When you're evaluating an offseason, it's impossible to ignore a team's strength and the Bears have no greater strength than the tight end position. You could make the argument - and I do - that the Bears have better tight end depth than any other team in the league. Let's look at the three-headed, Tight End Attack (or TEA Time).
GREG OLSEN, the superstar. The Bears' most exciting presence not wearing #23, Olsen showed in spurts this season that he's going to be the finest offensive first round draft pick since Neal Anderson in 1986. That's twenty goddamn years. On top of Ron Turner's priority list this offseason should be developing schemes that involve a heavy-dose of G-Reg - a mismatch for any safety in football.
DESMOND "The Des Dispenser" CLARK, the stalwart. All Des Clark does is make big catches in big spots. Not only a weapon in the passing game, Clark's dynamic run blocking allows the Bears to spread out Olsen and forces safeties and linebackers to account for him at all times. Clark had one of the signature plays of 2007: a 39 yard completion from Rex Grossman to start overtime against the Denver Broncos to help cap the most exciting victory of the year.
JOHN GILMORE, the tight endzone. Gilmore is a rock of a blocker and a threat in the endzone. If you can find more exciting ways to write about the third tight end, you're a better man than I.
Jerry, leave it alone. Ron, use it. Most teams don't have one tight end that can put defenses in mismatch situations. The Bears have two. Desmond Clark's 44 catches are okay but Greg Olsen's 39 need to inch closer to 75 in 2008. Give this kid a chance to be a star and he will be.
#2 Da Coach said . . .I don't want to sidetrack this thread, but don't you think 54 belongs in the best 1st round pick discussion?
btw, I don't see any problems with this position.
January 20, 2008
#3 Midway Monster said . . .jdawg.....jeff mentions anderson was best OFFENSIVE first round pick.
I agree with the post no need to spend time on this position at all leave it where its at and have the offensive coaching staff figure out ways to get these guys more involved.
January 20, 2008
#4 Anytime said . . .Okay, so as of right now, and until the end of the Giant/Pack game-I've turned into Cinderella. That's right, for the next 24 hours: Midway is a Giants fan. Beat the PACK -baby- Beat the Pack.
Wait a minute ... Hold on .... what's happening to me?? ...
All I can think of is: "Bada-bing-bada-boom". wow-whats up with that? Is this what all Giant fans constantly think of? ...hold on... I now have a sudden desire, much like a salmon that just has to swim up stream... I feel like walking around and telling people to "GO F&^( OFF!". Is this how all Giant fans feel? Humm. Wait! Wait! I just had a flash... Its a sudden image... why its the deep knowledge that Hoffa is buried at the 15 yard line. Huh- that's wierd?.... and there is more! I now think Dull-Grey Deep-Blue and puke-Red is a nice looking combo. ::Geeze:: What's happening to me? LOOK- My hand is changing! I am now able to snap through all my finger and then point at female and say "here chickiee chickiee" as an instinct. Why- its like the Hulk transforming. ... And check this out- Even though there are no toll roads around here, I just rolled down my car window and tossed out a quarter. huh-- this is like the wolf man changing! I have a sudden desire to go drink cheap beer out of a can and crush it against my head. wow!... LOOK- I feel even more changes to my body; if I relax my hands they take on the normal position of giving the middle finger! Zowie! Hey, I have a sudden overwhelming urgent to scream.. Yes, feel like screaming... What should I scream? I know "UP YOURS!" yeah that's the ticket! "UP YOURS!" ahh that feels good! Where is my polyester? Where is my gold chain for my neck? I just have to unbutton the top 3 buttons of my shirt and grease back my hair. I need a ciagrette. My vocabulary is changing and I can no longer say the word "you"- it comes out "yuz guys". Hey... where is a diner? I think I'll change my name to Joey...
....Help me... Heeeelllllpppppp meeeeeeeeeeeeee GOD!!!!!!
