The Facts: The big news wasn't that Devin Hester returned a punt for a TD. ... It wasn't that Hester caught a 55-yard TD pass against New Orleans. ... No, the big news is the big plans the Bears have for Hester's future. ''He can become a No. 1 receiver in the league, where you're coming into games worrying about him as a receiver and not just as a returner, which he will continue to do for us,'' HC Lovie Smith said Sunday.
Diehards Line:The idea of seeing him grow into a No. 1 receiver is interesting from a couple of perspectives. Carolina's Steve Smith started out as a special-teams star, so it has been done before. Second, is it a hint that the Bears might not bring back Bernard Berrian, who is expected to bolt via free agency? With Muhsin Muhammad heading for a pay cut, if not his release, is promoting Hester to the top spot part of a plan? Considering Sunday's comments were the second time this month Smith has mentioned Hester's potential to be a top WR, it sounds like that's the case.