Moving Cutler’s favorite target might not be the best decision. Matt Bowen
The Bears and Lovie Smith were a hot topic this past weekend at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis due, in large part, to the free-agent talk.
Chicago is expected to spend some cash this weekend, and the names that kept coming up were Julius Peppers of the Panthers, Aaron Kampman of the Packers and Antrel Rolle of the Arizona Cardinals. Two positions of need for the club: defensive end and free safety.
We know the Bears are looking to upgrade and improve those positions, and Lovie wasn’t afraid to talk about it when he took the podium to talk to the media.
But as the weekend rolled on, the discussion of the tight end position started to pop up around town after dark, and Greg Olsen became the subject of trade talk.
Tuesday night, Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com laid out a three-step plan for the Bears in free agency that mentioned the defensive end conundrum of Peppers and Kampman, plus the options at free safety — including names such as Ryan Clark of Pittsburgh and Kerry Rhodes of the Jets as backup plan for Rolle.
However, No. 1 on the list was trade rumors surrounding Olsen.
This could be a reaction on Olsen’s part, who realistically could view new offensive coordinator Mike Martz as a speed bump in his career — as the tight end position has not played a prominent role under the former Rams head coach. We can look at Vernon Davis in San Francisco, who started to put up good numbers only after Martz was gone.
Possibly a stance by the tight end to get out of town and into an offense that fits his style? Yes, without question the Bears would get value for him on the trade market, but is that the right play here?
I just don’t see the logic of trading Olsen. He’s the favorite target of QB Jay Cutler, and he’s athletic enough and talented enough to be used creatively under Martz. Whether he’s split out on the backside of a 3x1 set as the “X” receiver — matched up against a corner — or the No. 3 receiver in Martz’s bunch sets, he should see the football. Imagine what he could do in the various route combinations with a full offseason under Martz and, the Bears hope, a new and improved Cutler.
I understand the knock on playing TE under Martz, but when he sees Olsen during minicamp and OTA’s, I have a hard time believing the new OC is going to use him as a blocker, an extra tackle in the run game. That’s not good football.
The NFP’s Brad Biggs reported this week that the Bears have targeted free-agent TE Brandon Manumaleuna of the Chargers. He played under Martz in St. Louis and knows the system that will be installed. But Manumaleuna is a blocking tight end.
Olsen, on the other hand, is what is quickly becoming the most dangerous position on the field. He’s a hybrid tight end of sorts, no different than an Antonio Gates, a Todd Heap or a Jermichael Finley of Green Bay. Tight ends who cause matchup issues from a game plan perspective. They’re a nightmare for safeties -- too big for corners with an ability to run after the catch and score in the red zone.
Entertaining trade offers and finding out the true value of the roster in Chicago is GM Jerry Angelo’s job, and he should make a call on almost every player if he can upgrade his team.
But trading Olsen doesn’t do that. Instead, it weakens the Bears’ offense.
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Could probably get a 2nd rounder for him. Might not be that bad of a move since the Bears have no draft picks due to J Cutler.
Listen this makes sense. The Bears have an asset in Olsen. They can get a 2 which is like a 1 this year & they can probably get a 5th or a 6th as well. Or how about Boldin? I'd trade Olsen for Boldin wouldn't you? Either way the Bears should benefit. Martz will find thing for him to do. I agree w/Matt that Olsen can cause matchup issues,but he overestimates his ability to get yards after the catch. He's got a pathetic YAC total for a big man. Its like a 1.2 or something weak like that. So pretty much it means as soon as he gets contacted he goes down immediately. And in the Red Zone he's no great shakes either. I can't count the many times they tried to execute that Fade/corner route & use Gregs 6'5" frame to no success. They have a guy for the red zone in 6'7" Kellen Davis who played basketball at MSU. He also is a willing blocker as I can remember how badly he wanted a piece of Jared Allen,& was very public about it too. So he's probably a guy that can benefit from Olsen being gone. He's almost as athletic & displayed good hands when getting the few chances he had. Clark can inline block & does a good job at the second level too. We also know he's more then a capable downfield pass catcher too. Add TE Brandon Manumaleuna,& U then have two monster TE's to pull off Martz's Jumbo sets w/him & Kellen Davis.
Why in the world would they trade one of the few known commodities for an unknown? If Angelo does this...he deserves to leave.
Something that wasn't really touched on here is the fact that the TE position in this years draft isn't exactly as strong as it has been in years past.
Sure there are a lot of potential guys at the TE position, but a lot of that potential revolves around the ability to stay healthy. And the guys who have stayed healthy have not had the production in college that one would have hoped.
The Bears can cash in on this by getting someone to overpay for a TE who just catches passes...sometimes.
And if Angelo/Lovie/Martz are gone next season we can just grab another Olsen clone in the draft, in what promises to be a deeper TE crop, and start over.
