Devin Hester's expanded role on returns gives Bears boost

Devin Hester had just finished reminiscing about returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLI when a reporter asked him where that moment ranked among his career highlights.

"It's up there in the Top 3,'' Hester said.

"Just top 3?'' the reporter posed

"Top 2,'' Hester responded.

"It's in the Super Bowl,'' the reported stated.

"Maybe Top 1,'' Hester conceded.

Hester, arguably the league's most dynamic return man, hopes his return trip Thursday night to Dolphin Stadium is a historic one. Hester's 13 combined kick returns for touchdowns have him tied with Brian Mitchell for the NFL record.

"Oh yeah I thought about it, a few years ago,'' Hester said of breaking the record. "I'm still working on it. I have a couple more years left under my belt. Hopefully by the time I retire, it will be broken by then.''

If Hester does break one for a score Thursday night, it would be the ideal setting. Hester is from Riviera Beach, Fla., about 80 miles north of Miami. He has 40 family members and friends coming to watch the Bears- Dolphins game.

Hester was asked if he plays better in front of such a familiar audience.

"I think so,'' he said. "I think I don't get as fatigued as I do when (in Chicago) playing. It's going to be very exciting. And I'm hoping to put on a show for them.''

Hester had quite the performance last week as the Bears wisely put him back on kickoff duties. He was named the NFC' special teams player of the week after he compiled 147 total return yards against the Vikings, including a 68-yard kickoff return.

"He's just as confident as ever,'' special teams coordinator Dave Toub said. "Devin has always been Devin. He had the two down years where he didn't score a touchdown, but still he was very, very effective in everything that he did on punt returns and kick returns every time we used him.''

Of more importance for the Bears, Hester showed he could be effective as a returner while remaining a crucial part of the offense. He also had a 19-yard touchdown reception in Sunday's victory over the Vikings.

"You can see why we moved him back into the (kickoff) return game,'' offensive coordinator Mike Martz said. "All we're concerned about is that we keep him as fresh as we can. What he does for us on offense is remarkable, but we don't want to wear him down. When he wears down, then he's not as effective in both roles.

"There is a delicate balance that we have to be careful with. He knows that. He's thrilled to do both. As long as he is rested and ready to go, he'll be out there on offense.''

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(chicagotribune.com)