I could name around 15-20. lol chicago homers

I agree there are a lot of WR's that are much better.

But does his ability to change a games momentum on kick returns or punt returns coupled with his average (?) receiving skills make him more valuable than a top 5 WR? I think that might be what the OP's question is more about.

 

Originally Posted by wantagolf

I agree there are a lot of WR's that are much better.

But does his ability to change a games momentum on kick returns or punt returns coupled with his average (?) receiving skills make him more valuable than a top 5 WR? I think that might be what the OP's question is more about.

I understand the question, but I think the answer is a definite "NO."

And, like I listed in my post, there are a couple of WRs who are just as dangerous in the return game and are LIGHT YEARS ahead of Hester in receiving skills.

 

Originally Posted by Pghfan987

On a related note ... does Hester (best punt returner ever) or Ray Guy (best punter ever) deserve to be in the Hall of Fame?

ray guy had foot steriods tho

 

Originally Posted by wantagolf

I agree there are a lot of WR's that are much better.

But does his ability to change a games momentum on kick returns or punt returns coupled with his average (?) receiving skills make him more valuable than a top 5 WR? I think that might be what the OP's question is more about.

yeah this is what they were debating... does his ability to provide ridiculous field position outweigh what a top WR offers?

 

Originally Posted by JRoth15

It's an interesting concept, but they really only said 3-4 that they'd POSSIBLY take over Hester??

Like DWare said, I could rattle off probably 20 WRs without a problem.

Desean Jackson might be as good of a return man, and is 100x the receiver that Hester is. Dez Bryant could be the same way in a few years. That's just a few of the return men who are WRs who I would easily take over him.

yeah desean jackson is the only dual threat that is better imo... dez bryant might be as good at returning in a few years but by then they won't even have him returning because he will be a franchise player and probably one of the best in the league

 

Originally Posted by shallowcal

L o L... is this even really a question. hester is lol bad as a number 1 receiver, and has returned 14 or 15 kicks for tds... thats 2 extra tds a year for a long career. cmon hester is not that sick

it's not only his ability to score off returns though.. its the fact that we are starting with the ball on average in much better position than most teams

 

Originally Posted by shallowcal

L o L... is this even really a question. hester is lol bad as a number 1 receiver, and has returned 14 or 15 kicks for tds... thats 2 extra tds a year for a long career. cmon hester is not that sick

In fairness catching a 10 yard fade route for a TD isn't as valuable as a 100 yard kick return for a TD.

 

Originally Posted by shallowcal

i would even go as far as to say id take desean jackson over hester just based on the fact that he is 10x the receiver hester is, and hester isnt that much better of a returner

lol did you even read the thread?? i mentioned Desean and Dez Bryant in the 3rd post of the thread...

"would even go as far as to say" isn't going out on much a limb when you're saying you'd take Desean Jackson over Devin Hester.

EDIT--And I think a lot of people who have posted ITT don't fully understand Hester's value. If anybody saw yesterday's game against the Jets--it's a perfect example. The Jets didn't kick to him one time on a kickoff, and I guarantee the Bears average starting field position was on the 40 or better. They would just kick a popup to about the 35, let the Bears run their 5-10 yard return, and take their chances.

After doing that, the Bears only have to move the ball about 30 yards to be in a position to put points on the board. That has incredible value.

Same goes for when a punter is trying to angle one out of bounds and shanks it for a 14 yard punt...that kind of thing isn't measured by return yardage, but can be incredibly valuable.

That being said, I still take a whole slew of WRs in front of him...

 

Originally Posted by shallowcal

no but catching critical first downs and being a true number 1 receiver is more valuable than a couple kick returns a year.....

I agree, which is why I would also take 20-30 receivers over Hester. The 20th best receiver in the game obviously doesn't deserve to be in the HOF ... but I am wondering if Hester's reign as the greatest returner of all-time makes him HOF worthy.

I would take Britt over Hester because of his huuuge upside.

However, I would take Hester over Nate Washington every day of the week.

I wouldn't trade Hester for Joakim Noah, that's how much he means to the team! The only thing that sucks is he isn't used on kickoff returns enough. Why would you put Daniel Manning (nothing against him, he's an awesome player) out there when you have Hester? Still bottles the mind!

 

Originally Posted by Pghfan987

On a related note ... does Hester (best punt returner ever) or Ray Guy (best punter ever) deserve to be in the Hall of Fame?

EDIT: FTR I think they don't, but I would be interested to hear other opinions.

They absolutely deserve to be in hall if they are the best to have ever played at a certain position. Just b/c that position isn't what people think about when they think football doesn't mean they aren't worthy.

Very few receivers I would take over Hester right now. He has the ability to influence a game without ever touching the ball. Teams won't even kick to him and that consistently gives the Bears superior field position than they would kicking to an average returner. He also has the ability to completely change the momentum of the game in a manner of seconds and you can't underestimate how demoralizing that is to a team.

 

Originally Posted by Pghfan987

The question is why someone being the best at a position automatically warrants them HOF status. Should the best punter of all-time be in (you say yes). The best special teamer? Best long snapper?

I just think being the best in a sport gets u auto status. I know we can't think of the best QB, RB, WR, etc being left out. Same in other sports with best at ea position so I just don't think this should be any different.

Devin Hester or Wes Welker? Hester

Devin Hester or Mike Wallace? Prolly Wallace

Devin Hester or Vincent Jackson? Push

This is about the range I would value his return ability.

White, Fitz, both Johnsons, Colston, Bryant, Marshall, Nicks, Smith (Carolina), Ocho, Jennings, Bowe, Holmes, Boldin, Moss when he tries, D. Jackson, Rice.

Im sure theres more but Id take all of them over Hester.

 

Originally Posted by goofy2485

Devin Hester or Wes Welker? Hester

Devin Hester or Mike Wallace? Prolly Wallace

Devin Hester or Vincent Jackson? Push

This is about the range I would value his return ability.

White, Fitz, both Johnsons, Colston, Bryant, Marshall, Nicks, Smith (Carolina), Ocho, Jennings, Bowe, Holmes, Boldin, Moss when he tries, D. Jackson, Rice.

Im sure theres more but Id take all of them over Hester.

Add Miles Austin and Reggie Wayne to the list

Edit: I understand the question, i think everybody does...I just dont happen to think the field position advantage makes him more valuable to a team then an elite #1 WR.

Do you think the Colts are a better team if you swapped Hester with Wayne? How about Austin with Hester? I say no, not even close..