Talented Hester determined to be a complete receiver

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Evidence that speedy Bears receiver Devin Hester is more than just a deep threat came on the first play of a two-minute drill in Thursday night’s training camp practice.

Quarterback Jay Cutler drifted to his right and fired a fairly deep pass over the middle that appeared to be heading into the waiting arms of Brian Urlacher. But Hester came back for the ball, shielded it from the middle linebacker and plucked it out of the air for a first down. 

The play, which set up Robbie Gould’s 25-yard field goal, may not have been one that Hester was capable of making when he first moved from cornerback to wide receiver in 2007.

“It’s because of how much progress I’ve made,” Hester said. “The more reps you get the better you get at whatever you do in life. Given the opportunity to be the No. 1 [receiver] and going out and getting as many reps as I’m getting is helping me out a lot.”

Hester made several nice catches in Thursday night’s practice, including one in the right corner of the end zone on another perfectly-thrown pass from Cutler.

“I’m just trying to be an all-around receiver as far as moving the chains, catching the deep ball and being able to come up and block when I have to,” Hester said. “That’s what I’m working on.”



(chicagobears.com)