Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens: Grading The 2016 Free Agents

By Joe Schiller

Aug 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks with defensive back Eric Weddle (32) before the game against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks with defensive back Eric Weddle (32) before the game against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devin Hester (14) recovers his own fumble during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Ravens 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devin Hester (14) recovers his own fumble during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Ravens 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Devin Hester

It is hard to not be intrigued when your team signs the best kick/punt returner in NFL history.

Devin Hester could make the Hall of Fame solely on his return game, which is crazy. He came into the league as a wide receiver, but was never fully used as one. His specialty and dominance came in the return game. After a great career with the Bears, Hester spent 2 years with the Falcons before joining the Ravens. He would try to serve as the return threat that the Ravens had been missing since Jacoby Jones.

It quickly became clear that this was not the same Devin Hester as before. He rarely brought out a kick-off and fumbled the ball 4 times on punt returns.

I do not even know how to describe it. It was like he did not even want to catch the football. Time and time again he would let punts roll past him. His inability to catch the ball put the Ravens offense in terrible situations. They were constantly starting drives from inside of the 10 yard line.
 The team finally had enough and cut Hester after the game against the New England Patriots. 
Hester had a great career as a returner, but was a waste of money for the Ravens.

Grade: F

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