Kellen Davis makes most of his opportunity
After one season and one game, tight end Kellen Davis finally got the opportunity he was waiting for last week against the Steelers, and he grabbed hold of it, along with 5 Jay Cutler passes for 38 yards, including a 6-yard TD.
"That was kind of a coming out party for him last week," coach Lovie Smith said. "You look at his size, and he can catch. Hopefully we've seen just the start of what can be a pretty good football player. He's made a lot of progress."
Last week's receptions were the first in the NFL for the 2008 fifth-round draft pick out of Michigan State, who spent his rookie year playing on special teams and as the third tight end, blocking in short-yardage situations.
"It was great for me," the 6-foot-7, 262-pound Davis said. "We had some plays early that came to me, and I was able to make some plays and just get in the flow of the game, which is a lot better than last year, when I came in in the three-tight end set. I'd be sitting and then have to come in on fourth-and-1 and have to make a block."
With No. 2 tight end Desmond Clark doubtful today with a cracked rib, Davis should get more opportunities to do what he does best, which is provide a huge target for Cutler and catch the ball. Not that special teams aren't important, but it's not what most players fantasize about.
"He's a tight end who's athletic enough to play special teams," Bears tight ends coach Rob Boras said. "He dreams of playing tight end at night, I would hope, so now he gets to go out there and work at his craft, and he's playing faster and with more confidence."
Playing behind Greg Olsen and Clark, there hadn't been much playing time left over for Davis, until Clark was injured against the Packers in the season opener. But he was ready to respond when he got the chance.
"That's the thing in the NFL," Davis said, "even if you don't play all year, and then in the last game, if somebody gets hurt, you're expected to step in and play like you've never missed a step. That's what I plan on doing."