Hester feels no pressure in Year 2
A full season and a Pro Bowl berth under his belt have allowed return specialist and wide receiver Devin Hester to enjoy life more in the NFL.
"It's more laid back now," said Hester, whose first punt return for the season went for 50 yards. "I'm more relaxed. I kind of know what's going on with the situation and the style of how things are run now. There's not too much pressure; I feel like I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I'm just going out and trying to make plays."
Hester, who is still learning the nuances of being an NFL wideout, has 3 catches for 23 yards in the preseason. He's become a celebrity because of his unprecedented success as a kickoff and punt returner.
"I go out every now and then to the mall and stuff," Hester said. "And you've got fans out there that recognize you, and you just tell them, 'OK, I'll sign this, but please don't make no scene about it.' You try to stay under cover, outside of football, I just try to be a normal person."
Obvious oversight: Even though Jamar Williams came to training camp as the Bears' No. 1 weak-side linebacker ahead of absent Lance Briggs, he still didn't rate inclusion in the Madden 2008 video game.
"That's just going to motivate me more," Williams said. "But it's not surprising, because last year, being injured, you kind of feel like you're irrelevant. Not being on the game kind of proves it, so I'm just going to have to show some guys this year."
Williams is the Bears' top backup as linebacker, taking training-camp snaps with the first team at all three positions. And even though he did miss all but three games last year with a torn pectoral muscle, there are less-proficient players who made the game.
"It's crazy," Williams said, "because you even have a lot of the free-agent signings (who are included in the game), so for them to not have me on there was a little tough. I had everyone calling me up, my family and friends, saying, 'You're not on the game,' and I'm like, I can't even explain why, so it's tough."