Jacob Hester, RB

[bigunreal]

It's nice to see that Hester has managed to score two special teams TDs in the past few weeks, both on spectacular individual efforts.

Tomlinson is clearly done, and Sproles is not an every down back. The opening is there, but once again he's being denied an opportunity.

 

[Tom Iron]

bigunreal,

The league/teams are between rock and a hard place. At one level, the blacks are unraveling and the Whites are coming hard. It's getting harder to deny what people see. It'll be interesting to watch as the league continues to try to plug leaks like the Dutch boy plugging leaks in the dike with his fingers. Reality keeps gaing on the league no matter what they try.

Tom Iron...

 

[Guest]

I think the smarter management can figure out to have a competitive team year in and year out you probably need a core white group maybe up to 45% of your roster. Still there are one year wonders and teams that defy that logic like Pittsburgh, but the stats on the black teams are horrible, they disintergrate like the Titans and other teams that need a new strategic plan.

 

[celticdb15]

Well LT was released today. Whether or not Hester will get some chances to run the ball is up in the air. To be honest I'd be surprised if Hester even spoke up to say he'd like a shot and remind the chargers they drafted him pretty high for a "fullback". Pretty much accepted his role as a FB.

 

[Don Wassall]

I've read a few articles on Tomlinson being cut and not surprisingly Hester was never mentioned as being in the mix. He screwed himself by being a goodUncle Cris. Just like with Brian Leonard, the team that showed a little courage (for the NFL) by drafting him high quickly fell into line when it came to actually using him. He ought to lose 20 pounds so that it's impossible to keep him at fullback but there's no way he will, and even if he did he'd likely just be cut and out of the league. Gotta know your place and all in the NFL.

 

[Deadlift]

When I saw Hester in the Chargers' playoff game, he didn't look bulked-up.

He looked smooth, streamlined and athletic. Tolbert, on the other hand...


EDIT: If Hester lost even 10 pounds, I think he would lose the power component from his running toolbox.Edited by: Deadlift

 

[Jack Lambert]

In an ideal world, Hester would be the primary RB, with Sproles as a compiment back. Tolbert would be the main fullback then. Hester should use this oppurtunity, but we all know he won't, and he'll be the primary battering ram.

 

[bigunreal]

From today's Rotoworld:

"Chargers FB Mike Tolbert is getting first-team reps at tailback with Ryan Mathews still unsigned.

Beat writer Kevin Acee has deemed Tolbert a "player to watch" because he "can run, is explosive and can catch." The Chargers reportedly plan to "significantly" increase his usage as a ball carrier. Tolbert is 243 pounds, so we'll monitor if he pushes Mathews for short-yardage and goal-line work."

If this doesn't prove that any slow, plodding black FB is considered more worthy of carries in today's NFL than even the best white college backs, I don't know what would.

If there is such a thing as a hate crime, San Diego has perpetrated one against Jacob Hester.

 

[whiteathlete33]

Pretty pathetic stuff that Hester is relegated to fullback but I guess it's better than nothing. From Rotoworld:

Chargers FB Jacob Hester appears to have beat out Mike Tolbert for the starting job.
<div ="s_pNewsTextMain"> Hester will be used as a lead blocker, and will not have any fantasy value.</div>

 

[Colonel_Reb]

I told Jacob to demand to stay at RB, but now he'll be used as a human bowling ball until retirement. Being a "unselfish White team player" will get you nothing except an early retirement, a smaller paycheck, less notoriety, and a reputation as a doormat.
Edited by: Colonel_Reb

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

I think the best we can hope for here- is Hester being used as an H-Back and getting a few short yardage/ goal line carries- or maybe some mop up duty like Kyle Eckel and Heath Evans did before in NE. Maybe Hester will be utilized a bit more as a check down option in the receiving game too.

 

[TwentyTwo]

Jacob Hester's only carry last nite...the 6 yyard TD run was nice! Reminiscent of his college days at LSU...Glad he could come back and score at TD in his home state(and 1 catch for 4 yards)...it's sad he is barely worthy of table scraps...I would like to see him get at least 10 carries in a game!

 

[JReb1]

Hester, Hillis and Gerhart are sure 1,000 - 1,500 10 plus TD rushers that would average over 4.0 YPC yet they can't get a chance to start. People have to see that "the best players play" is BS (especially in Hillis's case, even the DWFs see he's a stud) when they outperform the starting overrated (many cases) colored RB's but continue to be underused without ANY logical explanation.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

To be fair, I think Ryan Matthews could be a special RB. I'd say he could put up numbers similar to LT, in his prime, if he stays healthy. Matthews put up incredible numbers at Fresno State. Hester however, would be a middle of the pack starting tailback and a GREAT number two back if SD would use him. He would probably look even better than a middle of the pack starter- playing in the SD pretty explosive offense- (similar situation/production to Cedric Benson). Hester should be used as Matthews primary rushing backup this year, as Sproles is more like a Kevin Faulk (3rd down receiving back). Sproles can break off an occasional 20/30 yard run to the outside, on a sweep, or on a surprise draw, but normally struggles mightily between the tackles. I'd like to see Hester get AT LEAST 8 or 9 carries a game this year. Hester, as a force to be reckoned with power back- (slightly poorer version of Marion Barber?)- being the primary backup to an all round back with a little more big play potential (Matthews)- would make sense if this wasn't the National Farce League.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

BTW, if Hester is a slightly poorer version of Marion Barber, I see Gerhart as a slightly richer version! My other comparisons for Gerhart were Steven Jackson (slightly less speed/burst), Corey Dillon or a slightly more explosive Brandon Jacobs, Cedric Benson, Peyton Hillis or Beanie Wells.

