RandomFan Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 (edited) http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c2aa70662ce946f1807aec8781ffd2ab/hester-trying-show-falcons-his-skills-wide-receiverAP - SportsFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Devin Hester didn't sound exactly thrilled when he arrived for the start of his second training camp with the Atlanta Falcons.The four-time Pro Bowl return specialist said he didn't fully understand what his role would be as a receiver in new coordinator Kyle Shanahan's offense.Now that the Falcons are past the first preseason game, Hester says everything has been better defined.''This is my third position at receiver,'' Hester told The Associated Press on Tuesday. ''I've never played the X (spot on the outside of the formation). This year I'm playing the X. Three different positions in my course in the league. This is a new position now, playing the X, so I'm getting used to it.''Hester has always been eager to show he's more than an ace return specialist. It's been an ongoing theme in his 10-year NFL career.Hester said he understands his primary role with Atlanta is the same as it was in Chicago, to give the offense better field position as a punt and kickoff returner.But regarding his chance to be featured at receiver, Hester often felt ignored in his first eight seasons with the Bears and particularly during ?five difficult years playing alongside quarterback Jay Cutler.That's not the case with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.''Yeah, it is definitely more positive feedback,'' Hester said. ''He's more open (to suggestions), and he's more talkative. Matt is 24-7 rallying his troops. It's fun. He's the type of quarterback who goes through his progressions and whatever coverages he gets, that's the receiver he's going to.''From 2007-2012 with the Bears, Hester averaged 36.2 catches and 12.9 yards and had 14 touchdowns catches.He had no receptions and wasn't targeted in 2013, so Hester was pleased when Atlanta signed him to a three-year deal last year guaranteeing $9 million and promised a role in the offense.Used primarily in the slot last year as the fourth option behind Julio Jones, Roddy White and Harry Douglas, Hester caught 38 passes for 504 yards and two TDs.Hester had hoped to move up the depth chart when Douglas was released, but the Falcons signed Leonard Hankerson as a free agent and drafted Justin Hardy in the fourth round.As the NFL career leader with 20 touchdown returns, Hester is still dynamic at his main job, getting named to his fourth Pro Bowl squad last season.He's currently listed as the No. 5 receiver, but he takes pride as a playmaker in both roles.''I put it out here on the field and at the end of the day, I know the role I have is for special teams on kickoff and punt returns,'' he said. ''I know that's in the back of their minds, to keep me fresh. So it definitely does affect my contribution on offense.''Receivers coach Terry Robiskie said he understands Hester's passion, but believes he won't let ego get in the way.''His role is to win a game,'' Robiskie said last week. ''Tell him I said so. I don't care what he is. He can be the quarterback if he wants - as long as he can go out there and win the game. Wherever we send him, go win the game. That's his role.''NOTES: Hester missed last week's preseason win over Tennessee with a sore toe, but said he should be ready to play Friday at the New York Jets. ... SS William Moore suffered a calf strain in practice, left the field with a trainer and didn't return. Head coach Dan Quinn said it was too early for a prognosis. ... Kemal Ishmael, who started 10 games last season as Moore missed time with a shoulder injury, replaced him with the No. 1 defense. ... Edited August 19, 2015 by RandomFan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenixFalcon Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Hopefully this puts to rest the whole "why wasn't Hester practicing, why was Terron Ward returning punt/kickoffs" ordeal. Hester will be on this roster at the very least this season, possibly next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madman88 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 38cth for 504yds?Get this man the ball man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gumby5 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 I have no confidence in him as a wide receiver. He missed some easy catches last year. If memory serves me, one was a gimme TD. I don't understand how he catches punts and kickoffs so well and misses easy passes. Perhaps it is the distraction of the pass defenders.That said, I'm still extremely happy that we got him. Seems like a great guy and a threat whenever he is on the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Chief Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 No comment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Statick Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 This sounds eerily like an article that I read LAST YEAR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtybird#11 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Cut that man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomFan Posted August 19, 2015 Author Share Posted August 19, 2015 Cut that man.some slack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtybird#11 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 some slack?Nope. Just cut him. We have capable players to do everything he offers....Weems/Smith/Hardy can return punts and kicksHardy/Hankerson/Williams can cover his WR duties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenixFalcon Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Nope. Just cut him. We have capable players to do everything he offers....Weems/Smith/Hardy can return punts and kicksHardy/Hankerson/Williams can cover his WR dutiesWeems/Smith/Hardy have half the TDs combined than Hester has return TDs in the NFL. None have a return TD...so good