Leonardfan
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Gartrell Johnson was not to impressive so hopefully he gets cut
Leonardfan said:Gartrell Johnson was not to impressive so hopefully he gets cut
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<H2 =vitstoryline>Chargers' Jacob of all trades</H2>
Few players will be on the field more than fullback, special teamer Hester
SAN DIEGO - Chargers fullback Jacob Hester rushed onto the field for Saturday night's opening exhibition game and threw the lead block for return man Buster Davis, as the Chargers offense started its first drive on the 31-yard line.
The ex-Louisiana State star approached the sideline, paused and pivoted around, mixing in with the starting offense.
After a first possession three and out, which the starting fullback sat out only on third-and-long, Mike Scifres booted a 55-yard punt, as Hester chased after the ball from his upback position to tackle Justin Forsett from behind.
The Chargers' No. 1 utility player could finally rest.
"Aw man, that's fun. Just to get down there and to get a tackle," Hester said. "I tried to get (the ball) out. I almost did. But it feels good doing stuff like that."
Hester, a second-year pro who gained eight pounds of muscle in the offseason, started in place of injured Mike Tolbert during Week 16 last season and will be the starting fullback this season.
During two postseason games, the rookie caught three passes for 19 yards, and the Chargers were pleased with what they saw from Hester, who was named the starter before summer camp got under way.
Tolbert played the majority of the second half last Saturday, and he said he plans to challenge the decision with his work ethic.
"Of course there is going to be competition," said Tolbert, who had 13 catches for 131 yards and one touchdown last season. "I'm not going to just give him the job. I'm going to work for it, too. It's a good battle. But we are best friends, roommates (during training camp). He's going to do a good job."
On the Chargers' lone scoring drive of the first half, Hester ran three different passing routes, though backup quarterback Billy Volek couldn't hit him with a pass. The one time Volek did hook up with Hester came after tight end Kris Wilson caught a 32-yard pass to position the Chargers inside the 10-yard line.
On the next play, Hester caught a 5-yard pass but was brought down by Seattle linebacker Will Herring 2 yards shy of the end zone. San Diego called a timeout, and Hester trotted near the sideline, briefly talking to running backs coach Ollie Wilson.
"He was giving me a hard time. He told me to get in the end zone," Hester said with a smile. "I wanted to get in. But I like getting them rushing touchdowns, too."
Play resumed, and the 5-foot-11, 225-pound Hester took off from an offset right position to pave the way for Michael Bennett's touchdown.
But the fullback could only celebrate for so long, as Hester lined up on the kickoff team, his third different special teams play of the night. He overran the return man, Devin Moore.
"I've always been a big special teams guy," Hester said. "This year shouldn't be any different. I should be on three or four (special teams) at least and offense as well, of course."
Hester sat out the whole second half, spending some of the free time chatting with third-string running back Billy Lasko, Chargers star LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles.
"He's doing a tremendous job for us," Tomlinson said. "One thing where he has improved the most is helping out other guys on the way to his block. If he has a linebacker, sometimes he chips that defensive lineman to open up that hole a little bit more before he gets to that block."
But when it comes to setting goals, Hester, a blue-collar guy, is mainly concerned about those who receive the most glory. To see Tomlinson and Sproles rush for more than 1,000 yards this season would be all the reward he needs.
"Every goal I have is just for L.T. and Darren to have a great season," Hester said. "If they have a good season, that means I was doing my job."
Rookie RB Gartrell Johnson will make the Chargers' final roster, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
This puts Michael Bennett's roster spot in jeopardy. Johnson is averaging just 3.5 yards per preseason carry, but the Bolts "like his potential" and he's a potential power complement to Darren Sproles if LaDainian Tomlinson goes down. Jacob Hester will not be carrying the football this season.
referendum said:Awesome writing Tough J, you are caste football's very own inhouse poet.
Westside said:Hester's mind set and "happiness" on being on the field rather demanding or requesting that he be a tailback or runningback, not a fullback or special teams guy is part of the reason the caste system gets traction. It is almost subservant to the Affelets and the white interlopers. Its going to be hard to change the caste systems with white athelets and the management knowing their place and how to "run" a team. F..k!
bigunreal said:Well said, Bear Backer. I have to agree with your ultra bleak but clearly true sentiments. The DWFs are the key- there is not enough interest otherwise among the rest of America to keep spectator sports afloat. Without these misguided, brainwashed whites, the NFL and NBA would be drawing crowds similar to professional soccer.
Not enough blacks attend these games to make them profitable. Newer immigrant groups (asians, middle easterners, etc.) simply don't have the interest. Older whites, with a few exceptions, can't afford the outrageous prices, although many would still love to be there. That leaves the young white males, who are the only group willing to fork over most of their limited incomes on ticket prices and absurdly overpriced food and drink (especially their beloved beer).
Those of us who have attempted to show them the clear cut evidence of discrimination against Mike Hass, Matt Jones and countless other highly skilled white players, know how hard it is to reason with them. They are like heroin addicts, and will not give up their drug without a tremendous fight.
Our best hope lies in the continuing economic woes all Americans- including DWFs- face. At some point, it just may not be feasible for these brainwashed zombies to attend the games and drink the beer. Any of the major sports losing attendance and losing money is a very good thing for the rest of us.