Titans coach Fisher wary of Hester's ability to go distance
By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 11/7/2008 12:13 PM
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Home-run hitter Devin Hester may be in a slump, but that doesn’t mean that he won’t knock one out of the park Sunday when the Bears host the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field.
The two-time All Pro is still seeking his first kick return touchdown of the season after breaking the NFL record in each of his first two years with five scores in 2005 and six in 2006.
Hester currently ranks 20th in the NFL in punt returns (6.2-yard average) and 31st in kickoff returns (20.9-yard average).
“I don’t see Devin struggling in the return game,” said Titans coach Jeff Fisher. “If Devin can break three runs in the next three weeks, he’d be leading the league in both categories.
"That’s how the return game is. He’s making good decisions. He’s catching the ball. He’s very close.”
It would be difficult to find a NFL coach who appreciates what Hester is able to do more than Fisher, who returned punts during four seasons with the Bears from 1981-84.
As a matter of fact, Fisher’s single-season franchise record of 509 punt-return yards set in 1981 stood for 25 years until Hester shattered it with 600 yards as a rookie in 2006.
Fisher still holds Bears marks for punt returns in a game (8) and season (58). His 88-yard punt return touchdown in a 28-17 win over the Buccaneers on Sept. 20, 1981 at Soldier Field was the longest by a Bears player in 39 years.
Hester, meanwhile, brought back a punt 20 yards in last Sunday’s 27-23 victory over the Lions, his longest return since a 25-yarder in the Bears’ 29-13 season-opening win at Indianapolis.
“He was very close against Detroit,” Fisher said. “He’s a step away. We don’t see him as struggling. We see him as one of the all-time returners ever to play the game, so it’s going to be quite a challenge for us.”
Impressive stats: It's difficult for Fisher to believe that the Bears have allowed 64 points in their last two games given that they lead the NFL with 19 takeaways and their defense ranks second in third-down efficiency and sixth against the run.
“When you look at the defense, you kind of wonder where the points came from,” said Fisher, who is the NFL's longest-tenured head coach, having joined the Titans in 1994 . “I’m very impressed with the secondary. They’re playing well. They’re challenging, they’re tackling well. The front seven is as good as I think there is in ball.
“There are some pretty impressive stats as far as the Bears defense is concerned. When you can stop the run and get off the field, those are the two most important things, and that’s what they do.”
Kerry on: A strong running game and fierce defense have led the Titans to an 8-0 start. But veteran quarterback Kerry Collins’ contributions should not be overlooked.
Collins has just three touchdown passes this season and has yet to amass more than 200 yards in a game. But the 14th-year pro has not thrown an interception in his last three starts and has been sacked just three times while tossing 207 passes this season.
Collins ranks third in passing yards among active NFL quarterbacks behind only Brett Favre and Peyton Manning. The 35-year-old is performing like he did in 2000 when he helped lead the New York Giants to the Super Bowl. Bears punter Brad Maynard was on that team and sees similarities.
“This Tennessee team reminds me of that Giants team,” Maynard said. “The best thing he did for us as far as leadership was more what he did on the field. We went from doing that quarterback roller coaster thing to Kerry Collins coming in as a savoir. He controlled the offense and took charge when he was out there."
Spreading the wealth: With Rashied Davis’ 6-yard TD reception last Sunday against the Lions, the Bears became the fourth NFL team to have at least five players catch multiple TDs, joining the Broncos, Cowboys and Saints.
Davis, Marty Booker, Matt Forte, Devin Hester and Greg Olsen all share the team lead with two apiece. Brandon Lloyd, the only other player with a TD reception, has one.
