Garrett Wolfe carries the ball against the Lions last season. (Jose M. Osorio/Tribune)
The scenario sounds all too familiar to Garrett Wolfe.
As soon as the Bears add another capable running back, Wolfe's name usually surfaces as the odd man out.
It happened when Matt Forte was drafted and Cedric Benson was still in the fold. It occurred again when Kevin Jones was signed to complement Forte.
And now the Bears officially signed rookie Harvey Unga to a four-year contract after selecting him in the seventh round of the supplemental draft, a move some experts called a steal because of Unga's all-around talents.
Unga could compete against Wolfe and Kahlil Bell for the third running back spot behind Forte and veteran Chester Taylor. The Bears, who have kept as many as four running backs in recent years, might settle for three and a fullback in offensive coordinator Mike Martz's scheme.
"That's something I can't control,'' Wolfe said about the addition of Unga. "They bring in guys all the time to put us in the best position to win. It's part of being in the NFL.
"That being said, why is it when they bring another player in, the first name that comes up is mine? I guess some people want you around and some people don't. That's why I try not to concern myself with what people say.''
The 5-foot-7, 185-pound Wolfe, drafted in the third round out of Northern Illinois in 2007, hasn't had the type of impact he had hoped for coming out of college thanks, in part, due to the injuries (hamstring, lacerated kidney, shoulder). He has contributed some as a third-down back but primarily on special teams.
The latter should give him the edge in the battle for the third spot if it indeed becomes a three-man race. Unga (6-0, 237) could be thrown into the mix at fullback. Regardless, the Bears need bodies on special teams with the departures of Jamar Williams and Adrian Peterson, and Wolfe led the team in special teams tackles two seasons ago (21).
"Of course I would like to say I have the edge on special teams,'' Wolfe said. "I mean I'm a three-phase contributor. I've gone out there and done everything they've asked me to do.
"But in the end, it's not my decision. My mind-set is just to go out there and compete at a high level. I've already accomplished more than anybody could imagine. I'm not going to stop now.''
Wolfe said he has yet to discuss his role with Martz.
"All I know is that Martz doesn't care what position you play as long
as you can do mutiple things,'' Wolfe said. "The more you can do,
whether it be out of the backfield or out of the slot or in terms of
blocking ... he'll find a place for you. He's not reluctant to play
someone who can create mismatches. If you can show him those things,
then you'll be OK."
Wolfe never was given the chance or had achance with plays going through the middle ofd the line.. I never understood that.. It seemed like when Forte and others couldnt get any yards Wolfe did.. Hopefully they will give him a chance to turn the corners etc.. Everybody says hes too small , he wasnt in college and isnt now. If hes healthy he should make the team
Why are any of you bozo's commenting on Wolfe's offensive abilities. You haven't seen Wolfe play offense for the Bears. Wolfe has been given a VERY limited amount of offensive playing time by the moron who kept calling on him to run one or two consecutive runs up the middle and then sit out instead of tossing him the ball in the flat or sweeping him left or right. Up the middle on 2 runs and then out is not conducive to his style and doesn't give a back the momentum to gain yardage. That being said, in his limited time (with asinine play calling) Wolfe still has done well enough to make this team. I would put him ahead of Kahlil Bell.
Wolfe's injuries come not because he is too small, but because they guy puts his full body on the line on every play. Was Jim McMahon (who also had a lacerated kidney) too small? Is Brian Urlacher too small? Freakish injuries are freakish injuries. They don't happen because you are too small---they happen because they are freakish injuries.
Hopefully the Bears "brain trusts" will realize the true value of Garrett Wolfe and keep him over Kahlil Bell. And if they need to cut a back, cut the fullback and line Harvey Unga up at fullback to use his talents and size there.
He isn't concerned because he knows the Turk will eventually arrive. He is arena league material.
He's a Wolfe in sheeps clothing. That doesn't get you much in the NFL. Step up or step off.
Jason -- Wolfe meant that he is a 3-phase contributor when it comes to special teams. He is on the Kickoff Return team, the Kickoff Coverage team, and the Punt team.
Although he performs well on special teams, the bears can't afford to keep another ST only player (Tim Shaw has that spot). IT looks like this Unga kid will be given every opportunity to get the 3rd and final RB spot.... even though the bears carried 4 RB's last year (prior to Jones' injury), I can't see them doing that again.
Wolfe getting cut? It is about time.
--Too small
--Too weak
--Can't perform in the redzone.
Look people, the Bears would not go into the supplemental draft and burn next year's 7th round pick on a talented RB such as Unga and not cut someone off. For the Bears to do that shows indication that Martz is not impressed with the current Bears RB corps. I agree with Martz because the Bears don't have a true power RB that knows how to perform in the redzone consistently.
Therefore out goes Garret Wolfe. Also people forget, Wofle got injured with a lacerated kidney and possible injury to his collarbone. Too small. He can't be an NFL RB. I'm glad he is getting cut. I don't like scatbacks and they are basically useless in today's NFL.
3 phase contributor? Is he including himself in the 4th pahse (fans)? I don't think we've seen him on D...
One of the problems with the bears is that they need to value a quality rb over a good special teams player.
Wolfe's impact on the field has been zero. Can't block. Not a great scat back. Not even a quality rb that you can give the rock to.
Why is he here? Because he led the team in special team tackles? Does that make any sense?
Is he still on the team??? LOL!!!!! I liked Wolfe, but if you don't bring it in camp...seeyah.
may the best man win!!