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Dynamic Bear - Devin Hester enhancing superstar status
By Larry Mayer
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Former NBA star Dominique Wilkins was nicknamed “The Human Highlight Film,” but no NFL player deserves that moniker more than Devin Hester.
The electrifying return specialist has been the star of training camp, displaying dazzling moves and explosiveness while working with a Bears offense that suddenly boasts an array of exciting big-play threats.
Devin Hester is making a smooth transition from defense to offense in training camp.
“He’s something special,” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner.
“The progress he’s made has been tremendous. Mentally he’s handling everything really well and physically he’s got good instincts out there. He’s definitely going to be able to help us.”
Hester has caught just about every pass thrown in his direction and created a buzz among fans who wear his No. 23 jersey and chant his name after every practice, hoping for an autograph or at least an up-close glimpse of their hero.
The 2006 second-round pick looked like he was auditioning for the Globetrotters on one play in a recent practice. After slipping on the grass, Hester reached up and caught a pass on a quick slant while sliding on his back.
In another workout, the dynamic playmaker caught a quick pass just over the line of scrimmage and proceeded to leave two Pro Bowl defenders in his wake, bursting past cornerback Nathan Vasher before racing by safety Mike Brown.
“There was no way I was making that tackle,” Brown said.
“He’s a dangerous guy. You get him in the open field with any kind of space, it’s going to be fun to watch. He’s a spectacular player.”
Turner is surprised how quickly Hester has made the transition from defense to offense and has been most impressed with both how he has picked up the scheme and his route-running ability.
“I knew he had great hands. You can see that,” Turner said.
“But I wasn’t sure where he’d be route running-wise and he came out and looked good. In fact, he said he feels even more comfortable than he thought he was going to.”
Much of that is due to the fact that Hester played wide receiver and running back in addition to lining up at cornerback and returning punts and kicks at the University of Miami.
“It’s nothing new,” Hester said.
"I kind of know what to expect. Now at the next level I’m going to get my opportunity just to get my hands on the ball a little more and hopefully go out and do the best I can.”
The only other NFL player that Turner believes possesses as much natural ability as Hester is Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith, whom Turner once coached in a college all-star game.
“I didn’t know much about Steve Smith and I saw him catch a pass in that game,” Turner said.
“He caught a 10-yard hook and the next thing I knew it was an 80-yard touchdown. I said, ‘Whoa.’ I hadn’t seen anything like that before. But [Hester] has the same kind of explosiveness.”
Hester has watched videotape of Smith, Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Keyshawn Johnson and Santana Moss
“just trying to get a feel of what made them so great.”
The Bears star has also studied tape of his teammates.
“He couldn’t make the move and be where he is if he didn’t put the time in,” Turner said.
“It’s real important to him. He’s got a lot of pride and he’s working hard at learning it. Obviously he needs some work. I wouldn’t call [him] polished yet. But I’d say he does a lot of things naturally, and that will come.”
In making the conversion, the Bears are not overloading Hester with terminology or responsibilities.
“We’re trying to be careful what we do with him, just like we are anytime we get someone new at the position,” Turner said.
“There’s a fine line. You don’t want to give them too much or ask them to do too much and now they’re not doing anything well.
“We’re trying to zero in on what he can do and give him a small package just like we did with Bernard [Berrian] when he first got here and everybody. You’re trying to bring him along slowly, but we’re pleased with the transition so far and the progress that he’s made.”
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