When special-teams convene at Halas Halas during this weeks minicamp, it was apparent that Devin Hester is not losing one of the jobs that one day could put him in the Hall of Fame.
Hester is back returning kickoffs, something that might have seemed less likely after the Bears signed former Pro Bowl returner Eric Weems. Weems is sharing returns with Hester but Hester is still our No. 1 kickoff returner, confirmed special-teams coordinator Dave Toub.
When we need a big one, Devin is going to be in there. We have the luxury of having Eric Weems. There will be times when we have them both back there. Well kind of trick people in terms of whos getting the ball.
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That will be done by lining both up deep, then moving one up quickly. And Hester could be used to steer opposing kickoffs toward Weems, who is a different type of returner from Hester.
Depending on the nature of the opposing coverage units, the Bears will have a true option for kind of runback. It was what the Bears had with Hester and Danieal Manning and Hester and Johnny Knox.
Hester is more of an outside guy, Toub said. He wants to make people miss and get outside. Weems is a north and south, physical type returner. Hes going to break a lot of tackles but he fits our scheme really well.
We try to block people and have a point of attack. Hes going to be able to hit that thing exactly where we want it. Were excited about Eric Weems.