LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -The Chicago Bears were looking for a big return when they decided to give Devin Hester a bigger role on offense.
Lately, they’re getting it.
After two record-setting seasons returning punts and kickoffs, Hester’s starting to deliver on offense the way the Bears envisioned.
“I’m starting to feel like my old self, making plays,” Hester said.
He came through in a big way against New Orleans last week, and the Bears hope he does it again when Green Bay visits Monday night, whether they’re still in playoff contention or not. Minnesota can clinch the NFC North with a win over Atlanta, and the Bears’ slim shot at the wild card would disappear if Dallas, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia win this weekend.
So, the Bears need all the help they can get.
Hester provided plenty during Chicago’s 27-24 win over New Orleans even though his numbers – four catches for 46 yards – didn’t turn heads.
Still, he took perhaps his biggest steps in a season where his progress at times seemed stalled.
open deep down the middle. The first time Hester broke free, Kyle Orton threw a line drive just beyond a lunging Hester’s fingertips. On the other two, Hester drew crucial pass-interference penalties to set up a touchdown and the winning field goal.
The Bears had a third down on the New Orleans 44 midway through the second quarter when Orton again heaved the ball to Hester, who was in position to make the catch near the goal line before Jason David grabbed him. That put the ball on the 5, and Matt Forte ran it in two plays later to give Chicago a 14-7 lead.
Hester drew another interference call in overtime, setting up the winning field goal.
This time, the Bears had a third down at their 46 when Hester was bumped by Roman Harper down the middle, putting the ball on the Saints 15.
“They were in a coverage that was going to be tough, and he did a great job of setting the guy up,” offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. “A few weeks ago, I’m not sure he would have been open like that. That says a lot about his ability to adjust and just run routes and, obviously, his speed.”
yards or his dash to the end zone on the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl two years ago.
Critics contend the Bears have turned a special player into an average receiver.
Hester seemed hesitant, and the familiar burst after fielding kickoffs and punts disappeared. Teams started kicking to him, rather than avoiding him, and ultimately, Danieal Manning took over his role returning kickoffs.
On offense, Hester has disappeared at times. Not lately, though.
The team leader with 568 yards receiving, he has been at his best the past few games.
He delivered five catches for 80 yards against Jacksonville two weeks ago and turned a short slant into a 65-yard touchdown against Minnesota in the previous game.
“When you’ve seen what he can do on special teams and then when people thought about him as a receiver, they just automatically thought it was going to transfer over,” tight end Desmond Clark said. “But there are a lot more things that go into playing receiver than meets the eye – like, first of all, you’ve just got to know the offense. It takes awhile to get that.”
And Hester’s doing it after bouncing around on offense, defense and special teams in college at Miami and playing a limited role on defense as a rookie.
this year, it’s a huge difference. He knows the playbook, for one. He’s not out there thinking about what he has to do; he’s just playing. So that’s the biggest difference. He can go out and just let his athletic ability take over instead of thinking about what he’s got to do and thinking about the adjustments.”
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