Figurs watches Hester
As a high school senior, Yamon Figurs smoked Devin Hester in the 100-meter dash at state championships.
As a college senior, Figurs watched Hester, a rookie with the Chicago Bears, smoke the rest of the league with his kickoff and punt returns.
As a rookie with the Ravens, Figurs has put both those experiences to use.
"It was always on TV,'' Figurs said of Hester's explosive debut a year ago. "It gave the opportunity for me (to get drafted in the third round) because it opened up a lot of eyes. That took the Bears to the Super Bowl.''
Since replacing the injured B.J. Sams against the New York Jets two weeks ago, Figurs is doing a pretty good imitation of what Hester did a year ago. He ran back a kickoff 61 yards against the Jets and then broke off a 75-yarder for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday.
Figurs leads the NFL in kick return average (38.3 yards) and is second to Hester in punt returns (19.0). Each has returned a punt for a touchdown.
Asked if he expects the Cleveland Browns to try to kick away from this Sunday, Figurs said, "They're going to kick the ball, They ain't going to play no different. It's got to be something spectacular, you've got to do it 20 times in a row.''
Mike Preston has been with The Baltimore Sun since 1983. Prior to becoming a columnist in 2000, he covered the Ravens for four years. Preston is a native of Essex and a graduate of Towson State University, where he played football. 
Jamison Hensley covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun. 
Comments
this guy is a monster..
Posted by: Josh | September 27, 2007 7:37 PM
With the defense seemingly working out the kinks and both quarterbacks sharing time in the offense, this team will need an x-factor to even think of being compared to the Colts or the Patriots. That comparison would come to a head in the playoffs. Let's hope that Figurs can stay healthy and keep a good thing going. Great job blocking on returns by the other 10 guys as well.
Posted by: Doug | September 28, 2007 6:06 PM