Devin Hester News: Pro Sports Daily

Devin Hester comes to defense of Jay Cutler

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June 26

Chicago Tribune

"Devin Hester says he has heard enough. He is tired of hearing the criticism that new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is not a mature, capable leader. "If you haven't been around a person like Cutler, how could you say something like that?" Hester said before appearing in a photo shoot Monday evening at Soldier Field for an Under Armour commercial. In recent weeks, Super Bowl-winning coaches Tony Dungy and Mike Ditka have been among those who have expressed reservations about Cutler's maturity level. "Can't judge a book by its cover," Hester said. "If you haven't sat down and talked to him, how could you say something like that? He's calm in the huddle. He makes us laugh and he jokes around ..."

Devin Hester comes to defense of Jay Cutler

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June 24

Chicago Tribune

"Devin Hester says he has heard enough. He is tired of hearing the criticism that new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is not a mature, capable leader. "If you haven't been around a person like Cutler, how could you say something like that?" Hester said before appearing in a photo shoot Monday evening at Soldier Field for an Under Armour commercial. In recent weeks, Super Bowl-winning coaches Tony Dungy and Mike Ditka have been among those who have expressed reservations about Cutler's maturity level. "Can't judge a book by its cover," Hester said. "If you haven't sat down and talked to him, how could you say something like that? He's calm in the huddle. He makes us laugh and he jokes around ..."

Jay Cutler to Devin Hester: Already in sync

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June 4

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"One play into Wednesday's full-team Bears scrimmage session confirmed the most interesting bit of progress at Halas Hall still three months before the 2009 season-opener. Jay Cutler glided back into a seven-step drop, set his feet in a pocket protected by left tackle Orlando Pace, and peered downfield where wide receiver Devin Hester had gotten a step on his defender. For aesthetic purposes, ignore for a moment that cornerback Zack Bowman was limited in how physical he could get with Hester in this non-contact drill. But that is beside the point. The point that will be driven home whenever the Bears offense takes the field from now until September came in the way Cutler's arching spiral ..."

Bears coach Lovie Smith still wants Devin Hester returning punts

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May 4

Chicago Tribune

"It seems reasonable for Devin Hester to get less work on special teams as he continues to evolve into a No. 1 receiver. Of the 32 receivers with 60-plus catches last season, only four -- Wes Welker (Patriots), Steve Breaston (Cardinals), Eddie Royal (Broncos) and DeSean Jackson (Eagles) -- doubled as primary punt returners. But even with a couple of capable rookies at the Bears' disposal, coach Lovie Smith has no plans to give Hester a break from punt-return duties. "No way," he said. "Devin has the chance to score every time. If one of those [rookies] is a better returner than Devin, then we will put them back there. "Devin can be a full-time receiver and handle one other return." ..."

Devin Hester eager for Jay Cutler passes

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April 4

Chicago Tribune

"Devin Hester all but salivated as he envisioned fielding deep balls from new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. But as he continues to evolve as a receiver, Hester would welcome help at the position. He even has someone in mind. " Torry Holt," Hester said. "In my opinion, he still has two good years left in him. "From going to the Pro Bowl, I picked his brain. We talked about route running. He seems to have a lot of knowledge. I could pick his brain some more for a few years, and that would really help us out." Problem is, Holt, 32, reportedly had a good visit in Tennessee and could end up signing with the Titans. The former Rams star also visited Jacksonville. But Holt has a history with ..."

Bears' Hester excited about upcoming commercial shoot

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March 24

Chicago Tribune

"Plans for Devin Hester to participate in a promotional air stunt Thursday had been, well ... up in the air. As part of his new partnership with Red Bull energy drink, the Bears wide receiver/kick returner originally agreed to ride in an "acrobatic" helicopter that can perform flips. Then came word Monday morning that tornadoes along the East Coast would prevent the Red Bull stunt helicopter from leaving its base in Florida. The decision was made Monday night to have Hester ride in an Albatross aircraft, which is capable of landing on lakes, rivers, oceans or runways. The Albatross will make its way from Tennessee to Palwaukee Airport near Waukegan for Thursday's event. A Bears official ..."

