Bears move Hester to WR

[Bruce=GOAT]

Record-setting kick returner moving to offense for Bears
May 14, 2007

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- Devin Hester is taking his game-breaking skills to the Chicago Bears' offense.

Hester set an NFL record last year for kick returns for touchdowns, and he started off the Super Bowl with a 92-yard kickoff runback for a touchdown. He rarely played on anything but special teams, though, and when he did, it was as a cornerback.

Now, the Bears will try him as a wide receiver.

Coach Lovie Smith said Monday the All-Pro return specialist will make the switch beginning with the upcoming minicamp.

"I think Devin Hester is one of the most exciting players in the NFL with his hands on the football," Smith told ChicagoBears.com. "I think he would be an excellent defensive back, also. We just feel that this is in the best interest of us and him for him to achieve his full potential as a football player."

Smith also expects to use Hester in the backfield at times.

"Right now we're not going to put any limits on it," Smith said. "We have a new piece to the puzzle. We're anxious to see what we can do with him and the role that he'll develop into.

"There are a lot of different ways we can go. You can make a case for him being a slot receiver. You can make a case for him being a single receiver when we go to our two-tight end, two-running back packages. You can make a case for him from the running back position.

"He's an offensive weapon right now. That's the only limit we put on him."

In college for the Miami Hurricanes, Hester played receiver, running back, cornerback and returned kicks. The Bears chose him in the second round of the 2006 draft with the idea he could play either offense or defense, but would see much time on special teams.

He was sensational as a kick returner, with three punts run back for touchdowns and a 12.8-yard average, and two touchdowns and a 26.4-yard average on kickoff returns. Against the Rams, he had two returns for scores, and against the Giants he went 108 yards with a missed field goal.

Hester was not thinking about moving to offense.

"We had several meetings until I just really said that there's no I in team, and however I can help the team I'm willing to do it," Hester said. "It's going to be a great experience. I'm just going to go over there and try to give a little spark to the offense. There will be more opportunities to make big plays and I think it's a great idea."

So does offensive coordinator Ron Turner, who used Hester for just one play on offense last season. He couldn't handle a low pass from Rex Grossman on that play.

"I've been recruiting him for about 13 months and I finally got him," Turner said. "He's an elite player when he gets the ball in his hands, and I'm excited about the opportunity to help him get the ball in his hands -- not just returning

[itsguud]

He's waaaay too small. He'll be injured after one blind sided hit. I know hes used to people having a full-field straight-on run at him; but I think getting hit hard side on while going up for a ball, is gonna be a lot different. All the same should be fun to watch.

[smizzhfx]

Give him hitches, screens, quick-hits, etc. then. Just don't make him go across the middle.

[The Shredder]

He's waaaay too small. He'll be injured after one blind sided hit. I know hes used to people having a full-field straight-on run at him; but I think getting hit hard side on while going up for a ball, is gonna be a lot different. All the same should be fun to watch.

Kinda like Dante Hall?!?!

[UtterBlitz]

Kinda like Dante Hall?!?!

Kinda the size of Kevin Curtis who did just fine.....I don't think size is something to worry about and I don't think that Dante will be playing starting WR any time soon. We have plenty of depth at WR.

[The Shredder]

Kinda the size of Kevin Curtis who did just fine.....I don't think size is something to worry about and I don't think that Dante will be playing starting WR any time soon. We have plenty of depth at WR.

Curtis is almost 6 ft tall as Dante is listed as 5'7. Ive seen him out in public and I would bet that he's not even that tall. I never said anything about Hall being a starting WR. Given the depth here at WR he would be no more than a 4th WR.

[UtterBlitz]

Curtis is almost 6 ft tall as Dante is listed as 5'7. Ive seen him out in public and I would bet that he's not even that tall. I never said anything about Hall being a starting WR. Given the depth here at WR he would be no more than a 4th WR.

Chicago is changing Hester from defense to offense and I think it is a good move. He is tall enough to be a WR and he will make plenty of yards after catching the ball.

How tall someone is will not protect them when they are hit. Weight and body type will allow them to avoid a hit or accept one without getting too damaged. Being taller allows them to be a bigger target for the QB to throw to.

I would not discount all the short guys when it comes to catching balls and making big plays.

[The Shredder]

Chicago is changing Hester from defense to offense and I think it is a good move. He is tall enough to be a WR and he will make plenty of yards after catching the ball.

How tall someone is will not protect them when they are hit. Weight and body type will allow them to avoid a hit or accept one without getting too damaged. Being taller allows them to be a bigger target for the QB to throw to.

I would not discount all the short guys when it comes to catching balls and making big plays.

I'm guessing you didn't read my replies to the posts I was referring to huh?

[UtterBlitz]

I'm guessing you didn't read my replies to the posts I was referring to huh?

I read them, but I was swinging this topic back to the original post which is about the Bears. I see that you are all about slammin the Rams at any given moment and I am not playing that game with you. This thread is not about Dante. Post a new thread if you want to talk about him.

[HUbison]

I read them, but I was swinging this topic back to the original post which is about the Bears. I see that you are all about slammin the Rams at any given moment and I am not playing that game with you. This thread is not about Dante. Post a new thread if you want to talk about him.

Wow......I bet when Shredder got up this morning, he didn't think he'd get the beatdown from a gal.

As for Hester being too small to play WR....

Devin Hester - 5'11", 189
Chad Johnson - 2" taller, 3 lbs. heavier
Marvin Harrison - 1" taller, 4 lbs. lighter
Donald Driver - 1" taller, 1 lb. heavier
Torry Holt - 1" taller, 1 lb. heavier
Steve Smith - 2" shorter, 4 lbs. lighter
Lavernous Coles - same height, 4 lbs. heavier
Isaac Bruce - 1" taller, 1 lb. lighter


Way too small? I gotta disagree. If Hester can't make it as a receiver, it won't be because of his size.

P.S. How refreshing is it to hear a woman say....

I don't think size is something to worry about

[laram0]

I think it's a good move by the Bears. Hester is playmaker and getting the ball in his hands more often could be very prosperous.

Also, hats off to UTTERBLITZ for a job well done.

[smizzhfx]

Utterblitz for Clan Defender! I want a recountttttttt!

[The Shredder]

I read them, but I was swinging this topic back to the original post which is about the Bears. I see that you are all about slammin the Rams at any given moment and I am not playing that game with you. This thread is not about Dante. Post a new thread if you want to talk about him.

I wasn't bashing the Rams. Itsguud was the one that said originally that Hester was waaay too small when in fact Dante who is now a Ram is in fact much smaller and will more than likely be the Rams 4th WR as would Hester for the Bears, maybe the 5th.

[ramsbruce]

Utterblitz for Clan Defender! I want a recountttttttt!

So I take it I didn't get your vote smiz.


As for Hester, this may or may not work out for the Bears it's worth a shot though, but the general rule is DB's don't play or don't turn into WR's because their hands aren't the greatest (and good route running is also a factor) so they play DB instead. Hester may be an exception, so we will see this year.

[AvengerRam]

They tried this w/Hester at UM. It failed, mainly because, according to the Canes' beat reporters, he couldn't pick up the offense.

Hester is... how do I put this.... not exactly a Rhodes Scholar.