Hester's shelf life is running low

When the Chicago Bears reported to training camp in mid-July, they were missing a huge piece. Devin Hester, the most electrifying player in the National Football League and lone reason why I kept watching the Bears last year, was holding out for more money.

Ninety-nine percent of Chicago freaked out and thought the Bears should just give him what he wants. Understandable. Right?

The Bears haven't seen a football player as exciting to watch as Hester since Walter Payton. "The Windy City Flyer" runs as fast as Hollywood producers do from a movie starring Norm MacDonald. Hester had six return touchdowns in each of his first two seasons in the league.

He even returned the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI for a touchdown, sending Chicago into a frenzied state before it realized that Rex Grossman was quarterbacking the team.

So if Hester is so good that he might be able to challenge the almighty Mike Ditka in a footrace, why should the Bears have traded him? After all, he's been a consistent source of touchdowns for the team - something Grossman, Cedric "Boats n' Hoes" Benson and Bernard Berrian couldn't provide.

The shelf life of a return man is not very long, however, especially for those who have prominent roles on offense. Remember Dante Hall? Chiefs fans don't need a refresher - he was the most feared return man in the NFL about five years ago. And where is he now? Struggling to find playing time in St. Louis. Hall was never a great wide receiver, but Kansas City tried to force him into the position after teams started kicking away from him.

You can bet that opposing kickers will start shying away from Hester, forcing the Bears' offense to beat them. When that happens, Hester will have a bigger role in the offense. And after that takes place, Hester will struggle. His value will go from its state before 2008 - which was through the roof - to almost nothing in just a few years.

Hester is listed at 5 feet 11 inches. He weighs 189 pounds. His only value as a wide receiver is as a burner, somebody who can catch a deep ball. With Kyle Orton at quarterback, however, the offense likely won't be throwing downfield as much as it did with ole Sexy Rexy. Expect a lot of quick slants and stop routes. And that Hester will get knocked around like a rag doll on those routes.

Although the NFC North is looking weak this year, the Bears need to rebuild. Orton isn't a bad quarterback. But is he really the quarterback for the Bears' future?

The team needs wide receivers like gold-medal Chinese gymnasts need fake documentation. The defensive and offensive lines aren't getting any younger. If the Bears could have secured a first-round pick for Hester, they should have gone ahead and made the move. It's not like they didn't have an excuse, because Hester sat out the initial days of camp.

The Bears without Hester would be about as pathetic as the St. Louis Cardinals' bullpen. But, then again, will they be less pathetic with him for this year, the next year and through 2013?

I don't think so.

(themaneater.com)