Chicago Bears' Devin Hester must show progress quickly

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March 21

Chicago Tribune

columnist Dan Pompei

"Watching Devin Hester run past defenders in minicamp this week made it easy to forget that his move to full-time wide receiver last season clearly was a failure if viewed within the context of a one-year vacuum. Unless, that is, your idea of success if finishing 49th in the NFL in receiving yards and not having a single 100-yard receiving game. The Bears clearly are counting on Hester progressing and becoming better this season. That is not an unreasonable expectation, given his inexperience and ability. But how much better will he be? The thinking behind putting Hester at wide receiver full time was to get the ball in his hands more often. That barely happened. He had 120 touches in 2008, ..."

Still a fan favorite, Hester only Bear ahead in voting

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December 12

Chicago Sun-Times

"The ''vote early and often'' motto that applies to city politics didn't help the Bears in Pro Bowl balloting. Returner Devin Hester was the only player to lead his position in fan voting that closed this week. The fan vote counts one-third in the process, with players and coaches each getting one-third of the say. Six-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Brian Urlacher was second at inside linebacker behind Washington's London Fletcher. The Redskins assembled the kind of voting machine one would expect in Chicago as they won balloting at nine of 19 positions. Urlacher led the fan vote last season but didn't finish in the top five at his position and missed the Pro Bowl for the first time when ..."

Hester struggles, Manning emerges

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December 9

Chicago Tribune

"Lost in the hand-wringing over the Devin Hester conundrum has been the re-emergence of Danieal Manning, not only as a quality defensive back but as a better kickoff return man than Hester. Manning ranks eighth in the NFL with a 28-yard average on 21 kickoff returns and no returner with more than 20 returns has a higher percentage of them over 40 yards—Manning has four (one every 5.25 returns). Whenever Hester wants to get serious about becoming a dangerous return man again, he can put in the videotape of Manning zipping straight upfield like a guy frantically trying to catch a missed bus. As for Manning on defense, this is about the time the Bears' coaching staff typically has forced him ..."

Hester a ridiculously fascinating story

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December 8

Chicago Sun-Times

"When Kyle Orton saw Devin Hester with just one defender lined up against him, and the rest of the defense crowding the line, he changed the play call, took the ball and fired to Hester for 30 yards. It was a perfect combination, where quarterback, receiver, and even the ball all are together as one. But what page were they on, exactly? What wavelength? Was that play in the fourth quarter Sunday the outcome of a budding telepathy, the start of one of those special QB-receiver relationships? I don’t think so. It was a simple fade that worked, because the only time Hester is a great receiver is when the playbook in his head says one thing: Run like hell. Well, that worked for big plays twice, ..."

Devin Hester: "It's tough on me"

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November 20

Chicago Tribune

"Devin Hester's inability to excel in the return game this season appears to have taken a toll on the Bear. "It's tough on me. I don't even like going outside now," Hester said Wednesday. "I just want to find that edge and overcome it." Hester was asked if he has lost his confidence. Danieal Manning replaced him on kickoffs during the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Packers. "I haven't lost any confidence," Hester said. "I'm the type when I get my opportunity, I'm going to make the most of it." Hester entered the season with 12 career returns for touchdowns, including a 108-yard return of a missed field goal and kickoff returns of 96 and 94 yards at St. Louis two seasons ago. His ..."

Bears wait for Hester's launch

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November 9

Tennessean

"Bears Coach Lovie Smith said he thinks it's just a matter of time before his electrifying return man breaks free for a touchdown. Then, he said, the floodgates might open. The Titans want to make sure that time isn't today when they square off against Devin Hester and the Bears at Soldier Field. "He is the most dangerous return man in the NFL, bar none,'' said Titans linebacker Ryan Fowler, who plays on special teams. "A lot of guys are really fast. A lot of guys have good moves, and a lot of guys are strong. But he has some X-factor. It's like a sixth sense. He knows how to make things happen.'' So far this season, however, teams have figured out a way to slow Hester down. The Bears ..."