January 20, 2008
#5 Anytime said . . .I, a Bears fan for my entire life have never said this before. I want the Pack to BEAT the Giants for one reason only. Not because I am one of those Benidict Arnolds of Bears fan that say they want them to win because they respect Brett Favre or want some NFC North recognition or that type of shit. I want every Packers fan to feel what I felt February 4th of last year. The crushing blow to such a special day and the depression that followed, not to mention the following hangover on the next season. I hope they are ready for a sub 500 record because they will beat the Giants but will not touch the Pats.
January 20, 2008
#6 Midway Sighting... said . . .I just read that rant midway and you are a absolute psycho. respect.
January 20, 2008
#7 Z said . . .Just saw Midway eating a cannoli at the corner of Lonbardi & S Oneida. I could hardly recognize him. He was trying to pick a fight with a Packer fan by saying "hey, whatz up with dis cheese stuff here?"
January 20, 2008
#8 PolygonHell said . . .The TE's are just fine. No complaints, no upgrades needed. The only problem with the TE's are the coaching staff not utilizing them enough, not nearly enough. Jeff pretty much said it all. Let's hope the BT has just an easy draft pick to make on O as Olsen was. Maybe they won't F it up.
I think Midway is taking this season pretty hard. I can't stand either Manning but the Pack need to lose. No way I want to see them in the SB and have to hear about it for two weeks.
January 20, 2008
#9 Megan said . . .I'll agreewith the position of strength proposition here. Not much exiting to do in the off season.
But here's some food for thought, I think part of the reason Olsen was under utilized in 07 was the success of Des Clark.
I think there is room to add more two tight end sets, line up Olsen wide etc etc but at somepoint the Bears have to decide who their number one TE is.......
January 20, 2008
#10 Megan said . . .Midway, Fuhget-ta-bout-it, it's only temporary. We know you don't really like "wackin" people. But while you're in the mood, there's a certain QB, wearin the number 4...hmm this just might work..
January 20, 2008
#11 DTB said . . .TE's , don't want to take what we have for granted but ..yeah, that's a no brainer position for da Bears right now. We have MUCH bigger fish to fry...
Regarding this position for instance, maybe we could actually USE the talent we have there? I dunno if it works use it? Does that seem out of the norm here? Maybe I should be offensive coodinator.
Agree with Poly, very underutilized position in '07--really Olsen underutilized.
January 20, 2008
#12 Duff Diggler said . . .RE-POST: I think that my analysis of the running game is also applicable to my hope for utilizing our TE's
The beauty of having two TE's that have a varied skill set is the abilty to mask what it is we are trying to do. If the Bears were to just eliminate McKie I think our offense would be less predictable (I'm agreeing with JT, ugh). Play action could work just as well with without him. As far as personnel, with the exception of the WR position I think we design ourselves as a poor mans version of the Colts.
Now keep in mind we have the 2 TE's that can make that happen. If we were to start Dez and Olsen imagine the variables, not only on our behalf but also how we are defended. If we were to get a 4-3 look you can get either TE on a LB and throw. If the D adjusts and brings in a nickel, motion Dez back and run at them. Once they adjust to that motion, play action. Not only does this create variables but it also creates spacing on the field, which would help the running game as a whole. 'Big' packages are good in certain sifutations but when I see them consistanly on 1,2 down?!? We're not fooling anyone!
Lastly, when you are a team that stresses fundamentals you need to make sure that those fundamentals are straightened out. When Lovie claims we 'get off the bus running the football' and it's not working in the traditional set, something has got to give. Why dont we see Ced running single back? Did he have a FB in college? Does he know how to utilize one? This staff needs to understand its personnel, what their strengths are and utilize them. Not just stress fundamentals and expect that to work.January 20, 2008
#13 Duff Diggler said . . .NEW VIDEO!!!!
