Tight end tandem double trouble for opponents

TDJets72027 · Aug 1, 2007

Putting tight ends Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen on the field together as the Bears have done in training camp figures to pose major problems for opposing defenses this season.

Clark, a converted college wide receiver, is a nine-year veteran who had 45 receptions for a career-high 626 yards and 6 TDs last season. Olsen, a talented first-round pick, provides another dimension at the position with speed and athleticism.

Tight end Desmond Clark tied for the Bears' lead with six touchdown receptions last season.
Its going to be tough for defenses to match up against us when you put those two tight ends out there, Clark said. If you leave three linebackers in the game, one of us is going to get open. If you bring a DB in the game to try to cover him or me, well pound you [on the ground].

The tandem has been effective in practice generally with Clark lining up at the traditional tight end position and Olsen splitting out wide, moving into the slot or motioning into the backfield.

Im anxious to see exactly how teams will handle it, said coach Lovie Smith, whether they say its a two tight end set or they treat Olsen as a wide receiver. After you see him running routes outside, you could easily treat him as a receiver. He has those types of skills.

Clark has started 60 of 62 games played in four seasons with the Bears. But the 6-3, 249-pounder puts team goals ahead of individual accomplishments and isnt threatened by Olsens presence.

Im happy if we win, Clark said. Ive been through the tough years. Ive been a guy who only caught 20-something passes, so its not going to take much to make me happy.

I believe theyre going to find ways to utilize both of us and get both of us on the field for a lot of different situations. As you can see out here in practice, were on the field a lot, probably 60 percent of the plays were out here together. We just hope that continues throughout the season.

While Clark is frequently asked about battling to retain his starting job, he views Olsen as an ally rather than a competitor.

Were all out here just trying to win, Clark said. Were not looking at it as me against him or him against me. Were looking at it as both of us trying to go out here and be the best team that we can be.

Im out here helping him because I want to see him be the best tight end he can be for this team and for himself and right now hes picking up everything fast. You see the kinds of plays that hes making out here, so were expecting big things out of him this year.

Having Clark and Olsen on the field together should open things up for their teammates.

Itll create a lot of mismatches, said receiver Muhsin Muhammad. A safetys going to have to come down and cover one of those tight ends. [The receivers] will get one-on-ones on the outside and thats when Bernard [Berrian] and I excel.

Olsen has performed exceptionally well so far in training camp, separating from defenders and catching virtually every pass thrown in his direction. Olsen and converted cornerback Devin Hester have helped the offense produce a number of big plays in team drills.

Weve gotten off to a pretty fast start, Clark said. I think a lot of it has to do with Greg and Devin. Theyve given a whole lot of offensive firepower right now that we didnt have last year. We had some firepower, but with those two guys its just that much better.

While Olsen wasnt considered a great blocker coming out of the University of Miami, the 6-5, 254-pounder has impressed his veteran teammate.

What Ive been most surprised about with Greg is his blocking ability, Clark said. It takes most rookies a while to learn how to block on this level, but hes come in and picked up everything right off the bat. Hes progressing right now at a fast rate.
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http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=3647

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Tight end tandem double trouble for opponents

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