Devin Hester not delivering on returns

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November 5

Chicago Tribune

columnist Rick Morrissey

"As long as a search party already is looking for Brian Urlacher, would it be too much to ask that it keep an eye out for Devin Hester? Remember the off-season howls from fans and media that Hester deserved a big, fat contract extension because it was sooooooo obvious he should be paid like a No. 1 receiver? Those howls were based on the idea that his wizardry as a kick returner was transferable to the wide receiver position. Say this about the Bears: They might not always be right about personnel decisions, but they were right to sign Hester to a deal that was so heavy on incentives he needed a forklift to take it home. And for those of you who thought it was an outrage that this ..."

Hester not quite as electric for Bears this year

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November 3

Chicago Tribune

"This was the game in which many Bear watchers expected Devin Hester to make a significant impact on the outcome. They were right, but not nearly the way many envisioned Hester affecting the Bears' 27-23 victory over the Lions. Hester fumbled a kickoff return with 13 minutes 21 seconds left in the second quarter that Lions linebacker Alex Lewis forced and recovered. One play later Detroit scored on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Dan Orlovsky to Calvin Johnson to give the Lions a 13-10 lead. Buoyed by the momentum swing Hester's turnover created, Detroit scored all 23 of their points in the second quarter — an avalanche that started with the fumble. "It was a good play by him," Hester said. ..."

Hester admits he's anxious for many happier returns

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October 30

Chicago Sun-Times

"The crazy expectations created by Devin Hester's record-setting first two seasons have caught up with the Bears' return man as much as opposing defenders have. Hester, in a career-high seven-game slump without a return score, admitted Wednesday he has been pressing to spring a big one. Even though Hester is averaging a pedestrian 22.1 yards per kickoff return and the Bears rank 19th in that category, they are fourth in the league with an average starting field position of nearly the 30 after kickoffs. ''I've put all the pressure on myself and say that it is my fault that the return game is not the way it was,'' Hester said. ''At the end of the day, I'm the one with the ball in my hands, ..."

'Hester takes the snap ...'

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October 22

Chicago Sun-Times

columnist Mike Mulligan

"In the win-at-all-costs world of professional football, conformity and uniformity tend to crush the will of the individual. The weekly grind of a season offers little time for the simple joys of life. Rarely does the thrill of creativity seize a team. Which brings us to the bye week and the chance to reflect and tinker and maybe even have a little bit of fun. Things are going so well for the Bears -- well, for their offense, anyway -- that it might be a good time to dust off the old playbook and unleash some fun. Will the Bears work on the Wildcat offense during their bye week? ''We have played around with some of it,'' offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. ''We actually did some things ..."

No big returns, but Hester still effective

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October 20

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Chicago return specialist Devin Hester mustered just 36 yards on two kickoffs. But he certainly got into the Vikings' collective head. The Bears got tremendous field position as Longwell tried to direct high kickoffs toward fullback Jason McKie. "We didn't want him to be a factor," Vikings coach Brad Childress said of Hester. "But by the same token, you have to assess as you're going along where the game is and if they're taking it 40, 55 yards, or 60 yards, and it's too short a field, you have to adjust as you go. "We made a decision — I made a decision — not to kick the ball to him," Childress said. On the Vikings' lone punt, with Hester waiting for the ball, Chris Kluwe took his eye off ..."

Containing Hester will be key for Vikings

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October 15

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Here's a surprise this season: Chicago Pro Bowl specialist Devin Hester's statistics returning kicks and punts are mediocre. He's averaging 22.6 yards per kick return and 5.4 yards on punt returns. He has no touchdowns on special teams. Those subpar numbers don't mean anything to the Vikings, who respect Hester for what he is: one of the most dangerous players in the NFL, as he has shown in the past with two return touchdowns against Minnesota on his resume. The Vikings have had trouble with their special-teams coverage units this season, so keeping Hester in control will be one of their keys to victory Sunday at Soldier Field. "He's real explosive," said Vikings safety Eric Frampton, a ..."

