[CBFF] ] Tight ends' instruction: Production

[Senzigx4]

A lighter, quicker Clark, Turner's commitment could turn a 
traditional sore spot into an offensive upgrade
By K.C. Johnson
Tribune staff reporter

August 2, 2006, 11:08 PM CDT

BOURBONNAIS -- In an annual rite of Bears training camp, players are 
filmed and photographed carrying pillows, TV sets and refrigerators 
into their dorm rooms on reporting day.

The images are boring, if not a soothing reminder football has begun.

Maybe next year cameras can focus on the Bears' tight end 
statistics. They are about equally as exciting.

They also presage yet another annual rite: questioning when that 
position will produce.

The Bears like their tight ends to block first and catch passes 
second, but recent seasons have featured them blocking first and 
catching grief second. This is, after all, the franchise for which 
Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka was the leading receiver for three 
consecutive seasons from 1961-63.

So what gives? Why does a team that features a converted wide 
receiver-the Atlantic Coast Conference's leading receiver as a 
senior at that-seemingly wrestle with production at tight end every 
season?

Last season's return of offensive coordinator Ron Turner was 
supposed to change matters. His play calls used the position 
effectively in his first tour of duty from 1993-96, particularly in 
the red zone.

That didn't happen as the Bears sank to just 28 catches for 250 
yards and three touchdowns from Desmond Clark, Gabe Reid and John 
Gilmore.

"It was a lot of things," Turner said.

"It was a new system. We had a young quarterback. Des wasn't here 
for any of the off-season and missed most of training camp."

Clark is the previously mentioned ACC receptions leader and a tight 
end who once caught 51 passes and six touchdowns from Brian Griese 
in Denver. He also actually caught 44 passes in 2003, his first 
season in Chicago.

That's the most production out of the position since Ryan Wetnight's 
46 catches in 1997. Since then, Clark has posted back-to-back 24-
catch seasons with three touchdowns.

"It's all about what have you done for me lately? I know how it 
goes," said Clark, a seven-year veteran. "I've been the same player 
since I got here. That's what I keep trying to tell people. I do 
what's asked of me. That's why I'm still here."

A draft stocked deeply at tight end was supposed to cure the Bears' 
woes, but they passed on the position until signing undrafted free 
agents Cooper Wallace and Tim Day. Neither has stood out, which 
means the same trio of Clark, Reid and Gilmore could return.

That would be fine with Turner.

"Des had a great off-season," Turner said. "We got him the ball a 
ton in [off-season workouts], more than twice as many as a year ago. 
And it has been continuing in training camp.

"He has good quickness and a good feel for creating separation to 
get open. And he's a good blocker."

Then why have his numbers been down? Clark missed almost all of 
training camp last year with a sprained ankle, and he and Turner 
theorize that trust never developed between him and Rex Grossman or 
Kyle Orton in the new system.

"It's human nature as coaches and as quarterbacks," Turner said. "If 
a guy is making plays, you go to him."

Clark made a play in Wednesday's practice, showing good 
concentration in catching a tipped Grossman pass. Much has been made 
of Clark losing 10 pounds to 249, and he agrees that has been 
beneficial.

"I'm better off because I am a little quicker," Clark said. "I think 
people see that with me getting down the field.

"You would like to catch more balls. And there have been more 
opportunities. Hopefully we can keep it going, and the offensive 
coordinator will keep calling plays for us."

Then maybe the tight ends can carry some pride into next year's 
reporting day.

kcjohnson at tribune.com



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