Chicago Bears wide receiver/returner Devin Hester is, to put it mildly, dangerous.
The sixth-year pro is second in NFL history with 18 total return touchdowns, including 12 punt returns, 5 kickoff returns and one missed field goal return.
Champ Bailey is plenty familiar with the way Hester can change a game, as Hester returned a punt and kickoff for touchdowns en route to a 37-34 Bears victory in Denver the last time the two teams faced off.
“We know what type of player he is,” Bailey said, adding that he wouldn’t kick to Hester “in a million years.” “You don’t take any chances with the guy. He’s the best in the game, the best ever in my book.”
When asked whether he would kick to Hester, Brian Dawkins seemed to have a different view.
“Oh yeah,” he said, pausing. “Out of bounds. Straight out of bounds.”
After drawing a laugh from the media, the veteran safety elaborated.
“He’s a huge, tremendous weapon,” he said. “This cat is gifted to do things that, obviously, no one’s been able to do the way he’s done it in a short period of time. You can have coaches that beat their chests, ‘We’re going to kick it to him; we’re going have coverage behind, though.’ If you ask me, if I’m the coach, I’m kicking it straight out of bounds — right toward him — but out of bounds, so if he does catch it, he’s going to be tiptoeing the sideline as he falls out of bounds.”
Head Coach John Fox said on Wednesday that he doesn’t want to give away the team’s plans regarding Hester, only that “we are aware of him and he’s a great player.”
Britton Colquitt, the punter potentially tasked with avoiding the league’s most dangerous returner, said there are a variety of ways to accomplish that task.
“I’d love to say I could do what [Oakland P Shane] Lechler did and kick it over his head 80 yards, but it’s not easy,” he said. “It just depends on where we are on the field. He’s a great returner, but we have a great coverage unit. Sometimes, when you try to go out of bounds, you don’t have as good of a hit, and sometimes you just hit a good 35- or 40-yard fair catch ball. He’ll still try to fair catch it, too, if you hit it high enough.”
In the end, Colquitt said he’ll look to do his job the way he has done it the previous 12 games. He currently ranks third in the league in net punting average with 41.6 yards per kick. At his current pace, he would set a new franchise record.
He doesn’t want to adjust his style too much just because of the returner he’s facing.
“He’s waiting for that,” Colquitt said. “He wants guys to be like, ‘I’m going to kick away from you.’”
“You’ve just got to be on your game all the time.”
Below are photos from Thursday’s practice.
-Gray Caldwell
Tags: Brian Dawkins, Britton Colquitt, Champ Bailey, Chicago Bears, Devin Hester, Week 14
Not to worry bronco fans, we have quite the kicker. He will air it high enough for our coverage teams to force a fair catch. We will win this game cuz he’s the only way they’d win and he’ll be irrelevant.
Oh and FIRST!!
Just kiddin trb…
Good stuff. Avoid Hester by all means. I however have faith in Colquit.
Can’t wit for this game. Woulda been more fun if cutler was plying … but ill tht safe over fun.
Now that Bay Bay had a big games, we see pics of him. Like he all of a sudden just rejoined practice lol. And not just one pic lol. I hope this is a sign that he will be more active in our offense. Decker cant do it alone. And royal is slacking. We need them to worry bout both so that they both get opportu ities insted of every defender blnketting decker.
TRB
Colquitt is a great punter and Prater is a good Kicker,but I wouldn’t kick to Hester period,Champ and Dawk are smart!!!
Hahahahaha … nice one louisianna but it would appear u were beat. I’ve got nothing against people saying first tho just for the record, just find it funny that people do lol
TRB
If you’re gonna be first,you gotta post a doozie,lol.
Ya I don’t see any reason first is special. Kinda all hinges on what you say not where you are, ya know
First is just pure luck, just like being first in line at the Pots Office.
Well, the pot heads are gonna like this one, LOL.
Yep the California area fans will know all about that one!
Wiemans – once we got running we loosened up ok – It was a hitfest – 18-20 the badguys. The cold makes for some good hitting.
