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Martz likes Bears’ offensive ‘depth’

BOURBONNAIS — The Bears’ first “unofficial” depth chart features different starters at seven positions from the end of last season, and that’s just on offense.

Offensive coordinator Mike Martz is encouraged by the talents the new players bring to the scheme.

“We told our guys we feel like we should be able to continue to improve from where we left off (in some areas) and make a quantum leap in some others,” Martz said.

An offensive line that has been in flux for more than a year has received a lot of attention early in camp, and much of it has been focused on first-round draft pick Gabe Carimi, who was inserted into the starting spot at right tackle almost immediately.

Last year’s right tackle, 2010 seventh-round pick J’Marcus Webb, is now at left tackle, where he played at West Texas A&M. Webb is the better athlete and pass protector, and Carimi is more of a force in the run game.

“The biggest thing for Gabe is the technique in pass protection, to adapt to the speed of the NFL and the size of those guys and the different kinds of pressures and the technical aspect of it,” Martz said. “He’s going to get high marks in all of the run blocking.”

Martz also gives Carimi high marks for his attitude.

“He’s not intimidated by anything,” Martz said. “At tackle, when you’re on the edge like that in games, you get exposed pretty good. He’s not afraid of that. Some guys get a little shy of those things, and he’s not.

“He’s very confident about what he can do, and he’s made real good progress in the technical aspect of the pass sets, so we would expect him to continue to grow.”

The tight end position will look drastically different this season, with the departure of Greg Olsen and Brandon Manumaleuna along with the addition of unrestricted free agent Matt Spaeth.

Last year’s No. 3 tight end, Kellen Davis, is now listed as the starter, and Desmond Clark has been brought back for a 13th season.

The role of the tight end will be different, as well. They will see fewer passes while doing more run blocking and pass protection.

Davis and Clark caught just 1 pass apiece last season, but even with the tight end’s role in the passing game reduced, they should see more footballs with Olsen gone.

Clark has five seasons with 40 or more catches, but the most recent was in 2008. The 6-foot-7, 267-pound Davis has the size and athleticism to become an all-around threat.

“Kellen has stepped to the forefront and really established himself as not just a blocker but a pretty dynamic receiver,” Martz said. “There are some things coming out of this that we feel excited about.”

While the tight end position may not have as many receptions as last season, the wide receivers numbers are expected to increase.

Free agent Roy Williams is ahead of last year’s leading receiver Johnny Knox (51 catches, 960 yards) on the depth chart.

But as often as the Bears line up with three or four wideouts, Williams, Devin Hester, Knox and Earl Bennett all could easily have at least 40 receptions.

The addition of Williams and Sam Hurd gives quarterback Jay Cutler more skilled targets than he had in his first two years here.

“With the number of receivers we have now, and the quality they are, we think we will be much better there,” Martz said. “We’ve got some real good competition going on out there. We’ve just got to let this thing play out.”

Act One is the team’s first preseason game Saturday at 7 p.m. at Soldier Field against the Buffalo Bills.

Bears offense in transition

Pos. 2010 final 2011

WR J. Knox R. Williams

OLT F. Omiyale J. Webb

OLG C. Williams C. Wiliams

C O. Kreutz R. Garza

ORG R. Garza L. Louis

ORT J. Webb G. Carimi

TE G. Olsen K. Davis

WR D. Hester D. Hester

QB J. Cutler J. Cutler

RB M. Forte M. Forte

FB Manumaleuna E. Williams

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