Devin Hester pleased by peers' poll recognition

 

Although his peers somewhat surprisingly voted him No. 32 in an NFL Network poll ranking the league's top 100 players, Devin Hester understands he still has much to prove, particularly as a receiver.

And Hester firmly believes he has made strides this offseason.

The Chicago Bears’ electric kick returner was at Lincoln-Way Central High on Thursday alongside Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade as the two held football and basketball camps.

Hester’s high ranking in the top-100 poll was questioned by media members, and he attributes the recognition to being arguably the best return man of all time, not for his work at receiver. He set the NFL record of 14 kick-return touchdowns in just 74 games.

"It was a blessing to be among the top players who made the top 100,’’ Hester said. "Not even just the top 100, but even some of the guys who didn’t make it. I felt there was like 300 more guys who should have been on the list, so that means a lot for me to be at No. 32.

"It’s a great feeling to know my peers feel like that about me. Just a great honor.’’

Julius Peppers was No. 10 on the list while Brian Urlacher (No. 49) and Lance Briggs (No. 92) were the only other Bears mentioned.

After Thursday's three-hour session with hundreds of campers, Hester -- who caught just 40 passes last season (11.9 yards per catch) after finishing with 50-plus catches the previous two -- talked about the organized workouts with Jay Cutler and the rest of the offensive skill players that have now concluded.

"Just running routes on air and consistently getting a feel for what your weakness are and what you need to improve on as far as routes,’’ Hester said of what he accomplished. "The more you run those routes, the smoother you are. That’s what helped me the most.’’

Spending three days a week at those workouts only made Hester more eager to get back on an NFL field. The Bears are scheduled to report to training camp July 22 in preparation for the Aug. 7 Hall of Fame game matchup with the Rams.

But the preseason all depends on the lockout being resolved in the next week or so, and signs point to a possible agreement being in place by the weekend.

"It’s getting (frustrating),’’ Hester said. "What is it, a month before we play a game? The sad thing about it is that regardless of when the lockout ends, everybody wants us to be on schedule to play the games.

"The players are just saying, 'Don’t expect us to come one week and try to play the next.' If y’all want us to play, let’s go ahead and get this worked out.’’

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(chicagotribune.com)