Inside the Bears

Filtering through the notebook from Tuesday’s pre-draft session at Halas Hall ...

Maybe the most interesting nugget that didn’t involve a smokescreen was when special teams coordinator Dave Toub said he didn’t expect Devin Hester’s role to be reduced on special teams this season. Fact is, that mirrors what coach Lovie Smith said earlier in the month at the owners meetings in Florida. Smith said he would never take a player away from doing what he’s best at, and clearly being the game’s most dominant return man is Hester’s strength at this point.

The goal is for him to develop as a top receiver but that’s a work in progress.

“I’ve talked to Devin and I’ve talked to Lovie about it,’’ Toub said. ``Just having him line up on kickoff returns changes the mind set of the other team. I don’t think we’re going to see a situation where he’s not in there.

“If he’s a No. 1 receiver now, we’re projecting a lot of things, but if he is that guy then you’re going to look at it. But is he going to be that guy right now? I don't see that happening this year. That’s my personal view of it. Maybe down the road.’’

Continue reading "Filtering through the notebook: Hester, ice cream trucks and 10 Pro Bowlers" »

Posted by Brad Biggs at 09:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBacks (0)

It was not surprise to spot agent Eugene Parker at Halas Hall this afternoon.

As expected, he made the trip to Lake Forest from his base in Indiana, showing up to discuss the future of wide receiver/returner Devin Hester with management.

Surely Parker’s arrival was relief for general manager Jerry Angelo, who was at least mildly irked by the barrage of questions centered on the face of the franchise, Brian Urlacher. That’s a face that is no doubt frowning in his contract staredown with the club. More on that situation later on.

Continue reading "Hester's agent Parker arrives for talks" »

Posted by Brad Biggs at 04:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBacks (0)

If you can pull yourself away from the hand-wringing going on over Brian Urlacher’s contract demands, the Bears have turned their business focus to another player, Devin Hester.

The team and representatives for the returner/receiver have plans to discuss their situation this week, and a face-to-face meeting involving agent Eugene Parker is possible. The team got serious with the Rosenhaus brothers two weeks ago when they came to town to work on a deal for defensive tackle Tommie Harris. When those efforts stalled, the decision was made to move forward and laying the groundwork for a longterm extension for Hester, who is signed for two more seasons, is a top priority.

Continue reading "Devin Hester, you're next at the negotiating table" »

Posted by Brad Biggs at 11:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBacks (0)

With the Bears headed East to work out Virginia guard Branden Albert next week, that just about completes a run through the top available linemen.

Albert has reportedly been climbing draft boards the last few weeks with many now projecting him as a left tackle. He has long arms and is agile on his feet with a background as a basketball player. The Bears will head in for a final look at him in the days leading up to the draft, a source said Wednesday.

So Albert will join Boise State’s Ryan Clady and Boston College’s Gosder Cherilus as prospects the team is known to have had private workouts with. The Bears were one of a handful of teams at a workout by Pittsburgh’s Jeff Otah last week, and the team is known to have gone into Nashville, Tenn., to check out Chris Williams of Vanderbilt. The Bears also attended the pro day at USC where Sam Baker worked out.

Continue reading "Thursday tidbits: Bears complete circuit with OT's" »

Posted by Brad Biggs at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (24) | TrackBacks (0)

From Devin Hester’s mind to Deion Sanders’ lips ... or something like that.

Everyone knows the sensational return man has a close friend and confidant in Sanders, and his buddy did the talking for him appearing Tuesday on the NFL Network’s “Total Access.” Sanders was discussing the slate of games the league will televise, including the Week 15 meeting between New Orleans and Chicago Thursday, Dec. 11 at Soldier Field.

“Come on, the quarterback problems of the Chicago Bears are still there and then they gave away every receiver they had that was halfway decent,” Sanders said. “They’re looking for tremendous things from this guy, Devin Hester, but Devin Hester isn’t happy with his contract and he deserves to be paid amongst the league’s best.

“So I look at a myriad of problems for the Chicago Bears and they’ve got to address those issues now.”

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Posted by Brad Biggs at 08:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (66) | TrackBacks (0)