I can see why the Bears' fans don't care for their upper management. Trading your temperamental QBs favorite target, and the closest thing to WR you guys have will surely show dividends this time next year - when Lovie Smith needs a job.
FYI Bear fans, Panthers already tried Julius Peppers at TE. Besides the "I just shit my pants" look on the corner backs face who had to match up with him, it didn't work.
Curious that no one has mentioned Lovie's comments concerning the 'rushing coach and the passing coach' on Offense.....if I'm not mistaken there's ONE Offensive Coordinator, what would he be thinking to make that comment?
Should be a whirlwind Spring and Summer......to be continued
Matt is right. Martz won't know what he's got until he gets to camps. And he has to see the O Line too.
I believe Vernon Davis was an alternate to the Pro Bowl the year Martz coached him. My understanding is he is an excellent blocker and the niners OL needed his blocking more than pass catching.
Look, Martz was a TE in college. He knows the position. If the Bears can't get what they need at DE and FS through free agency, then it's another story. But if they do, I think Martz will want to see what he can do with Olsen.
"Olsen, on the other hand, is what is quickly becoming the most dangerous position on the field. He’s a hybrid tight end of sorts, no different than an Antonio Gates, a Todd Heap or a Jermichael Finley of Green Bay. Tight ends who cause matchup issues from a game plan perspective. They’re a nightmare for safeties -- too big for corners with an ability to run after the catch and score in the red zone."
TODD HEAP?!?!? He's been hurt for the past 29 years.
Bob,
Did you watch Heap the final stretch of the season? Ravens moved him out to WR and he dominated cornerbacks. I agree with you on the injuries, but the guy can play and Matt makes sense as to how he is comparing Olsen.
Bottom line for Bears--don't make this deal. Plain stupid.
If the Bears trade away a 1st round draft pick who we know is a good player for an unknown player to be drafted in the 2nd round it would be like the broncos trading Jay Cutler. Keep Olsen and let Martz create an offensive plan that isolates Olsen with a LB or a Safety, you will see results. The problem the past several years is that the mental midget Ron Turner couldn't call a good game if his life depended on it, and he never put Olsen in situations that he could run free and out of bracket and double coverage. Olsen could put up the same numbers as Dallas Clark year in and year out if he is used right.
I don't blame Olsen for wanting out, but no one is going to give you anything for a TE. Atlanta gave up practically nothing for Tony Gonzales who is still better than Olsen will ever be. Olsen has potential, but I haven't seen the sort of athleticism or ball skills from him that the top guys have.
We're supposed to FIX the offense! I don't think this is achieved by subtracting players who give us points and first downs. Sure, there are Olsen critics out there who say he doesn't have enough TAC yards or red zone touchdowns, but I believe this more due to the fact that he was our only true go to guy on our offense to show. He NEVER gets single coverage, it's either double or triple because the defense understands that he's practically our strongest offensive weapon. It's a BAD DECISION to trade him. No doubt about it.
So let's look at the flip side, let's say we get some good picks and they turn out to be great for us. As much as I love Lovie Smith, if he's not able to pull off a winning season, him and his entire staff will probably be gone. And the next best coach will want nothing more than a great TE (every coach wants that!), sorry, he's already gone too. Fill the holes, don't make new ones.
They need a first rounder to pony up for Brandon Marshall. That's where it this heading....
The Bears are on record as saying they are not actively trying to trade Olsen and would only do so for a great offer. I do not think if a first rounder is the offer the Bears would make the deal. Angelo does not like first round picks and with his draft record I understand why, but a 2nd and 3rd or a 2nd and high 4th, the Bears would have to consider the deal. This team has to many needs and this is a very deep draft on both sides of the ball.
The Bears are on record as saying they are not actively trying to trade Olsen and would only do so for a great offer. I do not think if a first rounder is the offer the Bears would make the deal. Angelo does not like first round picks and with his draft record I understand why, but a 2nd and 3rd or a 2nd and high 4th, the Bears would have to consider the deal. This team has to many needs and this is a very deep draft on both sides of the ball.
For those of you who think the Bears would not make this deal for a couple of picks need to look at Angelo's draft history. He traded down twice last year after trading away his !st and one of his seconds for Cutler. Whie the playoff teams where filling needs the Bears were waiting for the next day to begin. I have watched tehm pass on OL needs for 3 years now, Angelo would not only make the deal, he almost has to at this point.
Can't see the logic either but Jermichel Finley passed him up as a Tightend last season. Wouldn't be the first time the Bears gave up on a preveous #1. These moves always backfire on them
I think the bears would be crazy to trade Greg. You will not find a better tight end then greg. These players are hard to find.
There is no way that i would trade him. IT is hard to get a good tight end.
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Mar 03, 2010
08:17 AM
If Angelo makes this move he might as well clean out his desk and go work at WalMart. Just a brutal idea, and hopefully, Olsen is just being a pro athlete and bitching for a raise.