Greg Olsen: Believes he'd shine in Tice's offense

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 06-30-2012, 06:57 PM

Greg Olsen left Chicago kicking and screaming last summer when former Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz apparently expedited his trade to the Panthers because the pass-catching tight end did not fit into his system.

So it is natural for Olsen to wonder what might have been if he still were a member of the Bears because Mike Tice has taken over for Martz.

"I follow NFL news across the board, but obviously the Bears," Olsen told me via phone Thursday from Charlotte, N.C. "Tice is really good. I was always a fan of his and he was a supporter of mine that first year we worked together. He will be good for them. We were good when I was there and (the Bears) are going to continue to be good."

Initially, being traded for a third-round pick in the 2012 draft was disappointing for Olsen, a first-round pick of the Bears out of Miami in 2007.

"There is no doubt I was a little taken back," Olsen said. "It was something the previous offseason we went through with all of those rumors about being traded.

"All of that kind of was put to rest, and I had a good season and the (2010 NFC North) championship season went well. Then, just abruptly at training camp, you are traded. It was just the way it all went down.

"But once I got settled (in Charlotte) with my family (including wife Kara and son Tate), we realized that, hey, this has been a great move for us professionally and personally. It has really worked out well. The guys on the team are great."

The Panthers, coached by former Bears linebacker and defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, visit the Bears on Oct. 28.

"(Rivera) has been a great guy to play for and the kind of guy that you want to do well for," Olsen said. "It is a very positive environment to be a part of."

The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Olsen caught 45 passes for 540 yards and five touchdowns last season from Panthers rookie sensation Cam Newton.

With Tice, the tight end position for the Bears figures to be a greater point of emphasis in terms of offensive weaponry. Olsen insists he gets a bad rap when it comes to his blocking ability.

"It was kind of a punch line that came out because of the tag on guys coming out of Miami, that we were just part of the era of pass-catching tight ends coming into the league," Olsen said. "(But you can't) play five years (in the NFL) and play almost every snap if you can't do everything. And that's something I take a lot of pride in."

The only kicking and screaming Olsen wants to hear this weekend in Chicago will be at his annual Kicks for a Cure charity kickball tournament at Grant Park (http://kicksforacure.mytmc.com/). Olsen's concern about cancer research was fueled when his mother, Susan, was battling breast cancer while he was in high school. She is a 10-year survivor.

"Saturday is our big event. It is the world's largest charitable kickball tournament," Olsen said. "We have 67 teams entered and there will be between 1,500 to 2,000 people at Grant Park to enjoy food and a beer garden and an all-day kickball tournament."

Spectator day passes are available for $50, which includes entrance into the event, food and beverage for the day and access to the exclusive after party at Joe's on Weed.

It is obvious Olsen's love for the city of Chicago is boundless.

fmitchell@tribune.com

**bearsinhouston** · 06-30-2012, 07:31 PM

I tend to agree that he would shine here. He was never what I would consider an elite TE, but I think he could have been better than he was allowed to be. I also have to agree that I would rather play for Rivera than Lovie. I wish he would have stayed. I think Lovie knew that Martz had one foot out the door. As the guy managing the team, I would not have a allowed a guy that I knew was probably leaving to talk me into trading an effective weapon because it did not fit his style. His style was about to go out of style.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 06-30-2012, 07:33 PM

We survived the Mad Mike Martz years of madness. I look back now and realize just how crazy some of that was. We basically gave Olsen away, at a time when Martz didn't believe in using TE's as receivers. It's about as crazy as giving away your RB's who can catch.

Old school? I'd say it was just plain madness.

**BigBadPapaBear** · 06-30-2012, 08:05 PM

Olsen was alright. They hyped up his speed at Miami but he never become the Jeremy Shockey type player they envisioned. Solid pro though.

**Henry Burris** · 06-30-2012, 08:52 PM

I was so pissed when I heard he got traded. He was getting better as a blocker, and a hell of a receiver, but he just couldn't break tackles. Not to mention he's more talented than any TE we have now..

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 06-30-2012, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

I was so pissed when I heard he got traded. He was getting better as a blocker, and a hell of a receiver, but he just couldn't break tackles. Not to mention he's more talented than any TE we have now..

Jerry Angelo drafts Olsen in the 1st round. Then trades him for a 3rd round pick when Olsen is entering into his prime as a true receiving weapon for Cutler.

Pure Jerry Angelo logic.

I think JA was good at the business side of the GM job, but totally clueless about personnel.

**BigBadPapaBear** · 06-30-2012, 09:37 PM

Olsen was looking for a big extension though and it appeared that the Bears were going to go with Martz for some time. It was the right call at the time. He was not going to be a big part of that offense, yet wanted to be paid big time money. That they even got a 3rd pick for a guy they were going to allow to walk, is actually a steal. Panthers gave him a 5yr $24.5 million deal. That's a lot of money for a guy that was just a solid TE and no longer in the teams plans.

