This is getting Ridiculous

FOOTBALL THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

I am prepared to write something that, if published 365 days ago, would have either landed me in Cook Country Jail or had me automatically struck by lightning. Something that somebody overseas who hasn't seen much football this year would probably laugh at, followed by a long stare into the computer to make sure he didn't read it incorrectly. Something that I really wish I didn't have to type, but it just needs to be out there:

The Bears need to take Devin Hester off of kickoff and punt returns.

Now this pains me as much as anybody, because last year I said that based off of two seasons worth of playing, Hester should be considered the greatest return man of all time. Just look at the stats: In his first 32 career regular season games, Mr. Ridiculous returned kickoffs for 1,462 yards and four touchdowns, punts for 1,251 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as 109-yard missed field goal return for another score. He also did this, though that did not count towards his regular season total. The 11 regular season kick/punt return scores placed Hester second on the all-time return TD list, though the man in first, Brian Mitchell, had over 1,000 more career returns than Hester has.

Yet in 2008, Hester has been worse at his job than Homer Simpson is at his. In 39 combined returns this year, #23 has 610 yards (About 16 yards per return, which places him about 25th in the league) and zero touchdowns. Instead of his usual up field burst, it seems that Hester often makes a quick dash...to the sideline. He no longer runs with the Road Runner-like acceleration to leave defenders in his rear view mirror, instead opting to try to charge through piles he has no business entering.

Lovie Smith and the Bears coaching staff will say its because Hester is putting so much time and effort into offense that his return work is suffer. I say, BS. The former Windy City Flyer has 25 catches for 311 yards and two touchdowns as a wide out this year, which is far from Pro Bowl level. The thinking that he would stretch out defense's really hasn't proven true, considering his season-long of a catch is 32 yards, which is shorter than five other Bears who have caught passes.

The real problem is that Hester thinks he can get by on reputation and not try to make big plays anymore. While there has been some blocking breakdowns this season, many of Hester's problems have been because he thinks that long runs will just come to him if he dances around with the ball long enough. The downside of that is that he's dancing around four players wearing different jersey's than he is, one of the reasons he hasn't broken one this season.

I say for right now, keep Devin Hester at wide receiver and put somebody different back to return kicks and punts for the Bears. It's not easy for me to make that recommendation, but for the sake of the team, I think its the only move to make.


Thursday night: Cincinnati at Pittsburgh