Greg Olsen: An Interview by a Fan

Ed LeiserMay 20, 2009

I've been a fan of Greg Olsen for several years, and could think of no better person to interview. Olsen is a rising star in the NFL, playing a position that is in need of household names and stars. Beside the obvious tight ends like Jason Witten, Antonio Gates, and Tony Gonzalez, there are many average or below-average players at this position.

Olsen has a bit of a checkered past, mostly stemming from his college days at the U. But, on the field, he's all business and threatens to do damage at any given time.

You originally enrolled at Notre Dame. What led to your transfer to the University of Miami? Any regrets?
You come from a long line of Miami tight ends (Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow, Kevin Everett). Was there added pressure on you playing that high-profile position?
Has it been hard for you to shed the negative image associated with you after the infamous Seventh Floor Crew rap group?
How would you describe your rare athletic ability?
What do you prefer: lining up tight, or splitting out? Why?
Why did you choose No. 82?
What has current Bear Desmond Clark done for you in terms of your adjustment to the NFL game?
How does playing in cold weather Chicago games compare to the warm weather you enjoyed while playing in Miami?
What does it mean for you to play for a storied franchise such as the Chicago Bears?
Would your NFL life and career be less exciting if you played in a smaller-market city?
How good can the 2009 Bears be? What will be the main obstacles for the team to overcome?
What can we expect from your offense this year?
What is the Jay Cutler-impact going to be like for the Bears?
What do you have to do to improve your individual game?
What was it like playing on a 9-7 team last year, one game away from reaching the playoffs?
How has Lovie Smith and Ron Turner impacted you in your brief career?
Will the other additions on offense (Orlando Pace, Frank Omiyale) make a significant impact?
Who are your best buddies on the team? Why?
With whom on the team have you gotten into a fight or heated words? When did this happen?
Can you join the ranks of the elite tight ends like Witten, Gates, and Gonzalez?