Dez Clark Expects To Have Expanded Role This Year

(WSCR) When the Bears lost to the Packers in the NFC Championship Game last year, it was somewhat of a foregone conclusion that tight end Desmond Clark had played his last game in Chicago.

Few could have predicted that both Greg Olsen and Brandon Manumaleuna would be sent packing when the lockout ended, opening a spot on the roster for Clark. Few also would have thought the Bears still wanted Clark involved in the offense after he declared inactive for most games last season.

But the Bears went ahead and re-signed Clark and he expects to play more in 2011.

LISTEN: Dez Clark on The Laurence Holmes Show

"I haven't had time to sit down with coaches and discuss how they see my role playing out this year," Clark said on The Laurence Holmes Show. "I would hope it's not like last year when I'm inactive almost every game and I wouldn't suspect that. I don't think they would have brought me back to be on the sideline this year."

Clark had a son during the off-season and said he used the lockout as a chance to work on his charity, but that doesn't mean he wasn't committed to getting back on the field.

"Every day in the morning from 8 to 12 I was just focused on getting back on the football field. I came back and weighed in at a real low weight and had one of the lowest body fats I have had since I've been on this team," Clark said.

For now, it certainly looks like both Clark will be a major factor this season.