TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Jackson Wants To Impress Hester

ADVERTISEMENT

By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 20, 2008

TAMPA - It is easy to understand why Tampa Bay's Dexter Jackson idolizes Devin Hester.

Every linebacker entering the NFL wants to be like Ray Lewis. Quarterbacks want to be the next Tom Brady. Running backs measure themselves against LaDainian Tomlinson. Receivers want to be mentioned in the same sentence as Terrell Owens.

When it comes to kick returners, Hester is the guy.

"Devin is the benchmark," Jackson said.

Jackson could have a chance to compete against the punt-returning icon when Tampa Bay plays at Chicago on Sunday. Though Hester might not play because of torn cartilage in his ribs, Jackson views this game as the biggest moment of his three-game career.

"We're going against one of the best returners ever and who we returners idolize and want to model our game after," Jackson said. "It's going to be a big task for me to make something happen to gain respect from him, and gain respect from everybody around the league."

Hester has set a standard arguably unprecedented in the NFL.

A second-round pick from Miami in 2006, Hester made an impact as a rookie. He averaged 26.4 yards on kickoff returns and scored two touchdowns, his most notable a 92-yard return of the opening kickoff in Super Bowl XLI. Hester also returned three punts for touchdowns, averaging 12.8 yards a run.

Hester scored two touchdowns last season, amassing 934 yards and averaging 21.7 yards on kick returns. He also returned four punts for touchdowns.

"What he's accomplished has possibly classified him as the best returner ever," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "If we do kick to him, we have to be selective how we do it, and we have to cover our brains out. That goes without saying. He's phenomenal."

Hester's talents are so rare, Chicago signed him to a four-year, $40 million contract extension before this season, making him Bears property until 2013.

Although Chicago coach Lovie Smith would love to take credit for Hester's success, he cannot.

"It starts with just God-given ability, which he has," Smith said. "Great vision. Great hands. All of those things. He's just a weapon. Whether Devin is scoring or setting up our offense with field position, it's just been big.

"Teams have to game-plan for him. You name it, we've seen it as far as teams kicking the ball off, whether they are kicking the ball out of bounds, kicking it to him squib. We've seen all of those different things that we prepare for each week."

When the Bucs drafted Jackson in the second round in April (58th overall compared to Hester at 57th in 2006) they envisioned him becoming their version of Hester. Receiver Micheal Spurlock returned the first kickoff for a touchdown in team history last season, but Tampa Bay expects Jackson to do that consistently.

"Everybody is going to be compared to Devin Hester, but to compare our guy to Devin is not fair to anybody," Gruden said. "We think he has firepower, the ability to create big plays, but I'm not going to go there."

Smith does not believe there is any reason why Jackson, who returned a punt for a touchdown in the preseason but has yet to score in the regular season, cannot have Hester's success.

"It's hard for a rookie, but we've seen Devin have that type of success," Smith said. "You're seeing more and more teams putting an emphasis on that position and getting a good guy.

"I don't think those are skills you're going to develop four or five years into the league. I think if you have them, you're going to see them right away. You just have to make a commitment to it and let the guy do his thing. And it seems like more teams are doing that."

Jackson has committed himself to studying Hester's techniques.

The biggest thing Jackson wants to emulate is Hester's patience. Jackson said he has been too impatient and tried to use his speed on returns instead of waiting for blocks. Hester has mastered the system.

Until Jackson can play like Hester, he will look up to his idol.

"I feel like I have all the talent to be capable of doing what he has done, but I won't say I can be another Devin Hester," Jackson said. "I can only be the best Dexter Jackson I can be."

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425 or arichardson@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT