Hester ends two-day holdout, reports to training camp
By Larry Mayer


BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Wearing a Wisconsin Badgers t-shirt and a smile, All-Pro return specialist Devin Hester reported to Bears training camp Friday, ending a two-day holdout.

Hester had chosen not to report to camp by Wednesday’s midnight deadline because he was upset that he had not received a contract extension like many of his teammates.


Devin Hester has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two NFL seasons.
Hester has two years remaining on the four-year deal he signed in 2006 when he was selected by the Bears in the second round of the draft (57th overall). He told the Chicago Tribune that he would not report to camp until he received a new deal, but apparently had a change of heart.

Coaches and teammates were thrilled to see Hester Friday morning.

“I think it’s great,” said special teams coordinator Dave Toub. “It’s great for him. I think it’s going to up-lift everybody, kind of like when [Brian] Urlacher came in during OTAs and lifted the whole spirit of practice. I think that’ll be the same thing when he comes.”

It’s no doubt just a coincidence, but the Bears will conduct kick return drills for the first time in training camp during today’s 3 p.m. practice.

The Bears were surprised by Hester’s decision to hold out, given that good faith negotiations with his agent, Eugene Parker, were continuing. The NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement stipulated that Hester would be fined more than $15,000 per day during his holdout.

Hester burst on the scene as a rookie, setting a NFL record with five kick return touchdowns. The former Miami star then eclipsed the mark with six kick return TDs last season, leaving him two shy of Brian Mitchell’s all-time NFL record.

Hester’s role on offense is expected to expand this season from an average of 10-12 snaps last year to 30-35 plays. The converted cornerback caught 20 passes for 299 yards and 2 touchdowns in his first season as a wide receiver in 2007.

“It’s great for our offense,” quarterback Rex Grossman said of Hester’s arrival in camp. “He can get his timing down and we can get him ready to go because he’s going to be a big part of our offense this year.”

Yea, cause I am really worried about that part of his game…

A 2-day hold-out for no damn reason with nothing changing...no new contract and the good faith negotiation continues as before...WHY????

I hope this turns out to be a minor water under situation and not the start of the Devin Hester Bullshit Show....Mr Hester you're a long damn way from being another Cedric Benson, but you did just took your first small step in that direction....let's hopes it's your last...

Our kick and punt returns just haven't been the same since Leon Johnson left the team

I still have that fucking vision of the football coming down and hitting him right in the facemask and bouncing back upfield past his blockers. I believe you can pinpoint it down to that one play that turned the entire season around... essentially flushing it down the crapper.

Who the fuck has a FB returning kicks...

Dick Jauron.

Not cool.

Next you're gonna post this: (WARNING...PICTURE MAY BE HIGHLY OFFENSIVE)


This post has been edited by Bearkev: Jul 25 2008, 12:21 PM

I almost puked when i saw that red x.

ZOMG! I checked the properties... don't do it Kev!

This post has been edited by AtomicTommy: Jul 25 2008, 12:02 PM

We like Leon Johnson. We like what he can do. We have him penciled in as our starter.

Hmm...I don't get a red X. Maybe you have some kinda 'asshole filter' or something?

You posted a picture of Brophy?

Now that's funny. No...there's another asshole. He's in Pittsburgh now (by way of Miami of course).

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!


I don't like you anymore, Kev. >:(

I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. Daddy just drinks sometimes and has bad thoughts about Dave Wannsedt.

NO!!! I'm NOT accepting that excuse any longer. You used that same excuse when you had me wear that blonde wig and maids outfit. You kept calling me Rosita!!! That was so... ...DEGRADING!!!

Seriously, dude... i'm about to eat.

wait... I thought that was just "our" thing...

TD? You do this with Kev, too?