Bears receivers coach says Hester will get chances

Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake read between the lines before any question about Devin Hester's one-catch performance was asked.

Drake was well aware of quarterback Jay Cutler's Wednesday news conference, when Cutler said he would have thrown the ball to Hester more if the receiver had been open against the Lions. And Drake knew Hester thought he was open on a few plays, although Hester was targeted just once in 35 pass attempts.

"But contrary to what everybody is trying to do in pitting Devin against Jay — and I think that's a bunch of bull and is really (screwed) up that people would even do that — the matchups weren't with Devin,'' Drake said.

In defense of his receiver, Drake saw no problem with Hester casually nudging for more touches, although Hester admitted there is no distinct No. 1 option in this scheme.

"If there's a receiver in this offense who doesn't want the ball, I don't want him,'' Drake said. "He needs to play somewhere else. You want guys who want the football, and Devin understands his opportunities are going to come.''

Running back Matt Forte led the Bears with seven catches for 151 yards in the opener. Devin Aromashodu led the receivers with five catches for 71 yards, and he was targeted a team-high 10 times. Johnny Knox was targeted seven times and caught three passes for 52 yards.

"That ball can go anywhere, and it's all based on what's happening, coverage-wise,'' Drake said. "Devin had a rolled-up coverage and a safety over him. And he ain't going to get it every time. But there are times when he'll get it. It will come his way.

"What (offensive coordinator) Mike Martz does is he does a great job with matchups, and he's going to take advantage of the matchups. Where were the matchups Sunday? Where? The matchups were with D.A. (Aromashodu) and Matt Forte. D.A. had some opportunities, didn't complete all his opportunities, but that's where the matchups worked.''

(chicagotribune.com)