Martz lauds Kellen Davis; says offense ready for ‘quantum leap’
BY MARK POTASH mpotash@suntimes.com August 10, 2011 4:28PM
Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz talks to Chris Williams (74) during NFL football training camp, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011, at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Updated: August 10, 2011 4:37PM
Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz joined the chorus of his offensive players anticipating an improved performance in the second year of his offense with the Bears -- starting with quarterback Jay Cutler.
“We feel like we should be able to continue to improve from where we left off and make a quantum leap in some other areas,’’ Martz said during is weekly press conference Wednesday at training camp in Bourbonnais.
‘’With the number of receivers we have and the quality there, I would think we’d be much better there. Kellen [Davis, the starting tight end] has stepped to the forefront and established himself not just as a blocker, but also a pretty dynamic receiver in practice. There are some things coming out of this that you get pretty excited about.’’
The depth at receiver figures to be a factor. With Roy Williams at the ‘’X’’ position (the old ‘split end’), Johnny Knox will have to fight for playing time. Williams currently is listed as the starter, ahead of Knox, who led the Bears with 51 receptions for 960 yards (18.8 per carry) and five touchowns last year.
‘’Johnny’s very, very talented. He’s very young and he’s still learning how to play,’’ Martz said. ‘’Guys like Johnny just need to learn to be consistent. Consistency in his play, and that’s with players at every position but particularly at that ‘X’ position. He certainly has the ability. He just is still learning to play, adjust and do the things we ask him to do.’’
