Devin Hester hauls in a pass in the end zone against the Rams but was ruled out of bounds. (Jose M. Osorio/Tribune)
By David Haugh
If you have been frustrated wondering why the Bears offense hasn't found more inventive ways to get Devin Hester the football this season, imagine how Hester feels.
That frustration left little to the imagination today at Halas Hall as Hester stood at his locker and candidly assessed his increasingly limited role.
"It's tough watching other teams, other offenses find ways for their guys to get their hands on the ball better (than we do),'' Hester said. "We've had some plays we had called during the week we weren't able to call during games because of certain situations.''
Hester, who missed the Green Bay game with a calf injury that is
improving, has 54 catches for 682 yards and three TDs but only two
catches in the last two games he was healthy.
Asked why the screen pass the Bears often use to get him the football on the perimeter had stopped working, Hester answered in a way that didn't flatter the offensive coaching staff.
"Everybody watches film,'' he said. "They see what type of play we're executing, that's working and they adjust.''
Hester's honest assessment of the situation would seem to indict offensive coordinator Ron Turner at a point in the season when speculation is swirling about Turner's job status. Without intending, the usually soft-spoken wide receiver defended Jay Cutler and his fellow receivers in his most candid comments of the year.
"It's tough,'' Hester said of the struggles with the passing game. "It's not all on the receivers and the quarterback. When you see the passing game not working, you can't just fault the receivers. For example, the running game might not be going good, the offensive line might be holding up. It's a group thing, the overall offense.''
And when the overall offense stalls to the extent the Bears offense has stalled, changes loom. Hester all but guaranteed it.
"There will be a lot of changes, I know that for a fact,'' Hester said. "[I] am not blind. Everybody sees it...Just from being around this league for a little while, when things are going bad, somebody you least expect is going to go.
"I don't know how it's going to turn out. At the end of the day, Jerry [Angelo] and Cliff [Stein] are the guys who make that decision.''
Earlier today: Quarterback Jay Cutler hinted at some communication problems with his receivers.
Asked why the screen pass the Bears often use to get him the football on the perimeter had stopped working, Hester answered in a way that didn't flatter the offensive coaching staff.
"Everybody watches film,'' he said. "They see what type of play we're executing, that's working and they adjust.''
Hester's honest assessment of the situation would seem to indict offensive coordinator Ron Turner at a point in the season when speculation is swirling about Turner's job status. Without intending, the usually soft-spoken wide receiver defended Jay Cutler and his fellow receivers in his most candid comments of the year.
"It's tough,'' Hester said of the struggles with the passing game. "It's not all on the receivers and the quarterback. When you see the passing game not working, you can't just fault the receivers. For example, the running game might not be going good, the offensive line might be holding up. It's a group thing, the overall offense.''
And when the overall offense stalls to the extent the Bears offense has stalled, changes loom. Hester all but guaranteed it.
"There will be a lot of changes, I know that for a fact,'' Hester said. "[I] am not blind. Everybody sees it...Just from being around this league for a little while, when things are going bad, somebody you least expect is going to go.
"I don't know how it's going to turn out. At the end of the day, Jerry [Angelo] and Cliff [Stein] are the guys who make that decision.''
Earlier today: Quarterback Jay Cutler hinted at some communication problems with his receivers.
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Does Lovie Smith think having a cup that's half full is the same as a head coach being half awake? As he's been half awake the last few years in Chicago?
@Nines on December 16, 2009 2:22 PM
9's.
Good job.
As you said, it's not suprising that the average "V.I." Fan can't see something as simple as the Bears historic problem at developing the QB position.
Ron Turner said it himself, "we're running the same offense we did 4 years ago"; it's no wonder teams have a vacation week when playing us, they do not need to prepare, or watch film.
They know we will rush the QB straight upfield, and if suckered, we leave our edges uncovered everytime.
They know when the Blitz is coming from 95% of the time, not a good percentage at all.
On offense, I don't want to even begin how poorly executed the WR screen has been run.
