Jacob Hester, RB

[Synapse to synapse]

While I was not overly enthused upon the completion of that article, I'm trying to look at the positive side of things (which I do believe are present).

I would love for there to be a white featured RB in the NFL, and Hester being one of my favorite players, it'd be awesome if it were him. No doubt, he has the ability to perform at the level, but given the circumstances, it just doesn't seem to be happening.

Hester seemed accepting and optimistic (even enjoying the fact a little) of his role. He's remaining steadfast, calm, and determined. He's not complaining or crying about being forced to bulk up, or work out, or play this position or that position. His will to do what his team wants and needs of him should speak wonders about his character to his coaches, which hopefully brings increased opportunity for him. It's certainly better to see a favorite player on the field in any role, than sitting on the sidelines, or at home on the couch (out of the league). I agree, it is unfortunatne Jacob Hester isn't getting many carries or balls thrown his way, but the article did say they still want to use him to run, so he could very easily become a versatile FB who gets the brunt of screen passes or short yardage situations (possibly akin to someone like Alstott or Kleinsasser, or even non-FBs like Chris Cooley, Dallas Clark).

Anyway, here's the positives I found:

Hester looks powerful these days, but he hasn't gotten too big for his
own good. He's moving well, and the added size doesn't prevent him from
being a productive pass catcher and occasional runner out of the
backfield.

It says he's gotten more powerful, and a bit bigger, but not overly big. He's not slowed down (apparently), and it mentions he'll still be used as a pass catcher and runner. So...basically all that's happened is he's gotten stronger, which isn't a negative at all!

"There was a time this offseason when I was trying to gain a bunch of
muscle for playing fullback," Hester said last week. "But I got to a
point where they stopped me and said, 'Don't forget that you still need
to run the ball a little bit,' which meant they didn't want me to gain
too much weight.

The bolded part, specificially. Goes without saying, the coaches don't want to completley transform him into a blocking manbeast. They want him to retain his agility, speed, and RB style. If the coaches of all people aren't writing him off, then there is still hope for him at any position (RB specifically).

"It's pretty easy," Hester said. "You go home, let the wife cook and
eat 'til you can't eat anymore. Then you work out like crazy and try to
turn it into muscle. But in order to maintain the weight you want, you
really have to watch your diet."

He's remaining optimistic, and even beign jocular about his new role. Who wouldn't enjoy being able to eat like a glutton?

As long as he's working out hard and increasing his strength and muscles, and seeing results, he's probably happy about his current position.

Desire has sparked Hester to become bigger, faster and stronger. His
goal is to maintain the work he has done and prove himself worthy of a
starting spot and such a diverse offensive role when training camp
arrives.

Last of all, as mentioned, he's working on his entire football self. Strength and speed. With so much versatility pervading, there's no way he won't see plenty of time this season, even if it's not always (or even most often) at the RB position.

Here's to hoping, anyways.

Edited by: Synapse to synapse

 

[StarWars]

Nice analysis. I still think San diego should do away with Tomlinson, get some money for him, and use sproles and Hester. Sproles is an excellent scat back and use hester for running. Tomlinson is unreliable and stinks when it matters, and is expensive. The Chargers found a way to play Hester a lot, at least, so at least they recognize his talent.

 

[white is right]

I don't think he has the frame to be a true blocking back ie Moose. He could be a hybrid power back similar to what Hillis was last season(but smaller). I just wish teams still utilized backs like this for more than 100 carries a year.

 

[Don Wassall]

The Chargers drafted tailback Gartrell Johnson in the 4th round in April. He's 220 pounds. Hester right now is the fourth string running back at best behind Tomlinson, Sproles and Johnson.

There was a slight bit of hope with Tomlinson declining and Sproles likely too small to handle a featured back role, but the drafting of Johnson seals the deal, especially given the way Hester was moved over to fullback only during the course of last season despite running very well when he had some chances. The only hope is for a string of injuries ala what happened with Denver last year and even then a journeyman would probably be signed rather than Hester get a shot.

 

[dwid]

Johnson ran a 4.75 didnt he?, Hester definetly should be ahead of him on the depth chart, and Sproles is nothing but a change of pace back. LT is declining. That would be ridiculous to see Hester blocking for Johnson who is slower.

 

[Jack Lambert]

Johnson ran a 4.75 didnt he?, Hester definetly should be ahead of him on the depth chart, and Sproles is nothing but a change of pace back. LT is declining. That would be ridiculous to see Hester blocking for Johnson who is slower.

Only in the caste system do we see such lunacy. A faster guy blocking for a slow lard like Johnson.

If La'Ron McClain was on the Chargers, Hester would probably have to block for him too. Edited by: Jack Lambert

 

[dwid]

We might have two White guys blocking for slower black guys if Hillis is used as a blocker for Moreno who ran a 4.63, I think Torrain runs like a 4.64 , not sure what the other running backs run in Denver. Hillis ran a 4.58 but on most sites it got changed to in the 4.6's. Hester ran a 4.6, that will probably get changed so most fans dont pick up what is going on.

hopefully it doesnt come down to this though and they both get a shot to run the ball. A good deal arleady know Hillis can do it in the NFL. Its obvious Hester can from the few garbage time carries he got and still averaged a decent amount on them. Plus he rushed for over 1,000 yards in the SEC, supposedly the best conference in college football.Edited by: dwid

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

to see yet another blatant example of the Caste System, compare Jacob Hester's career to that of Joseph Addai's ...


