The Chicago Bears traded for wide receiver Brandon Marshall to invigorate the vertical passing game in 2012, but Marshall thinks one of his teammates could be in for a more productive season than himself. Marshall joined ESPN Radio 1000 on Monday and gave fellow receiver Devin Hester a glowing review after the team's first official minicamp. Marshall went as far to say he believes Hester will have a more productive season than himself.
"I've never been around a receiver, never seen a receiver who runs routes like Devin Hester does outside," Marshall said Monday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "He has all the skills to be a Pro Bowl receiver, not a punt returner -- we all know what he can do there -- but a Pro Bowl receiver.
"Honestly I think he is going to have a bigger year than me this year. I just don't think he's been in an environment, a situation offensively that catered to him as a player. I think with [quarterback coach] Jeremy Bates and [quarterback] Jay [Cutler] growing and maturing, I think they will be able to put him in a better position this year to where he can probably do damage.
Hester caught 26 passes for 369 yards with one touchdown last season as a receiver. Hester had a career-high 757 yards receiving during Cutler's first season in 2009.
Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. And drop by SB Nation NFL for more news and notes from around the league.