The Bear Den: Expect a Breakout Year for Greg Olsen
Published by Zack Pearson on July 7, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Not only did the Bears improve their quarterback situation this offseason, but by doing so, they also improved their tight ends as well.
Greg Olsen has the potential to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL right now, he just needs a good quarterback to prove it.
Last year Olsen had 54 receptions for 574 yards and five touchdowns. He did that while splitting time with Desmond Clark.
Clark isn’t a bad tight end either, and will contribute to the Bears’ offense this year as well.
The problem is that Clark is getting old, making Olsen the tight end of the future.
See, here in Chicago we use the tight ends quite a bit. In fact, last year our tight ends finished with 95 receptions for 941 yards and six touchdowns.
While everyone is asking the question, “why don’t we pick up a wide receiver to help Cutler?”—the answer is, how about the tight ends?
Last year with the Broncos, Cutler found his tight ends 72 times for 1,034 yards and seven touchdowns.
Cutler also had Pro-Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall and emerging rookie Eddie Royal to throw to. Kyle Orton didn’t have one Pro-Bowl wide receiver with him.
Now just imagine what Olsen can do when he has Cutler throwing to him…
Olsen might be the second or third option on a lot of pass plays. Olsen has the size, hands, and speed to be a good tight end. He just needs to capitalize on his chances.
The only knock I could find on Olsen last year was his two fumbles against Carolina. But after that game, Olsen didn’t fumble once the rest of the season and showed off what good hands he has.
I can see a big year in the books for Olsen this season. When the Bears get down to the red zone, he will be one of the main threats.
The Bears need to utilize Olsen’s skills and let the kid play. Olsen will have a big year with Cutler throwing him the ball, and expect him to be in the end zone a lot this season.