So it wasn't that Angelo was clueless in this situation, they dumped a player who didn't fit into the Martz offense. And you know what...if Cutler didn't go down with an injury those last 6 games...Angelo and Martz might still be here. Because that team was rolling and the Bears were the team no one in the NFC wanted to play, NOT THE GIANTS. So its easy to slam Angelo for that decision but at the time, all things considered and the direction the Bears decided to go, it was the right move. The TE position is loaded with talent and guys that can block. And they also have much cheaper options at this position.

And what did he do last year in a spread type of offense that uses the TE? 45 rec 540yds and 5tds. We really didn't lose anything special.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 06-30-2012, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by BigBadPapaBear

Olsen was looking for a big extension though and it appeared that the Bears were going to go with Martz for some time. It was the right call at the time. He was not going to be a big part of that offense, yet wanted to be paid big time money. That they even got a 3rd pick for a guy they were going to allow to walk, is actually a steal. Panthers gave him a 5yr $24.5 million deal. That's a lot of money for a guy that was just a solid TE and no longer in the teams plans.

So it wasn't that Angelo was clueless in this situation, they dumped a player who didn't fit into the Martz offense. And you know what...if Cutler didn't go down with an injury those last 6 games...Angelo and Martz might still be here. Because that team was rolling and the Bears were the team no one in the NFC wanted to play, NOT THE GIANTS. So its easy to slam Angelo for that decision but at the time, all things considered and the direction the Bears decided to go, it was the right move. The TE position is loaded with talent and guys that can block. And they also have much cheaper options at this position.

And what did he do last year in a spread type of offense that uses the TE? 45 rec 540yds and 5tds. We really didn't lose anything special.

You make some excellent points.

I agree that receiving TE's didn't fit the Martz system. And I also agree about the money aspect too. And honestly, I was not a big Olsen fan. But once we invested that 1st round pick in him, he was an important resource. It makes me remember our 1st round bungle of picking Cedric Benson (4th overall pick of the entire draft) and then we let him go for - nothing.

Nothing. Pure Jerry Angelo. I wasn't a Cedric Benson fan at all either. But 1st round draft picks are a valuable resource. You don't give them away. But Jerry wasn't worth crap managing personnel.

Olsen will be a Pro Bowl TE this year. Last year he had a rookie QB and shared playing time almost 50/50 with Shockey. He still had more yards per catch than Shockey and most folks predict this is going to be a fantastic season for Olsen. He will be a one of the primary weapons for Cam.

I will always believe we had our success last season (before Cutler's and Forte's injuries) in spite of Mad Mike Martz, and not because of him. Cutler clearly was ready to kill Martz. And even though Cutler has tried to be diplomatic about Martz, it's pretty clear he hated his offense.

To be honest though, I didn't think much of Ron Turner either. Another dud OC.

**BigBadPapaBear** · 06-30-2012, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by JustAnotherBearsFan99

I agree that receiving TE's didn't fit the Martz system. And I also agree about the money aspect too. And was not a big Olsen fan. But once we invested that 1st round pick in him, he was an important resource. It makes me remember our 1st round bungle of picking Cedric Benson (4th overall pick of the entire draft) and then we let him go for - nothing.

Nothing. Pure Jerry Angelo.

Olsen will be a Pro Bowl TE this year. Last year he had a rookie QB and shared playing time almost 50/50 with Shockey. He still had more yards per catch than Shockey and most folks predict this is going to be a fantastic season for Olsen. He will be a one of the primary weapons for Cam.

I will always believe we had our success last season (before Cutler's and Forte's injuries) in spite of Mad Mike Martz, and not because of him. Cutler clearly was ready to kill Martz. And even though Cutler has tried to be diplomatic about Martz, it's pretty clear he hated his offense.

To be honest though, I didn't think much of Ron Turner either. Another dud OC.

I agree that the whole Thomas Jones trade was the worst move Angelo ever made. It made no sense to deal TJ. He was a great player and it will always be one of the worst personnel moves in Bears' history. As for CBenson...where were they going to find a willing trade partner? He had to go. Benson was a chump, a distraction and a bad teammate. So yea he blew that pick big time. I was not for the Bears picking a RB myself as I knew that such a move would come with the desire to move TJ at some point. But the simple fact is that no one is going to give you a draft pick with all the problems Benson brought to the table. The guy was spoiled with those $17 million under the old CBA.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 06-30-2012, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by BigBadPapaBear

I agree that the whole Thomas Jones trade was the worst move Angelo ever made. It made no sense to deal TJ. He was a great player and it will always be one of the worst personnel moves in Bears' history. As for CBenson...where were they going to find a willing trade partner? He had to go. Benson was a chump, a distraction and a bad teammate. So yea he blew that pick big time. I was not for the Bears picking a RB myself as I knew that such a move would come with the desire to move TJ at some point. But the simple fact is that no one is going to give you a draft pick with all the problems Benson brought to the table. The guy was spoiled with those $17 million under the old CBA.

Yeah, I agree. I'm looking forward to a much better season. I can't wait to see how the offense works with Tice. And I've been thinking about how we shouldn't give up on the offensive line if it looks a bit rough in the beginning. It may take a few games to get clicking together as a unit.

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