Hester steps up, Lloyd steps out

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September 29

Chicago Tribune

"As one offensive weapon returned for the Bears, another went down with an injury. Devin Hester, who missed the Tampa Bay game with torn cartilage in his ribs, returned to his regular duties Sunday night against the Eagles. He returned kicks and punts, scored on a 20-yard touchdown reception and even had an end-around run in the fourth quarter. That was the good news for the Bears. The bad was the loss of receiver Brandon Lloyd, who left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury and didn't return. His status is unclear. Lloyd led the team in receiving yards coming into the game. He caught two passes for 33 yards before exiting. While Hester brought back the excitement factor for ..."

Hester likely a game-time decision

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September 26

Chicago Sun-Times

"While the Philadelphia Eagles' top weapons, Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook, remained sidelined Thursday, the Bears got their most explosive player back. Devin Hester was on the field for the first time since tearing rib cartilage Sept. 14 at Carolina. Hester was involved in a limited part of practice, and his return is a good sign. The Bears are seemingly pointing to Sunday's game with the Eagles as his return date, but the nature of the injury makes it a likely game-time decision. ''Still a little sore,'' Hester said. ''But [I] feel pretty good, and if I feel good before game time, hopefully I can play. I'm pushing for it.'' He didn't wear protective gear to cover his ribs, but that ..."

Hester pushing hard to get back on field

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September 26

Chicago Tribune

"Devin Hester doesn't appear to be 100 percent, but the Pro Bowl return specialist was well enough to return to Bears practice in a limited role Thursday. It was Hester's first action since he tore cartilage in his lower left rib area during the Week 2 loss at Carolina. His status for Sunday night's game against Philadelphia remains unclear. "I'm pushing for it," Hester said. "I'm still sore. I'm going to get some more treatment. I'mhoping I'll be ready." Hester didn't play in Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to Tampa Bay. The Bears could use his explosiveness against the Eagles, who average 30 points per game. But the question is: How explosive will he be coming off the injury? The medical ..."

Devin Hester out for today's Bears game

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September 21

Chicago Tribune

"Devin Hester is officially out of today's game against Tampa Bay. The Bears have opted to rest him and allow him to heal from a cartilage tear in his ribs. It looks like Nathan Vasher will return punts in Hester's place. Rookie Earl Bennett is inactive despite fielding punts at practice this week."

Hester questionable, but ribs don't seem ready for Bears-Buccaneers

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September 21

Chicago Tribune

"The official injury report lists Devin Hester as "questionable" for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, but there is no question Hester isn't healed completely from torn cartilage in his ribs. That being said, the chance of seeing Hester in the home opener against the Buccaneers appears slim. But coach Lovie Smith continues to leave the option open. "Whether he's ready to go Sunday, that will go right up until [kickoff]," Smith said Friday. Smith was asked if allowing Hester to rest could be more beneficial. The Pro Bowl kick returner hasn't practiced all week. "There are risks every time you come out on the field," Smith said. "We won't put anyone that isn't healthy out on the field. "If ..."

Hester has torn cartilage in rib cage

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September 19

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Bears added another punt returner to their bullpen Thursday when wide receiver Rashied Davis took reps with the JUGS machine. Davis is the third option now that it appears less likely Devin Hester will play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he revealed he has torn cartilage in his rib cage, an injury that could become worse if he plays before it's healed. Hester missed his second consecutive day of practice. Joining Davis as options for special-teams coordinator Dave Toub are cornerback Nathan Vasher and rookie receiver Earl Bennett, who was inactive the first two weeks. ''I'm pushing [to play],'' Hester said. ''I'm feeling a lot better, so I'm hoping by the end of the week ..."

Devin Hester's status: Painfully unclear

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September 19

Chicago Tribune

"Devin Hester couldn't breathe correctly let alone get a good night's sleep. It took the Bears' Pro Bowl return specialist a couple of days to learn to cope with torn cartilage in his lower left ribs, an injury he suffered in Sunday's 20-17 loss at Carolina. Hester tried to sound optimistic Thursday as he talked about the injury for the first time. "I'm feeling a lot better so I'm hoping by the end of the week there will be no pain or nothing like that," he said before practice during an open locker-room session. After practice Hester backtracked somewhat, saying his injury was just a bruise. It is unlikely the Bears wanted the specifics of the injury revealed, which might explain why coach ..."

