Trade rumors rile Bears' Greg Olsen

Greg Olsen bit his tongue, for the most part, all offseason as he was bombarded with questions about his projected role in Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz's scheme.

The tight end finally had enough after a recent report suggested the Bears remain willing to trade him.

"You mean the story that was made up? It doesn't bother me because I know there is no truth behind it," Olsen snapped. "But it does bother me that people take the liberty to just make up stories for their own personal benefit.

"There was no substance behind it. If there was, tell us. It's easy to say an unnamed source. That could be anybody."

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo told the Tribune there was nothing to the report, although Angelo admitted teams have inquired about Olsen. It would be hard to imagine the Bears parting ways with one of Jay Cutler's favorite targets, not to mention the quarterback's best friend.

"I haven't talked to Jerry lately, but I know where he stands," Olsen said. "I've talked to him a bunch of times in the past. I know where I stand here and the way they feel. So people who want to write this and that or whatnot … whatever."

Even if Olsen told friends he wanted out of town when Martz was hired in February, and even if the Patriots were indeed interested, those matters seem to be in the past.

The Bears kept four tight ends on the 53-man roster because each brings a unique ability to the team. Olsen, a former first-round pick, continues to be a reliable pass-catcher capable of emerging as a dangerous red-zone threat, as he showed in the exhibition finale with a 15-yard touchdown reception from backup Todd Collins.

Olsen led the team with 60 catches a year ago (eight touchdowns), and Angelo said he envisioned the fourth-year player lining up more as a receiver. At the same time, Martz's offense calls for much more blocking from the tight ends — particularly if the offensive line struggles — which is why the Bears signed free-agent blocking specialist Brandon Manumaleuna and shifted veteran Desmond Clark into an H-back role.

In the Bears' exhibition against the Cardinals, Olsen lined up at receiver on just seven of 34 snaps and did not see a pass thrown his way. He didn't exactly clear massive holes, but Olsen only whiffed on a middle screen to Matt Forte.

"Obviously, I have to continue to work at it, but I feel like my blocking has gotten better every year," Olsen said. "This year is no different."

But his staple is catching the ball, and the Bears would be wise to utilize his ability in Sunday's season opener against the Lions. Olsen's career-high 94 receiving yards came in last year's season finale at Detroit. And his longest career reception (52 yards) was against the Lions in 2008.

Regardless of how Olsen is used, his teammates don't expect him to be fazed by any rumors, even if such talk continues up until the Oct. 19 trade deadline.

"The thing that irritates a player in this situation the most is that it tries to take away from his focus on what he's trying to accomplish on the field," fellow tight end Desmond Clark said. "Now he has to answer questions about stuff he has no control over. Then when your boss tells you there is no validity to the story, it pisses you off because now it looks like people are taking unnecessary shots and creating controversy.

"(Greg) has been dealing with this as well as one can, but it comes to a point where enough is enough."

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(chicagotribune.com)