Hester makes case for starting job

BOURBONNAIS - The question of whether or not Devin Hester is good enough to be a starting wide receiver this year, and maybe even a No. 1, may already have been answered.

In Sunday's practice, Hester caught 7 of Rex Grossman's 20 completions, beating both starting cornerbacks, Nate Vasher and Charles "Peanut" Tillman, who form one of the more talented tandems in the NFL.

"Peanut is probably one of the best corners in the league because he's very physical," Hester said. "You know once you go against Peanut, you're going to have to be prepared to fight. Peanut is an aggressive corner; he's going to get his hands on you. Receivers don't like corners getting their hands on them. Going against a corner that's real aggressive, you've got to step up and play big."

Opponents who try to jam Hester at the line of scrimmage will suffer the consequences if he gets a clean break.

"He's a mismatch for a lot of people speed-wise," Grossman said. "So, if they want to come up and play press, man-to-man coverage with no safety help, they're going to get burned. We're excited about that matchup all season."

Hopes fading: The hope was that first-round pick Chris Williams would be back at practice when the Bears returned to Olivet Nazarene University on Sunday. But the offensive tackle didn't appear any closer to returning to the field than he has since July 24, the second day of camp, when he suffered a strained back.

Williams was being counted on as the opening-day left tackle, but that possibility now seems remote.

"It hurts him each day he misses," coach Lovie Smith said. "But I've seen players miss a lot of time and come back and still be successful. That's what we're hoping will happen with Chris."

Williams, who isn't even jogging on the side at practices yet, could not provide a timetable for his return.

"I have no idea," he said.

"I hope it's not too much longer."

(dailyherald.com)