Wolfe out for year

[sprout]

from profootballtalk.com

 

Garrett Wolfe to miss remainder of season

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on November 20, 2009 9:45 AM ET

It would be hard for the Bears rushing attack to get much worse, but it just took another body blow.

 

Backup Garrett Wolfe will miss the rest of the season with a lacerated kidney, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times. The injury was learned about two weeks ago, but there was some hope he could return this season.

 

"He's a great kid and it's unfortunate,'' Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo said. ``I was hoping he would start integrating more into the offense and [offensive coordinator] Ron [Turner] was using him more in practices, and he's done a good job on special teams. I wanted to see him take another step as a runner.''

 

Wolfe's loss will by mostly felt on special teams, one of the only strengths of Chicago's squad. FootballOutsiders ranks the Bears unit fourth in the league.

[DaBearSox]

Great 3rd round pick

[madlithuanian]

One of many...

 

I was really hopoing to see something of Wolfe this year... I hope he returns OK. I'd like to have an OC that know how to utilize him better.

 

Great 3rd round pick

 

[nfoligno]

Still to this day believe we never viewed Wolfe as an offensive player, but as a special teams guy.

 

At the time of the draft, Hester was all-time as a return specialist, but teams began to squib kick to avoid Hester. We then drafted Wolfe. I read numerous comments about our looking to use Wolfe up front on kickoffs. I think the thinking was, Hester is one of our top weapons, if not our top. By adding Wolfe, the thinking was (IMHO) that you have a player in position to truly hurt teams if they short kick, and force them to choose between kicking off deep to Hester, or short to Wolfe, with either likely to end is a big gain and potential score for us.

 

But, as much as we worked Wolfe during his rookie camp as a return man, he just never looked good. He bobbled the ball and just never showed the ability as a returner many scouts had envisioned. Thus, we were stuck w/ a draft pick who was not viewed as being capable of doing the one, specialized thing we drafted him for.

 

Since then, I think we have tried to work on him as a RB, but that was never the plan, and we have not really seemed to create a plan to either develop or really utilize him.

 

One of many...

 

I was really hopoing to see something of Wolfe this year... I hope he returns OK. I'd like to have an OC that know how to utilize him better.

 

[madlithuanian]

It seems like such a waste...

 

We needed so much help elsewhere. This seems like many a pick... Reaching for upside while disregarding others....

 

Still to this day believe we never viewed Wolfe as an offensive player, but as a special teams guy.

 

At the time of the draft, Hester was all-time as a return specialist, but teams began to squib kick to avoid Hester. We then drafted Wolfe. I read numerous comments about our looking to use Wolfe up front on kickoffs. I think the thinking was, Hester is one of our top weapons, if not our top. By adding Wolfe, the thinking was (IMHO) that you have a player in position to truly hurt teams if they short kick, and force them to choose between kicking off deep to Hester, or short to Wolfe, with either likely to end is a big gain and potential score for us.

 

But, as much as we worked Wolfe during his rookie camp as a return man, he just never looked good. He bobbled the ball and just never showed the ability as a returner many scouts had envisioned. Thus, we were stuck w/ a draft pick who was not viewed as being capable of doing the one, specialized thing we drafted him for.

 

Since then, I think we have tried to work on him as a RB, but that was never the plan, and we have not really seemed to create a plan to either develop or really utilize him.

 

[defiantgiant]

Still to this day believe we never viewed Wolfe as an offensive player, but as a special teams guy.

 

At the time of the draft, Hester was all-time as a return specialist, but teams began to squib kick to avoid Hester. We then drafted Wolfe. I read numerous comments about our looking to use Wolfe up front on kickoffs. I think the thinking was, Hester is one of our top weapons, if not our top. By adding Wolfe, the thinking was (IMHO) that you have a player in position to truly hurt teams if they short kick, and force them to choose between kicking off deep to Hester, or short to Wolfe, with either likely to end is a big gain and potential score for us.

 

But, as much as we worked Wolfe during his rookie camp as a return man, he just never looked good. He bobbled the ball and just never showed the ability as a returner many scouts had envisioned. Thus, we were stuck w/ a draft pick who was not viewed as being capable of doing the one, specialized thing we drafted him for.

 

Since then, I think we have tried to work on him as a RB, but that was never the plan, and we have not really seemed to create a plan to either develop or really utilize him.

 

Yeah, I'd believe that. Looking at his speed and quickness in college, you'd have thought he could be a great up-man on returns, but some guys just struggle to field a punt/kickoff cleanly. They definitely didn't have a plan for him as a running back: this was the first season where I saw them call plays differently when he was in the game on offense. Last year he was running all the same plays as Forte (like all those stupid up-the-gut runs) with virtually no success.

 

It sucks that he got hurt, and I hope he can recover, but I don't know how much of a shot he'll get when he comes back. If that guy Bell off the practice squad has anything, I could see him pushing Wolfe off the roster.

