I seriously hope that the Bears haven’t handcuffed themselves by paying Hester $40mil, taking away his return duties, and not adding a true #1 WR to the roster.

In an ideal world, we would have a true #1 who would draw double teams, and Hester as a #2 guy to capitalize. He has all the talent in the world… I just wonder if we will be able to take full advantage of those talents with the current roster of WRs.

Did losing some key members of the special teams hurt the return game?
Yes, I believe so. And so does Toub.
Was Hester preoccupied with his role as a receiver?
Yes again—I think so. He was committed to being a WR to the point where it drained him both physically and mentally.
Was he trying to justify his new deal and ended up overanalyzing his game instead of reacting?
Yep—you could see it in his “decisions” (INdecisions!) last year—paralysis by analysis. Over-thinking, and not just REACTING, not playing from his instincts.

Hopefully, this year, he feels more comfortable and natural as a WR. His numbers at the end of last year bode well for that.

At first, I hated the idea that the Bears have taken a truly one-of-a-kind, special, unique dangerous player/weapon, and merely converted it into an average, run of the mill, mediocre receiver.

But now i DO think it’s possible for Hester to excel in both roles. And, Manning’s emergence as a talented return guy has alleviated that feeling somewhat, too.

But you’re right—it’s Hester’s MYSTIQUE that we need back—-the fear from other teams that translates into field position—as much as anything else (the big plays, the sparks, the excitement, the 6 points).

I do fully expect Hester to get 1000 yds receiving this year. And while he may not return to the “Ridiculous One” in the return game, I think he’ll break one or two during the year, and be seen as a threat again.
(Side note: Effect of the new Wedge-rules on the Bears return game?!?! Toub said “none” in an earlier interview, but I find that hard to believe).

The biggest thing with him I think is going to be his MENTALITY. He’s going to play with MORE than a chip on his shoulder this year…he’ll have a whole freaking BAG of chips up there…
Think about: EVERY time he turns on the TV, radio, or picks up a paper, he’s hearing how the Bears don’t have ANY receivers, how he’ll NEVER be a number 1, how great a fit Plax and Boldin and Marshall might be.
Who will Cutler throw to? He hears that day after day after day…! Talk about MOTIVATION!!

So I think Hester’s got a lot to prove, and he knows it, and he wants to do it, and with Cutler, he WILL do it!

My prediction: 1000 yds rec. and at least 10 total TDS (both receiving and returning)

I have faith in him… wake me up in September

He’s not going to switch back to being a full-time return specialist, so his main contribution is going to be when the offense is on the field – not as a special teamer.

we’ll see who you have ahead of him but i think hester has to be right up there next to cutler. i would probably put him at #3 or #4. everyone says the D has to improve, and it does, but i think the biggest single factor towards making that happen is an improved offense. just increase the time of possession and allow them to play with a lead and most problems are solved. to do that we need a #1 WR…and that has to be hester.

His TD’s from the 2007 season – Awesome video! >>> Linkity Split <<<

season he had success, I would have said it was my back-up QB theory; back-ups almost always do well because the opposing team is not prepared for their tendencies and other little idiosyncrasies so they tend to play conservative and react. Thus, any new “star” player can have success until teams “figure them out”. But Hester went on to prove he is a legitimate talent; my favorite Bears moment in the last 10 years was screaming a the TV during the SB as Hester returned the opening kick!
     Hester has success on returns because he is so fast and he mainly sat resting on the bench so he was simply less tired than many of the coverage teams. It’s obvious to me that the Bears made a mistake trying to make him a full time receiver at the expense of developing other WRs. Even if he becomes a #1, he is simply too small to take the punishment and he will wear down quickly in the next 2-3 years and probably miss a few games due to nagging type hamstring and knee problems. They needed to target him as a #3 or #4 slot type guy and get big plays because opponents are covering our 1s and 2s. Let’s face it he is more like Dante Hall than Steve Smith; don’t get me wrong I am a huge Hester fan, but it’s true.
The loss of Ayanbadejyo (spelling??) did hurt ST a bit, but Toub is correct that the new wedge rules do not seriously affect the Bears. The Bears do not normally use a traditional wedge, but play a lane style man to man type configuration that may bunch up but does not violate the new rule as I read it.
All in all, I agree with genetic, Hester needs to be much higher on this list, and I worry Geaux is right, the big money for the WR title may have really hurt Hester and the Bears. I truly hope I am wrong!

Watching that video makes me wish football was year round. I havent seen anyone comment on this yet. Is Hester scared to get hurt? Is that the reason he wasnt doing so well. Is his contract set up for incentives as a wide reciever and not a returner also? I don’t personally know, does anyone here know?

Hester “being ridiculous” clips all day… lol.