If Jets coach Rex Ryan has his way, Bears kickoff and punt returner Devin Hester won't be adding to his NFL record Sunday when New York faces the Bears at Soldier Field.
Ryan says the Jets will kick the ball away from Hester, who had a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown Monday night in Minneapolis, the 14th return touchdown of his career. That moved him ahead of Brian Mitchell for the NFL's all-time top spot.
"I think it's pretty safe to say we're planning on not kicking to him," Ryan said Wednesday in a teleconference with Chicago media. "I think you can write that down as everybody else I'm sure doesn't want to kick to him.
"I don't think you can deal with him. As a returner, it's ridiculous. He's got to go down as the best punt returner in the history of the game."
Ryan says the Jets will kick the ball away from Hester, who had a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown Monday night in Minneapolis, the 14th return touchdown of his career. That moved him ahead of Brian Mitchell for the NFL's all-time top spot.
"I think it's pretty safe to say we're planning on not kicking to him," Ryan said Wednesday in a teleconference with Chicago media. "I think you can write that down as everybody else I'm sure doesn't want to kick to him.
"I don't think you can deal with him. As a returner, it's ridiculous. He's got to go down as the best punt returner in the history of the game."
Hester still could get his chances. It's not easy to kick the ball out of bounds every time, especially in an outdoor stadium where wind and footing can be issues.
The Vikings were kicking the ball out of bounds Monday night. It just so happened that Chris Kluwe's punt didn't make it all of the way to the boundary and Hester was able to field it just outside the numbers. It's also difficult for punters to angle for the sideline when they are pinned deep in their own territory. So, yes, Hester will get his chances from time to time even when the plan is to kick away from him.
How is it he keeps getting the ball if everyone wants to kick away from him?
"I have no idea," Ryan said. "I hope the ball when we kick doesn't go to him."
The Vikings were kicking the ball out of bounds Monday night. It just so happened that Chris Kluwe's punt didn't make it all of the way to the boundary and Hester was able to field it just outside the numbers. It's also difficult for punters to angle for the sideline when they are pinned deep in their own territory. So, yes, Hester will get his chances from time to time even when the plan is to kick away from him.
How is it he keeps getting the ball if everyone wants to kick away from him?
"I have no idea," Ryan said. "I hope the ball when we kick doesn't go to him."
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