MDS's Point: Hester Is Great, But He's Not Rookie of the Year

(Also see: MJD's Point: Devin Hester is in the Conversation)

I love Devin Hester. I don't know if I've ever seen a better return man. But look at his numbers. He has 10 kickoff returns and 36 punt returns all season. Add in that spectacular return of a missed field goal, and he's touched the ball a whopping 47 times all year. He's done about as much for the Bears as any player could do touching the ball 47 times, but he's not the league's best rookie.

Compare Hester's contributions to a rookie like Joseph Addai, who already has 182 rushing attempts and 31 catches. Or Vince Young, who has turned the Titans from a bunch of scrubs into a team no one wants to play down the stretch. Or even Marques Colston, who was looking like the best receiver in football before an injury slowed him down last month.

I'll also mention the one negative associated with Hester: He has already fumbled four times, and if he keeps up that pace of fumbling once every 12 touches, he's going to hurt the Bears badly at some point in the playoffs. But I don't want this to be a slam against Hester. He's as valuable as a kick returner can be -- but no kick returner can be as valuable as Addai, Young or Colston.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-13-2006 @ 9:15PM

Joe said...

I would love to see this guy in a Bucs uniform since we have never had a kickoff returned for a TD in our history He is remarkable I thought that Dante Hall was great this guy is better he could be a team MVP

12-15-2006 @ 2:16PM

Emil said...

Devin Hester is not a receiver, or a running back or a quarterback. He is not a Joseph Addai, Vince Young or Marques Colston. He is a kick off returner, and punt retuner who in his rookie year broke the record. If we are judging individual contributions based on the position of the player, Devin Hester is no doubt rookie of the year.

12-13-2006 @ 10:33PM

Mary Gallivan said...

Beyond the obvious of a proper comparison, apples to apples and the like, Hester is a punt/kick return fenom. Never mind that he has as a rookie, broken a long standing record, he has contributed more than a simple "numeric" factor to his team. MVP is not just stats, but also factoring the effect a player has not only on his team but the league as a whole.

12-13-2006 @ 11:17PM

Alan said...

So, um, all this debate is for second place behind Jones-Drew, right? Is that why no one anywhere is talking about the other MJD for the award, because it's assumed that he will rightfully win the it? People are realizing that the Jaguars don't have a passing game to take away any pressure on him, and yet he averages over 6 yards a carry?

I mean..let's be serious, it shouldn't even be close, unless Reggie goes off for the next few weeks.

12-14-2006 @ 12:11AM

Hank said...

Hester should at least get the chance to be in the running for the award. But just like the Heisman Trophy, this award is all politics. Who say's that only offensive players should be in the running. Last I heard, there are three phases to a team(offense, defense and special teams). What happens if Hester runs one, two or maybe even three more TD's in the last three games? I would vote for him! Without him, the Bears are probably 8-5 or even 7-6.

12-14-2006 @ 1:08AM

abcdefg hijklmnop said...

Hester should be considered MVP. His scores are not just a simple six points. They motivate the team to keep on playing hard, knowing that in one play, just a few seconds, they can even the score, take the lead, or win the game. I say..he is MVP.

12-14-2006 @ 1:57AM

Ben McKnight said...

By your logic, Addai should have 24 touchdowns by now if he's as good as Hester. 41 touches, 6 touchdowns. I'm not sure you understand how hard that is to do on kick returns.

Hester is head and shoulders above Young and Addai. If he loses, it better be to colston, although with his injuries as of late, but clearly you don't remember how very bad Chicago's special teams were last year. Hester took one of the worst return teams in the league, and made them one of the best. He's won games for the Bears by himself.

12-14-2006 @ 7:48AM

MDW said...

The operative word here is "valuable." There is no doubt that that Hester and Vince Young are the two most valuable rookies for their perspective squads.With 6 touchdowns in only 46 touches I would consider that to be pretty valuable, especially on a team that has struggled with offensive inconsistency all year long. He gets my vote.

12-14-2006 @ 9:43AM

KATHY said...

i think the rookie, backup running back... joseph addai of the colts, should be rookie of the year! he is rated #20 of ALL rbs and has rushed for 867 yards and scored 8TDs 4 in one game at 177 yards that same game... running back is so much tougher a position... to be ranked 20 above all other rbs of all other teams (as a backup) gives me the opinion he deserves to definately be rookie of the year.

12-14-2006 @ 10:19AM

RAYMOND PAYNE said...

LET'S DO A PUBLIC SURVEY AND SEE WHO GET THE MOST VOTE FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR. BUT IF YOU BASE IT ON STATS I THINK HESTER IS THE BEST.

12-14-2006 @ 10:21AM

12-14-2006 @ 1:17PM

Byron Fultz said...

Tough call. Stats vs. impact. I understand the lobby for Addai and Colston. But what about value to the team and its season? Truth is, I don't think the Colts or Saints would be in much different of a position without Joseph or Marques. On the other hand, the Titans and Bears are another story altogether. Young and Hester have had profound impact on their teams and the league, and so should merit the stronger consideration. In the end, ROY voting should go to Hester ahead of Young. Young is learning the most difficult position in the league and has his team on a winning streak. Hester has figured directly and decisively in 3-4 wins for his team. With or without Young, the Titans still miss the playoffs this season, but he has made it more interesting. Without Hester, the Bears go from home field advantage throughout the playoffs to possibly missing the playoffs entirely. The vote, remember, is for Rookie of the YEAR, not who will have the most impact for their career. A rookie who figures so decisively in his team's playoff fortunes affects the whole league, its playoffs and its champion. For this season, for this team, Hester deserves ROY honors, with Young a close second.

12-14-2006 @ 1:44PM

Pat Pontiff said...

I think it is a very close race right now. I believe colston was way ahead in the running for rookie of the year when he got hurt. Now it is really close. The winner will probably be who performs the best in the last 3 games. I see colston, then addai,hester then young, or possibly bush if he gets 3 great games.

12-14-2006 @ 7:50PM

Shady McBears Fan via IU said...

Don't give Devin Hester a gift for Christmas this year......

He'll just return it.

12-15-2006 @ 11:49PM

Kevin Briden said...

How many times have you said to yourself "he could get us back in the game" about a punt returner. Other than hall with K.C. there hasn't been many memerable moments to remenis about. Devin Hester has put a thrill back into the punt return! Will he end up being a wide reciever next year ? Who knows., who cares? enjoy the show. He's got my vote for ROY.

12-16-2006 @ 5:11PM

Chise Dude said...

Maurice Jones-Drew has scored twice as many touchdowns (12) as Devin Hester. So if you're going to give the rookie of the year award away based on stats, then you better give it Jones-Drew or Addai. As far as impact goes, Vince Young and Devin Hester should both be MVP candidates. Either one of them has the Rookie of the Year in the bag. I say Vince wins it, but I'd vote for D. Hester.