Brandon Marshall: Hester poised for big WR season

The Chicago Bears are still waiting for Devin Hester to emerge as a top receiver but his new teammate Brandon Marshall came away impressed with what he has seen.

"I've never been around a receiver, never seen a receiver who runs routes like Devin Hester does outside," Marshall said Monday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "He has all the skills to be a Pro Bowl receiver, not a punt returner -- we all know what he can do there -- but a Pro Bowl receiver.

"Honestly I think he is going to have a bigger year than me this year. I just don't think he's been in an environment, a situation offensively that catered to him as a player. I think with [quarterback coach] Jeremy Bates and [quarterback] Jay [Cutler] growing and maturing, I think they will be able to put him in a better position this year to where he can probably do damage. I'm excited about everyone else, but the person I'm more excited to see is Devin."

Hester has averaged 39 receptions and 513 yards in five seasons as a receiver. He is coming off a 26-catch season in 2011, his worst since 2007, his first as a receiver.

Bears coach Lovie Smith seemed to indicate at the NFL owners meetings that Hester will be relegated only to punt returns in addition to his receiver duties, leaving kick returns to Eric Weems and Devin Thomas.


(espn.com)