BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Bears player who stood out most in the first training camp practice Friday afternoon wasn’t a franchise quarterback, perennial Pro Bowler or prized free-agent acquisition.

With a sizeable chip on his shoulder—a boulder would be a more accurate description—tight end Desmond Clark looked more like an unheralded rookie with something to prove than an established 12-year veteran.
 

Bears tight end Desmond Clark ranks ninth on the franchise's all-time list with 241 receptions.

Working primarily with the No. 2 offense, Clark made several big catches deep down the seam and over the middle, tying speedy wide receiver Johnny Knox with a team-high seven receptions in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.

“Every year is a new year,” said Clark, who joined the Bears in 2003. “You’re starting off fresh. Every year you’ve got to come out and show improvement. Whatever I did last year or the years before doesn’t count right now. So I’ve got to try to come back out and make my mark for this year.”

That’s especially true because Clark is playing for a new offensive coordinator in Mike Martz. It’s also more challenging given that Greg Olsen and Brandon Manumaleuna took first-team reps Friday. But Clark isn’t about to complain about his spot on the depth chart.

“It’s just reality,” Clark said. “It’s where I’m at right now. Whether I like it or not, it really doesn’t matter. I’ve just got to go out and practice and try to prove to the coaches and my teammates that I belong on the field. That’s all I’m trying to do. No matter where I’m at, I’m just going to go out here and play ball.”

Bears coach Lovie Smith wasn't surprised that Clark had an excellent practice.

“Dez Clark has been a good player every year I have been here,” said Smith, who was hired in 2004. “Every day I have been a head coach here, he has been making plays.”

In seven seasons with the Bears, Clark has caught 241 passes for 2,627 yards and 18 touchdowns. The only tight end in franchise history with more receptions and TDs is Hall of Famer Mike Ditka.

From 2006-08, Clark became the first Bears tight end to catch at least 40 passes in three straight seasons since Ditka accomplished the feat in 1962-64. That streak ended last year when Clark missed five games due to injuries and was limited to 19 receptions for 145 yards and 2 TDs.

Though not accustomed to fighting for a job, Clark is ready to battle.

“That’s the whole purpose of training camp, especially coming in lower than I’ve ever been on the depth chart since my first year in the league,” he said. “I’m just coming out and trying to show them who I am. It’s unfamiliar territory, but territory that I’ve got to fight my way out of.”

Clark wasn’t the only tight end who performed well in the Bears' first training camp practice. While there’s been a lot of talk about the position not being involved in the passing game in Martz’s offense, tight ends accounted for 16 of 42 receptions (38.1 percent) in team drills Friday.

Olsen (3 catches), Manumaleuna (2), Kellen Davis (2) and Richard Angulo (2) all contributed, with Angulo making an impressive one-handed grab along the right sideline.

“We’re not going to catch any balls in the offense,” Clark joked. “Let’s keep that going. We’ll just be blocking tight ends and that’s how we’ll contribute to the offense. That’s what we’re going to do this year.”

Clark couldn’t recall catching as many passes down the field in a practice as he did Friday.

“None come to memory,” he said. “Hopefully we just keep it going, and not only me. Just about all the tight ends made plays down the field today. Hopefully we can keep that going and build confidence in the offense that we can make those types of plays during the season.”