in college, they both played running back at LSU. same school, same conference. as a rookie, Addai was busy being annointed as "the future at tailback" in Indianapolis. meanwhile, despite having a much more successful collegiate career, Hesterwas being typecast(e) as a fullback in San Diego.
the White guy definitively kicks more ass at the same position, and even leads his team to the National Championship. yet he's somehow not good enough to earn a job carrying the football in the NFL and will have to artificially bloat his bodyto be a battering ram for lesser men. the negro, however, despite his lesser accomplishments and talent, possesses a charismatic, room brightening smile that allows him to hip swivel his way into the tailback spot.

the reason for the different treatment is as plain as black and White.Edited by: Jimmy Chitwood

 

[whiteCB]

I remember Jason Sehorn saying a while back that he knew he was a CB not a safety and pressed the issue. He was confident in his abilities and talent to be a NFL CB. Hester is one of those good ol' "Yes Sir" kind of guys. He's not the type to go against a coach or authority figure when they tell him something. Alas Hester would never challenge a coaches decision to put at FB and say, "But coach I want to be a HB and know I'm good enough...blah blah". Even at LSU Hester's role as a HB was all Les Miles' doing and none at the urging of Hester himself.

 

[TorontoArgos]

White people in general respect authority and rarely second guess their instructions. Especially being the minority in the NFL and NCAA, it seems like they are just "happy to be there" and will do "whatever it takes to stay there."

We need our guys to have more of a sense of entitlement, and be less of pushovers.

 

[forty-four]

"Jacob Hester will never be Lorenzo Neal -- few are -- as Neal, it can be argued, was among the greatest fullbacks to ever play the game. Certainly one of the top fullbacks to ever suit up as a member of the Chargers. But as Hester enters his second year, he does so knowing that his rookie campaign revealed he needs add some meat to his frame."

For the rest go to http://louisianastate.scout.com/a.z?s=107&p=2&c=873588

 

[celticdb15]

Sick

 

[Jack Lambert]

There may be some up for Hester yet, I've been reading a fantasy football magazine, and they have Hester listed as the 3rd RB for the year, and I read a foxsports article a couple of weeks ago that still has Hester as a RB.

 

[White Power]

yes I beleive he is still a runningback as well.

 

[whiteCB]

yes I beleive he is still a runningback as well.

You guys are fooling yourselves. Say if Hester actually did get into the game in a single back set. It'd probably be on a third down and Hester would be back there for pass protection. Maybe at most he'll get a couple carries on 3rd or 4th and 1 scenarios. Hester's a FB get used to it.

 

[celticdb15]

Il have to agree w\ whiteCB on this one. No need to be naive. He has embraced his new role as a battering ram and heck he gets to ease up on his diet too!

 

[Don Wassall]

Hester and Leonard both drafted in the second round (just like Rob Konrad a decade ago) and both completely wasted despite being outstanding running backs against top-flight college competition. Leonard has a slight opportunity in Cincy, but as of now Hester is completely screwed.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

I know Leonard was a 2nd rounder, but I thought Hester was a third round pick.

Both these guys would be above average starting RBs I think, with Hester being another Jerome Bettis (with a better YPC average in the dynamic Chargers offense) if used properly. Leonard is a Steven Jackson type with slightly less 10 yard burst, but better pass catching skills.

If Leonard could improve his vision to follow blockers a little more he'd be DAMN GOOD!

 

[backrow]

from the rotoworld.com:

The Chargers are expected to employ 2008 third-round pick Jacob Hester as more of a lead blocker this season.

Hester, who had knee surgery after an unproductive rookie year, added eight pounds in the offseason. LaDainian Tomlinson attributed his 2008 struggles to losing lead blocker Lorenzo Neal, but Hester is unlikely to be the answer.
Source: San Diego Union-Tribune

 

[Jack Lambert]

What a wasted pick for this team. They draft Hester in the 3rd round to be a fullback? Hester should be getting snaps at RB.

Weird how the Chargers have gone to being one of my favorite teams to me just rooting for Weddle, Rivers, Gregory, and Hester (when he gets time.)

 

[whiteathlete33]

We should have expected this one coming Jack. Hester was considered a fullback by many coming into the draft. Whenever that happens the white is guarenteed a spot at fullback.

 

[dwid]

from the rotoworld.com:

The Chargers are expected to employ 2008 third-round pick Jacob Hester as more of a lead blocker this season.

Hester, who had knee surgery after an unproductive rookie year, added eight pounds in the offseason. LaDainian Tomlinson attributed his 2008 struggles to losing lead blocker Lorenzo Neal, but Hester is unlikely to be the answer.
Source: San Diego Union-Tribune

what a freaking cop out for LT. Blaming someone else for why he wasn't as good last year. Hes old. Most runningbacks lose a step by the time they are 30, especially someone that has been used as a workhorse. In a fair world LT's role should be reduced, Hester get more carries and Sproles come in as a change of pace back.

 

[WHITE NOISE]

F the Chargers. They have all but ruined Hester's career.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

maybe things aren't as bad as we're thinking in San Diego ...

Chargers fullback Jacob Hester has found his ideal playing weight. The magic number is 238 pounds, or 13 pounds heavier than he was last season. The extra weight allows him to be a true hybrid back, one who can block efficiently and still produce with ball in hand.


He was as high as 242 pounds during minicamp, but the coaching staff suggested he trim down.


"They put me at a goal weight, and I was able to hit it," said Hester, who weighed 250 briefly in high school. "It was easy to gain the weight, and it doesn't bother me as far as moving around is concerned. I'm comfortable where I' m at, and I'm ready to get after it. If I can stay at this weight, I'm going to be fine."

Hester is multi-talented, and hopefully this is a sign that the coaches will still gameplan for him to make plays with the ball.

 

[backrow]

he only had 1 catch in last night's game... no carries for Jacob.