Forgive me for living in the past, but....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_g4vAHMNDU
Beardown1982: I use Windows Movie Maker and Axara Video Converter. Contact me here with any other questions:
www.myspace.com/duff_daddy3
January 20, 2008
#14 Shady McBears Fan said . . .if you can't view it there, try my myspace page....it's on that too....
January 20, 2008
#15 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .TJ might not be the fastest or the strongest back, but DAMN does he have some great vision. The determination he showed in the playoffs will not soon be forgotten.
He was also the heart and soul of that 2006 Bears offense. Maybe the Bears didn't miss his talents as much as they missed his presence and leadership. Thanks for the memories TJ.
Nice job on the video Duff, good work!
As far as TEA time is concerned, all I want to see is more creativity from Turner exploiting favorable matchups between our TEs and their defensive backs. I want to see G-reg continue to develop into a premier TE, which means he'll need good coaching, mentoring and enough opportunity to become a star. And what can I say about Des? He's my boy. YOU'RE MY BOY BLUE!
January 20, 2008
#16 Shady said . . .everybody said about the same thing I would have said about the TE"the need more work in the off season with more play designed to use both, how bout a 3 TE set with Gilmore?
January 20, 2008
#17 ChicagoBears.com said . . .I think the effectiveness of any Chicago Bear "set" depends on how well they are able to establish the run. In the case of the 3 TE set (BIG formation?) the Bears need to effectively run the ball on a consistent basis. Greg Olsen needs to continue to develop into a better run blocker and Des needs to limit drops and continue to stay healthy. In any case, the better the Bears can run the ball, the better their TEs will perform in the PA pass game.
Obviously watching the AFC Championship game. Turner broke away from Wilfork and Harrison. He looks pretty good so far, kinda like what Benson SHOULD be like. Turner is a "downhill" runner, knocking people over with a head of steam. Benson knocks himself over with a head of smoke. Is it me, or does Jim Nantz sound like he's pulling for the Pats?
By the way, ISN'T GILMORE A FREE AGENT?
If he is, the Bears should sign him.January 20, 2008
#18 Megan said . . .http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4306
January 20, 2008
#19 Z said . . .Duff,
Yeah, I miss TJ in a Bears uni...
Great vid! He was good for our offense in more ways then just getting yardage. I remember always feeling better when he was on the field and not Ced.
Ah well, can't live in the past.
I was hoping that AP would be more like him.January 20, 2008
#20 Megan said . . .Over the last two seasons, Desmond Clark leads all NFL tight ends with an average of 13.2 yards per catch.
Yeah he just needs a few less drops. Should we donate some stick em to the team? Olsen goes down a little easy but his blocking was slowly improving and he looks ready to catch everything. Get him in the DAMN GAME and get him the DAMN BALL. No excuses RT. "Well we are thinking about maybe working on getting that started slowly sometime soon." He is an idiot!! B 4 the end of the season preferably.
They need to make those guys a major part of the offense. Start them both, no McKie. Give it a shot. What is the worst that will happen, the O will stutter? What if it doesn't?
Megan, your hired. DTB sounds like he might do alright too. U 2 want to co-coordinate the O. RT u r FIRED! Man I wish I could hear those words for real.
January 20, 2008
#21 Duff Diggler said . . .I can't believe he missed that FG....ugh
January 21, 2008
#22 Tone Capone from New Jersey said . . .HAHA LMAO!!!!
FUCKING RETIRE ALLREADY!!!!
January 21, 2008
#23 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .The Packers have officially ....gone fishin'!!!!.......sorry Packer fans!!!
You might not find one on DaBears Blog tonight!
YEAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 21, 2008
#24 Soup Nazi said . . .Whew,that about all I can say.
Sorry NFL you got stuck with a lame duck SB game
But no GB is fine by me
January 21, 2008
Favre. Wow. LOST the game for you in OT. At home. Wow.
Sorry Packer Fans.
No Superbowl for you!
January 21, 2008
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