Devin Hester Leaves Hurricanes For NFL

U think Miami could’ve used Devin Hester in 2006? Forget the other issues this 6-6 team had, if used correctly Hester alone could’ve won this squad 3-4 more games. Anyone want to argue that? I didn’t think so.

Hester set an NFL record with his fifth and sixth returns for touchdowns this season. In the second quarter, a 94-yard kickoff return and in the fourth, a 96-yarder helping Chicago knock off St. Louis, 42-27. Take away Deebo and the Bears win a nailbiter or lose.

A second-round draft pick, he also has three punt return touchdowns this year. Recently he ran back a missed field goal 108 yards against the Giants. It tied the longest play in NFL history. Before tonight Hester had only returned six kickoffs this season. Tonight he housed two.

Here’s a little salt in the would from the AP recap: “Hester struggled to find a position in college at Miami, but he’s been a sensation with the ball in his hands on kick returns for the Bears.”

Ouch. I don’t know if that’s an indictment on Larry Coker, Dan Werner, Don Soldinger or Randy Shannon, but the whole Miami staff missed out on the phenom which is Devin. We’re not talking about a rookie making an impact here. This kid is turning the NFL on its collective ear.

Was the playbook really that hard? Why was this kid thrown back and forth between offense and defense year after year? Why wasn’t he in on more reverses or toss plays, helping a stagnant offense? Why wasn’t he returning kickoffs from the 2003 home opener against Florida right up through the Peach Bowl massacre?

The more of an impact Hester makes on the NFL, the more it stings that Miami blew it with this kid. He was right to bail early and I only hope he appreciated his time at The U as much as we all loved having him here.

.:Canes305:.

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