I scored 4 times from 1st. It’s gonna take some recovery time. (I still hurt tonight)
5th at bat I stole second on a throw -in from left/ pitcher overthrew 2nd on my slide- the ball went all the way out in center field – (Cold air and not enough of it) I should have scored on the Over Throw – but I just sat there. Haha. I scored on the next hit anyway.
My son hit his first HR and the whole team signed the ball. Cool game!
daddybronc, you talk to your buddy softball guy so often, you may want to remember his correct name, it’s Wiemin, not Wieman.
Latest Elway quotes about Tebow:
“”He’s something else,” Elway said of Tebow. “”You can’t give him enough credit for what he’s done. The turnaround and the energy and the hope and the competitiveness that he’s brought back to the team. I think it’s more than _ It is about the big plays that he makes, but it’s also his ability to raise all ships. That’s the type of person he is. The comebacks. The idea and belief by the players that we’re not out of this thing until that clock hits zero.’’
Fox explaining why Tebow is on a tight leash:
“You don’t want to turn the keys to the organization over to a rookie or second-year quarterback,” Broncos coach John Fox said. “Just like you don’t turn your investment portfolio over to some guy who is just starting out. Now, that doesn’t mean you don’t like him. It’s just not what people do.”
Broncos and fans, just watch some of the many many YouTube videos entitled “Devin Hester”…..please, just kick it out of bounds!
I don’t think anyone in Denver needs any reminder, Hester burned us twice in one game under stubborn Shanny.
Broncos 27
Bears 6
Elways quote was made cuz we’re winning. Fox’s makes good sense and he is tentative in his commitment in tebow too. Btw rodgers took the poll. Tebow was 2nd tho.
‘to tebow’
WHOLLY CRAP!!!! Browns might have taken out BIG BEN!
big ben just went down hard. dont look good for steelers.
Man it bent his ankle almost completely around OUCH!
Man, I am beginning to think it is an omen…….Seems like if there is a chance that we play a team then either their QB or one of their best players get hurt.
i recently rolled my ankle this summer was out of work for 5 weeks. worst pain ever when it happpened. ouch.
its a Tebow thing. lol.
Bay, I like the quotes from Elway and Fox. I have always understood their wait and see approach. The suspense just kills me. I don’t see them using a first round pick on a QB, but I do see them drafting one. That way they have a QB that they like backing up Tebow. If Tebow continues to grow (which I think he will) then they will possess a solid back-up with possible trade value in a few years when another team like the Cardinals of this year are willing to overpay for a QB. If Tebow hits the ceiling and does terrible (which I don’t think happens) then we will have a guy that Elway likes that we can build around as our franchise QB.
The thing I hate, is that until that time, this Tebow debate will carry on and on and on and on and on. Some will over-praise him, to which I will roll my eyes. Some will count him out unfairly, to which I will get upset. And then everyone else will be supportive yet realistic, and it will get completely overshadowed by the previous two.
I am a big time fan of Tebow as our QB. I will admit that sometimes I look at him through Orange Koolaid Colored Glasses, but I feel that I am still able to be honest, and see the glaring flaws in his game. But I can also see him improving. And while there is no concrete evidence that he will be a huge NFL success, I don’t believe there is enough concrete evidence to say that he won’t be. And until there is enough to say either way, I say we enjoy the ride.
We have a chance at the playoffs for the first time in years, and I think that is a way more important discussion than Tebow at this point. Tebow is part of it, but this isn’t about Tebow reaching the playoffs. It is about the Broncos making the playoffs. And that is EXTREMELY exciting regardless of your view on our quarterback.
But as Denver fans who have endured many disappointing seasons, it almost seems natural that some fans would cling on to Tebow as our hero that can finally save us. It also seems just as natural that other fans would reject Tebow as being just another mediocre QB that will lead us to more disappointment.
Here’s to hoping we aren’t disappointed. GO BRONCOS!
The analysts were talking today that if we make the post season then first up would be the steelers.
