NFL - Sports Rumors

Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:56 am EDT

Bears didn't take Hester's holdout threat seriously

By Joe Zedalis

Devin Hester

Getty Images

He didn't posture and break off talks, as Tommie Harris did. He didn't hiss and moan like a child and threaten to blow off training camp, as Brian Urlacher did. Even on the spring day when Robbie Gould - a terrific kicker but, still, a kicker — cashed in for a cool $15.5 million, Devin Hester didn't whine publicly about the farcical injustice that his own contract had become wrote Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti. No, he simply caught the football, studied the defense, waited for the perfect opportunity, faded left, spun right, scud-missiled through the hole, raced to the end zone, did his Soulja Boy routine and then, upon seeing Ted Phillips and Jerry Angelo cheering and figuring he'd report to camp without his desired new deal, proceeded to stare down his bosses and flip them the bird.

Nothing was remotely "ridiculous," as the eternal Jeff Joniak call goes, about Hester's stand against Bears management Wednesday. When Halas Hall bows to Urlacher's demands and gives him a chance to make $18 million in new money — with four years left on his original $57 million paper — in an offseason when Harris, Gould, Lance Briggs, Alex Brown and Desmond Clark also received new deals, well, we can't blame him one bit for Hesterizing the Bears and holding out. Were their ears clogged when Hester's agent, Eugene Parker, privately suggested in recent days that his client wouldn't show up for camp?

"He floated it. But I didn't really take it serious," Angelo acknowledged on the practice field after the first session of a downcast camp.

Sounds like another dumb special-teams coach who kicks the ball to Hester, only to be burned.

"It's time for me to take a stand," Hester told the Sun-Times' Brad Biggs. "We're going to stand by our decision to do this, and we feel like this can go down to whenever in the season or the end of the season. No matter what. I would say 95 percent of Chicago fans are saying why not reward a player that has been here two years and contributed to the team in the ways I have."

Ninety-five percent? Try 99.99999 — everyone but Angelo. I'd say he better start treating Hester with the respect he deserves and give him his money, or the punchless Bears might be the first team in NFL history to go an entire season without a touchdown.

Source: Sum-TimesNew Window

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25 Comments

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  1. sam e
    1. Posted by sam e Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:02 pm EDT

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    that's ridiculous. other than the defense, he's the reason the bears won any games last year. they've rewarded the defense, so why not him? the bears management is terrible.
  2. Warren D
    2. Posted by Warren D Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    To all athletes that pull this garbage of holding out, boo hooing, whatever for more money before their contracts run out I say bite me. A contract is a contract. Make them stick to their contracts.. If they don't play a down to h-e double tooth picks with them. Fine the poop out of them and don't pay them their bonuses. Somebody has got to grow the kajones to stand up to them. Some teams will get hurt by these narcissistic prima donas holding out but enough is enough.
  3. Charles
    3. Posted by Charles Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:22 pm EDT

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    Hester deserves the money. He had more touchdowns than any other player (other than Greise), on the entire team, and he only caught 20 passes! Imagine what he could do if he is targeted 10-15 times a game, PLUS is returning footballs for touchdowns. If their QBs cant throw the ball Hester can at least return them, they need to reward their most and only exciting football player.
  4. Charles
    4. Posted by Charles Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:22 pm EDT

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    hester deserves the money. he had more touchdowns than any other player (other than greise), on the entire team, and he only caught 20 passes! imagine what he could do if he is targeted 10-15 times a game, plus is returning footballs for touchdowns. if their qbs cant throw the ball hester can at least return them, they need to reward their most and only exciting football player.
  5. James C
    5. Posted by James C Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:30 pm EDT

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    Disappointing, but no surprise...and who can blame Hester? If your "company" is passing out "bonuses" to underachievers, though they may have been succesful in years past & remain an integral part of performance...and you are leading NOT ONLY your company in sales, but the "industry"? Honestly, I'm seldom in support of players in these type of situations, but their "cave-in" to Urlacher and others can be nothing but an insult to the ones actually performing. Devin is a rare talent...he has earned (pardon the relative comment - NO ONE in professional sports really "earns" what they are paid) comparably speaking, the right to have his wages above his "co-workers". He is AMAZING!
  6. latrecewilson@sbcglobal.net
    6. Posted by latrecewilson@sbcglobal.net Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:57 pm EDT

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    Pay him
  7. Gimy
    7. Posted by Gimy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    angelo...you're a dumb2ss. it's one thing to say "our lines of communications got crossed" but it takes you down to a whoooole new level to say you didn't expect this. dude, EVERYBODY with half a brain cell knew he wouldn't show up. you're telling me, a guy who is probably the MVP of the team...who's best friend forever is Deion Sanders...isn't going to p2ss and moan at making 1/10th of what he's worth? i called this months ago when Lach and Harris and Robbie Gould were the focus of bears management instead of a guy who's ACTUALLY underpaid. idiot...
  8. Edwin
    8. Posted by Edwin Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    Hester was an adult when he signed his contract. He needs to stand by it. If you don't like the offer at the start don't sign. The NFL and the players are making more out of this then necessary. But I will say this. Bears are you willing to lose a good ball player? because you won't pay more than $450,000+ ???? Don't get me wrong. Hester needs to stand behind the contract he signed. But are the Bears willing to lose him? In a couple years because they don't want to deal with him now.
  9. Jonathan C
    9. Posted by Jonathan C Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:24 pm EDT

