Garrett Wolfe

[jason]

A copy and paste from another thread. I want to start a discussion on Garrett Wolfe.

 

I think that Wolfe can be a solid contributor, and much more than a third-down back. Honestly, I don't see why everyone is so ready to quit on a guy who did nothing but look better than Benson and Peterson during his limited touches last year. I don't see why he can't produce like Warrick Dunn has produced throughout his career.

 

If anything, having a smaller, shiftier RB is a better option behind a line that opens up massive holes for DTs and DEs. Every time he got in the game last year he was making someone miss...that is, of course, when Turner wasn't calling the FB dive for a guy who is 180 lbs.

 

He puts on 5-10 lbs., and he's WARRICK FRIGGIN' DUNN.

 

Of course, if Warrick Dunn were drafted by Chicago, you guys would have hated him from the start because of his size. You would have called the pick horrible, and he would have despised Chicago. Then he would have been traded, like he has been, and he would have produced, like he has, and he would have thumbed his nose at all who said he wasn't fast enough, big enough, or strong enough.

 

I'd rather have him as a starting RB with AP or Benson acting as a third down back than the other way around. At least then we'd have a RB who can catch a ball out of the backfield and could possibly score from more than 20 yards out.

 

I really don't understand the Garrett Wolfe hatred going on around here. More power for his size than Benson or AP...

 

 

...better moves BY FAR

 

 

...and probably faster than either of the two.

 

 

Don't make me pull out the highlights of him busting Ohio State's ass!

[Ed Hochuli 3:16]

Don't make me pull out the highlights of him busting Ohio State's ass!

LOSERS!

[Connorbear]

I like Wolfe and want to see him get more touches next yr. He showed last yr he can have an impact in space and special teams coverage. I don't believe he could ever be a 20+ carry a game player but he doesn't need to be.

 

Peace

[DrunkBomber]

I have no problem saying I dont like him as a player. His body type might be similar to Dunn but he cant be compared to him. He hasnt proven anything and until he does he doesnt deserve anymore playing time. He isnt anything better than a 3rd back. Theres a reason why even after we were out of the playoffs and Benson was injured he didnt play much and it wasnt because of sheer awesomeness.

[jason]

I have no problem saying I dont like him as a player. His body type might be similar to Dunn but he cant be compared to him. He hasnt proven anything and until he does he doesnt deserve anymore playing time. He isnt anything better than a 3rd back.

 

By that reasoning, Warrick Dunn would have never seen the field either. When is Wolfe supposed to "prove" something?! Every time he got in the game, and wasn't run directly up the middle, he made plays. He juked, bounced off tackles, found holes, and made good runs. Aside from that, why can't he be compared to Dunn?! They are similar in so many ways...who else would you compare Wolfe to? How else does one make a comparison or guess about his potential other than comparing him to someone nearly identical in every way? If anything, he can ONLY be compared to a player like Dunn.

 

Theres a reason why even after we were out of the playoffs and Benson was injured he didnt play much and it wasnt because of sheer awesomeness.

 

So, what you are saying is, you have complete confidence in our coaching staff, and their ability to choose starters? I think just about everyone on this message board would have an argument to this idea considering the Bears' confusion at QB, RB, WR, OL, DE, S, and OC.

 

By the way, the reason was probably that the coaches had some loyalty to AP, and they wanted to see if AP could handle the load full time, and because Wolfe was a rookie. When Wolfe got in, however, he did better than Benson or AP.

[AZ54]

I like Wolfe and expect him to fill the same role on 3rd down this year as he did last year but with more carries or receptions. The problem is for him to be effective we need an offense that doesn't routinely go 3 and out.

[azbearsfan]

I have no problem saying I dont like him as a player. His body type might be similar to Dunn but he cant be compared to him. He hasnt proven anything and until he does he doesnt deserve anymore playing time. He isnt anything better than a 3rd back. Theres a reason why even after we were out of the playoffs and Benson was injured he didnt play much and it wasnt because of sheer awesomeness.

 

 

Excellent logic. How is he going to prove anything without playing time?

From the touches he did get, looks like he proved something to me. Seriously, look at the Brown game what he did to that linebacker.

 

 

You might have no problem saying you dont like him, but you sure dont make a very good argument against him.

 

 

Jason,

I think its a great comparison to Dunn. If we get a Forte type back it could be a little thunder and lightning.

[DrunkBomber]

For every time someone wants to compare him to Warrick Dunn because of his size, or even opportunities I bet theres hundreds of guys that size that never amount to anything. I think its a lot more likely that he falls into that category than having a career like Dunn. Theres a decent chance he might be the 4th back this year, whats the point?