luck making up for that. His use to us on ST in unrivaled in the entire league. Sure the other receivers can catch but Hardy hasn't caught an NFL TD yet so we have no idea if he's gonna be good or not, Williams might not even make the roster and Hankerson is injury prone, Hester is not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR Falcon Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Hester has 10 years in the league, and he knows that he's time is running out. He wants to put up some great stats at WR before he retires. I can respect that, that's what great players do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papachaz Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 I have no confidence in him as a wide receiver. He missed some easy catches last year. If memory serves me, one was a gimme TD. I don't understand how he catches punts and kickoffs so well and misses easy passes. Perhaps it is the distraction of the pass defenders.That said, I'm still extremely happy that we got him. Seems like a great guy and a threat whenever he is on the field.yeah because no good receiver ever missed a catch or dropped an easy catch with no one around him EVERRRRRRRRRR....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Chief Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Hester has 10 years in the league, and he knows that he's time is running out. He wants to put up some great stats at WR before he retires. I can respect that, that's what great players do.that's the thing. He's not gonna put up great wr numbers. He knows that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR Falcon Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 that's the thing. He's not gonna put up great wr numbers. He knows that thats what's bothering him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papachaz Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Weems/Smith/Hardy have half the TDs combined than Hester has return TDs in the NFL. None have a return TD...so good luck making up for that. His use to us on ST in unrivaled in the entire league. Sure the other receivers can catch but Hardy hasn't caught an NFL TD yet so we have no idea if he's gonna be good or not, Williams might not even make the roster and Hankerson is injury prone, Hester is not.now now now, don't go trying to cloud the judgement of a hormonal puberty afflicted teenage boy with actual facts......I mean he's getting pretty close, if not already at, that "I know everything" stage in life and he won't be bothered by any actual facts that might prove him wrong, those are just not acceptable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Chief Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 thats what's bothering him.if he doesn't realize he's not that good a receiver at this point then he never will. If it hurts him that bad he should demand a trade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR Falcon Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 if he doesn't realize he's not that good a receiver at this point then he never will. If it hurts him that bad he should demand a trade well in sports it's all about egos. He could end up a cap casualty in the end, if he continues with the I don't know what job is....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Chief Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 well in sports it's all about egos. He could end up a cap casualty in the end, if he continues with the I don't know what job is.......he hasn't earned an ego as a wr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR Falcon Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 he hasn't earned an ego as a wr. just an ego in his on mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quotemokc Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 I don't think there is any way we cut him, he is just as valuable as Bosher and Bryant to us.He strikes fear into the oppositions special teams which is a great asset to have, would ya'll rather we get Faircatch Franks back??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR Falcon Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 I don't think there is any way we cut him, he is just as valuable as Bosher and Bryant to us.He strikes fear into the oppositions special teams which is a great asset to have, would ya'll rather we get Faircatch Franks back??? now you talking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtybird#11 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Weems/Smith/Hardy have half the TDs combined than Hester has return TDs in the NFL. None have a return TD...so good luck making up for that. His use to us on ST in unrivaled in the entire league. Sure the other receivers can catch but Hardy hasn't caught an NFL TD yet so we have no idea if he's gonna be good or not, Williams might not even make the roster and Hankerson is injury prone, Hester is not.HES DONE. What did he do for us last year aside from 1 punt return TD against the lowly Bucs? Fair catch a few punts inside the 20? Drop some passes? Cmon man Dominque Franks could do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungHeezy Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 HES DONE. What did he do for us last year aside from 1 punt return TD against the lowly Bucs? Fair catch a few punts inside the 20? Drop some passes? Cmon man Dominque Franks could do that.Could Dominique Franks lead the league in punt return yard average? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsAirMiles Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 It seems him playing WR for a significant portion wears on his ability to return the ball. We a little more depth at WR after drafting Hardy and Reedy gaining another year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtybird#11 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Could Dominique Franks lead the league in punt return yard average?What did he average? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.