Play it smart, Bears: Sit Hester

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September 19

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"After concluding there will be four quarterbacks in uniform Sunday at Soldier Field who could start for the Vikings, Chiefs and maybe even the Ravens if any of those teams get more desperate, here are 10 other things I know two days before the Bears and Buccaneers kick off. 1. I know if a good chance exists that Devin Hester will aggravate his mysterious rib injury playing Sunday — which he acknowledged— then he should watch the game in sweats. The Bears cannot risk losing Hester for a prolonged period, for reasons that are psychological as much as for the special teams. Besides, if Hester does play he likely will be tentative—the worst thing a returner can be. A cautious Hester isn't ..."

Hester feeling better, pushing to play vs. Bucs

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September 18

Chicago Sun-Times

"If Devin Hester makes the same kind of improvement between now and Sunday that he has since suffering torn cartilage in his ribs at Carolina, maybe he will be able to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The wide receiver and record-setting return man is expected to be sidelined for the second consecutive day when the Bears practice this afternoon at Halas Hall, but Hester said his goal is still to suit up for the home opener. ``I am pushing for it,’’ he said. ``I’m feeling a lot better so I am hoping by the end of the week I will have no pain or anything like that.’’ Hester grabbed the left side of his ribs when he ran out of bounds on a kickoff return during the third quarter of the ..."

Hester's status a mystery; Bears weigh options

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September 18

Chicago Sun-Times

"Devin Hester's rib-cage injury remained a mystery Wednesday, when he was held out of practice and rookie Earl Bennett was prepped for a possible role as the punt returner Sunday against Tampa Bay. Hester, the Bears' record-setting return man who has not missed a game in his career, has said he feels fine and expects to play, but the team is not going to place its most valuable offensive weapon in jeopardy for the rest of the season by rushing him onto the field. Since 2006, no Bear has scored more touchdowns than Hester, who did an end-around through Halas Hall to avoid reporters after practice. His injury is believed to be to muscle or cartilage and will heal only with time. It's possible ..."

Hester expects to play vs. Bucs

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September 17

Chicago Sun-Times

"The first injury report of the week is not due until 3 p.m., and the best guess is that Devin Hester will appear on it in some form with the fluke rib injury he suffered Sunday at Carolina. But the receiver/returner has a good chance of playing this week against Tampa Bay. He has said that he is feeling fine and expects to play. Hester had an MRI Tuesday on the area to determine what was wrong and sources said Monday morning that he was not ailing from broken or bruised ribs. Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden was asked what his plan was with Hester, if he would kick to Hester: "That probably wouldn't be very smart on our part," Gruden said. "I've kind of seen over the years, this guy is very ..."

Devin returns the gesture

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September 17

Chicago Sun-Times

"Devin Hester can sometimes seem more force of nature than mere mortal. Maybe that's why it was so disturbing to see him carted off the field at Carolina with a rib injury. Hester could've walked off the field, but he was in such discomfort, it didn't make sense to force the issue. Hester's status for Sunday's home opener at Soldier Field is uncertain, but the rib injury isn't expected to keep him out for an extended period. And that's a good thing for a number of reasons, including Hester's private competition with college teammate Roscoe Parrish of the Bills. ''We have a friendly competition every year,'' Hester said. ''It's our edge -- we're competing against each other and making ..."

Lovie mum on status of Hester

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September 16

Chicago Sun-Times

"Not only did the Bears have their loss to the Carolina Panthers to deal with Monday, there was the fallout from the game that will be an issue for some time to come. Coach Lovie Smith would not shed any further light on Devin Hester's rib injury and he is going to have an MRI exam done to see what is wrong. But a source close to Hester was confident nothing is broken, and a teammate said he was doing much better a day after being taken to the locker room at Bank of America Stadium on a cart before his team imploded in squandering a 14-point lead in a 20-17 loss. ''We did a lot of good things but in the end we didn't do enough to win,'' Smith said. ''When you make mistakes like that, it ..."

