Devin Hester is trying out...Hester Signed!!!

[GrimCoconut]

Just now, Ravensfan23 said:

I think they'll see plenty of snaps on ST. With Levine he won't see many snaps on defense as the Dime guy unless the Ravens plan to make that an major defensive package which I don't see. So you may see him about 5-10 times a game in Dime imo. He'll still see plenty of ST snaps. 

McClellan will still see ST snaps as well, maybe not as much as he's used to but he'll still see snaps imo. Upshaw saw about 80 ST snaps in both 14' and `15' playing in the same role McClellan will fill. Also I don't think McClellan handles that role exclusively, I think both Correa and Carter, depending on who's active, will add to that position as well on defense. So he won't play as many defensive snaps as Upshaw. 

As for Juice, no reason why his role would and should change, so I agree all those guys will continue to be key ST guys. If anything CJ probably won't see as much time on ST as he has before, meaning guys like Correa and Carter will have to play more on ST. 

Yeah. I also think Aiken's role on ST may drop some, but I don't think it'll be much if anything. Wallace, Smith Sr, Perriman will all get snaps as starters on offense, and while I think Aiken still gets snaps and a lot, I don't think he has the year he had last year. Too many mouths to feed when you also look at TE and RB. 

1 minute ago, rmw10 said:

Think they're all out there most of the time, but might not see every single snap.  I think that applies more to someone like McClellan since he actually has somewhat of a starting role.

I think he [McClellan] still sees plenty of snaps. I don't think we'd drop his ST snaps just because he's a starter at OLB on the left side of the defense. He'll come off the field on non-rushing plays, so he'll probably play first, maybe 2nd down, and then come off the field. I think that left-side OLB position will be rotated heavily. 

[rmw10]

Just now, GrimCoconut said:

Yeah. I also think Aiken's role on ST may drop some, but I don't think it'll be much if anything. Wallace, Smith Sr, Perriman will all get snaps as starters on offense, and while I think Aiken still gets snaps and a lot, I don't think he has the year he had last year. Too many mouths to feed when you also look at TE and RB. 

I think he [McClellan] still sees plenty of snaps. I don't think we'd drop his ST snaps just because he's a starter at OLB on the left side of the defense. He'll come off the field on non-rushing plays, so he'll probably play first, maybe 2nd down, and then come off the field. I think that left-side OLB position will be rotated heavily. 

When I say less, I really mean not that much lol.  If there are 20 ST snaps, maybe he sees 17 instead of his typically full 20.

[ravensdan]

2 hours ago, rmw10 said:

I like it solely for the fact that I trust Hester back there to make smart decisions and actually catch the ball.  Ever since Jacoby left, we've cycled through returners.  I'm sure everyone here can attest to being worried every single time on whether a guy was actually going to field the ball cleanly and hold on to it through the return.  We've been missing that for a long time, and Hester should help ease those nerves.  He's not what he once was, but he should be a steady option back there for us.

 

At first I wasn't really for it, but honestly if he can turn the tide in one big game he's well worth it. 

The hester < butler comments will come but they are completely unrelated. 

[Corvus]

I think it's funny that this staff preaches versatility in every way, often at the expense of keeping a player where he is best suited. Yet we're about to have an over-the-hill one trick pony as our return specialist. Does Hester even have anything left in the tank? I don't remember hearing his name very often last year and I live in an area that regularly broadcasts Falcons games.

[Ravenseconbeast]

scratching my head...Butler is out but 33year old punt returner is in after a terrible year with Falcons.   

[RavensPunkXVX]

16 minutes ago, Corvus said:

I think it's funny that this staff preaches versatility in every way, often at the expense of keeping a player where he is best suited. Yet we're about to have an over-the-hill one trick pony as our return specialist. Does Hester even have anything left in the tank? I don't remember hearing his name very often last year and I live in an area that regularly broadcasts Falcons games.

I think he missed 11 games or so last year. Probably why you did hear much.

[jazz1988]

27 minutes ago, Corvus said:

I think it's funny that this staff preaches versatility in every way, often at the expense of keeping a player where he is best suited. Yet we're about to have an over-the-hill one trick pony as our return specialist. Does Hester even have anything left in the tank? I don't remember hearing his name very often last year and I live in an area that regularly broadcasts Falcons games.

Ted Ginn was consider a one trick pony and look what he did for The Panthers. I think Devin Hester must have something left in the tank because he wouldn't have been signed if he look old and on his last leg. I don't see this as desperation move by The Ravens either.Hester can be use as a receiver and last time he was use as a receiver he had 500 receiving yards and caught 60 percent of his passes.