[nfoligno]

Usually when you draft a RB in the 3rd round, he spends a huge part of camp working on offense, but Wolfe's key role in that first camp was on special teams. I remember prior to the draft the staff talking about a upfield return man being a need. I remember after the draft their talking about Wolfe having this ability, and frankly, his scouting reports indicates as much too.

 

And like you said, it wasn't until this year we seemed to really consider him in the plans. When he would play offense, he would simply run the same plays other RBs would have. That's a joke. He is nothing like the other backs on our roster.

 

I just do not believe we ever considered him really as a RB, but more as a specialist. Think about it. We were coming off the SB, and the belief back then (at least at Halas) was most pieces were in place. I think we were looking at what happened in the SB, and what changes we needed to make to put us over the top. Drafting a very narrow scope specialist as high as the 3rd seems nuts, but (a) so did drafting a return specialist in the 2nd and that was key to our SB run and ( if you think you have few needs, then you have more freedom to draft niche players.

 

Yeah, I'd believe that. Looking at his speed and quickness in college, you'd have thought he could be a great up-man on returns, but some guys just struggle to field a punt/kickoff cleanly. They definitely didn't have a plan for him as a running back: this was the first season where I saw them call plays differently when he was in the game on offense. Last year he was running all the same plays as Forte (like all those stupid up-the-gut runs) with virtually no success.

 

It sucks that he got hurt, and I hope he can recover, but I don't know how much of a shot he'll get when he comes back. If that guy Bell off the practice squad has anything, I could see him pushing Wolfe off the roster.

 

[defiantgiant]

Usually when you draft a RB in the 3rd round, he spends a huge part of camp working on offense, but Wolfe's key role in that first camp was on special teams. I remember prior to the draft the staff talking about a upfield return man being a need. I remember after the draft their talking about Wolfe having this ability, and frankly, his scouting reports indicates as much too.

 

And like you said, it wasn't until this year we seemed to really consider him in the plans. When he would play offense, he would simply run the same plays other RBs would have. That's a joke. He is nothing like the other backs on our roster.

 

I just do not believe we ever considered him really as a RB, but more as a specialist. Think about it. We were coming off the SB, and the belief back then (at least at Halas) was most pieces were in place. I think we were looking at what happened in the SB, and what changes we needed to make to put us over the top. Drafting a very narrow scope specialist as high as the 3rd seems nuts, but (a) so did drafting a return specialist in the 2nd and that was key to our SB run and ( if you think you have few needs, then you have more freedom to draft niche players.

Yeah, that draft reeked of hubris. We were taking reaches and niche players all over the place when we had a seriously aging offensive line and no Thomas Jones. If we'd gone after a real running back and not tried to get cute, Garrett Wolfe could have been Michael Bush.

[Mongo3451]

Yeah, that draft reeked of hubris. We were taking reaches and niche players all over the place when we had a seriously aging offensive line and no Thomas Jones. If we'd gone after a real running back and not tried to get cute, Garrett Wolfe could have been Michael Bush.

Both you and Nfo make good points here. I remember that draft and actually stood up for Angelo's philosophy. I thought it was really bright to draft huge upside players, even if they were a little early, as you may get an impact player with talent exceeding others from the draft slot. Jerry should have known better. I know I didn't.

 

Two years ago, it seemed Angelo learned his lesson by drafting a good balance of talent / need. This year he was back to old tricks with Gilbert, Moore and Melton.(all of which have done nothing)

[defiantgiant]

Both you and Nfo make good points here. I remember that draft and actually stood up for Angelo's philosophy. I thought it was really bright to draft huge upside players, even if they were a little early, as you may get an impact player with talent exceeding others from the draft slot. Jerry should have known better. I know I didn't.

 

Two years ago, it seemed Angelo learned his lesson by drafting a good balance of talent / need. This year he was back to old tricks with Gilbert, Moore and Melton.(all of which have done nothing)

 

To be fair, Moore, Melton, and Gilbert all play positions with a significant learning curve, where it's not easy to make an impact as a rookie. Remember Mark Anderson's rookie season? There's a reason that was so notable: 12 sacks is OK for a veteran DE, but for a rookie it was unheard of. Last year's best rookie DE had 5. Same thing goes for corners: unless a guy was a surefire 1st rounder, he's probably not going to start his rookie year. I'd say we've got a ways to go before we can write off Melton/Moore/Gilbert as busts. They were definitely upside picks, but even "safe" picks at those positions don't usually light it up their first year.

 

Wolfe and Okwo, meanwhile, played positions where rookies routinely make an impact. They were just bad picks, guys who weren't cut out to make the jump to the NFL.