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    Bring him to Philly. Send Lito to the Bears, they would like that. Eagles need that speed and although DeSean has it, we don't know what he can do in the NFL. Having a guy like Hester, you have to put him in the offensive huddle sometimes. He's too fast of a player not to get covered and probably double-covered. The Bears are ridiculous with what they have done, or haven't done, this offseason. They are going to be terrible because they can't keep a freaking qb and stay with him. They should be in the lead running to get Favre, although they shouldnt offer much for him.
  10. Eaglefan
    10. Posted by Eaglefan Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:36 pm EDT

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    Everybody listen!!! A contract is NOT a contract in the NFL. If teams can cut a player under contract, and not pay out the remainder of the contract, why should players have to honor the contract? The answer is. . they don't. Either side can break the contract at will. In fact, they shouldn't be called contracts. . .how about calling them guidelines?
  11. jimmy n
    11. Posted by jimmy n Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:39 pm EDT

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    Yea he definitely needs to be paid. To be a team's only weapon and considering that he plays special teams is pretty critical. Hester fueled that team and usually a person alone cant win games for a team but anyone in their right mind knows that it was Hester who won many of those games for them.
    But like Jon S said, bring Hester to Philly.
  12. CND Still on top
    12. Posted by CND Still on top Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:13 pm EDT

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    How is the best retuen guy of this era not being compensated. Pay the man his money he should have been at the top of the list. WOW such a idiotic franchise.
  13. Harp G
    13. Posted by Harp G Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:28 pm EDT

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    When unproven rookie players ( Cedric Benson etc), who just happen to be first round picks can make more in a signing bonus than one of the most dynamic game changing players in the league, something is seriously wrong. The Bears need to resign him to a new contract if they truely think that he can be a starting wide reciever and not just a return man. There is plently of blame to go around for the way the NFL handles contracts with its players both with management and the players union. The players along with their union need to wise up like the NBA union did a few years ago and start to reward performance instead of potential. If this were the case, situations like this one could be avoided.
  14. Rob T
    14. Posted by Rob T Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:44 pm EDT

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    For the love of God and Ditka.... Pay the man!!!! Nothing against Gould, but maybe Hester can kick field goals too and score ALL the Bears points, and get some of that "Gould" - money, lol. But seriously, pay the man!
    Die Hard Bears Fan
  15. hairybill44
    15. Posted by hairybill44 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:15 pm EDT

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    He was drafted in the 2nd round as a CB and kick returner, he's turned into the face of the franchise (behind Urlacher's big mug) and pretty much their one and only exciting offensive player. 2 straight pro bowls.... pay the man
  16. Joanne D
    16. Posted by Joanne D Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    Yeah, pay the man for heavens sake. If a contract is a contract, then it should be for all the players. If you can break contracts to reward others then surely you should do it for this 'face of the franchise' player.
  17. TBRICO
    17. Posted by TBRICO Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:57 pm EDT

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    wait a minute people....they offered him a contract....
    they would have made him the highest paid return or special teams guy in the NFL.
    He wants to be on the same level as T.O. and Randy Moss....
    The Bears are simply saying, as a receiver you still have to prove yourself....get to camp !
    you need all the help as a receiver....last year after a whole year as a reciever, you didn't know were to line up!
  18. El Burro
    18. Posted by El Burro Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:27 pm EDT

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    Good for Hester. He deserves a new deal. He is the best player on the team and makes less than the kicker. That is a joke. The Bears need an entire new front office from ownership down. I just hope they get him signed so that he can take one to the house against the Colts.
  19. JIMIBEAR
    19. Posted by JIMIBEAR Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    The Bears said they will take care of their own. They have shown that. And they will take care of #23.
    Should it have been done sooner ? Probably. But, it will be taken care of,I have no doubt.
  20. The Dark Side
    20. Posted by The Dark Side Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    Tell Hester to come to Minnesota!! They will pay him!! Kickoffs, Punt Returns, CB!!!
  21. Time to overhaul
    21. Posted by Time to overhaul Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    I'll pay him myself if I have to!!!!!!!!!! Reward your own? Take care of your own? Bears mismanagement is really, really starting to make my blood boil. While we're at it, let's get a QB. Oh, wait - This is Chicago and according to Lovie, "we get off the bus running." Too bad the NFL game isn't played like that anymore. Too much blame, not enough McCaskey/Phillips/Angelos to go around. I'm freakin' sick of this!
  22. Stephen G
    22. Posted by Stephen G Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    Get real, Hester deserves to get paid, but as the top special teams player and a mediocre wr, he hasn't proved crap as a receiver yet. Oh, yeah the Bears have been paying Urlacher, Harris, etc. and Hester is next in line so he can wait his turn!! Those guys have a little more tenure and deserve the attention first.
  23. Bruce
    23. Posted by Bruce Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:11 pm EDT

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    The bears have not said they wont pay him more money, they are still in negotiations with his agent. He should be in camp. He is only hurting himself by not being there to take reps with the offense. He made a lot of mistakes last year, he lined up in the wrong spots and ran the wrong routes. The Bears policy in the past is not to negotiate with holdouts, some people have forgotten that there was two players who did this back in '85 and got to watch the SuperBowl from there couches.
  24. bears fan
    24. Posted by bears fan Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:02 pm EDT

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    i'm not a fan of holdouts. you sign a deal you honor it. but with the recent times of redoing deals hester does deserve the big bonus. everyone else on the roster has got new deals (some who didnt deserve it) why not your dynamic touchdownmaker. pay him. jerry, you made your bed, now you must lay in the wet spot.
  25. TKO
    25. Posted by TKO Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:16 pm EDT

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    "I'd say he better start treating Hester with the respect he deserves and give him his money, or the punchless Bears might be the first team in NFL history to go an entire season without a touchdown."
    He doesn't really think that does he?
    I say pay Hester because Marques Colston just got paid and he is from Hester's rookie class. But Hester needs to come to camp while they try to get the contract done.

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