Bears strike fast thanks to 58-yard TD catch by Olsen
It wasn't so bad that Greg Olsen's mug shot had begun appearing on milk cartons, but the Bears' tight end had become the forgotten man in the offense.
Until Sunday that is.
On the Bears' third play from scrimmage, quarterback Jay Cutler, with the benefit of a clean pocket, hit Olsen in stride deep down the middle for a 58-yard touchdown. It was the longest catch of his career for Olsen, who got one step behind safety Lawyer Milloy and sprinted untouched into the end zone.
“The offense took that momentum, and the next thing you know it was 28-0,” Olsen said. “That was huge.”
But the four-year former first-round draft pick wasn't finished. He set up the Bears' second touchdown when he beat safety Earl Thomas for a 33-yard reception two possessions later, and his 22-yard catch started the third TD drive on the next possession.
Those 3 receptions totaled 113 yards, an average of 37.7 yards per catch and made Olsen the first tight end in franchise history with a 100-yard receiving game in the postseason. Olsen's explosion was ironic considering that, in the past six games, he had 12 receptions for 82 yards and a 6.3-yard average per catch.
According to Olsen, his role in Sunday's game plan was no different than it has been in previous games.
“Some games the ball goes to some guys, and some games it can be the wide receivers, the tight ends, the backs, whoever,” he said. “The more guys you have involved, the harder it is to stop the offense. (Sunday) just happened to be my day. It wasn't anything special or particular we did. It just happened to be the way the ball went today.”
Olsen's receiving numbers have dipped this year. After posting career bests last year with 60 catches, 612 yards and 8 touchdowns, he had 41 receptions for 404 yards and 5 TDs this season. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz has usually not emphasized the tight end in his passing game in the past, but Olsen's demise has been exaggerated.
“I hear an awful lot about us not using our tight end,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “But throughout the day, I felt like he could make a play any time we could get him the football.”
While his stats have slipped, Olsen has become a more complete tight end this season and a more versatile player. He has absolutely no complaints about not getting the ball enough.
“I've said from Day One, I'm happy to be a part of this offense, contribute and do a lot of things,” he said. “We don't have guys that say they need the ball, or if the game doesn't go their way, pout.
“My role is different (this year), a lot more pass protection, picking up blitzes. I take a lot of pride in that.”