Hester's status uncertain for Bears

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September 16

Chicago Tribune

"Devin Hester's status for Sunday's home opener against Tampa Bay remains unclear, but one source said the Bears' kick returner should be recovered from the rib injury he suffered in Sunday's game at Carolina. Hester was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, but the team wanted to wait 24 to 48 hours to allow some internal bleeding to subside. Indications are Hester suffered a non-contact injury that forced him from Sunday's game with 5 minutes 23 seconds left in the third quarter. After fielding a kickoff, Hester sprinted to the left sideline and was forced out of bounds — practically untouched — by linebacker Dan Connor. Hester took a hard, extended step to avoid contact, then grabbed ..."

Bruised ribs stop Hester

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September 15

Chicago Tribune

"With trainer Tim Bream by his side, Devin Hester slowly walked through the Bears' locker room trying not to reveal his pain. Hester left Sunday's game in the third quarter with bruised ribs. Panthers linebacker Dan Connor pushed Hester out of bounds during a kick return, and Hester immediately grabbed his side. He was then carted off. He is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday. Before exiting, Hester was rather quiet, catching one pass for 6 yards, returning three kickoffs for 65 yards and returning two punts for 9 yards. If he is out any amount of time, it could hurt the offense and the return game. "Yeah, it would hurt, but we feel like we have a deep receiving corps," quarterback Kyle ..."

Hester sidelined with rib injury

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September 15

Chicago Sun-Times

"More lingering than the disappointment of Sunday's disappointing loss to the Carolina Panthers may be the loss of Devin Hester. The Bears' leader in touchdowns over the last two seasons left the field in the third quarter holding his left side with what was described as a rib injury. He was moving gingerly in the locker room afterward and the team shielded him from media without making any further announcement about what medical exams might have revealed. ''Of course he couldn't finish the football game, so that's cause for concern,'' said coach Lovie Smith, who could not specify if Hester was injured on the kickoff return that ended with a tackle by rookie Dan Connor, or earlier. ''That's ..."

Lloyd hopes he can use his leg to slow down Bears returner Hester

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September 11

Gaston Gazette

"The Carolina Panthers are counting on a big game from kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd on Sunday when they face returner extraordinaire Devin Hester and the Chicago Bears. "He's impressive," Lloyd said of Hester, the league's most dynamic return man. "We've got our work cut out on special teams. I think Jason (Baker), John (Kasay) and myself we'll do a good job of hopefully keeping him at bay." In the season opener against San Diego, four of Lloyd's six kickoffs went for touchbacks, including an inadvertent squib kick (he admits to mis-hitting it) that rolled all the way to the end zone. Lloyd said his goal this week is to put as many kickoffs out of the end zone as possible. "As far as the ..."

Hester: Risky move almost produced 6 points

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September 9

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Bears' biggest blunder Sunday night was nearly their biggest play. Devin Hester never saw the Colts' Melvin Bullitt coming when he pulled a rope-a-dope from seven yards deep in the end zone on the opening kickoff of the second half. Hester casually stood with the ball as his teammates -- and at least some of the Colts -- figured he would take a knee. Then he started out of the end zone and was cutting right when Bullitt dived to bring him down at the 3-yard line, a costly error that set up the Colts with premium field position even after a booming 55-yard Brad Maynard punt. The Colts went on to score a touchdown and pull to 15-13, but that was as close as they got. ''We had it planned ..."

A 92-yard lesson from Hester

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September 7

Chicago Tribune

"Minutes of the Colts' special-teams meeting before Super Bowl XLI have never been made public, in order to protect the innocent. Or would that be ignorant? "We did have a vote before that game," Colts kickoff-coverage specialist Darrell Reid disclosed last week. "The special-teams coach (Russ Purnell) was like, 'We're going to kick away from [ Devin] Hester to not let the ball in his hands.' And the players were like, 'No! Let's kick to him! We want to kick to him!' " So on the opening kickoff at Dolphin Stadium, the Colts decided to do just that. Coach Tony Dungy overruled his special-teams coach and pandered to the machismo of his players. The rest is Hesteria. In the best 14 seconds for ..."