[DrunkBomber]

Excellent logic. How is he going to prove anything without playing time?

From the touches he did get, looks like he proved something to me. Seriously, look at the Brown game what he did to that linebacker.

 

 

You might have no problem saying you dont like him, but you sure dont make a very good argument against him.

 

 

Jason,

I think its a great comparison to Dunn. If we get a Forte type back it could be a little thunder and lightning.

I agree, there isnt any solid proof to support my opinion. There isnt any proof to support anyone elses though. Im not gonna proclaim him a productive back because of the preseason or scrub time in meaningless games.

[AZ54]

Does his 13 yards per catch average in regular season games count? It appears his 2.7 yards per rush does? I still feel he was misused as a rusher when they sent him up the middle. That's a run play that might work on 3rd and long but not 1st and 10. He won't even break an arm tackle there. He needs to be used in space so he can take advantage of his quickness and when he had outside runs we saw him have more success. It wasn't all good either as there were also times where he made poor reads leading to a bad cut into a tackler but I think with more experience he'll understand the speed of the game better. Get a passing game that can actually force safeties to respect their deep responsibilities and Wolfe will just have to make the first guy miss, which he can do.

[DrunkBomber]

Does his 13 yards per catch average in regular season games count? It appears his 2.7 yards per rush does? I still feel he was misused as a rusher when they sent him up the middle. That's a run play that might work on 3rd and long but not 1st and 10. He won't even break an arm tackle there. He needs to be used in space so he can take advantage of his quickness and when he had outside runs we saw him have more success. It wasn't all good either as there were also times where he made poor reads leading to a bad cut into a tackler but I think with more experience he'll understand the speed of the game better. Get a passing game that can actually force safeties to respect their deep responsibilities and Wolfe will just have to make the first guy miss, which he can do.

No, neither of them should matter because of the situations of when he was in the game. I never mentioned his YPC so I dont know where you got that from but Im not gonna base his his 13 yards per catch on anything because he doesnt even have a handful of catches. I know a lot of people dont like our coaching staff but you have to assume theres a reason why he wasnt playing more, especially towards the end of the season. Something must not have been right if he still wasnt playing much after Benson was hurt and AP was the only back really playing.

 

Wolfe has yet to prove he can make anybody miss on a consistent basis so I wont assume he can because of 1 highlight real from youtube. We know Benson and AP are ahead of him on the chart and you really have to assume we will draft a back in the first 4 rounds so I wouldnt expect him to do much more than fizzle away over the next year or two.

[nfoligno]

I didn't like him in the draft, and felt he was a bad pick then. He is a bear now, and I happily cheer for him, but at the same time, I think you are missing the point. The point is not so much whether people "like" him or not, but how we see our roster playing out.

 

Assume for the moment Angelo and Lovie do in fact plan to keep him for another year to give him one more shot, which I think is a more than reasonable assumption.

 

Now, assume we draft a RB w/in the first three rounds. There is no guarantee for this, but the way Angelo has talked, and based off expectations, I think this is also a fair assumption.

 

So if we do this, two roster spots are basically locks.

 

This leaves one of two options. Option one is a choice between Wolfe and AP. Option two is we carry 4 RBs. Options two is possible, but when have we done this before? While it is possible, I think it more likely we still carry three RBs, and thus, we are back to option one.

 

So do we carry Wolfe or AP? Lovie is AP's biggest fan. AP has more experience, is a more all around RB, and is (now that Ayenbadejo is gone) probably our best special teams player. Personally, it would not be the end of the world if we kept Wolfe over AP, but at the same time, I think AP would have a considerable edge.

 

So it isn't so much an issue of "liking" Wolfe or not, but a numbers issue. If we only keep 3 RBs and we draft a RB relatively early, who is the odd man out. If that situation does come to pass, I think Wolfe could find himself on the outside looking in.

[Connorbear]

I didn't like him in the draft, and felt he was a bad pick then. He is a bear now, and I happily cheer for him, but at the same time, I think you are missing the point. The point is not so much whether people "like" him or not, but how we see our roster playing out.

 

Assume for the moment Angelo and Lovie do in fact plan to keep him for another year to give him one more shot, which I think is a more than reasonable assumption.

 

Now, assume we draft a RB w/in the first three rounds. There is no guarantee for this, but the way Angelo has talked, and based off expectations, I think this is also a fair assumption.

 

So if we do this, two roster spots are basically locks.

