Last season Devin Hester made the switch from full time kick returner/punt returner to full time receiver.

Hester saw his numbers go up because he was not only the number one receiver, but he actually knew all of the plays.

Here are his all time career receiving stats:

2006: N/A

2007: 20 receptions, 299 yards and two touchdowns

2008: 51 receptions, 665 yards and three touchdowns

Even though Hester saw his numbers go up, he could have had a monster year if he had a quarterback with a better arm than Kyle Orton.

The switch to receiver took away from his return game last season, where he had zero touchdowns on both punts and kick returns. His average at kick returning was similar to 2007, but his punt returning average was split in half compared to 2007.

You won’t see the incredible Devin Hester forcing kickers and punters to kick the ball away from him anymore, but you will see Danieal Manning and Johnny Knox returning kicks this season

You will also watch Hester’s speed and determination help him get into the end zone. The Cutler and Hester combo should be pretty sweet this upcoming season.

I am pretty excited that the Bears finally have a big time quarterback, who can actually get the ball down the field.

Having Devin Hester on the field with a big time quarterback, should give him the chance to take the it the distance every time, he is one dangerous player.

I would warn teams to watch for Hester at all times on offense and lets not forget that he will still be returning punts.

So, I think with a reduced role on special teams and a solid quarterback with a big time arm, he should be nothing but ridiculous this season.

What do you think?

Can you believe that the Chicago Bears odds to win Super Bowl XLIV are only 20/1?

But of course the Dallas Cowboys odds are 14/1.

Crazy right? I mean the Bears have an easier division plus they have a solid offensive line, quarterback, tight end and running back.

The NFL just loves Dallas so much.

Something about the NFL Betting system is fishy.

Here’s the list of Super Bowl futures for all 32 NFL teams:

Arizona 22/1, Atlanta 24/1, Baltimore 20/1, Buffalo 50/1, Carolina 20/1, Chicago 20/1, Cincinnati 70/1, Cleveland 80/1, Dallas 14/1, Denver 50/1, Detroit 100/1, Green Bay 25/1, Houston 35/1, Indy 13/1, Jacksonville 40/1, Kansas City 65/1, Miami 50/1, Minnesota 15/1, New England 4/1, New Orleans 22/1, New York Giants 10/1, New York Jets 40/1, Oakland Raiders 90/1, Philly 11/1, Pittsburgh 9/1, San Diego 12/1, San Fran 50/1, Seattle 45/1, St. Louis 100/1, Tampa Bay 55/1, Tennessee 22/1 and Washington 30/1.

Any of those odds surprising to you?

I think Minnesota (15/1), New England (4/1), Pittsburgh (9/1), Philly (11/1) and Tennessee (22/1) are very surprising to me.

First of all the Vikings have no quarterback and even if they add Brett Favre he won’t be that good.

Then you look at New England (4/1), this is a team that didn’t even make the playoffs last season, Pittsburgh (9/1) should be the Super Bowl favorites, I mean there the team that has won two Super Bowls in the last four years.

How can the Eagles be (11/1), when they play in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL and Tennessee be (22/1)?

That’s crazy. Tennessee to me should have a huge season, but the Eagles might not even  make the playoffs.

All I know is the odds on the NFL this season don’t look right to me.

What do you think?

Because Mike Brown is officialy gone, I thought it would be cool to put a video tribute of him up.

Take a look.

It’s a sad day for a Chicago Bear fan.

Former Pro Bowl safety and star of the Bears defense Mike Brown signed a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Bears showed no interest in bringing back the injury prone Mike Brown.

Brown is the Bears’ all-time leader in defensive touchdowns with seven.

Brown had 99 starts, 629 tackles, and 17 interceptions in his nine seasons with the Bears.

Last season he started 15 games last season the most he’s played in a long time before going on the injured reserve with a calf injury.

What will his role be with the Chiefs?

The nine year veteran will join the Chiefs facing some competition at the safety position.

Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page are the two Kansas City Cheifs safeties and Mike Brown will have to work hard to beat one of them out.

I know Brown, 31, has lost a step, but he is still a very good player.

He can win the job as long as he stays healthy.

I wish him nothing but luck this season.

I still think Bears fans wanted to see him back this season, but I’m glad to see Kansas City make this move.

Bears wide receiver/kick returner Devin Hester spoke about QB Jay Cutler recently and this is what he had to say:

“If you haven’t been around a person like Cutler, how could you say something like that?”

“Can’t judge a book by its cover, if you haven’t sat down and talked to him, how could you say something like that? He’s calm in the huddle. He makes us laugh and he jokes around before the ball is snapped. That’s the kind of quarterback who is relaxed and says, ‘Let’s play ball.”

“Just from the OTAs we’ve had, our offense has changed a whole lot, I feel like we’re stronger than we have ever been. I feel like we’re going to take the ball up and down the field. That’s the kind of quarterback Jay brings to this team.”

“If we sign a big-time receiver or a free agent receiver who can help our team, I’m glad, but the guys we have here now, we’re pretty set. [The coaches] just want us to make plays. … Jay is the type of quarterback who is going to find a way to get the job done.”

all quotes from chicagotribune.com

I got a chance to interview Bears wide receiver Brandon Rideau.