[baltimorefan328]

19 minutes ago, Ravenseconbeast said:

scratching my head...Butler is out but 33year old punt returner is in after a terrible year with Falcons.   

I think they're completely unrelated though. When looking at it, is Butler going to get snaps over SSS -No; Aiken - No. Wallace has proved in the preseason that he is much more than a 9 route one trick pony. That's on top of our tight ends and check downs to running backs (which Allen and Dixon have proven they can certainly have a lot of catches). Then Butler is obviously not getting snaps over Perriman and I would argue even Moore because Moore has much greater speed and showed some real potential with decent shorter routes in the pre-season. Butler performed, that's very true. And if there is a big injury it would be great to have him. I just don't see a spot for him

[Cillmatic]

Reminder. Hester did THIS late into the 2014 season:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/atlanta-falcons/0ap3000000432900/Atlanta-Falcons-Devin-Hester-75-yard-field-goal-return

 

lets hope he hasn't lost much

Edited September 4, 2016 by Cillmatic

[Sami84]

51 minutes ago, jazz1988 said:

Ted Ginn was consider a one trick pony and look what he did for The Panthers. I think Devin Hester must have something left in the tank because he wouldn't have been signed if he look old and on his last leg. I don't see this as desperation move by The Ravens either.Hester can be use as a receiver and last time he was use as a receiver he had 500 receiving yards and caught 60 percent of his passes.

 

Like brandon stokley and dallas clark? 

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

Hester has done this job his whole career and I trust him more than the others the Ravens were trying back there. Not to mention Renolds can learn from Hester.

[Cillmatic]

6 minutes ago, Sami84 said:

Like brandon stokley and dallas clark? 

This is the deepest our WR core has ever been, Hester's ST's only this season.

[Ravensfan23]

2 minutes ago, Sami84 said:

Like brandon stokley and dallas clark? 

How is either related to this signing? At some point your claims to bash the FO must make sense or at least have enough logic behind it that eventually others can see where you're coming from. Stokley and Clark were added to depleted positions and eventually asked to contribute in a large way if healthy. 

Hester is being added as a RS and if he does see time as a WR it'll be because Trestman sees an opportunity to use his return abilities in the offense but he won't be needed. Hester will not be called upon to fulfill any role at the WR position at any point this season. Even with injury the team would seemingly go outside the organization before asking him to play a major role as a WR.  

He is a RS until Reynolds is hopefully ready to take over that role. 

[jazz1988]

22 minutes ago, Sami84 said:

Like brandon stokley and dallas clark? 

I thought Dallas Clark was a solid receiver it just that Ed Dickson was a disappointment  which forced him to play more than he should have. Brandon Stokley  still showcased  pretty good route running in the slot but  he had trouble staying healthy which has always been a issue with him even in his 20's.

Edited September 4, 2016 by jazz1988

[PurpleCity5]

People underestimate the value of a threat in the kick return. If you have a guy who can score off a kick-off/punt return then you have someone who can get in the head of the team. Do you have any idea how great our field position was at times because teams wanted no part of Jacoby Jones? Not to mention that free 7 points that can be had, who wouldn't want that? TDs off of kick/punt returns is a tremendous boost to the team, and we need that badly here. I'm a little bit suspect of the move myself but I don't blame the team for going hard after a returner. 

[Ravensfan23]

18 minutes ago, PurpleCity5 said:

People underestimate the value of a threat in the kick return. If you have a guy who can score off a kick-off/punt return then you have someone who can get in the head of the team. Do you have any idea how great our field position was at times because teams wanted no part of Jacoby Jones? Not to mention that free 7 points that can be had, who wouldn't want that? TDs off of kick/punt returns is a tremendous boost to the team, and we need that badly here. I'm a little bit suspect of the move myself but I don't blame the team for going hard after a returner. 

What other options did they have. They gave Camp and Reynolds(who's never done it) every chance to make this team as the RS. But just like last year with Asa and company nobody grab ahold of the position and ran with it...literally. I think they would have loved to be able to kill 2 birds with one stone by having their RS guy have a role on either offense and defense as well. However the only options didn't produce and at this point neither SSS nor Webby should be an option. 

Hester is a guy who many could say lost a step but if he's healthy and still has a quick first step, he doesn't need to be dynamic for him to be a success for this team. Being suspect of the move is fair but just like you said, can't blame the team for seeming attacking this position when the other options failed. 

