http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/07/bears-wolfe-not-concerned-about-unga-competition.htmlBears' Wolfe not concerned about competition
July 22, 2010 9:39 AM | 1 Comment
Garrett Wolfe carries the ball against the Lions last season. (Jose M. Osorio/Tribune)
By Vaughn McClure
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."
