Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester (23) runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during the first half of a game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Just a few months ago, one of the best return specialists this game has seen in a long time, was about ready to leave the Chicago Bears.
The Chicago Bears were somewhat in the spot light when it came to off-season issues, having their share headlines with Lovie Smith, Brian Urlacher and the topic of this article, Devin Hester.
Hester who was drafted as a defensive back/return specialist was later converted to a full time wide receiver. A decision made by then head coach Lovie Smith, would make Hester one of the fastest receivers on the Chicago Bears roster. It had some success here and there, but didn’t make the Miami Hurricane product a star wide receiver.
After their season ended and the Chicago Bears front office decided to part ways with Lovie Smith, Hester let everybody know that he was displeased with current situations. He contemplated retirement, then decided if the Chicago Bears didn’t switch him back to full time return specialist, he would like to play somewhere else.
His production has slipped since he made the transition from defensive back to full time receiver. And now that he is back to full time return specialist, Hester hopes to get back to that dangerous form he once was in his first couple seasons in the league.
No job is ever really promised to anybody in this league, at any point in time, a player who is looking to make a name for himself can easily take what was once yours. No matter how many records you have broken, or if you are a former MVP, your job is always in jeopardy. I mean, unless you are Mark Sanchez.
Anyways, new Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman told John Mullin of CSNChicago.com that Devin Hester is competing to be the teams primary return man. Now that he is competing for his job, what happens if he is to lose it? Would he settle for being #2 on the depth chart? Or could he jump back onto the same ship he was riding a few months ago and ask the team to fix it, or trade him.
If the Chicago Bears do in fact decide to roll with someone else as their primary return man, that could mean the end of Devin Hester in the Windy City. It would be a bummer to see him leave, after all he did for this team since he was drafted. But at the same time I understand as a fan, what the team is wanting to do. At some point, a team will decide to go younger at certain positions.
Jackson Smith
If you have seen the last couple articles I have posted, I have been dedicating them to a family of a close friend of mine. A little boy by the name of Jackson Smith, along with his parents, are in one of the toughest situations you could possibly be in. Now I know this isn’t sports related, but as a human being, I couldn’t just sit back and not help this family raise the money they need. So I have decided to dedicate every article I will write for the next 45 days or so, in order to help them, to little Jackson Smith and his family. In a course of around 10 days, the family had raised the goal of around $5,000 (nearly met in just hours) to $10,000 due to good hearted people who also refused to give up on Jackson. Now I’m not saying those who don’t help this kid out, are cold hearted. I understand and I’m sure Jackson’s family and friends also understand, that times are rough. Prayers, messages, comments, all related to Jackson would be deeply appreciated.
Salute Jackson Smith.
”Almost 2 years ago a beautiful little baby Jackson was born into the world to the greatest mother and father, our cousin and her husband. Almost one week ago, our lives changed unexpectedly when we found out baby Jackson had a tumor on his brain stem. The following day he had successful brain surgery to remove the tumor later to find out after the biopsy came back, it turned out to be an aggressive form of cancer. We are all waiting to hear back from the doctors at St. Jude’s hospital on the next plan of attack. We have never been more proud of our cousin, her husband, and their son Jackson for being so strong! We will all beat this together.”