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Connecting the dots with Devin Hester

By Will Lomas

Dec 20, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester (17) avoids a tackle from Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Carson Tinker (46) in the second quarter at EverBank Field. The Atlanta Falcons won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester (17) avoids a tackle from Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Carson Tinker (46) in the second quarter at EverBank Field. The Atlanta Falcons won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Prolific kick returner Devin Hester has been cut by that Atlanta Falcons today.

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While arguably the best question about Hester is the debate on his potential Hall of Fame candidacy, there should also be some question about possible fits around the league.

The one team that really should stand out to everyone is of course, the Tennessee Titans.

You might say, “Why Tennessee? Aren’t they a young team that needs younger pieces?” Well, yes obviously the Titans are in the middle of a rebuild that should really start reaping benefits in 2017 or 2018.

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    • However, there are some clear dots to connect here. First of all, the Titans have had nothing in the return game for some time now. Despite them trying to figure out a way to get Dexter McCluster space, his questionable burst and aggression have made him a below average returner during his time with Tennessee.

    If you exclude 2015 (when Devin Hester had turf tow and missed most of the season), he has managed to record at least one special teams touchdown in every year of his career except for 2012.

    He is both a punt and kick returner, who is probably specialized at this point, but really isn’t Dexter McCluster sort of in that same boat? He hasn’t been very good as a running back, so why not bring Devin Hester in and have them compete purely for the return man job. Then, if McCluster preforms well enough as a running back he can compete for reps there.

    The other obvious connection is new Tennessee Titans OC and former Atlanta Falcons WR coach, Terry Robiskie. Robiskie was with Devin Hester the last two years, and actually made him a functional receiver in his last full year.

    Hester caught 38 passes for 504 yards and two touchdowns, not to mention a rushing touchdown.  Robiskie was the leader of that group that turned Hester into the weapon he was supposed to be.

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    Now, there are obviously some negatives. How much can a player who is primarily a return man offer you at age 33? Also, can the Titans justify keeping a player as a pure special teams guy? I would say yes considering that is really what Dexter McCluster’s role is on the team but they do also like him as a running back.

    Is this a lock? Absolutely not. However, the Titans should at least consider adding Devin Hester at this point in the season. Bobby April (Titans new ST coach) should at least get the chance of working with the all-time great first hand before deciding that he is alright with what they have now.

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