And that injury to Big Ben looked painful. Very painful. I am sure Tebow will pray for him =P
anyone hear that bradstater might start for the rams. remember him. he did better in the preseason then orton or quinn.
I actually got an autograph from Brandstater after a preseason game. He is a really cool dude. My friend Corey and I waited for all the players to go through, and we got to chat with him for a while.
Well stated 0723.
Man the Steelers are dropping like flies. Pouncey is out too.
That twisted ankle looked nasty. Yikes!!
If cleveland wins this, next week the Steelers play S.F. This could be a different change of events.
Wow that man is tough, Ben is back in, limping like mad…
It is really hard to hate on a guy like Ben when he continues to play injured and give his teammates everything he has. Incredible.
Man he is taking a chance of hurting himself even further.
Romo ain’t got nothin on Ben
I told ya’ll that Pat was gonna put a stop on the belittling of Timmy.
Now I wanna get some feed back from some of you of what was supposed to happen last draft. Luck was suppose to come out. That’s why John H went to SF. The broncos had the #2 pick. Oliver Luck (Andrew’s father) told him he should stay. So he did just that. So John went with Von. If Luck would have came out. There wouldn’t of been Von here or Tebow. Luck was suppose to be drafted this yr by the Broncos. I know it’s old news but how do you feel about it??
Thanks bay, I am glad someone read that lol. When I posted it I was thinking “Wow! This sounds somewhat good!” And then I posted it, and nobody cared cause they were all watching Ben get injured. Blog life lol.
I think it is hilarious that people say if u don’t like Tebow..u r not a Bronco fan…and that we should just support him because he is the qb of the team…but they didn’t do that for Orton….I also personally think it is hogwash that people are saying they were giving credit to.everyone the whole.time….I believe I was one of the first to say the defense and McGahee should get credit….I also said Tebow runs well….I support a lot of this team…I just believe that he is not good for.the Broncos long term….I said enjoy the wins….but I will also say this….fans forget so fast….people keep.saying when was the last time we won this many games in a row….uhhhh….ORTON did it…lol….
carnage get over it. all u do is complain. were winning be happy.
Man oh man, has Peyton Hillis fallen from grace….
And when Orton did it, you were the first one to say that it was all smoke and mirrors and that it wouldn’t last. I suppose you will say this is no different.
I am cool with realism, I am cool with hard truths. But you? You are just straight up negative the majority of the time. You are definitely a fan. But you are bitter. I appreciate you pointing out what nobody else wants to see, but you take it to a whole new level of negativity I just can’t relate to.
But if that is how you are, then that is how you are. You have your view, I have mine. As Tebow would say, God bless you, sir.
Good grief Carnage… Are you sure you’re not a Raiders fan?
I said tebow runs well….and i said i enjoy the wins….i said this season is a good one….just not sold on Tebow long term….i saidnthe defense has played great….mcgahee has too….how am i ALWAYS negative when the only thing i dislike is tebow
ur negative cause u just like to argue. everyone is happy and hopeful for playoffs and some wins. u want to point out negatives. and u dont have to like tebow but if u are a fan u should respect him. dont know about u but anyone on the team who helps us win has my support. u wont give it to him cause hes not ur cup of tea. hence why u r so negative.
Am i telling a falsehood when i say..people get angry with any that does not glowingly praise Tebow? I have seen”fans” on this site turn on Elway for not giving a glowing endorsement. People say he doesn’t want Tebow to break his records. I was calling for Fox as coach ofnthe year. Am I off when I say there are a bunch of Tebow fans up here…not Bronco fans. I have said to run the ball as often as we can. Keep winning….I think this team is a smoke and mirrors team….i do…so should i not say it?
well then it must suck when u dont agree with the bloggers and somethings on this team and they go out and win. LOVE ME SOME TEBOW. u should try it.
Who says i dont respect him? I have never said anything about him as a person…i said he is a great person….just dont think he is a great qb….i have never made fun of his name…seen that done to orton over and over….to DMT and even KM….i respect him as a man…but as a qb dont think so…..i thought it was about the team though anyway….and my biggest thing has been him not being good fornthe TEAM long term