WR role is gravy for Hester

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August 3

Chicago Sun-Times

"At face value, Devin Hester will pocket more than $22 million just for showing up with his new contract. The four-year extension Hester signed last weekend maxes out at $40 million if he hits all of the performance-based escalators. But if the all-pro returner doesn't play a down at wide receiver between now and 2013, he'll still pull down $22,036,000 in new money. His contract includes a $5million signing bonus with $10 million in roster bonuses (half the roster bonus will be paid next year and the other half is due in 2010). He has a workout bonus of $200,000 in 2009 and then annual workout bonuses worth $250,000 for the final four years to total $1.2 million in workout bonuses. His base ..."

Hester has security, but what will job be?

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July 29

Chicago Tribune

"Devin Hester's new contract has $15 million in guaranteed money, a statement by the Bears recognizing what Hester has accomplished as a kick returner. But could the end be in sight for Hester's days as a returner? If Hester develops into the wide receiver he and the Bears expect—he can reach $20 million in contract escalators in the final two years of his four-year contract based on receiver performance—there will be some difficult decisions to make. In fact, the Bears already have made one. Hester expending his typical effort on a return and then going immediately into the offensive huddle as a receiver "is a concern," coach Lovie Smith said, noting that Panthers All-Pro receiver Steve ..."

Bears, Toub plotting new plans for Hester

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July 29

Chicago Tribune

columnist Fred Mitchell

"There simply is no accounting for how valuable Devin Hester can be. Yes, the Bears put a price tag on their Pro Bowl kick returner—four years, $40 million. But his return yardage and scoring threat represent just the icing on the cake when you consider the intangible impact he has on field position as opposing kickers nervously shank the football in an attempt to keep it away from No. 23. Add that unique quality to Hester's new mission to become the Bears' No. 1 wide receiver and the limits for offensive success become even more intriguing. "We're going to ask him to be in on a lot more plays this year. He has to be in top shape," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "We will tax his body a ..."

An investment return

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July 28

Chicago Sun-Times

"So the Bears stretched their offseason work five days into training camp. When you're as busy as they have been, sometimes it takes a little overtime. That work concluded Sunday morning when the Bears signed Devin Hester to a four-year, $40 million contract extension that will keep him with the team through 2013. The signing coincided nicely with the healing of his tight hamstring, and the record-setting return man and apprentice wide receiver was on the field for the afternoon practice to the delight of the biggest crowd of training camp. It's a huge step getting the Bears' leader in touchdowns the last two seasons under contract. And while development of a revamped offensive line is ..."

Bears, Hester agree to 4-year contract extension

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July 28

Chicago Tribune

"With a contract extension through 2013, the biggest smile in Bears camp Sunday might have belonged to Devin Hester. But Hester's was far from the only happy face. Hester's contract has a maximum value of $40 million and includes $15 million in guaranteed money. The deal features escalators of $10 million in each of the final two years, which Hester can reach through receptions, yardage and other targets. The deal brings to 10 the number of Bears signed to extensions or new deals this year. General manager Jerry Angelo, President Ted Phillips and senior director of football administration Cliff Stein are concluding a stellar off-season. The front office has signed Pro Bowl defensive tackle ..."

Now's not time for Hester to shine

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July 28

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"Now comes the hard part for Devin Hester. Now Hester will try to meet the impossible expectations raised by the four-year contract extension he signed Sunday with the Bears that could be worth as much as $40 million with incentives — and guarantees him $15 million. Eventually, Hester probably will. His future promises to produce as much excitement as Chicago sports fans are used to seeing from athletes wearing No. 23. But nobody should expect Hester to immediately look like the No. 1 wide receiver he demanded to be treated like during negotiations that picked up after he ended a two-day holdout. Nor does the new contract put pressure on Hester to make that transition quickly in the Bears' ..."

Chicago Bears, Devin Hester agree to 4-year contract extension

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July 28

Chicago Tribune

"The deal that Devin Hester showed up Friday to work out was finally hammered out Sunday, with the Bears agreeing to a four-year contract extension with the wide receiver/return man that could be worth as much as $40 million. The contract, which locks up Hester with the Bears through 2013, includes $15 million in guarantees—the type of reward he was looking for after holding for two days in protest of a scheduled $445,000 salary. If Hester develops into the No. 1 receiver he believes he can be, then he will be able to trigger up to $10 million in escalators in the final year of the deal, according to a league source. Hester becomes the 10th Bears starter and fifth Pro Bowl player the Bears ..."

