A Final Word on Jacob Hester

by Emmett Smith on Jul 22, 2008 1:06 AM MDT Comment 15 comments

Patriotic Obsession: Chargers Enter '08 season with One Goal in Mind

...(AJ) Smith even swung a deal this year with the team he's chasing, giving up a fifth-rounder this year and a second-round pick next year to New England in order to take LSU's multi-purpose running back Jacob Hester in the third round. The idea was in part to give the Patriots defense, with its aging set of linebackers, another weapon to defend

find it here. The article lays out AJ Smith's obsession with catching the Pats. Could that obsession have lead to wasting a pick or over-paying for Hester?

Let's be clear - I like the Jacob Hester pick. It got the Chargers a solid player, one who projects to be a journeyman-type - good attitude, work habits, and some level of skill with flexibility at RB. He seems to be the kind that is called a 'football player' - he's probably not going to knock your socks off (although we'll see), but he cares, he works very hard, is great in the locker room and he tries like heck to do his job; no one ever seems to have too many of those kinds of players. The Chargers have great depth, and don't need much right now. They are picking for the future here.

Even so, I don't like what they paid for this pick. The fifth rounder is fine, perhaps, but second round picks are usually in short supply. They are a chance to get a starter with a lower price tag. High levels of talent are there if you can sperate the wheat from the chaff.

In essence, regardless of what year they are paid, the Bolts paid a second, a third and a fifth for this player - it seems like a very high cost for this kind of player.

Guru pointed out (fanpost July 17 '08):

Peyton Hillis - Height: 6-03/4 | Weight: 240 | 40-Time: 4.58

Jacob Hester - Height: 5-105/8 | Weight: 226 | 40-Time: 4.62

Hillis is bigger and faster than Hester. Obviously, the San Diego Chargers, who drafted Hester early in the 3rd Round felt differently. Over 150 players were drafted after the Chargers took Hester, while Hillis waited. What was the reason?

It's a good question. But, even with the Hillis question aside - for that price, Is AJ's obsession getting the better of him, or did the Bolts see something that all the rest of us missed?

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Nice post Bear....Here's my take.

I think AJ can see the window closing on a SB. I honestly believe it was there for the taking last season, and feel if they had of played Billy Volek instead of Phillip Rivers they may have won that New England game.
They lost Turner in free agency, cut Lorenzo Neal (these 2 moves will effect the Chargers more than anyone thinks), LT has some wear on those tires and rhe whole offense is prediacted on LT. He is their running game, the outlet option for Rivers,helps Gates get open as LB’s will cover LT etc, etc.
If they lose LT they are in struggle street.
AJ bought in a hybrid like Hester to try and cover 2 positions. Now I know Norv does not use a lead blocking scheme like Marty did, but they must not be sold on Pinnock either at FB.
This move reeks of a little desperation, and also a worry that LT maybe losing a bit. If LT goes down, then the Chargers are in for a long season. Can you say the word “Blitz” Philip Rivers, and his stats are pretty horrendous against all ot blitz defenses.
Peace.

by boydy2669 on Jul 22, 2008 5:49 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Hester

AJ wasn’t quite that profligate, we paid a second rounder and a fifth rounder for NE’s third rounder. And while you hear a second rounder for a third rounder and say, yikes too much, if you look at it more closely, the Bolts second rounder next year is likely to be similar to this years at 57. The third rounder we got was 69, so a 12 position move, it could end up being less depending on how the Chargers do. We are going to have eight picks next year with compensatory choices for Turner & Florence, so I think we will be able to trade some of those back up into higher picks.

The other issue is that this year and next the Chargers are very deep with talent, only so many draft picks are going to make this team, it makes some sense to me to over pay for a few players that are exactly what you want (Weddle & Hester).

The Bolts are sold on Pinnock, Hester just makes a good backup should he go down; Hester is expected to play most of his time at tailback. He is likely to become a short yardage option; it sure would be interesting to see Hester at RB with Pinnock as FB. If the worst happened and LT went down, I would expect more of a RB by committee between him & Sproles (and maybe Thomas if he makes it). That kind of change of pace might well be very effective. You all might be right that AJ overpaid; that is certainly the conventional wisdom. I see a lot of upside and withhold judgment.

"He's doing everything a receiver would do except catch the ball." Mike Shanahan

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jul 22, 2008 9:20 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Good to hear from you DB

As I mentioned, I like the pick. I also understand the issue of depth and wanting a particular piece for the team, and there is some sense in that as well.

