Jun/01/08 05:43 PM Filed in:
Devin Hester
LAKE FOREST, Ill. –
It’s easier to stump Devin Hester than to
keep him out of the end zone.
At least that’s the way it appeared after the
electrifying All-Pro delivered another dazzling
individual effort during Saturday’s minicamp
practice at Halas Hall.
Hester provided the highlight of the workout by
tracking down a deep Kyle Orton pass that appeared to
be overthrown with a superhuman burst. Later, the
dynamic third-year pro was asked to recall the last
time a quarterback threw a pass beyond his reach.
After pausing for a moment, Hester said with a smile:
“I can’t even remember.”
Hester flashed his big play ability last season,
catching touchdown passes of 81 yards against the
Vikings and 55 yards versus the Saints. His
instructions to the quarterback are simple.
“Whenever we get a deep ball, I tell him to just
throw it as far as he can and hopefully I’ll be
able to run it down,” Hester said.
“That’s what we work hard on every
day.”
Hester is trying to prove that he’s more than
just a deep threat. Entering his second season as a NFL
wide receiver, he’s working primarily on route
timing during offseason workouts.
“That’s the most important thing,”
said Hester, who caught 20 passes for 299 yards and 2
TDs last season. “The NFL is all about timing and
being at the right spot at the right time.”
With his comfort level on offense at an all-time high,
Hester is determined to win a starting job.
“If you’re a receiver and you don’t
feel that way, then you don’t deserve to be out
here on the field,” he said. “You get
better by competing, and that’s what I’m
out here doing. When the season kicks off, hopefully
I’ll have the opportunity to be one of the
[starters].
“It’s all about competing, and right now
the position is wide open. The best two are going to
step up and play.”
(chicagobears.com)