Before we get to the point of today’s missive, I want to pass along my personal kudos to Carlos Zambrano for his, under the radar, appearance in Arizona this week to begin early training. All accounts say that he has lost weight, put on muscle and is looking like the the pitcher the Cubs were promised lo those many years ago. If, as some are whispering, Big Z is a threat to win 20 games this year, then things might be looking up for the Cubbie Nation. On the South Side, kudos are also deserved, and are hereby delivered, for Freddie Garcia who went to an off season camp and showed up lighter, stronger and with his throwing shoulder completely healed. While he is slated to pitch in the 5 slot, many are saying that he looks more akin to a 3 or 4 pitcher and could win the team an additional 15 games. Considering that the 4 & 5 positions cost the Sox almost 30 games last year, this would be a marked improvement.

Yes, I know that Spring Training is still two weeks away. But, it is cold and blustery outside and I thought a little heartwarming news might be appreciated.

Now, on to the crux of today’s blog. Ron Turner, the mastermind behind the Devin Hester experiment, was hired by the Stanford Cardinals to have something to do with their offense. No official title has been announced. Now, please keep in mind that Hester signed a new contract because of his move to the offense that is predicated on him meeting certain goals as a wide receiver. It seems that Hester would gladly toss that particular piece of paper into the fire and get back on Special Teams. DAN POMPEII of the Tribune has the whole story.

Devin Hester is excited about Mike Martz’s arrival as the Bears’ new offensive coordinator, but said Thursday that he would like to go back to having a bigger kick-return role.

“I would love to get back in that situation with the return game,” Hester told “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on WMVP-AM 1000. “But at the same time, I’m a team player so wherever y’all want me to go, I’m ready to do it.”

Hester hasn’t scored a touchdown on a kick or punt return since 2007 after running back 12 for TDs in 2006 and ‘07, including a kickoff return in Super Bowl XLI. He said becoming a full-time receiver has taken its toll.

“I know what I’m best at,” Hester said. “The return game is my bread and butter, so if I had to cut back on receiving and go back to returns, that’s something I would love to do.”

So, let’s see if we all have this right; Hester wants to be a return specialist, every person on this blog has wanted him out of the offense and back on Special Teams and, judging by the posts on the Bears’ site, the opinion is pretty much unanimous. So, how did he end up being touted as the #1 wide receiver?

Turner.

It was his call, his demand, that Hester use his blazing speed on the offense. Never mind that the guy was a defensive back and return specialist with no coaching at any level to play offense, this is what Turner wanted and Turner got.

And we all saw how well that worked out. So, Good for Devin for speaking up. My guess is that Martz will listen. After all, he has enough on his plate right now without trying to instill a difficult offense into the head of a guy whose head is clearly not in it.

TomD has already started a thread, so CLICK HERE TO CELEBRATE HESTER’S GENIUS.