Gimpy Hester fields kicks from machine

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July 27

Chicago Tribune

"To clarify … Bears defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek, returner/receiver Devin Hester and rookie guard Charles Adams are on the non-football-injury list. Running back Kevin Jones and center Olin Kreutz are on the physically unable-to-perform list. What's the difference? NFI cases, whatever the injury or severity, did not involve a game, practice or team workout program. PUP cases arise from football situations. In Jones' case, it was during rehab from a torn knee ligament suffered last season. A key is that either designation must be made at the outset of training camp. Once a player is signed, passes a physical and reports, he cannot go on either. In both situations the players occupy ..."

Hester's in, but out

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July 26

Chicago Sun-Times

"Devin Hester, you are ridiculous. We all know as much. And the injury that's keeping him out of practice after he ended his two-day holdout might be ridiculous as well. At the minimum, let's call his reported hamstring pull a bit of a stretch. The wide receiver and returner extraordinaire complained of a tight hamstring when he arrived at Bears training camp Friday and was failed on his physical, so he's on the non-football injury list. That means he can't practice until he passes a physical -- something that could be synchronized with the signing of a new contract. Hester said when he began his short-lived boycott of camp -- which started with his attention-getting no-show Tuesday -- that ..."

Hester reports to Bears training camp

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July 26

Chicago Tribune

"You didn't have to see Devin Hester finally arriving at Bears practice, you could hear him. The buzz began with a muffled roar as Hester was driven in a cart nearly 200 yards to the field. By the time Hester rode past the thousands of fans in a pair of orange shorts and his navy No. 23 jersey, there were applause, cheers and shouts of "Thank you, Devin." One sign summed up the sentiment of the day—"Devin Hester, You Are Still Ridiculou$$"—and, no, it wasn't held by coach Lovie Smith. Hester may make more celebrated returns in the coming months than the one he made Friday, but perhaps not many. The return specialist officially checked into Bears training camp after a two-day holdout over a ..."

Hester, not agent, calling the shots

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July 25

Chicago Sun-Times

"A desperate tactic by a desperate man. That's the way some regard Devin Hester's contract holdout, which reached Day 2 on Thursday -- or $30,000 in fines for two missed practices. Hester isn't the desperate man, mind you. The supposed villain of this production is his agent, Eugene Parker, according to one reading of the script. That's the same Eugene Parker who has seen two of his former clients -- Tommie Harris and Bernard Berrian -- dump him in favor of Drew Rosenhaus before signing big-money deals. Never mind that Berrian actually was represented by Roosevelt Barnes, Parker's partner. One interpretation of the ongoing saga is that Parker is grabbing hold of this negotiation by holding ..."

Call me crazy, but it's time for Bears to trade Hester

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July 25

Chicago Tribune

columnist Dan Pompei

"No one, with the possible exception of Bears coach Lovie Smith, appreciates the abilities of Devin Hester more than I do. He is a player unlike any other I have seen in more than 20 years covering the NFL. Hester can affect games as much as any player in the NFL. With that in mind, if I were the Bears, I would be calling every NFL team to see which ones were interested in acquiring him. My guess is quite a few, and they would be willing to compensate the Bears handsomely for Hester's rights. This is the perfect time to trade Hester—when his returning skills are at their peak and before he has shown what he cannot do as a wide receiver. As a third-year player with a low salary-cap figure, ..."

Hester's risky business

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July 24

Chicago Sun-Times

columnist Mike Mulligan

"As much as you might admire Devin Hester as a player, like him as a person and respect his Stick-It-To-The-Man negotiating tactics, understand this about his decision not to report to training camp in a demand for more money: It's either a bold act of genius or an act of complete madness. Clearly, the Bears were stunned by the escalation of tactics. And that was before Hester told the Sun-Times on Wednesday evening that he was ready to sit out the season to force a new deal. ''I talked to his agent [Eugene Parker] a few days ago,'' general manager Jerry Angelo said. ''He floated it out there, but I didn't really take it serious because we are still talking. We're still in the process. ..."