The best play this year has been dumping it off to Forte. Something we didn't do enough. Clearly we need a big WR out there; the ability for a W.out to go after the ball, did show some chemistry between #19 and #6.
#13 is still learning, but what a find.
#32 needs to stop running into the backs of his linemen.
And Jay taking off like he did (except it was called back for penalty) is just what a QB needs to do to stretch a "D". A QB needs to take off at least 2X's a game.
Could go one forever.
So, someone down below called to trade Hester. Now, that is a thought, someone would bite on his talent. ANd of course, he'd probably do well in the return game for someone else.
Was Brandan A. presence before we traded him that made us so good at Special Teams, yet we were to cheap to pay the best in the league (thats an issue with the Bears - you don't let your talent slip away).
And Trade BU, well, not sure there at all. My feeling is now that BU had one year to rest his body, he will comeback with a vengence. Let's ride him one more year, not worth a draft pick.
Could go on forever
the bears r so bad even the radio announcers must go!
I take my hat off to Hester for saying in public what I'm sure many of his teammates feel. See, it wasn't only us fans who figured this out. The teams that win make the best with what they have. They adjust and out 'diagram' the other teams. It seems that Bears staff are always a game of two behind things, and are always coming up short. Other teams know what the Bears are gonna do and basically take the initiative away from them. That's a formula for losing. Smith can't be let off the hook for this. These are his coaches, his plans and his overall concept of running things. Even when the Bears had that great defense, the offense was always behind things. And, for the most part, its been the same crew running things. In his only major move, Smith fired the defense coach, a guy (Rivera) who was doing a great job. Smith has lived off that since then. Now both sides of the ball are in the tank. Hester's comments can't be blown off. They show that Smith has lost this team. Maybe they'll send him packing like the did to Rivera, but the bottom line is that they still are a poorly coached team. As much as I hate to say this, they all should be fired. To include the GM who allowed this mess to continue on his watch for several years now. I don't think Bears fans would be up in arms so much right now if they believed the team was being properly led. And that they at least had coaches who could run with the big boys. The fans have figured out they don't. Right now, it's embarrassing to say your a Bears fan.
One of the reasons that Hester is upset is that, if things keep going the way they are, HE will be trade bait. He has a huge contract but is one of the only Bears with enough name recognition to get a team interested. We need draft picks. We need an offensive line. He may get us a first or at least a second round pick...we move up from there. Another trade possibility...Brian Urlacher. Huge contract, big name, past his prime, and we are deep at LB. Maybe we get a second or third for him, and again, move up, not down the way Jerry likes to do. We do what we can, get the best tackle, guard and center that we can in the draft, get a wideout in free agency, along with a defensive tackle with some heart, and start getting this train back on track. Its going to take two to three years, and that's if everything goes right...which hasn't been happening lately!
"I don't know how it's going to turn out. At the end of the day, Jerry [Angelo] and Cliff [Stein] are the guys who make that decision."
They should be fired too. This isn't just on Ron, Lovie, and Bob Babbich. Clean the whole house.
The only uneducated person in this forum is you "Uncle Meatball". Learn how to spell and then comeback later to post your nonsense.
1985 Bears!!!! Oh wait, that's stupid.
unc meaball lean to spel , may-be some bod take u serious...ha ha
@Slurpy
I am sick of mornic Chicago Bears fans who do not know their cup from a slurpy straw.
It really is sad... Chicago Bears fans are the most uneducated football fans out there. They make Homer Simpson look like a genious and Eagle Fans look like chior boys.
Fire Phillips, Angelo, Lovie, and the 20 other coaches on this staff... train wreck personified.
That is all.
Uncle Meatball
Dam finally we get something because these Bears they dont speak....I understand we dont have the best reciever but the play calling has to adjust to our talent. if theres a play that works then we run it...(like the deep ball that Mcnab throws to Jackson) i know not every down but at least trick the defehse...i like what Hesters done but the other Devin did a good job why havent we put him in the mix, despite what lovie said in his conference...Give the guy a shot....whats up with Bell why can we use him either Mckie is a good blocker but we need something back there...Sorry to say but Ron Turner is gonna have to get it..because he earned it himself...he might be a good cordinator but not for us..Wish him the best but hurry up an Get going.............
