Hester's role on offense

[CBS7]

That has yet to be finalized at this point, but offensive coordinator Ron Turner told fans at the Bears Expo earlier this month that Devin Hester’s workload on offense would likely triple from an average of 10-12 snaps last season to 30-35 this year. Said Turner: “If we can get him that many plays and we can get the ball in his hands 5-7 times a game—whether it’s some quick passes or down the field or whatever—he’s going to make our offense much more productive.”

from chicagobears.com

[Cliff Levingston]

That's some good news.

[Ruben Douglas]

There are a few things to take from this.

1. Ron Turner is full of B.S. I have no reason to believe a thing he says after all the backtracking he did after training camp last season.

2. Do we really want Hester on the field that much? His return game is going to take a significant hit if that is the case. Or do we start to see Manning taking some of the punt returns this season?

3. I think that the amount of snaps Hester sees will be a direct result in how well he learns the offense. Moose isn't around anymore to tell him where he needs to lineup.

4. Remember that Hester still only has 1 full year of work being a WR. Don't get me wrong, he's a special talent, but it's going to take more than 1 or 2 years for him to realize his full potential at the position...if he is able to do so.

[Cliff Levingston]

1. Ron Turner is full of B.S. I have no reason to believe a thing he says after all the backtracking he did after training camp last season.

True, and it's not like Turner knows what to do with a talent like Hester either.

2. Do we really want Hester on the field that much? His return game is going to take a significant hit if that is the case. Or do we start to see Manning taking some of the punt returns this season?

Why would it really affect his return game? Anytime he'd be returning a punt it'd be after his defense was out there for at least 3 downs. Any time he's be returning a kick, it'd be after a score and thus a 2 minute break, so there's plenty of rest between plays there. Cliff Levingston wants him on offense as much as possible since he's such a weapon with the ball in his hands.

3. I think that the amount of snaps Hester sees will be a direct result in how well he learns the offense. Moose isn't around anymore to tell him where he needs to lineup.

True.

4. Remember that Hester still only has 1 full year of work being a WR. Don't get me wrong, he's a special talent, but it's going to take more than 1 or 2 years for him to realize his full potential at the position...if he is able to do so.

Might as well start sooner than later.

[Ruben Douglas]

2. Do we really want Hester on the field that much? His return game is going to take a significant hit if that is the case. Or do we start to see Manning taking some of the punt returns this season?

Why would it really affect his return game? Anytime he'd be returning a punt it'd be after his defense was out there for at least 3 downs. Any time he's be returning a kick, it'd be after a score and thus a 2 minute break, so there's plenty of rest between plays there. Cliff Levingston wants him on offense as much as possible since he's such a weapon with the ball in his hands.

I agree that he'll at least be getting rests when the defense is on the field. And he should be in game shape by the season rolls around. I think it comes down to the little nicks and bruises that every player gets when he's on the field that much. If Hester plays that much on offense I just think that eventually he will be tired and might lose that one little step that separates himself from every other kick returner in the game. However, I'm probably wrong and I hope I am.