Atlanta Falcons Quarter Season MVPs
WR/KR Devin Hester – 12 rec, 196 yards, 1 TD, 1 rush, 20 yards, 1 TD, 15.3 yard punt return average, 25.6 yard kick return average, 1 return TD
Sep 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester (17) reacts as he returns a punt for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Devin Hester did not have a catch for the Chicago Bears in 2013. The Falcons signed Hester knowing they were getting a speedster and the best return man in NFL history. They also saw Hester’s potential as a receiver, and in week 1 Hester caught 5 passes for 99 yards. He scored his first career rushing touchdown in week 3, along with breaking the all-time kick return scoring record. Devin Hester is another weapon in an already loaded Falcons offense, to the point where it’s almost unfair. He is the quickest man on any field he steps on, can run a full route tree and will blow by the 4th cornerback he gets matched up on. The ability for Julio Jones and Roddy White to pull coverage away from him makes Hester that much more lethal, but defenses must also honour the former Bear, spreading the field even further. As a returner, Hester has been amazing for Atlanta. His 15.3 yard punt return average is 3rd in the league, and the field position Hester gives us on nearly every return is a huge boost. The fact that teams try to kick away from him can also benefit the Falcons, as shown in week 4 when the Vikings kicker, instructed under no circumstances to kick it to Hester, ended up booting the ball for a gain of only 14 yards. Devin Hester is a multifaceted weapon and perhaps our best offseason acquisition. Is he our MVP through 4 weeks?