Post by Guvmintcheeze on Sept 24, 2014 14:09:19 GMT
Falcons' Koetter: Hester earning looks
By Vaughn McClure | ESPN.com
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Raving about the talents of Devin Hester seems to be a weekly theme for the Atlanta Falcons.
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter continued to gush about his newly discovered weapon Tuesday when asked about Hester increased role in the Falcons' offensive scheme.
"The thinking is simple: All players usually get what they deserve," Koetter said. "Devin has played his way into more plays. I've told you before, when Devin signed here, I was thinking, 'Chicago didn't use him. Why are we going to use him?' And Smitty [coach Mike Smith] was talking to (wide receivers coach) Terry [Robiskie] and I saying, 'Hey, we've got to find some stuff for Devin.'
"Devin has totally earned everything he's got by how he plays in practice. It's true of any player, it just happens that Devin (is) the greatest kick-returner in league history. But Devin, he's earned it by studying, by fitting in, by making plays in practice. Devin is a way better route-runner -- I think I told you this last week -- than I ever knew. He's got tremendous range. We knew he had speed, but I didn't realize he had that type of catching radius and range and hands."
Hester enters Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings ranked sixth in the league in combined yards with 390. He has 168 kickoff-return yards, 126 receiving yards, 76 punt-return yards, and 20 rushing yards.
The latter was a touchdown off a reverse against the Buccaneers, the type of play most expected would be a part of Hester's small offensive package. But the fact that Hester has played 62 snaps at wide receiver through three games keeps defenses from keying on him when he enters the game, that and the presence of top receiver Julio Jones.
"When a guy is in the game a lot, it's easier to do unique things with him because it doesn't look unusual that he's in the game," Koetter said of Hester. "We got into situation last year where at times, every time we put Antone [Smith] in the game, he was getting the ball.
"Devin's been playing enough regular wide receiver that they can't just look at it and say, 'Hey, watch a reverse.' Of all the plays ... we've run one reverse. He's getting it in different ways. And we still have some other ways that have yet to be shown as well."
By Vaughn McClure | ESPN.com
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Raving about the talents of Devin Hester seems to be a weekly theme for the Atlanta Falcons.
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter continued to gush about his newly discovered weapon Tuesday when asked about Hester increased role in the Falcons' offensive scheme.
"The thinking is simple: All players usually get what they deserve," Koetter said. "Devin has played his way into more plays. I've told you before, when Devin signed here, I was thinking, 'Chicago didn't use him. Why are we going to use him?' And Smitty [coach Mike Smith] was talking to (wide receivers coach) Terry [Robiskie] and I saying, 'Hey, we've got to find some stuff for Devin.'
"Devin has totally earned everything he's got by how he plays in practice. It's true of any player, it just happens that Devin (is) the greatest kick-returner in league history. But Devin, he's earned it by studying, by fitting in, by making plays in practice. Devin is a way better route-runner -- I think I told you this last week -- than I ever knew. He's got tremendous range. We knew he had speed, but I didn't realize he had that type of catching radius and range and hands."
Hester enters Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings ranked sixth in the league in combined yards with 390. He has 168 kickoff-return yards, 126 receiving yards, 76 punt-return yards, and 20 rushing yards.
The latter was a touchdown off a reverse against the Buccaneers, the type of play most expected would be a part of Hester's small offensive package. But the fact that Hester has played 62 snaps at wide receiver through three games keeps defenses from keying on him when he enters the game, that and the presence of top receiver Julio Jones.
"When a guy is in the game a lot, it's easier to do unique things with him because it doesn't look unusual that he's in the game," Koetter said of Hester. "We got into situation last year where at times, every time we put Antone [Smith] in the game, he was getting the ball.
"Devin's been playing enough regular wide receiver that they can't just look at it and say, 'Hey, watch a reverse.' Of all the plays ... we've run one reverse. He's getting it in different ways. And we still have some other ways that have yet to be shown as well."
