Strictly as a Punt Returner going forward, Marcus Sherels is a better option than the soon to be former Bear Devin Hester.
With all due respect to Mr. Hester and his three All-Pro selections, NFL record 13 career punt return Tds & record 20 career combined punt & kick return Tds, his spot on the 2000s All Decade Team, and 8-seasons of being the most dangerous return man in football, his time is waning.
As the future Pompey the Great remarked to then Roman Dictator Sulla, “More people worship the rising sun than the setting sun.” Hester’s sun is setting while Sherel’s is rising.
Marcus’ sun may never rise as high or be as bright as Hester’s in the overall sky, but he’s a better option right now and into the future for three main reasons: Age/Cost, Current/Future Production, and Other Contributions
Age/Cost
Hester’s best years are behind him, dare I say far behind him. He’ll turn 32 during the 2014 season, while Marcus will turn 27 in September.
Sherels recently re-signed a modest two-year $2.2 million deal, avoiding Restricted Free Agency. That’s a bargain for a player with the 2nd highest punt return average in the League in 2013.
That’s a far cry from the 4-year $22 million contract that Hester signed in 2010 at age 28. And likely significantly less than Hester will settle for on the open market even at an advanced age.
Current/Future Production
Devin Hester is still the name brand when it comes to returning punts (Coca-Cola), while Marcus Sherels is less regarded (Store Brand Cola). But MS has actually out preformed DH the past two years statistically.
Sherels has averaged 9.0 and 15.2 yards/punt return in 2012 and 2013 respectively, including 2 return Tds. Meanwhile Hester has manged only 8.3 and 14.2 yds/pr and 1 TD during those same years.
Given comparative age & years remaining in the NFL , it’s not a stretch to believe this trend of the past two seasons will continue and the statistical gap may even widen in Marcus’ favor.
Other Contributions
You could argue that Hester also adds value in the kick return game, but I’d counter that Marcus’ career kick return average (27.1 yards/kick return on 32 attempts) would rank 3rd among Hester’s KR averages per season. Sherels has KR ability, but isn’t needed in that role because the Vikings have 2013 All-Pro Cordarrelle Patterson doing work back there.
Also Marcus is a serviceable 4th/5th Corner. The type of position player contribution that Hester never achieved in his 8-year NFL career – at CB or WR. Plus Marcus also plays on other special teams units – kickoff, kick return, punt coverage, etc. Advantage Sherels.
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Do I think Sherels will have a borderline Hall of Fame career like Hester? No I don’t. But over the next five years, my money’s on Sherels over Hester.
Our love for Marcus has been well documented – on the blog & podcast – but in this argument we have logic & reason on our side instead of blind biasedness. (Mostly)
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