He spent most of the last two seasons on the practice squad, but got a chance to be on the active roster last season, but never caught a ball.

Here is my interview with Bears wide receiver Brandon Rideau:

Me: Hey Brandon.

Brandon: What up dude.

Me: How is practice going?

Brandon: There over as of last Thursday.

Me: Have you been getting a lot of snaps with the first team offense?

Brandon: Yes I have been.

Me: Jay Cutler is legit right?

Brandon: Yes sir he definitely has got a gun.

Me: Is there still alot of talk around the team about adding Plaxico Burress?

Brandon: Not that I’ve heard.

Me: How are the rookies looking, especially Knox?

Brandon: They look good. There making plays.

Me: Thanks for your time Brandon

Brandon: No problem.

Bears QB Jay Cutler spoke about the possibility of reuniting Brandon Marshall during an appearance Monday at William and Mary’s Colonial All-Pro Football Camp.

This is what he had to say:

“I talked to ‘B’ a few days ago, just checking in on him and seeing how he’s doing, because I went through a similar thing that he’s going through.”

“I played with Brandon for three years and I think he’s one of the best receivers in the NFL. I think he can be one of the greatest ever to play.”

“He’s big and fast, and can do everything you want him to do, on the field and in the meeting room. I don’t know what we’re going to do. That’s up to the guys upstairs. If we make a run at him, we make a run at him.”

What I Think?

I would love to add Brandon Marshall to the mix here in Chicago, but the Bears probably don’t have enough to trade for him.

The only scenario that could bring Brandon Marshall to the Bears is if the Broncos release Marshall or he holds out forcing them to trade him and get less in return.

all quotes from fannation.com

Usually on Bears Player Preview I only discuss rookies and free agent acquisitions, but today I am really excited to talk about second year cornerback Zack Bowman.

This kid could be something.

David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune said this about Bowman:

“I know cornerback Zack Bowman quietly has made one of the biggest impressions during off-season workouts and could be a sleeper that comes on strong during training camp. In the first 10 OTA practices, Bowman made seven interceptions, according to the team’s Web site.”

Bowman played in one game against Minnesota (week 7) last season.

He recorded two tackles, one interception and one touchdown off a blocked punt.

The reason he fell in the draft last season is because of his durability and we saw that last season.

But if he can stay healthy he could be weapon at the cornerback position.

Projected starters at cornerback: Nathan Vasher, Charles Tillman

Backups at cornerback: Danieal Manning (NB), Corey Graham (Might be FS), Zackary Bowman, Trumaine McBride, and Marcus Hamilton

I really like Zackary Bowman he could be in lineup if Nathan Vasher screws up.

Jay Cutler was asked about the WR situation and this is what he said:

“I’m 100 percent comfortable [with the wide receivers], I think we added some depth with some younger guys and then some of the older veterans are stepping up and playing well. So I think we’ve got more than enough to compete.”

“I haven’t talked to Brandon Marshall, he’s a great player, Brandon is, and I played with him for three years, put up a lot big numbers with him, and wherever he ends up, obviously he’s going to be successful. Whether or not it’s here, that’s up to the guys upstairs, but as of right now, I’m 100 percent happy with what we’ve got.”

“If it [the Bears land Burress], it happens, I’m not going to speculate on whether or not we’re going to go get him or not. The guys we have right now, I’m 100 percent confident in and comfortable with. We’ll just have to wait down the road and see what happens with that.”

“I think we’ve got one, I think we’ve got one in Devin, and I think Earl is going to be dangerous on the back side as well.”

all quotes from chicagosuntimes.com

Today, I present you with the top ten funniest football quotes of all time.

The quotes come from former coaches, players, commentators, and writers.

Check them out and tell me what you think.

1) John Madden, Former Coach/Player/Announcer: “Hey, the offensive linemen are the biggest guys on the field, they’re bigger than everybody else, and that’s what makes them the biggest guys on the field.”

2) Luke Salisbury, Writer: “Watching football is like watching pornography. There’s plenty of action, and I can’t take my eyes off it, but when it’s over, I wonder why the hell I spent an afternoon doing it.”

3) George Rogers, RB, New Orleans Saints: “I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first””

4) Merle Kessler, Writer: “Football players, like prostitutes, are in the business of ruining their bodies for the pleasure of strangers.”

5) Jerry Rice, WR, San Fransisco 49ers: “I feel like I’m the best, but you’re not going to get me to say that.”

6) Dave Barry, Humor Columnist: “Sharks are as tough as those football fans who take their shirts off during games in Chicago in January, only more intelligent.”

7) Bo Jackson, RB, Oalkand Raiders: “If my mother put on a helmet and shoulder pads and a uniform that wasn’t the same as the one I was wearing, I’d run over her if she was in my way. And I love my mother.”

William “The Fridge Perry”, DL, Chicago Bears: “I’ve been big ever since I was little.”

9) Terry Bradshaw, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: “I may be dumb, but I’m not stupid.”

10) Paul Tagliabue, Former NFL Commissioner: “I’m a firm believer that all sports will eventually be global. Someday, we may have a quarterback from China named Yao Fling.”

What do you think about the top ten?

Which ones are really the funniest?