 

This leaves one of two options. Option one is a choice between Wolfe and AP. Option two is we carry 4 RBs. Options two is possible, but when have we done this before? While it is possible, I think it more likely we still carry three RBs, and thus, we are back to option one.

 

So do we carry Wolfe or AP? Lovie is AP's biggest fan. AP has more experience, is a more all around RB, and is (now that Ayenbadejo is gone) probably our best special teams player. Personally, it would not be the end of the world if we kept Wolfe over AP, but at the same time, I think AP would have a considerable edge.

 

So it isn't so much an issue of "liking" Wolfe or not, but a numbers issue. If we only keep 3 RBs and we draft a RB relatively early, who is the odd man out. If that situation does come to pass, I think Wolfe could find himself on the outside looking in.

If we draft a RB in the 1st four rounds, we will keep 4 RBs. AP will be kept on the roster because he is the best ST player on the team. Last yr we kept 7 LBs because of Brendon. AP takes that roster spot. Wolfe will be kept for another yr to see if he can further develop.

 

Peace

[brletich]

Like Jason, I do not see what all the Wolfe dislike is for. Sure it wasn't the best 3rd round pick JA could have made, but the kid was the most dynamic RB we had on the roster last year. He may never be an every down RB, but that never stopped a guy like Dave Megget, who went on to play pretty well for Mr Bill Parcells. If Turner pulls his head out of his hind orifice and utilizes the kid correctly, a la Parcells with Megget, the kid will be able contribure positively and help us make some big plays.

[BearSox]

If we draft a RB in the 1st four rounds, we will keep 4 RBs. AP will be kept on the roster because he is the best ST player on the team. Last yr we kept 7 LBs because of Brendon. AP takes that roster spot. Wolfe will be kept for another yr to see if he can further develop.

 

Peace

exactly. We keep spots on the team for special teamers. Also, there's no need for two FB's. If we draft Forte, he could play a little FB if McKie gets injured... Plus, FB is not that hard of a position to find a decent replacement for McKie if he gets injured. You can find decent guys off of the street, or through signing someone off of another teams practice squad.

[BearsFan]

Like Jason, I do not see what all the Wolfe dislike is for. Sure it wasn't the best 3rd round pick JA could have made, but the kid was the most dynamic RB we had on the roster last year. He may never be an every down RB, but that never stopped a guy like Dave Megget, who went on to play pretty well for Mr Bill Parcells. If Turner pulls his head out of his hind orifice and utilizes the kid correctly, a la Parcells with Megget, the kid will be able contribure positively and help us make some big plays.

Meggett made his living as a return specialist. If he hadn't been a a star doing that, he'd never have made it in the NFL. Wolfe won't have that opportunity as long as Hester is a Bear. That's going to make it a lot harder for him to be productive enough to stay in the NFL for very long.

 

As I said in the other thread, if Wolfe can't run in the middle, he's not going to be another Warrick Dunn by any stretch of the imagination. Having to put him in space for him to produce makes Garrett a specialty back. With Benson, AP, and a rookie who supposedly will have the potential to become the starter, Wolfe is going to have to prove himself with very limited opportunities. JMO

 

.

[nfoligno]

Wow, do I disagree w/ you w/ regard to FBs. Not only do I disagree w/ the idea that FBs are so easy to find, I would argue it has been some time since we have had one ourselves. We have either had a FB like Shelton, who was a great blocker, but had no other skills. Or we have had a FB like McKie, who is considered capable of pass catching (though I have seen little).

 

We often talk about all-purpose RBs, but IMHO, the same is true for FBs. Just a few years ago, I remember opponents could predict our plays based on which FB was in the game. If Shelton was in, it was most likely a running play. If he was out, pass play.

 

I am not a fan of McKie. Not in the least. I think his blocking sucks. He is supposed to be a solid receiving FB, but I see little after the catch ability. And he is not a FB that takes handoffs either. While most talk about OL, RB, WR, etc., I still think FB is a big need for us. I hate watching other teams (Minny, SD, KC, etc) run the ball. It isn't just a matter of their having stud RBs, but also having FBs that blow up whoever tries to fill the hole. We on the other hand that just sort of throws in a FB that helps clog up the hole.

 

As for how many FBs we keep, and whether or not our drafted RB could be that FB, I would say this depends greatly upon who we draft. I have read that Forte could play FB, and if so, maybe. But that is one, and most other RBs I have read we have interest in has speed over blocking ability.

