NFL Chicago Bears

Can Chicago Bears Pass the Idiot Test Against Atlanta, Devin Hester?

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By @edpvideo

Devin Hester Atlanta Falcons

Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports

For years, the Chicago Bears enjoyed the talents of Devin Hester; the greatest return man the league has ever known. As a Bear, Hesteer racked up 14 punt returns for a touchdown, another five kickoff returns for a touchdown and added a missed field goal attempt return for touchdown just for kicks (pun intended). In his first year with the Atlanta Falcons, he added the one return needed to put him alone in the record books as the official return king.

During Hester’s reign, opposing teams were presented an idiot test in each game. The test was simple. Kick away from Hester and pass the test. Or kick to Hester and be labeled an idiot when he scorches you for big yardage and quite often, a score.

This Sunday in Atlanta, the Bears will be presented with the idiot test; their first chance to experience Hester from the other side of the ball. The timing of the meeting between the two couldn’t be worse for the Bears. They have struggled mightily through five games in all phases of special teams. Hester, on the other hand, has found new life in Atlanta both as a return specialist and a receiver. Bears fans had held out hope he would have emerged as their version of Percy Harvin or Darren Sproles under Lovie Smith, but the sputtering offense in Chicago never could figure out how to use his open-field ability. Atlanta, however, seems to have no problem exploiting Hester’s talents in their offensive scheme.

There is only one way for the Bears to pass the idiot test on Sunday. Don’t kick to Devin Hester. Don’t even think about it. Pass the test by putting every kickoff out of the back of the end zone, and every punt out of bounds. We have witnessed through five games that special teams coach Joe DeCamillis is not able to field a competent group of 11 players. Let’s hope he’s smart enough to realize when he’s overmatched and does the right thing. Again, that would be to never kick to Devin Hester.

Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid having to run down Hester as a receiver. With the latest injury report listing linebacker Lance Briggs as out for Sunday, the forecast for Hester is plenty of wide-open green space to run in with the likes of Chris Conte to chase you down. Yikes.

Paul Kakert is a blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @edpvideo, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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