Talented Olsen looks to build on productive 2008 season

In the fourth of nine position previews in advance of training camp, coach Rob Boras discusses the Bears tight ends.

What impressed you most about the season that Greg Olsen had last year?
It was just how he found his role in the offense and how he was able to build a rapport with Kyle [Orton]. We were able to create some mismatches and he took advantage of them.

It seems like Greg has already developed a rapport with Jay Cutler. What have you seen from those two?
Both Greg and Dez [Clark] have done a good job. It’s just a matter of getting the opportunity to run routes with Jay and making sure they’re getting on the same page. They’ve had a lot of reps together. It’s important that those guys understand and see things the same way, and so far they’ve been able to do that.

How valuable is Greg to the Bears offense in terms of his tremendous versatility?
Greg has a unique combination of size and speed, but he also has great football intelligence. It’s one thing to have those measurables, but not to be able to exploit them because you’re not able to handle the offense. He has the size, the speed and the intelligence for us to line him up anywhere in the offense, and hopefully within that we can create some mismatches and get him lined up against a safety or a linebacker and hopefully allow him to make some plays for us.

There’s been a lot written and said about how Greg is an ascending player with Pro Bowl potential. But Dez Clark is also a highly productive and important contributor. What type of role do you see him filling this year?
Desmond and Greg are both vital to the success of our offense. They’re good football players. They play consistent and they’re capable of making plays. There’s a lot mentioned about Greg, but Dez brings a consistency to us and a guy that you can rely on. He’s a pro, which I think is the ultimate compliment. His role like every player’s is going to be defined once we get through training camp and the preseason. It’s hard to define now, but I wouldn’t see his role varying a whole lot from what it’s been.

Is there a 1-2 punch in the NFL you’d rather work with than Dez and Greg?
I feel fortunate not only to have those two guys but the rest of the guys in the meeting room, too. They’re talented football players and I like the way that they prepare themselves mentally off the field as well. They’ve been everything that you could hope for to coach.



(chicagobears.com)