We need to add at least one quality receiver who also is at least 6'2". And we need a new play caller. BUT, things would look a LOT different if we had a line that would give Cutler more time to throw. He gets about 2 seconds right now. Give him 3.5 seconds and his interceptions would be way down and the offense would be productive. That same improved line would make the running game a lot better. I'd put most of the emphasis on the O-Line in the offseason. Don't know where we are gonna get 'em but we need at least 3 new ones out of 5.
Our core defense from the super bowl and previous years is still there. The problem? They are OLD. We need some serious re-staffing at all levels, starting with Ron Turner & O-Line. Give Angelo another year and who knows he'll probably pull off another off-season blockbuster deal like Cutler. Get that #1 receiver, sign some new D-ends and improve the O-line, put Hester back to his true return position, we'll be back in the playoffs.
You ALL are forgetting the main cause of the decline this year. It's a TERRIBLE O-line. If you O-line sucks... you can't run. If you can't run you can't play action...if you can't play action you can't "GO DEEP".
I think we HAVE to trade Hester.(he makes up his mind b4 the ball is kicked..and does NOT change it.e.g. let the ball bounce at the 25..and fair catching at the 5. WTF!!) He and Bennett(couldn't LEARN the offense enough to play the 1st year)... we can't have WR's in motion because they aren't smart enough to 'adjust'. We need some intelligent players(not just 'no contraversy guys'). With dimwit WR's, the opposing D' is able to know EXACTLY what is coming...so most of it won't work.
Turner basically has his hands tied. I think he should be let go... too but..
Perhaps if we get Cowher(pray that happens) he will bring some creative minds with him.
"Hire someone who can run a football team, not reminisce about one magical season. If Bear fans had any sense they wouldn't want a coach who was a former star with them because, besides the very lucky Mike Ditka, it usually doesn't work out."
Any question that Singletary is getting the most out of the 49ers talent? Any question that the Ravens secondary played their best when he was the linebackers coach? Any question that Singletary has been a successful coach at each of his stops? And yet you question whether he can run a football team? good grief.
You ALL are forgetting the main cause of the decline this year. It's a TERRIBLE O-line. If you O-line sucks... you can run. If you can run you can't play action...if you can't play action you can "GO DEEP".
I think we HAVE to trade Hester.(he makes up his mind b4 the ball is kicked..and does NOT change it.e.g. let the ball bounce at the 25..and fair catching at the 5. WTF!!) He and Bennett(couldn't LEARN the offense enough to play the 1st year)... we can't have WR's in motion because they aren't smart enough to 'adjust'. So the D' is able to know EXACTLY what is coming in the passing game...so most of it won't work.
Turner basically has his hands tied. I think he should be let go... too but..
Perhaps if we get Cowher(pray that happens) he will bring some creative minds with him.
that is a great pic of Hester. Not the one on this page where he is going for the catch, but the one on the trib home page that shows the total disgust and frustration. Beautifull job.
It appears that several interceptions by Jay Cutler occurred because he threw off his back foot.
I can't believe a guy said to trade Bobby Wade and then sound intelligent. Scroll down on this thready, incredible. I mean really, that's just a joke.
And Earl Bennett is a nice guy, he can hold onto the ball, but he's a #3 or 4 receiver on any good team, not a #1 or #2. So no, that's not our future receiving core. Knox is like Cutler's Eddie Royal, we don't have anything close to a Brandon Marshall. Next year we need to send Hester over the middle about every play like a Wes Welker, and let him take some big hits and prove if he's an elite receiver or not.
Also, just my take, but I don't think they're going to fire Lovie. They need to get the Defensive play calling to an actual coordinator, Lovie just can't do it all. And they need an offensive coordinator like a Charlie Weis - I think Lovie might be fine when he can think about just coaching, not about everything.
