Hester sees more highlights ahead
Devin Hester was one of the NFL's most closely watched players when he was just returning kicks and punts - and the occasional missed field goal.
This season should provide even more opportunities to watch the human highlight film, as he takes another step on the journey that the Bears hope leads toward his evolution as a go-to wide receiver.
Hester says he's ready for the challenge of being a return specialist and a starting wide receiver.
"I feel like I've prepared for it up to this moment," he said. "I went to practice and conditioned myself. I feel like this is what I've got to go through every week, so let me prepare for it every day. I've just been working hard, and hopefully when game time comes, we'll step up and make plays like we normally do."
Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy remembers how Hester gave the Bears a 7-0 lead against his team in Super Bowl XLI by returning the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. Dungy doesn't want to put the ball in Hester's hands again, but he realizes sometimes it might be inevitable.
"There are going to be times when you have to kick to him," Dungy said. "We're going to try to punt well and high and make him move around to catch it. We're going to try to make him move to catch the kickoffs. We certainly don't want to kick it out of bounds on the kickoff, so there's going to be a chance he's going to get the ball. We'll try to make it so that if he does field it, hopefully he has to run the field and he has to move around."
That's fine with Hester, as long as he gets some opportunities. He knows that's all he needs to change the course of a game.
"Anything can change the momentum of the game, and we're just hoping that once we get momentum, we can keep it."
It worked in the Super Bowl, but only briefly, making Hester's return somewhat bittersweet.
"I watched it several times," he said, "but after that, you want to forget about it and prepare for this season. Hopefully we go back to the Super Bowl this year and win it."