 receptions, 504 yds, 2 TDs

Tate:
2013 - 1 reception, 6 yds
2014 - 17 receptions, 193 yds, 1 TD
2015 - 2 receptions, 59 yds, 1 TD
----------------------------------------------
total: 20 receptions, 258 yds, 2 TDs

So even saying he's not an effective WR in recent years is still far better than what Tate brings. And better production as a returner.

If Alford or one of the other young guys shows quality return abilities this year and consistent contributions at WR in the offseason, obviously go with them, but it wouldn't hurt to bring Hester in to compete for that same role (return specialist and backup WR). If someone outperforms him, cut him before the start of the season. Same with Tate.

and that was out of how many plays they were on the field for the offense your numbers don't paint the whole picture..

At this point tate is more valuable than a 34 year old with a bad foot who was only ever good at one thing. a thing we still have adam jones to do.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

I think Hester is a much better Returner than Tate and is just as good of a receiver so i would be all for it.

Problem is Hester is older and the coaches and insiders have said we will not go after older receivers.