Recovering from injuries, Hester looks forward to playing for Martz
BY
SEAN JENSEN sjensen@suntimes.com
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- Devin Hester is in a suite on the top floor of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
On the ground level outside, around a striking and sprawling pool, Hester's celebrity guests -- who eventually included rapper Rick Ross and actress Kellita Smith (''The Bernie Mac Show'') -- arrive and pose with guitars on a red carpet in front of a dozen photographers. The classy event is courtesy of one of Hester's sponsors, the energy drink Red Bull, in the days leading up to the Super Bowl.
Naturally, Hester wishes he could be playing Sunday at Sun Life Stadium, but he still feels at home because his roots are deep in the area (he was born in Riviera Beach and went to the University of Miami).
Besides, Hester needs the downtime.
''I'm trying to enjoy myself a little bit,'' Hester said. ''I was really banged up this year.''
That he injured his ankle and calf were well-documented during the season, the latter one sidelining him for three of the season's last four games. But Hester said his left shoulder was also ailing throughout the regular season.
''You're timid and weak on that side,'' Hester said of his shoulder injury, which he said he suffered in a 27-17 preseason victory over the Denver Broncos on Aug. 30. ''I really couldn't use my left shoulder, really.''
The injury slowed him but didn't sideline him, and he persevered because he prides himself on playing through pain.
''If I'm hurt, and I can at least go 75 or 80 percent, then I'm going to try to do it,'' said Hester, who missed only one game in his first three seasons. ''I want to fight through it.''
He didn't defend himself from the verbal jabs aimed at him because his stats didn't seem to match his paychecks (he signed an extension through 2013 in July 2008 that included $15 million in guarantees).
''You don't want to be the type of player who makes excuses,'' he said, ''or else people will find more reasons to talk trash about you.''
Hester won't need surgery, but he said his shoulder isn't ready for weights so he continues rehab to rebuild the strength.
Equally frustrating for him, though, were his ankle and calf injuries, which robbed him of his best asset on the football field.
''My quickness wasn't there,'' he said. ''I couldn't push off.''
That impacted his effectiveness returning kickoffs and punts, and he was focused on building a rapport with new quarterback Jay Cutler, something he couldn't do if he was sidelined for long stretches. After 10 games, Hester was tied for fifth in the NFC with 52 catches for 514 receiving yards. But his numbers tailed off from there until the season-finale in Detroit, when he caught three passes for 75 yards.
As he looks ahead to next season, though, Hester is excited about the offense's prospects, from his quarterback (''he brings a lot more than people think'') to his new offensive coordinator.
In fact, when he heard the news on the radio while driving, Hester asked his passenger to Google Mike Martz.
''That's a guy a receiver would love to work with, the type of coach who spreads the receivers out,'' he said. ''That's what we're looking forward to. If he brings that offense he had in St. Louis, we're going to be a tough team to beat.''
Hester sees himself in the Torry Holt role, snatching quick passes and beating defenders in space.
As for returning kicks and punts, Hester said he's open to doing "whatever coach wants me to do."
During the offseason, aside from getting healthy, Hester said he wants to continue working on his route-running. Backup Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie is Miami this week, and they plan to practice some at some point.
For now, Hester has been spending quality time with teammates such as Johnny Knox and Lance Briggs, who attended the Red Bull Pool Party.
''Whenever you get to see those guys, especially away from football, it's a joy,'' Hester said.
He also visited his alma mater, Suncoast High School, to speak to students, as well as the house he grew up in. Red Bull accompanied him on his stroll down memory lane, and they will release a video later.
''I think it's going to turn out to be a nice story,'' he said, ''so I can't wait to see it.''
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