 

As for the idea of keeping a 4th RB. Hey, I have no problem w/ the idea. I simply off history. How many times have we as fans talked about keeping one extra WR, only to see him cut. How many times do we talk about keeping one extra OT, only to see him end up on the practice squad. I remember arguments for a 4th QB, or a 3rd kicker who would specialist in kickoffs or long distance FG attempts. Point is, so often we as fans talk about tweaking the depth chart this way or that, but rarely do I see the staff agree.

 

I like, and agree, w/ the argument using the logic of AP being a special teams specialist, but then again, I am one who has always argued in favor of keeping special teams studs.

[azbearsfan]

I agree, there isnt any solid proof to support my opinion. There isnt any proof to support anyone elses though. Im not gonna proclaim him a productive back because of the preseason or scrub time in meaningless games.

 

 

lol Except for the video of him in the beginning of the thread getting 20+ yard plays.

[AZ54]

We might keep 4 RBs but I'm not convinced we will just because we drafted a RB. I posted this awhile back that I felt Wolfe would stay and get another shot almost for sure. We'd draft a RB and depending on the type of RB we get (I think it will be a bigger runner to carry the load) the competition will be between Benson and AP. If Benson isn't back to 100% from the injury and hasn't been rehabing (is that a word?) well why keep him? We have cap space, take the hit and move forward. Since he'd likely be getting cut during camp I think the cap hit gets spread out over 2 seasons so it won't be that painful. The Bears can also go into camp with 4 RBs and choose the 3 they want then seek to trade any of Benson, AP, or Wolfe for a pick.

 

 

I'm laughing at some of the points made about Wolfe ...can't consistently make a guy miss....can't run over a guy...can't pass protect well...etc. All are things AP struggles with. I also think his special teams contribution, while key for us, is being a bit overrated in value for the team. Jamar Williams will be the heir to Ayanbandejo's role. Michael Okwo will also be out there, a guy who played well on coverage units in college. Corey Graham played well on coverage units late in the season. I think McBride was out there too and did some good things. Kevin Payne will also be out there, and we still have McClover who was brought here for special teams. So there are a lot of guys competing for those roles on special teams, they know they need to play on special teams to help them make the roster or at least to get playing time. With Ayanbandejo leaving it definitely helps AP's chances but I don't feel special teams alone guarantees him a roster spot.

[Connorbear]

I also think his special teams contribution, while key for us, is being a bit overrated in value for the team. Jamar Williams will be the heir to Ayanbandejo's role. Michael Okwo will also be out there, a guy who played well on coverage units in college. Corey Graham played well on coverage units late in the season. I think McBride was out there too and did some good things. Kevin Payne will also be out there, and we still have McClover who was brought here for special teams. So there are a lot of guys competing for those roles on special teams, they know they need to play on special teams to help them make the roster or at least to get playing time. With Ayanbandejo leaving it definitely helps AP's chances but I don't feel special teams alone guarantees him a roster spot.

Gonna disagree strongly on this one. AP led the team in special teams tackles 2 yrs ago. He embraced the role the coaching staff challenged him with. Lovie loves him. He is going nowhere.

 

Peace

[jason]

I didn't like him in the draft, and felt he was a bad pick then. He is a bear now, and I happily cheer for him, but at the same time, I think you are missing the point. The point is not so much whether people "like" him or not, but how we see our roster playing out.

 

Assume for the moment Angelo and Lovie do in fact plan to keep him for another year to give him one more shot, which I think is a more than reasonable assumption.

 

Now, assume we draft a RB w/in the first three rounds. There is no guarantee for this, but the way Angelo has talked, and based off expectations, I think this is also a fair assumption.

 

So if we do this, two roster spots are basically locks.

 

This leaves one of two options. Option one is a choice between Wolfe and AP. Option two is we carry 4 RBs. Options two is possible, but when have we done this before? While it is possible, I think it more likely we still carry three RBs, and thus, we are back to option one.

 

So do we carry Wolfe or AP? Lovie is AP's biggest fan. AP has more experience, is a more all around RB, and is (now that Ayenbadejo is gone) probably our best special teams player. Personally, it would not be the end of the world if we kept Wolfe over AP, but at the same time, I think AP would have a considerable edge.

 

So it isn't so much an issue of "liking" Wolfe or not, but a numbers issue. If we only keep 3 RBs and we draft a RB relatively early, who is the odd man out. If that situation does come to pass, I think Wolfe could find himself on the outside looking in.

 

Which is just one more reason why I don't like the idea of drafting a RB in the first four rounds, let alone in the first.

 

Fix the OL and the entire offense will look better. Cedric Benson will look stronger, AP will look like more of a workhorse, and Wolfe will look faster. The WRs will look more dynamic and the QB will look more accurate.