To the guy who said "How many times this year and last year did we see Cutler throw to a stop and Hester was not there and it was an INT." Dude, it's better to keep your mouth shut and be presumed an idiot than to open it and remove all doubt. Last time I checked Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman where the ones throwing int's for the Bears last year.
mark on December 16, 2009 3:20 PM
If the ownership has any sense, they need to back a dump truck full of cash at Mike Singletary's feet. You can't tell me he won't always be a Bear at heart.
---
Was Belichick a Patriot at heart? Hire someone who can run a football team, not reminisce about one magical season. If Bear fans had any sense they wouldn't want a coach who was a former star with them because, besides the very lucky Mike Ditka, it usually doesn't work out.
Sure hope Dev' is right - Lovie & Co. Gotta Go!!!
Bring back Ronnie Waddle!
another "rat" leaving the sinking ship. this team is LOST break it up and start over
it is impossible to guage the abilities of this offense w/ Ron Turner as offensive coordinator. He has done nothing except try and run a high school offense in the pros.....let's get a real off. coord. already.
If the ownership has any sense, they need to back a dump truck full of cash at Mike Singletary's feet. You can't tell me he won't always be a Bear at heart.
The Bears need some attitude. How about Richie Incognito?
Ron Turner's idea of getting hester involved, wr screen while matt forte is going in motion to da opposite side leaving McKie in da backfield by himself.
I forget who it was on the Trib who suggested Hester be traded but they were right. To the extent that Devin demanded to become an every down player instead of the greatest return man the world has ever seen and the Bears, afraid of him pouting I suppose gave him the big dollars and his wish. Both sides thus stepping in front of a bus, hand in hand.
It will soon be two seasons since he has made a return for a touchdown.
Far be it from me to defend this offensive coaching staff but getting the ball to Hester has almost nothing to do with it.
The Bears have never had a good game plan for Hester. And the team hasn't been the same since he stopped returning punts either. The stupid dump passes to Hester, the short screens that make him have to find an opening, those dont' work and they never have. Partly because Hester isn't capable of finding the openings and partly because the rest of the offense isn't capable of making openings. Hester should be a middle to deep ball receiver only...he's fast enough to be all but a handful of guys in the NFL so make him beat them!
No one is laughing at the idea that Bill Parcells is a great football mind. He turned around New England, the Jets, the Dolphins and brought relevance back to Dallas...
But to think he'd come to Chicago is a complete joke. The guy has spent nearly his entire career on the East coast - Army, Giants, Pats, Jets, Dolphins ...
I've never been a fan of the fan who thinks that his team is SOOO great that EVERYONE would jump at the chance to play for the team, coach the team or be the GM. Not everyone has the dream to play or work for the Bears.
It is the coaches fault they tried to make Hester a receiver. They should be fired for that, however Hester is to dumb to play the receiver position. He doesn't understand when Cutler does a hand signal and he raises his hand like he is clueless. He just should not be a receiver. The Green Bay game we watched a receiver in Aromashodu run the right routes. How many times this year and last year did we see Cutler throw to a stop and Hester was not there and it was an INT. I blame the coaches for ruining a great returner and putting him out of position, he should be a gimmick play guy that is it. That is all he can handle. Now it is time to either cut his dumb ass or have him return punts and kickoffs only.
I pretty much agree with Hester. While our players are spotty at best, the coaching is HORRIBLE. Lovie has no brain or backbone, and I'm still scratching my head why the Bears hired Turner, a fired college coach from a bad college program. My solution? Clean house, and then spend tons of money on a proven good coach. Maybe Gruden???
On a side note, the OL is horrible. Believe it or not, a good OL is probably the most important factor in maximizing the potential of the offense. Even bad skills players are good with a good OL, whereas bad linemen are rarely good with good skills players...
Hester should know better than to speak out against how his team is playing. Like Urlacher, he should just keep his mouth shut.
The fans hear this kind of talk, and it gives them the ludicrous idea that (at least some people on) this team want to improve, when that is clearly not in management's plans.