Who do you guys compare Gerhart to?

Another comparison I like for Hester would be Jerome Bettis (Hester would put up similar numbers to Bettis for the Chargers- if he stayed healthy and was used as a workhorse!)

 

[Kaptain]

I think Hester is better than Barber. When Hester got a chance at LSU he proved to be one of the best if not the best in the country. Barber is a typical flashy runner that looks good right up until contact. Although I didn't see a whole lot of film on the guy, Hester reminds me of Rocky Bleier - an undersized fullback who could run and catch. If he is playing fullback it sure would be nice to go back to the days when they actually let a fullback touch the ball once in awhile. I agree that Matthews looks pretty good - the little bit I have seen of him. The Chargers offense looks pretty good in general. Hester would look great at tailback right now too.

Hillis is a blasting type of power runner. The best comparison style-wise might be Earl Campbell.


I know it's a little cliche, but Gerhart's style I think is a lot like Riggins. He runs pretty upright and guys just seem to fall off his body as he powers through tackles (similar to how I remember Riggins) rather than the blasting style of Hillis. Hillis is more apt to take guys head on with a big collison, while Gerhart takes more angles and runs slyly off of blockers hips and never seems to get lit-up. Edited by: Kaptain Poop

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

I don't remember Hester as the best back in the country at LSU, but he was almost certainly a top 3 senior RB that year (I'd actually have to look back at NFLdraftscout to remember who came out that year). I recall both Mayock and Kiper had Hester as the 3rd senior HB in their first draft rankings, but than the whiterivals/BSPN push to label him a FB started and Kiper and Mayock backtracked.

Hester reminds me most of Jerome Bettis (who was good, but who has been incorrectly considered an all time great- he simply had a long career with a heavy workload). IMO you are underestimating Marion Barber's power for sure. The times I've seen Barber- and I've watched him a fair bit- he seems to run through tacklers quite a bit and he sheds arm tackles with ease. He also has typically averaged a good YPC. Actually I think he was at a VERY good 5 YPC a couple years back. I think Barber could handle a Cedric Benson type workload- with an even better YPC if Felix Jones wasn't there in Dallas' offense.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

BTW KP, I definitely see your other two player comparisons though.

 

[Kaptain]

We may never know how good Hester is in comparison to his peers. Every single one his peers that were drafted in front of him were given the opportunity to start. I have no doubt Hester would do awesome if he were allowed to start at tailback in that Sad Diego offense. Here's the list of those taken in front of him:

mcfadden, felix jones, chris johnson, forte, ray rice, kevin smith

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

I'd certainly prefer Chris Johnson and Ray Rice and (in most systems) Felix Jones- ahead of Hester- based on what I currently know. I like Hester better than all the rest of them, including McFadden.

 

[Kaptain]

Here's the list in order of those taken after Hester:

jamaal charles, steve slaton, tashard choice, ryan torian, tim hightower.

Hester remains the only RB not get a real chance to run the ball in the top twelve RBs taken in 2008. We see this all the time. Why would a team draft a guy somewhat high and then let him rot? All the while every single one of his peers recieve plenty of playing time. It's completely orchestrated and certainly not in the best interest of the teams to burn draft choices in the "highly competitive" NFL. Edited by: Kaptain Poop

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Out of the second list, I'd only prefer Jamaal Charles based on what I currently know- if I were an NFL GM bringing in new players to my team.

BTW, Kaptain- What do you think of a smaller Michael Bush as a comparison for Hester? Bush is another similar smash mouth RB, who will likely get a shot this year, despite being drafted a year earlier- while Hester still waits.

 

[Kaptain]

I often see the fine line between average RBs and good RBs as something I call "forward lean." These are guys that consistently seem to get the most out of each play at the end of a run. Hester has it. Emmitt Smith had it. Wes Welker has it for a WR and so does Jordan Shipley. As you can see its not necessarily power, but running or "squirting" ability to maximize your power and yardage on any play. I haven't watched as much of Michael Bush to evaluate his ability.

On the other end of the spectrum you have guys that look shifty and quick, but when you finally look at their season stats you find out that they only averaged 3.7 yards a carry and were not used on short yardage - terrible. Darrin Sproles is a great example. Lawrence Maroney is guy I think of too. Edited by: Kaptain Poop

 

[TwentyTwo]

Hester is averaging 4.2 yards per carry in his career..and a lot of those carries are in short-yardage situations...Hester has a nose for the 1st down's &amp; TD's. I was pleased(and ticked at the same time)he was named starting fullback...but still think he should get some carries at tailback/running back! He needs to be the leading rushing "Fullback" in the NFL this year...I will be watching for Leonard Weaver, Leron McClain, Owen Schmitt, John Kuhnand others to see the amount of carries they are getting.







If Jason Snelling can be a back-up RB in this league; then so can Jacob Hester! He's still only 25..so there is time entering his prime...but the hard worker he is..has become a better blocker..so his white man's reward is Mr. Fullback.

It's sad that Hester's only TD last year came on the beloved"special teams" on punt coverage; rugby-style rip the ball out of the returner's hands and turn around 40+yards the other direction...man was I stoked! It was a thing of beauty! He needs at least5 TD's this year..are maybe he should shop his skills to another team.

It's alsoa shame white RB's that fumble will benched quicker than black RB's...(he fumbled twice in 40 carries last year)...his natural playing weight is around 225...he's listed at 235...bulk him up some more to be a battering ram; it's frustrating!Edited by: TwentyTwo

 

[jaxvid]

He needs at least 5 TD's this year..or maybe he should shop his skills to another team

There are no other teams. It's a closed caste system monopoly.

If he (or you or I) want something different we can go to Canada or go to hell.