Kellen Davis: Player Spotlight, Part I

Recently, I began thinking of a way to produce a constant stream of articles, yet without boring the reader or regurgitating old news.  After all, NFL news should be pretty slow until training camps kick off next month.

I decided that, for the next few weeks, I will do a series on players to watch on the Chicago Bears roster. These are players I hope to see light up the field.  I'll most likely select from the rookie crop, yet some more experienced players may pop in, too.

To start off, I chose former Michigan State tight end Kellen Davis.

I'll be completely honest: I don't really know much about Kellen Davis.  But one thing really stands out to me: this guy is tall.  At 6'7", Davis towers over the rest of the receiving corps.  The closest player in terms of height is Marcus Monk at 6'4".

Now some of you may be thinking, "Big deal. So what, the guy has a little height." 

Well, as depleted as the receiver position is right now, I'll take what I can get. 

Kellen Davis can be an invaluable player up the middle, snagging passes out of the air that the standard coverage may fail to reach.  The guy opens a whole new dimension of passing options that the starting QB will need desperately this season.

Only one real problem surfaces. The tight end position is pretty well stocked as it is.  Desmond Clark is a grizzled vet who will continue to be a reliable target. 

In my last article I made the comment about how Greg Olsen will look to be possibly the greatest tight end in the NFL next year.  That's not just fanhood talking. Olsen has the talent to become the next Mike Ditka, the only Bears TE to lead in receiving yards during a season. 

So with that said, Kellen Davis may see only limited action, or perhaps be utilized just as a blocking TE. 

Desmond Clark's contract runs out after 2008, and at 31 years old, the Bears may not have him on the roster after that.  It very well could be the 2009 season before Davis sees any solid action.

Either way, I find it interesting that he'll wear the number 87, which was Muhsin Muhammad's jersey number. He also came from Michigan State.  

If used properly, Kellen Davis has the right stuff to become a great resource in the Bears' offense.  And when he becomes a star, remember who you heard it from first.