Hester alone should be reason enough to fire Smith and Turner. The best return man in history falls into their lap and they ruined him. They should be banished from football forever.
Nines, your right on some points but if you think Cutler and Grossman are in the same class you better get your eyes checked. Do a personal survey of your own emailing GMs around the league and see which one they believe is better.
Whatever will be done this after this season will not be enough until the whole coaching staff is gone. No more Tampa-2, Cover-2, Whatever-2 base defense and no more Turner and his lack of creativity to adapt to what we have.
I don't know who has more responsibility as far as drafting goes, Angelo or Smith? The GM is supposed to get what the coach wants but the GM also has the final say. Get rid of them both. Parcells, Parcells, Parcells. If any of you want to laugh at any mention of trying to obtain Bill Parcells you should be ashamed to call yourself a football fan, if you are one at all.
I think the only way to cure the animosity that fans have for Lovie would be to allow each fan to tell Lovie one thing and then punch him....Maybe after that would I not mind having him back as a coach. The man is the most uninspiring individual I've ever laid eyes upon. In the NFL, these guys get so much money that individual performances can tend to outweigh the desire to win. Thats where a Jon Gruden type comes in, and demonstrates whose in charge and that the ultimate goal is to win. Gruden won with some really crappy teams consistently. Lovie won because of personnel and not because of his own talent as a coach. His teams have gotten worse over time, suggesting that he has had an obviously negative impact on the team.
Hester is one of the best in the history of football returning kick , let's keep him there. He alone can win games in the return game. He did it for the first two years of his career. Special teams is a big part of a teams success, so is field position. He has to return kicks , he is a threat everytime he returns one. Why doesn't Angelo and Lovie know that.
Wade????!?!? Bobby Wade hasn't been on the team since 2005 you f'n idiot.
That's it, trade him (Hester). Seriously, with Wade, Aromashadu, and Bennett, we have our future receivers. Hester is rapidly declining talent and he just is not tall enough to compete are a number 1 receiver. Trade him now before his stock slips even further. Oh, and another brilliant example of Angelo misjudging talent.
(Slurpy) comment is so typical to the average fan watching his game, and not understanding why we are losing. Its not wrong to think that a player performs badly to jump and blame him personally, kinda like how everyone booed Rex, and chanted for Brian Greasy.. or Orton, that was the most ridiculous thing we could have done as fans. We did have a lost talent in Rex, but his surrounding staff was sub-par if that, coaches ect. Especially the OLine, not even Brady would succeed in Chicago, and this years proves all the Boo Birds that you only wasted your time asking for change at the Qb position, Cutler was a pro bowler last year, look at him now... do you blame his talent? or the Bears? and when I say Bear, I mean the organization. Rex had the same talent as Cutler, strong arm, risky but tough, until we broke him, and hopefully we will not destroy another Qb in Cutler. Does anybody really think if Brady took uniform this weekend that we would win? how? he is worse running for his life that Cutler, and that the only attribute we need in a Qb to survive the season. It not the guy in the spotlight thats always to blame, look deeper and you may just see the real problem.
We have average receivers, and a pretty damn good Qb, but like its been for years, they are not being coached or utilized they way other teams would, Ayanbadejo said it best the other day, we are not using our talents the way we should... We have talents in every corner of the roster, more than most, but without the staff to promote the talent within, we blame the players, but who plays well under a confused operation, just look at the play calls from the green-bay game, would you as a player be excited to line up after that? Hester said it well, things will change, Lovie will remain here, but surrounding staff will change, bet on it. Our players need to feel like they are being put into the best situation to win, not lose. We are more surprised when we win than when we loss, thats a major problem for a team, in 06, if we lost, we were suprised, now if we win, its amazing, not much has changed, from staff to even players, few exceptions, but the core is still intact,but somehow we still cannot get the hunger back like we had. Our O coach is stubborn, and needs to use his strengths, (He played conservative role for so many years to protect his job, but it has back fired and will be the reason he is unemployed next year.)