Greg Olsen demonstrated versatility, improved blocking skills

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Known primarily for his pass-catching skills prior to the 2010 season, Bears tight end Greg Olsen excelled in an expanded role that included more blocking assignments.

“I was very pleased with how he played,” said tight ends coach Mike DeBord. “He really improved his blocking. We asked him to play multiple positions—wide receiver, tight end, fullback—and he did it all.”

DeBord was impressed with how determined Olsen was to improve as a blocker.

“He was very committed from Day 1 with it,” DeBord said. “I think he heard people talking about it and he wanted to prove a point, and in my opinion he proved it. 

"There are still little things he can continue to get better at and he will get better at. But I was really pleased with the improvement he made.”

Olsen had 41 receptions for 404 yards and tied for the Bears lead with five touchdown catches. He also showed his versatility by throwing key blocks in pass protection and on running plays.

“I take a tremendous amount of pride in it, the challenge throughout the course of the week of absorbing it and getting all the information and learning what our responsibilities are,” Olsen said during the season. “It’s a fun challenge.”

Offensive coordinator Mike Martz is aware that Olsen made sacrifices throughout the season.

“We don’t have a fullback on our team,” Martz said. “So the tight ends have picked that up and we’ve asked all of our tight ends to take turns at that position. That takes away from being the down-the-field type that we’d like Greg to do. But he’s done so many great things for us.

“Unselfishly, he’s lent himself over to do that so that we can run the ball so much better. He leads in there. He’s at the point-of-attack as a tight end. We put him out as a wide receiver. We can do everything with him.”

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(chicagobears.com)