Dr. Young performs Hester-ectomy

I may be thrown under the bus for this one.

I’ve thought about this all week, and I’ve decided that I’m still undecided about Devin Hester.

Hester leaves the opposition
"Ram-shackled."

We know the kid from Miami is fast, and God forbid I neglect to mention that he now holds the NFL’s season return-for-touchdown record. I got it, I got it…the dude’s a phenom, and I should just shut my cakehole, right?

Wrong.

Do any of you remember Kansas City’s Dante Hall? In 2002, Hall returned 1 kickoff and 2 punts for touchdowns. Then, in 2003, he returned a kickoff or a punt for a touchdown four games in a row—an NFL record. I remember the talk at the time about his prowess on the field, about how he juked so many guys that his on-the-field nickname became “joystick.”

So what’s Dante Hall—the previous kick- and punt-return phenom—doing these days? Well, he’s still adding a few return points a year to the Chiefs scoreboard and he gets pretty good yardage on returns where he doesn’t score. Overall, the two-time Pro Bowler is still a pretty good league receiver. However, people caught onto his return game a few years ago, and have for the most part contained him behind his wedge, and even downfield in the secondary. These days, if Hall and Hester were back to receive, kickers would angle their kick toward the veteran.

Of course, that argument bodes well for Hester. But being the ever skeptical Bears fan, I have to wonder if we’ll get such repeat performances from the rookie after this year. See, to make a name for yourself in the NFL takes hard work, dedication, and knowledge of the game…but above all, the NFL’s most prominent players have one thing in common: Consistency.

Hester’s breakout year has solidified his name next to one NFL record. Personally, I’d like to see him garner a few more while he still sports a Bears jersey, but in order for him to do that, he needs consistency. Since consistency is a direct by-product of performance over time (where the hell did that come from, Einstein?), we all have to wait and see if Hester’s consistency matches the hype.

This raises a question: Who deserves the NFL’s rookie of the year (ROTY) honors? Hester has been a solid contributor to this Bears squad, making an impact nearly every time he touches the ball. But in looking at the big picture, the coveted ROTY award belongs in the hands of the rookie who’s made the most significant contributions to his team over the season, and I can think of no one person who fits the bill on that charge more than Titan rookie QB Vince Young.

Lash out if you must, but here’s the methodology: As a college football fan above anything else, I found it a travesty to see Reggie Bush win the Heisman Trophy last year after the performance that Young gave all season. Bush accounted for 18 Trojan touchdowns in 2005, rushing for 1,740 yards in 200 carries (8.7 ypc). In retrospect, all Young did was more than double the amount of touchdowns Bush put up, delivering 26 through the air and 12 more on the ground. Young tallied 1,050 yards on the ground in 155 carries (6.8ypc). Mind you, this was at the quarterback position.

As the fresh-faced quarterback for this Titans team, I think that Vince Young’s numbers this year are phenomenal. Fifteen total touchdowns (10 in the air, 5 on the ground) with 11 interceptions. More than 1,700 yards passing and 400 yards rushing. Basically, he’s playing at a Michael Vick level. Too bad it took our friend Ron Mexico six years to put up the same numbers that Young is straight out of UT.

Young, the real 2005 Heisman
Trophy winner.

Did I mention that Young didn’t even start the first few games of the season?

Yes, there’s something to be said about consistency. Does Young have it? We’ll know that in the years to come. But there’s also something to be said about immediate and long-term impact, and Young is a brilliant student of the game. He’s calm in the pocket and can stay out of trouble using his legs…unlike a Michael Vick, who falsely believes that he can escape any situation on his feet, only to put his team in a worse spot than before.

What we know now is that Young’s impact as the leader of this Titans offense simply edges out what Hester has done this year for the Bears. Hester will continue to provide the much needed support that the Bears need from their special teams this season, especially when Grossman is busy throwing rainbows to defenders. However, in my opinion, the overall “Team Impact” category clearly belongs to Vince Young. He is the sole Titans’ franchise player—the foundation on which Tennessee can begin to build a Super Bowl caliber team.

As good as Hester is, you can’t build a team around a return man. Don’t believe me? Ask Dante Hall how the Chiefs have fared in their recent Super Bowl battles.

Oh yeah, that’s right. Sorry.

Arguments can be made for other ROTY candidates this year, but don’t get my opinion twisted. I’m not comparing Young to every other deserving NFL rookie here…I’m just trying to make a point.

And that point is, you ask?

Take the defense away from Chicago, and we can all sit back and watch how much of an impact our friend Mr. Hester would have in a Bears playoff run this year.

Can’t think of one? then please don’t waste time putting his name on the ROTY ballot.

(Editor's note -- That said, Rhino still hopes Hester runs back 12 more in the last couple weeks. GO BEARS!)