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Baltimore Ravens: Devin Hester to Return Kicks? No Thanks

By Joe Serpico

Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester (17) returns a punt in the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Panthers defeated the Falcons 38-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester (17) returns a punt in the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Panthers defeated the Falcons 38-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens are in need of a kick returner, but Devin is not the answer.

The greatest kick returner of all time is on the market. The Baltimore Ravens are looking for someone to return kicks. It seems like a match made in heaven.

Devin Hester owns the NFL record for most career return touchdowns (20) and punt return touchdowns (14). He was dynamic with the ball in his hands and most teams refused to kick to him.

Let’s emphasis on the word was. Now 33-years old, Hester is coming off a toe injury and begging NFL teams to give him call.

The truth is that if NFL teams thought Hester was still half the player he used to be, someone would have already scooped him up. The fact that no team has brought him in shows that few think he still has anything left in the tank.

The problem with Hester is he is a one-trick pony. The Chicago Bears tried him at cornerback and wide receiver, but he was a liability on the field on both sides of the ball.

The Ravens already have enough tough roster decisions to make for players with more to offer. Baltimore is loaded with talent at the skill positions. As we noted yesterday in a prediction of which playmakers make the team, there are already several players that are going to find new homes after the preseason.

By adding Hester, it takes a spot away from an extra corner, receiver, tight end or running back that the Ravens are already going to struggle to keep on the roster. With the NFL doing its best to eliminate returns, why add a player who is rarely going to help the team anyways?

Michael Campanaro and Keenan Reynolds are battling it out for the punt return duties. Campanaro offers more as a returner and a receiver, which puts him in the lead for the job.

We have seen Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon return kicks in the preseason. The Ravens want to get the ball in these guys hands anyway they can, whether it is on offense or special teams.

Next: Predicting Which Skill Position Players Make Roster

That cannot be said for Hester. On top of that, Hester is going to command a decent salary to bring him in when their are younger and cheaper rosters already in the fold.

The Ravens should figure out Hester’s phone number. Not to give him a call, but to block his number. Baltimore does not need his services.

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