Tough spot for Hester

Devin Hester says the prospect of getting a new contract that reflects his spectacular achievements of the past two seasons is constantly on his mind.

"I would be lying to you if I said it was easy. It's not easy," he said. "Sometimes you wish it wouldn't even come up, but right now, unfortunately, you're in a position where you can get a new contract and it goes through your mind every day. Each and every day I wake up I think about it. What's going on?"

And Hester worries that in a split second an injury could diminish his earning power before he gets the money he deserves after putting together the most productive back-to-back seasons by a return specialist in NFL history. So far, Hester has:

• Seven punt-return touchdowns.
• Four kickoff-return touchdowns.
• A 108-yard TD return of a missed field goal.
• And a 92-yard kickoff return for a TD in Super Bowl XLI.

"You have doubts about coming out here and getting injured," he said Saturday after minicamp. "But, at the same time, you know being out here is going to better your game. You know every day you miss is a day you lose. When you're out here you know you're getting better and better -- that's the No. 1 thing that keeps me motivated. I'm the type of player that wants to get better and wants to help out the team as much as I can."

Complicating Hester's situation is the fact that he's still transitioning to and learning the wide receiver position. He caught just 20 passes last year in his first season as a full-time wideout, but coach Lovie Smith says he has the talent to become a No. 1 receiver in the NFL.

"The thing is, I can get a contract right now as the best return man, but that's not what I want," Hester said. "I'm looking forward to being one of the No. 1 receivers, and I want to get paid as a receiver. That's basically the biggest holdup right now."

Hester said he hasn't received any indication that a new deal is imminent.

"It's a slow process," he said. "It's a business. Right now you're just hoping for the best and hoping that you get what you're worth."

While he's trying not to let the contract situation disrupt his learning curve at wide receiver, Hester admitted he would be disappointed if he enters the regular season still playing under the terms of the four-year, $2.86 million deal he signed as a second-round pick in 2006, which included $1.26 million in guaranteed money.

"It would be very hard to do," he said.

His base salary of $360,000 last season was the league minimum, as is the $445,000 base he's scheduled to make this season. But for now, he's willing to be patient.

"It's tough, but I did sign a contract, so I'm obligated to come out here," he said. "I'd be reneging if I didn't show up, but at the same time it's very frustrating. I do want to get paid. But I'm not going to sit here and complain about not getting paid enough. I'm going to come out here and play ball."

(dailyherald.com)