 

Fix the OL.

[jason]

I'm laughing at some of the points made about Wolfe ...can't consistently make a guy miss....can't run over a guy...can't pass protect well...etc. All are things AP struggles with.

 

Let's also not forget that they are things that the first round talent Cedric Benson greatly struggles with. Benson makes nearly nobody miss. Benson falls down with very little contact; he takes less for his size than Wolfe has shown. And he's not a real reliable blocker.

[DrunkBomber]

lol Except for the video of him in the beginning of the thread getting 20+ yard plays.

Im sorry but I might want a little more than a youtube real before I become a fanboy like you. Just about every player in the NFL has some type of high light real. So 3 or 4 runs might be enough for you to proclaim him the next "whoever" but Id like more consistency than a youtube clip from scrub time.

[DrunkBomber]

We might keep 4 RBs but I'm not convinced we will just because we drafted a RB. I posted this awhile back that I felt Wolfe would stay and get another shot almost for sure. We'd draft a RB and depending on the type of RB we get (I think it will be a bigger runner to carry the load) the competition will be between Benson and AP. If Benson isn't back to 100% from the injury and hasn't been rehabing (is that a word?) well why keep him? We have cap space, take the hit and move forward. Since he'd likely be getting cut during camp I think the cap hit gets spread out over 2 seasons so it won't be that painful. The Bears can also go into camp with 4 RBs and choose the 3 they want then seek to trade any of Benson, AP, or Wolfe for a pick.

 

 

I'm laughing at some of the points made about Wolfe ...can't consistently make a guy miss....can't run over a guy...can't pass protect well...etc. All are things AP struggles with. I also think his special teams contribution, while key for us, is being a bit overrated in value for the team. Jamar Williams will be the heir to Ayanbandejo's role. Michael Okwo will also be out there, a guy who played well on coverage units in college. Corey Graham played well on coverage units late in the season. I think McBride was out there too and did some good things. Kevin Payne will also be out there, and we still have McClover who was brought here for special teams. So there are a lot of guys competing for those roles on special teams, they know they need to play on special teams to help them make the roster or at least to get playing time. With Ayanbandejo leaving it definitely helps AP's chances but I don't feel special teams alone guarantees him a roster spot.

You wont find me defending AP or Benson either. I know all three guys have serious holes in their games and thats why I dont really think any of them are even close to every down backs.

 

Everyone salivating over Wolfes awesomeness I have yet to hear a REASONABLE use for him. OK, he obviously isnt going to be the starter or even the change of pace back. Were not gonna run him up the middle and we arent going to have him in on passing downs. So IF he comes in, what is it gonna be for? To run a sweep or some kind of screen pass? If he is used like that he will have the same effectiveness of when we would bring in Hester for a check pass and he would be tackled for a loss. So you can sit here and talk about his POTENTIAL, but when I say he will fizzle away its because WE dont have a use for him. He wont be our change of pace back, he wont return kicks, he wont be a short yardage back. If we do draft a back in the first 4 rounds when exactly do you guys see Wolfe getting the carries?

[nfoligno]

Hey, we are in full agreement about drafting/fixing the OL. Hell, I was even making an argument (theoretical) about drafting OL w/ our first four picks.

 

W/ that said, and while I do believe all our back could/should be better w/ an improved OL, I would state the following:

 

One. This is supposed to be a very solid draft for RBs. There are the upper tier guys, but also solid backs after that. If a RB was there after the 1st who our scouts felt could be a feature, every down back, I would have no issue drafting him. If we get an OT in the 1st, then we can look at the OL again in the 3rd, I think a RB could easily be argued for the 2nd.

 

Two. You do not have to pursuade me that improving the OL should improve our RBs. At the same time, I think Benson has shown enough questionable play (character for me more than actual play) to put his future w/ us in question. AP is a backup/special teams ace. Sorry, but everyone has wanted to make it out like he is a solid RB who should be a starter, but he is not. And Wolfe. You want to believe he is the next Warrick Dunn. I simply do not buy that one. I don't think the staff even envisions him that way. IMHO, when Wolfe was drafted (a) it was w/ the idea he could be a change of pace back, as the thought was Benson was ready to step up and be a stud and ( he could be a return man, giving Hester a breather here and there, as well as line him up for the short kickoffs. I simply do not believe we ever thought of him as a starter or more than a change of pace/ special teams guy.

 

So even if our OL improves and our RBs look better, if a RB falls to us who the scouts/staff believe could develop into a big time, every down, RBs, I see no problem w/ drafting him.