Thread: Lack of special teams play large reason for Clark sitting

First Desmond Clark disappeared from the starting lineup, then from the 45-man game-day roster. The veteran tight end, who before this season started 99 of 105 games since 2003, doesn't know why he hasn't been in Mike Martz's plans and isn't about to ask the offensive coordinator for the reason.

''If you ask for explanations and it's not what you want to hear or you don't think it's legitimate that's when you get frustrated,'' said Clark, who has one catch for 12 yards. ''I just go out to practice and let that speak for me. I can control the things I can control. That's what I rest on. I can control what I do out on the practice field. I can't control the personnel decisions.''

Despite ranking second among Bears tight ends with 242 career receptions, Clark has always been known as a solid blocker, which is what made him being inactive for the 17-3 loss to the Giants on Oct. 3 such a surprise. With Brandon Manumaleuna and Greg Olsen getting most of the playing time, the Bears allowed 10 sacks, including an NFL-record nine in the first half.

Clark was inactive last week and tight end Kellen Davis active for a second straight week.
''You have to understand that if you are not starting for us right now, special teams is a major reason why for a lot of things,'' Martz said. ''So it's not an indictment against anybody, other than one guy's really involved in special teams and one is not. That's the biggest consideration. People read more into that sometimes than what's really there.''

Earlier, Clark said he did not think special teams play was a primary factor in Martz's decision. He also said his lack of playing time isn't performance-related.

''It would be more frustrating to me if I couldn't get the job done and I felt that and I knew that and they weren't playing me,'' he said. ''For me, that would be more frustrating because that's on me.''

I'm waiting for Martz to get over his retarded love fest with Manu, because dude sucks hardcore against the pass rush. That was really a bust signing, however good the intentions were.

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

I'm waiting for Martz to get over his retarded love fest with Manu, because dude sucks hardcore against the pass rush. That was really a bust signing, however good the intentions were.

Wouldn't go that far yet- he is coming back from the injury and obviously affected him alot- he was Much better this best week, springing forte on his big run and taylor on his 12 yarder- and After 2 weeks of real bad pass blocking held his own against Carolina. So think more about the injury than him not being able to block. Have to see over the next few weeks before making any conclusions, willing to wait. No argument he sucked the first few weeks, just saying could have been more about the injury.

Really like Dez- and think he's got a career in broadcastig when done- He was the only Bear player to take time Saturday at the Hotel to talk with fans- really a Class guy and he actually sat with us And talked football and politely Answered some good football questions and alot of dumb one's w/o making some of the fans feel bad.Thought that was real nice of him and shows has an eye, imo on his next career

while don't think we would trade with Packers( finley gone).. teams like Buffalo, Seattle,Giants that have had injuries to their Starting TE's..Wonder if they have called JA about Clark or even K Davis?... i'd give up either for even a 7th if a team desperate for a Solid TE, may want for Clark

2 hours, 17 minutes.

Originally Posted by Jimmors

2 hours, 17 minutes.

well thought out repsonse to the thread subject, and on topic- thanks for the insight. : )

Originally Posted by dabears54

well thought out repsonse to the thread subject, and on topic- thanks for the insight. : )

Well since you were talking to yourself, i figured you were lonely and needed an update as to how long people were ignoring your thread since your last post until you bumped it again.

Originally Posted by Jimmors

Well since you were talking to yourself, i figured you were lonely and needed an update as to how long people were ignoring your thread since your last post until you bumped it again.

Actually posted about it because talking about it on the score and thought a good point, about "maybe" trading clark before the deadline - But glad to know you care so much about my posts, content and frequency of when I post. Its a great compliment My posts mean so much to you jimmors.

I would think Clark's blocking prowess would get him active on game day. He's the best blaocking TE we have (jury still out on Manu).