Desmond Clark, Chicago Bears Tight End Profile and Scouting Report

Desmond Clark is one of the most underrated players in the National Football League. The veteran tight end is entering his tenth NFL season and will remain a veteran leader and key contributor to the Bears franchise. Clark signed a two-year contract extension in 2008 and will team with Greg Olsen and 2009 off-season acquisition Michael Gaines to form one of the most effective tight end combinations in the League.

Olsen is the pass-catching tight end and penciled in starter and will split time with Clark for two tight end sets and various situational purposes. Michael Gaines is a 6-4 277-pound road grading blocker that will earn playing time to add bulk up front per short yardage packages.

Desmond Clark is a solid receiver and blocker at the position. The former Wake Forest wide out has added bulk as a professional to perform as a viable tight end. Clark began his career as the 179^th overall NFL pick with the Denver Broncos and broke out during his third season with 51 catches for 566 yards at Mile High, largely as a backup.

Still, he was felled by an arm injury prior to the 2002 season and waived. His nondescript 2002 season with the Miami Dolphins tallied a meager 2 catches for 42 yards over 11 games of action. Desmond Clark had been made expendable by the return of legendary veteran Shannon Sharpe to Denver and the emergence of the talented Randy McMichael at Miami.

The Chicago Bears came calling in 2003.

Desmond Clark has been the model of consistency at Chicago. The man has averaged 37 catches and 414 yards per season in 6 years at Halas Hall. These numbers are indeed special, considering a Bears attack that has been completely inept for the majority of Clark's Windy City tenure. Desmond Clark is the 11^th leading receiver per catches (222) in Chicago Bears history - 2^nd only to Iron Mike Ditka (316) as a pass catching Tight End.

Who would've thought that Desmond Clark could be mentioned within the same breath as Da Coach Mike Ditka?

Desmond Clark: Chicago Bears Scouting Report

Desmond Clark is deceptively fast and excels at the tight end position through intelligence and excellent hands. Clark's gamesmanship and ability to read coverages are his true assets and the true rationale for his uncanny ability to arrive at the right place at the right time. Clark is at home working the seams and settling between linebackers and safeties within soft spots of the zone.

This tight end is also a master of leverage and drops his pads well to seal the edge and stand up defensive ends at the point of attack in the running game. Clark also uses his reputation as a solid in-line blocker to feint pass protection, chip block the edge rusher, and release into his pattern as a safety valve 5-10 yards from the line of scrimmage.

Desmond Clark put it all together in 2006. The tight end totaled 626 yards on 45 receptions for six touchdowns during this career year. Clark topped all NFL tight ends with his 13.9 yards per catch average and was an integral cog of the 13-3 Chicago Bears run to Super Bowl XLI.

Of course, Clark was a spry 29 years of age and was not required to battle with a young Greg Olsen for reps and touches at the time.

The two-headed monster of Clark and Olsen were to torch defenses for 95 catches, 941 yards, and 6 touchdowns last season.

Desmond Clark: How Much More is Left in the Tank?

Bears Nation must acknowledge that Desmond Clark, 32, has indeed, lost a step.

The tight end is increasingly having trouble separating from linebackers and safeties. Hence, Clark is almost a complete non-factor as a receiver running drags or seam routes versus man-to-man coverage. The ongoing deterioration of speed that comes with age has stymied Clark's big-play potential. This tight end is now better suited as a third, or fourth dump off option.

Desmond Clark's yards per reception statistic plunged to 9.0 during 2008.

Despite Clark's age, the Bears veteran's roster spot remains secure. Again, the tight end signed a 2-year extension that runs until 2010. Chicago will be unlikely to deal such a productive contributor for a future 5^th round draft pick, at best. Lastly, Desmond Clark is the lone member of the Bears tight end corps that is a solid receiver and blocker.

Clark will continue splitting time with Greg Olsen and providing invaluable veteran leadership at the offensive side of the football. Certainly, Jay Cutler, newcomer and franchise quarterback, will quickly discover that his tight ends are the ultimate security blankets.

Desmond Clark can still get it done.

Desmond Clark, Chicago Bears Tight End Profile and Scouting Report, Sources:

The Official Web Site of the Chicago Bears, http://www.chicagobears.com/index.html

Desmond Clark NFL Profile, http://www.nfl.com/players/desmondclark/profile?id=CLA258726

Desmond Clark, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Clark

Kofi Bofah, Jay Cutler, Bears QB Profile and Scouting Report, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1744926/jay_cutler_chicago_bears_quarterback.html?cat=14

Kofi Bofah, Greg Olsen, Bears TE Profile and Scouting Report, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1761008/greg_olsen_chicago_bears_tight_end.html?cat=14