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Black and Blue all over: No excuses from Hester

Chicago's Devin Hester knows what the easy story would be: As he has transitioned into a full-time receiver, his effectiveness as a returner has diminished.

The statistics make a good case: In six games this season, Hester is two receptions away from matching his season total in 2007 of 20. At the same time, he is averaging 5.4 yards on 11 punt returns and 22.1 on 16 kickoff returns. His longest has been a 51-yard kickoff return and he has no touchdown returns after totaling 11 in his first two seasons.

Hester, however, isn't ready to use that excuse. Here's how he put it Wednesday, according the Chicago Sun-Times:

"I want to say [focusing on playing receiver] is the reason why. But I know that I've got to be better at what I'm capable of doing. I would say that goes toward the return game."