Two possibilities also arise, though. One is that paying a 5th and a 2nd to get a third, and using that third, is a high price tag. Next year might be around 57, or not – we’ll see as the season goes on, but that doesn’t change things all that much.

I used this chance to bring up a second possibility. You can start see this team, which I agree is deep and talented and feel that this piece is fine. You might also want to look at who will be able to start for you consistently in 2 – 3 years and lock them in at a lower cost. It’s just a different perspecive.

Or, you might look at Thomas, who may be a stronger candidate at RB. You know that if LDT goes down that you have a hole and Sproles may not be who you want. So, if you are picking up a piece, perhaps it should be one that you would feel good plugging in and counting on. Hester Is a solid guy as I noted, but you may need to fill in for LDT, and I don’t see that in his skillset.

Scott Wright summed this up:

A ‘tweener who may not have a true pro position, Hester played running back as a senior but was being scouted as a fullback prospect by most. You can’t discount Hester’s intangibles, which are unparalleled, but the bottom line is he lacks the speed and quickness to play running back in the pros but he doesn’t have the bulk or blocking ability to be a traditional fullback either. Interestingly enough word is the Chargers plan to play Hester at tailback, where he will presumably compete to replace Michael Turner as LaDainian Tomlinson’s primary backup. I have my doubts as to how that will work out and if “L.T.” went down I’m not sure I’d be comfortable with Hester as my starter if I were San Diego but he is certainly a versatile weapon who can run, catch and block.

Time will tell, and I like the Thomas pick so AJ may have covered himself. I would note that when you spend heavy on a backup because you are deep right now, you may see problems down the line that you don’t have the person to fill in. But you’re right – he has a good upside, and time will tell.

Think where man's glory most begins and ends,
And let me say my glory was I had such friends
-Yeats-

by Emmett Smith on Jul 22, 2008 11:19 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

When I look at SD's RB situation

including FB and guys like Hester, the first thing that comes to mind is just how great their offensive line is. #1 or #2 in all of the NFL right now. Offhand I would say Dallas is up there, but I really don’t watch Dallas much, I am just familiar with the probowlers and the experience they have on the line.

I don’t think anyone can be charged with filling LDT’s shoes should he go down, but under Norv it really seems like the SD offense is getting a grasp of all of its dimensions. In fact I would say the only player that it would really hurt SD to lose (besides oline) on offense would be Gates.

LDT is a great RB, but he is just a RB. He can be replaced, even if you have to use two (or three) players to match his production.

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on Jul 22, 2008 12:38 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am not sold on LT's back ups

last year they had the “Burner” Turner. (man, I hated hearing that friggin name) But Spoles and whoever they have this year, I am not sold yet. Then again it may not matter if their OL is healthy as it was 2 years ago.

by broncfanstuckinsd on Jul 22, 2008 12:48 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

The one thing AJ did during the draft that bothered me was an error of omission. We didn’t get an Olineman until the last round. The Chargers must be a lot more comfortable with the backups than I am. They did pick up Newberry to back up Hardwick, but I’m not convinced he will be good at guard or tackle. If there is a chance this season goes down the tubes, it will be due to injuries on the Offensive line.

"He's doing everything a receiver would do except catch the ball." Mike Shanahan

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jul 22, 2008 2:11 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

whast your thoughts

I heard today on 1360 that gates was about 65%, I do think he will be fine by the time the season starts. Hoe about that the Chargers have said that they have given their final offer to Cason. Do ya think its posturing on SD’s part. I dont know if he would have beaten out Oliver for the nickleback position

by broncfanstuckinsd on Jul 22, 2008 3:06 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is Cason

holding out?

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on Jul 22, 2008 3:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

ohhhh yea

by broncfanstuckinsd on Jul 22, 2008 4:00 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm still worried

I saw a bit of Gates workout on the local news, but the Chargers have also put him up as a potential PUP, which would mean six weeks. The Chargers have shown with Rivers, Jammer, Gates and a number of others that they will do without before cutting a deal. I think they’re serious and if the kid doesn’t get in camp in the next few days it could be a long one. I read that they’re close, hopefully Cason will take the offer. From the sound of it, he may well beat out Oliver for the nickel if he gets his butt in camp.

The other thing I liked about Hester was that the one thing he reportedly told his agent was to make sure the deal was done before training camp; when was the last time you heard that?

"He's doing everything a receiver would do except catch the ball." Mike Shanahan

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jul 22, 2008 3:47 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Cason

is doing himself no favors.
Did ya hear one of the Steriod boys is about to sign an extension. I am talking about Castillo. It will lock him up until 2014.

by broncfanstuckinsd on Jul 22, 2008 4:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs