By Brad BiggsMike Martz envisions Devin Hester as a dominant slot receiver, a shift that could mean he will be coming out of the Bears' starting lineup.
The Bears' new offensive coordinator, who started on the job Monday at Halas Hall, could utilize a three-receiver set, which would mean ample opportunities for Hester to start. But Martz compared him favorably to Az-Zahir Hakim while visiting on "The Mully & Hanley Show" on WSCR-AM 670.
Hakim was a role player for the St. Louis Rams in the heyday of the "Greatest Show on Turf," making 10 starts over four seasons. But he was a dangerous weapon and caught eight touchdown passes one season as Martz schemed to take advantage of him in mismatches, much the same way he spoke of Hester.
"Devin Hester in that role could just be stupid good, if that makes sense to you," Martz said. "What we can do with him inside, the matchups we can get with him on third corners, safeties and linebackers would be absolutely remarkable."
Photo: Devin Hester could play a more specialized role under Mike Martz. (Jose M. Osorio/Tribune)
Martz is cognizant of Hester's role on special teams and the value that
he brings to the team as a returner and sees a way for him to excel in all areas.
"I think it would be very difficult for him to take every snap as a wide receiver and play at a high level on special teams, so we have to look at that," Martz said. "I think the role I have in mind for him would allow him to do both and do it at a high level."
This goes against what Lovie Smith has said for a few years, that Hester could be a No. 1 wide receiver. Part of the disappointment some have expressed over his performance on offense has been the result of the unrealistic expectations placed on him. Furthermore, critics claim he hasn't been in a position to maximize his talent. Leave him in the slot and his speed, quickness and open-field ability could come to the forefront.
Here's a look at Hakim's statistics with the Rams and what Hester has done with the Bears:
Az-Zahir Hakim
1998: 9 games 4 starts 20 catches 247 yards 12.4 avg 1 TD
1999: 13-0 36 677 18.8 8
2000: 16-4 53 734 13.8 4
2001: 16-2 39 374 9.6 3
Devin Hester
2007: 16-0 20 299 15.0 2
2008: 15-8 51 665 13.0 3
2009: 13-12 57 757 13.3 3
"I think it would be very difficult for him to take every snap as a wide receiver and play at a high level on special teams, so we have to look at that," Martz said. "I think the role I have in mind for him would allow him to do both and do it at a high level."
This goes against what Lovie Smith has said for a few years, that Hester could be a No. 1 wide receiver. Part of the disappointment some have expressed over his performance on offense has been the result of the unrealistic expectations placed on him. Furthermore, critics claim he hasn't been in a position to maximize his talent. Leave him in the slot and his speed, quickness and open-field ability could come to the forefront.
Here's a look at Hakim's statistics with the Rams and what Hester has done with the Bears:
Az-Zahir Hakim
1998: 9 games 4 starts 20 catches 247 yards 12.4 avg 1 TD
1999: 13-0 36 677 18.8 8
2000: 16-4 53 734 13.8 4
2001: 16-2 39 374 9.6 3
Devin Hester
2007: 16-0 20 299 15.0 2
2008: 15-8 51 665 13.0 3
2009: 13-12 57 757 13.3 3
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Wow, actually some intelligent thinking by a member of the Bears coaching staff. This can't bode well with Lovie though. Hester is nothing but a slot receiver, as is Knox, heck even Bennett. Thats the problem here, we have all the same type of receiver. Make a trade for Marshall, or bring in TO, go after Floyd and Jackson. See if Johnson is in play from Detroit. Time for trades!
It is amazing how many of you are down on Hester. Based on what? He did have close to 800 yards in 13 games. Typically a receiver is considered to have a good year if they obtain 1000 yards receiving. So if a player gets 757 yards on a team that has an inconsistent offensive line and "comes of the bus running..." what are you all looking for? We should not do anything other than develop the speed on the outsides.
DA and DH should be the starting wideouts. These comments show the lack of football intelligence on the posters part.
This is the same group of receivers who were running incorrect routes 11 games into the 2009 season.
Yeah right, Martz, you got the "stupid" part down. Not so sure about the "good" part.
Btw, if we put turf into Soldier Field how will Cutler draw plays in the dirt for Hester?
This is something I have been thinking for awhile now, Hester could flourish in the slot like Wes Welker. I think this could work and work well. This will also free him up to get back to being a full time returner which can only help the team out. Plus they can finally stop calling him a #1 receiver. I think this could work but we do have a douche for a head coach so it may just be a pipe dream.
GO BEARS!
Shut up Mike Martz! Hester is a Number 1 receiver, you hear me? Not a slot guy. NUMBER ONE! This is why I didn't want to hire you.
Whatever anybody says Mike Martz knows vertical passing football. He recognizes what Ron Turner never could that playing Hester in the slot would also give Hester enough energy to play on special teams. Take him out of the wide receiver slots. Hester now has his position. Martz has more talent at wide receiver with the Bears than he ever did with SF and Detroit.
What's a jagbag? I like silly words too. Floopert. La la la. Someone ate a big bowl of sass master cereal today.
I invented football. Soooooooo...
hey hahahaha:
I know the Earth is round, do I have to be an astronomer to write that?
Martz, who knows football better than you or I, thinks Hester in the slot is the best way to use him and will make him the most productive on offense and ST's.
It's funny how all you jagbags come in here and writing like you know football. If you knew football you wouldn't be here typing, you'd be coaching football somewhere.
Fanatic,
I like your passion. I think it's cute. Hester is not intelligent, though. You can't be serious. Tell me you aren't serious. Please. I need to know that you didn't seriously come on a comment board to defend Hester's intelligence. Please put my mind at ease.
Hester does not have high football IQ as evidenced by his inability to do sight adjustments and inability to run the right patterns consistently. Putting him in the slot would be the ideal move for him. I listened to the interview and Martz spoke intelligently and logically. He said Hester as the slot man would allow him to do more in the kicking game and put him in position to do more with the ball in his hands. He also said that Olsen has to be able to block because if you have a TE that can't block then you might as well have another WR out there. We'll see what happens with this O-line, but Martz' track record and plan is solid.
The greatest show on turf is old news, much like the winning Tampa Bay days.
Martz has failed for many years with his "after greatest shown on turf" assignments. I'm sure every new employer for him since then starts with optimism and references those glory days of the greatest show on turf days. And, eventually it broke down and Martz got fired.
Like Lovely, Tice, Marinelli and the others, it has been years since Martz has had any success.
don't count on glory days for the Bears in 2010.
Let's not forget that the Greatest Show on Turf had a No.1 and a No.2 to keep the defense busy so Az could be free.
It might work though. Look how many catches Furrey had in Detroit. MM likes that slot guy.
Wow Henny, nice observation. I'm guessing you're one of those (moronic) individuals who equates "articulation" with "intelligence". I'll be the first to say that Devin is a horrid public speaker, at best. But I fail to see how that is any reflection on his intelligence. Following your rationale, anyone who speaks well is smart.
Why not? He's already got the stupid part down pat.