Keep an eye on Mr. Hester
Devin Hester was listed last year as Bears a reserve defensive back. He turned out, of course, to be a game-changer, with six returns for touchdowns in the regular season and another in the Super Bowl.
Now, although he may run some plays as a wideout, he is listed in the Bears’ media guide as “return specialist.”
“They had games (last year) that he made the key plays that turned games around,” Chargers coach Norv Turner said. “Specifically the Arizona game, but a number of games where he got the ball and took off and went with it and it completely changes the game.
“When you put his reel of returns together, it’s awfully impressive because they do a great job blocking for him, but then he does a great job of making that one guy miss that he needs to make miss.”
Turner was asked if that’s the most demoralizing thing for a coach.
“A lot of things are demoralizing,” he said. “Everyone knows it’s a game-changing play. There are lots of statistics on games where (when) you return a kick you usually win, and when they return a kick they usually win. … I think they led the league in returns for touchdowns last year between their special teams and defense. That is an issue and something we need to be aware of.”
Turner also said while the Bears have used Hester some on offense during the exhibition season, “I don’t think they want to disrupt their main flow of what they do.”