Greg Olsen replaces Desmond Clark as Bears' starting TE

[SportsWorld]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/fo ... 677.column

BOURBONNAIS -- Out came the call for the No. 1 offense Monday to huddle up for the start of full-team drills. Tight end Desmond Clark stayed on the sidelines.

He won't deny it was an odd place to be.

"It is tough to deal with inside, at first, but then when you look at it, I still have a big role in this offense," Clark said after practice at Olivet Nazarene.

True, but that role as the backup tight end still will take some adjustment for Clark, who has started more games (92) at his position since he joined the Bears in 2003 than anybody in the league not named Tony Gonzalez. Barring injury, Clark's streak of 67 straight starts will end Sept. 13 when Greg Olsen takes the field against the Packers

[Towel Manager]

Olsen is going to have a monster year with Cutler throwing. I see Olsen with the most receiving yards this season and possibly Bennett in second.

[Chi Dynasty12]

Olsen is going to have a monster year with Cutler throwing. I see Olsen with the most receiving yards this season and possibly Bennett in second.

Not Hester?

[Balance-a-Bull]

I still would prefer to have Clark start, as he a far superior blocker than Olsen to establish the run to open up the pass in later downs when Olsen can come in to open up the offense more.

Clark is also a better pass blocking TE. Olsen would be more effective in 2nd and 3rd down situations as he would command more attention against rushing Cutler or loading up the line for Forte.

If Gaines starts at the FB position I would not be a concerned about blocking coverage, as Gaines is a very good blocker.

[Posey H8er]

I think Olsen can get 75 receptions this year, which would be a 21 reception improvement. Our poor receiving corps are really helped out by our TE's and by a RB that can catch the ball.

[Chewie]

We run so many 2 TE sets, I don't think this even matters.

[Towel Manager]

Olsen is going to have a monster year with Cutler throwing. I see Olsen with the most receiving yards this season and possibly Bennett in second.

Not Hester?

As of right now, it looks like Cutler has the best chemistry with Bennett in training camp and his days in Vandy. I see Hester more of a wildcard player than anything this season. Hope I'm wrong though.

[SportsWorld]

Didn't Forte lead the Bears in receptions and receiving yards last season? Let's hope that doesn't happen again.

[Towel Manager]

Didn't Forte lead the Bears in receptions and receiving yards last season? Let's hope that doesn't happen again.

I forgot about Forte as well. Another good reception guy. People need to stop worrying about our WR core. With Cutler, he's going to make these guys look great if our O-Line gives him protection. Which no doubt I think they will.

The only thing I'm worried this season is our secondary and will our defensive line be like the line a few years back.

[Howling Mad]

I consider Olsen as our #1 WR/TE -whatever you wanna call it. Last year Forte was our #2 receiver, but he was over used in that role. I'd like to see this.

Olsen - 75 catches
Bennett - 65
Hester - 50
Forte - 40
Clark - 35
Knox - 30
Davis - 20
McKie - 15
Kevin Jones - 10
misc - 10

Cutler with a 350/550 @ .64% clip.

The priority distribution is easy. Its the yards I'm interested in. I can't wait to see this offense open up with the right parts put in place.

[WEFFPIM]

We run so many 2 TE sets, I don't think this even matters.

Yep, and we should see more than past seasons this season

[Howling Mad]

oh forgot about Juaquin Iglesias. Give him under 20, dont' have a good feeling aobut him.

[Cliff Levingston]

I consider Olsen as our #1 WR/TE -whatever you wanna call it. Last year Forte was our #2 receiver, but he was over used in that role. I'd like to see this.

Olsen - 75 catches
Bennett - 65
Hester - 50
Forte - 40
Clark - 35
Knox - 30
Davis - 20
McKie - 15
Kevin Jones - 10
misc - 10

Cutler with a 350/550 @ .64% clip.

The priority distribution is easy. Its the yards I'm interested in. I can't wait to see this offense open up with the right parts put in place.

Cliff Levingston would much rather see Hester and Olsen have around 70-80 catches, then Bennett not too far behind them. If that happens, the rest is pretty trivial.

[Howling Mad]

Cliff Levingston would much rather see Hester and Olsen have around 70-80 catches, then Bennett not too far behind them. If that happens, the rest is pretty trivial.

After second thought, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Hester does have 70-80 catches. I think Cutler is the reason Marshall and Eddie Royal are as good as they are. Hopefully he can make Hester evolve into a legit WR, but I do have my doubts.

Cutler to Bennett is strongly underrated at this point.

[NZB2323]

We run so many 2 TE sets, I don't think this even matters.

I hope that we run even more this year. Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen are our 2 best receivers.

[Posey H8er]

We run so many 2 TE sets, I don't think this even matters.

I hope that we run even more this year. Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen are our 2 best receivers.

Jay's impact could be huge for the running game. Just having a QB that can spread the defense will do wonders for Forte and KJ. Also I'm excited for our O-line. For the first time in forever I'm worried about our defense and not our offense.

I wouldn't put Clark in as our 2nd best receiver, but probably top 2 in consistent or reliable receivers.

[ScreamingTiger]

The next Eddie Royal!!!



You can take that to the bank. Now, let me get back to work.