Devin Hester prompts changes in Bucs' plan

TAMPA — The last time the Bucs saw Falcons PR/WR Devin Hester, he was striking a "Prime Time" pose on his way to the end zone with an NFL-record 20th return for a touchdown. That one came on a 62-yard punt return in the Falcons' 56-14 rout Sept. 18 at the Georgia Dome. The return broke the record of 19 held by Hester's idol, Deion Sanders.

Hester, who played his first eight seasons with the Bears under now-Bucs coach Lovie Smith, also had a 20-yard end around for a touchdown in the game.

Smith had a ringside seat for most of Hester's feats in Chicago. But now he has to devise ways to stop him before Sunday's game against the Falcons.

"You have some options," Smith said. "One of them is to say, 'Hey, we're going to stop him. He puts on his cleats like everybody else does.' Another one, of course, is try to keep the ball out of his hands. Punt it higher to be able to get coverage down there.

"We have a few different options. We will at least change up the game plan a little bit from last time."


(tampabay.com)