Devin Hester:More Than a Kick Returner for the 2013 Chicago Bears

Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester (23) runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during 1st half of a game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

It turns out that Devin Hester will have a bigger role with the 2013 Chicago Bears than just a kick returner.  As a matter of fact, Hester will do something he hasn’t done yet in his career under new special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis – he’s going to cover kicks and work as a gunner on punt coverage.  Devin Hester will be a four phase special teamer.

"“The biggest thing about a great gunner sometimes is the guy who can get there fastest,” special teams coordinatorJoe DeCamillis said. “We had a guy in Denver long time ago, he was an Olympic sprinter named Sam Graddy.Sam wasn’t the best tackler in the world, but he sure caused a lot of fair catches. So hopefully we can expand (Hester’s) role and see what happens.“He has been a great returner and we want to add to that as much as we can. He’s definitely going to be fresher to (cover) and that’s something we’re evaluating right now.”"

I wondered about this the other day when I saw some tape of the Bears first practice when Hester was working with tackling dummies.  It’s not the first time Hester will have to make a tackle; he came into the league and played his first season as a cornerback, just like his mentor Deion Sanders.

Not too long ago, I speculated about Devin Hester and whether or not the swagger can return and I think this gets another important step to help Hester find his identity and role for the new era of Chicago Bears football.

I don’t know if this is a coincidence, but as Brad Biggs reported, Hester recently put his Riverwoods mansion on the market.

"Off the field, Hester has listed his Riverwoods mansion for sale for $2.625 million, according to Realtor.com. Hester sold a Gurnee property in January, which the Tribune reported was one of three residences he owned in the area. So, it doesn’t mean he’s moving but he is looking to move his largest local property."

I wonder if he is one step ahead or just making another boneheaded move, like many of his frustrating punt returns where he’s running the wrong direction?  We know that Hester wasn’t happy when Lovie Smith left, so I’m not convinced his heart is fully into this latest move.

What do you think?  Do you like Hester strictly as a 4-phase special teamer?   Do you think he’ll actually stick with the team?