Falcons release Hester (Hester happy to get away from Meg Ryan)

[jumpman910]

2 minutes ago, Cary Kollins said:

 

that was my initial thought, but then again, he was only a kick returner because he sucked as a WR

 

If Steve Smith only returned kicks, he'd probably be Devin Hester.

But thats something we'll never know. So if he gets in before Steve I don't see the issue.

[Cary Kollins]

It's interesting because it's no secret the NFL will probably eliminate the kickoff within the next few years.

 

 

[shaqattaq]

26 minutes ago, Zaximus said:

If you was the best ever at your position in the NFL, you should be in the HoF.  

Future HOF...JJ Jansen!

that bitch can straight up long snap!

[KSpan]

26 minutes ago, Cary Kollins said:

 

that was my initial thought, but then again, he was only a kick returner because he sucked as a WR

 

If Steve Smith only returned kicks, he'd probably be Devin Hester.

Don't forget that he spent his first 2 seasons as a reserve CB before deciding that he needed to be a WR. 

[SCP]

He returned the opening kickoff in the Super Bowl for a touchdown.  Talk about an exclamation point on top of his kick return stat sheet for HOF voters to consider.

[LinvilleGorge]

On the surface, I think the best return man of all time should he in the HOF. But, then I look at some of the guys who aren't in yet. Edgerrin James, LaDainian Tomlinson, Torry Holt, Terrell Davis, Jason Taylor, Alan Faneca, and on and on. There's a lot of names out there who I feel ha e a much stronger argument to be in the hall than Hester. 

[imminent rogaine]

Man, can you imagine, Ginn one side, Hester on the other with Josh Gordon working the slot?!? Make it happen, Gettleman!

[pantherclaw]

Best returner of all time. 

There should be a place in Canton for him.

[LinvilleGorge]

47 minutes ago, Cary Kollins said:

 

that was my initial thought, but then again, he was only a kick returner because he sucked as a WR

 

If Steve Smith only returned kicks, he'd probably be Devin Hester.

This is a valid point. If Hester had developed into a decent WR he probably wouldn't have been returning kicks and punts for his entire career. 

And honestly, he was the best PUNT returner of all time. There have been better kick returners. Dante Hall was a better kick returner IMO. 

[ThPantherFan]

2 hours ago, SCP said:

Falcons have released Hester. No I don't want him on Panthers. If he doesn't play another down, is he a Hall of Famer? 

Yes or No

No

[Jon Snow]

No

[panthers55]

2 hours ago, KSpan said:

Guy is the only punter, but there are 3 kickers (Blanda, Groza, Stenerud) in as well. The bigger hurdles might be that there are no returners and/or no modern-era STers, and with the de-emphasis on punt and kick returning he'll probably get passed over by the time he's eligible even though he's arguably the best returner and definitely the best return specialist.

Blanda and Groza were not just punters. Groza was an offensive tackle as well and Blanda was a quarterback so really only stenerud was a pure field goal kicker. He is the first HOFer who was purely a field goal kicker.

As for Hester it really will depend on who else is there. Why pick him when you can pick Steve Smith who did much more than just return punts or kickoffs.

[CRA]

Devin Hester is the greatest return man in NFL history.  Whether he gets into the Hall?  I don't know.  Will be tough.

[Devil Doc]

He was aiiight...