Bears to incorporate backwards pass

CHICAGO, IL — On Monday, Bears head coach Lovie Smith announced that return specialist and defensive back Devin Hester would be switched to offense during this year’s first minicamp. On Tuesday, Smith further elaborated on how Hester would be used: “So far it hasn’t gone that well,” Smith said. “He’s running his routes well, he’s getting open, but honestly he’s a little too fast for Rex [Grossman]. It’s not that his arm isn’t strong enough, he just keeps throwing it too high, and it tends to come down short into the hands of a DB.” Smith said that to take advantage of Hester’s talents, the Bears have been developing on a new play. Hester lines up at running back, about 40 yards behind the offensive line. Grossman then snaps the ball and throws it backwards, high in the air, much like a punt. The offensive line then breaks into a wedge and the team essentially simulates a kick return. “I love the new play, and it works on two accounts,” Smith said. “First, we’re getting Hester the ball in space. Second, it’s almost impossible for Rex to throw an interception – and that’s really saying something.”

It’s going to be tough for this sport to sweep any nations, but it’s still pretty frickin’ cool!