[Maryland]

I would have liked this move more if he was signed after week 1, since then his salary wouldn't be guaranteed--an important factor when signing someone with a risky injury.

[Cville-Raven]

I think Hester has more in the tank than people assume. He's healthy unlike last year and if you look at what he was doing in 2014 he can definitely still make plays.

[Militant X 1]

Hester can do this job in his sleep!  Is he the same Hester of old?  Probably not but none of us are as we get a little older.  However, I have more trust in him returning kick-offs and punts than Reynolds and Campanaro (who can't stay healthy long enough to save his life).  And, I think being in Baltimore, a new environment and team mates may give him a little extra spark.  We'll see!

[JoeyFlex5]

Not happy about hester taking a roster spot. 

 

I really hope he is capable of catching a few deep balls in 5wr sets when we need a big play

[usmccharles]

27 minutes ago, Maryland said:

I would have liked this move more if he was signed after week 1, since then his salary wouldn't be guaranteed--an important factor when signing someone with a risky injury.

I dont know if i would say Hester is an injury risk, before last year he missed 5 games in his entire career.  I know he missed 11 games do to an injury last year, but im not worried about his healthy until its a weekly thing. 

1 hour ago, PurpleCity5 said:

People underestimate the value of a threat in the kick return. If you have a guy who can score off a kick-off/punt return then you have someone who can get in the head of the team. Do you have any idea how great our field position was at times because teams wanted no part of Jacoby Jones? Not to mention that free 7 points that can be had, who wouldn't want that? TDs off of kick/punt returns is a tremendous boost to the team, and we need that badly here. I'm a little bit suspect of the move myself but I don't blame the team for going hard after a returner. 

I have been saying this since JJ left.  A KR is extremely important and can change the game in an instant.  I have no issue with us signing a specialist at a position, especially this position.  I think e will make an impact here. 

[allblackraven]

 

Edited September 4, 2016 by allblackraven

[Ravensfan23]

12 minutes ago, Cville-Raven said:

I think Hester has more in the tank than people assume. He's healthy unlike last year and if you look at what he was doing in 2014 he can definitely still make plays.

 

4 minutes ago, Militant X 1 said:

Hester can do this job in his sleep!  Is he the same Hester of old?  Probably not but none of us are as we get a little older.  However, I have more trust in him returning kick-offs and punts than Reynolds and Campanaro (who can't stay healthy long enough to save his life).  And, I think being in Baltimore, a new environment and team mates may give him a little extra spark.  We'll see!

I think this is the classic Ravens signing of a older player who can still get the job done and will be a important part of this team winning. I admit that on the surface I looked at this signing and was ho hum about it. Even when the idea was brought up last week when he was cut I said no, allow one of the younger guys to fill that role. For me it was out of sight out of mind. Only playing 5 games last year and the RS role just not being as vital as it used to be, I didn't even know Hester was still in the NFL tbh. 

However when I did go back and look at his 2014 production because it was his last healthy year, he was one of the best RS in the entire NFL. As a Punt Returner, he was 2nd in Avg with 13.3, tied for 2nd with 1TD, 7th with 4 returns of 20+ yds, 2nd with 2 returns of 40+ yds, and 1 fumble on 29 punts fielded. 

As a KOR he led the NFL with 45 returns and yds with 1,128. He was among the top 10 in avg among guys with atleast 20 returns with 25.1. 4th with 28 returns of 20+, 3rd with 3 returns of 40+. No TDs or fumbles as a KOR. 

Last year he only played in 5 games. I'm not saying he'll be the dynamic guy who was regarded as the best in the NFL at one point, but I think he'll be a stabilizing force to the ST unit and a guy who can break a big play or two.  

[usmccharles]

What injury kept him out last year?

[allblackraven]

Just now, usmccharles said:

What injury kept him out last year?

Turf toe

[usmccharles]

Just now, allblackraven said:

Turf toe

That makes me feel even better about this signing. 

[allblackraven]

So, who's going on IR to make room - C. Davis or Elam?

[GrimCoconut]

A maximum of 4M?!?! I can't wait to see how that contract breaks down. 

[Purple Nurple]

As long as I get to scream "Devin Hester....YOU ARE RIDICULOUS!!!" at least twice this year.....I'm good.

[K-Dog]

4 minutes ago, Purple Nurple said:

As long as I get to scream "Devin Hester....YOU ARE RIDICULOUS!!!" at least twice this year.....I'm good.

I feel like I should know what you are taking about.