[BearFan2000]

They definitely didn't have a plan for him as a running back

 

This is the type of thing that makes these picks so aggravating. We reach for a guy who we have a wonderful (in theory) plan A for him. When that doesn't happen we're caught with our pants down and now we have to figure out a way to find a spot for him by attempting to force a square peg in a round hole and pray he pans out so we don't look totally stupid. Problem is we often look totally stupid. When you draft a guy for a specific purpose you have to consider contingencies.... and I don't mean special teams.

 

I've questioned before and continue to question the logic of the Bears "brain trust" on draft day. It seems like every draft there is 1-3 players that I look at and think What??? It's like Jerry thinks he's so darn clever that he sees what no one else sees and either drafts a guy that makes no sense when you look at team needs or reaches on a guy that could likely have been had later while passing on guys that could make more of an impact. Hindsight is always 20/20 but I know I'm not the only one who is scratching their heads on draft day.

[defiantgiant]

So with Kevin Jones out for the season, AP dinged up, and Wolfe now out, who else thinks we'll be going back to the well on draft day? After the UConn-Notre Dame game, I wouldn't mind getting Andre Dixon somewhere on Day 2. He had nearly 6 yards a carry, and got into the end zone three times, although two got called back on some pretty questionable holding calls. UConn ran him up the middle almost exclusively, and I lost count of how many tackles he broke. Here's my five-cent scouting report:

 

Pros: Doesn't look like a bulldozer of a back (at 6'1" 210,) but he displays a lot more power than he looks like he should have. Never stops driving with his legs: absolutely does not go down on first (or second, or third) contact. Runs through arm tackles and drags defenders even when they wrap up. Has enough strength to push the pile in short-yardage. Can pick through some small holes and flashes the ability to cut a run back when his block doesn't develop. Keeps driving when he's hit in the backfield; can turn some negative plays into positive ones. Quick/explosive enough to get to the edge when they ask him to run outside, although he makes his living on inside runs. Has some niftiness to him in the open field and will set defenders up. Shows a pretty good stiff-arm. Lowers his shoulder and look for contact when he sees a defender.

 

Cons: Has a somewhat lanky build, which might raise some questions. Could stand to add some bulk to his lower body. Breakaway speed is OK, but nothing special: enough to get to the second level, but he's not going to run away from some NFL defenders. Has the ability to make a cutback, but doesn't always do so consistently, sometimes running into the backs of his blockers before breaking the other way. Looks OK as a receiver, but isn't asked to catch the ball often.

 

Dixon's running style reminds me a little of Ahmad Bradshaw...he's not a steamroller and not lightning-fast, but he's quick, hard to bring down, and isn't afraid of contact. He was behind a 1st-round pick (Donald Brown) until this year, and now he's platooned with another talented back, so his numbers aren't huge; that could lead to him falling far enough for the Bears to grab him on day 2 (after getting some OL help, of course.) I think he could be an excellent complement to Forte.

[Connorbear]

So with Kevin Jones out for the season, AP dinged up, and Wolfe now out, who else thinks we'll be going back to the well on draft day? After the UConn-Notre Dame game, I wouldn't mind getting Andre Dixon somewhere on Day 2. He had nearly 6 yards a carry, and got into the end zone three times, although two got called back on some pretty questionable holding calls. UConn ran him up the middle almost exclusively, and I lost count of how many tackles he broke. Here's my five-cent scouting report:

 

Pros: Doesn't look like a bulldozer of a back (at 6'1" 210,) but he displays a lot more power than he looks like he should have. Never stops driving with his legs: absolutely does not go down on first (or second, or third) contact. Runs through arm tackles and drags defenders even when they wrap up. Has enough strength to push the pile in short-yardage. Can pick through some small holes and flashes the ability to cut a run back when his block doesn't develop. Keeps driving when he's hit in the backfield; can turn some negative plays into positive ones. Quick/explosive enough to get to the edge when they ask him to run outside, although he makes his living on inside runs. Has some niftiness to him in the open field and will set defenders up. Shows a pretty good stiff-arm. Lowers his shoulder and look for contact when he sees a defender.

 

Cons: Has a somewhat lanky build, which might raise some questions. Could stand to add some bulk to his lower body. Breakaway speed is OK, but nothing special: enough to get to the second level, but he's not going to run away from some NFL defenders. Has the ability to make a cutback, but doesn't always do so consistently, sometimes running into the backs of his blockers before breaking the other way. Looks OK as a receiver, but isn't asked to catch the ball often.

 

Dixon's running style reminds me a little of Ahmad Bradshaw...he's not a steamroller and not lightning-fast, but he's quick, hard to bring down, and isn't afraid of contact. He was behind a 1st-round pick (Donald Brown) until this year, and now he's platooned with another talented back, so his numbers aren't huge; that could lead to him falling far enough for the Bears to grab him on day 2 (after getting some OL help, of course.) I think he could be an excellent complement to Forte.

Fix the o-line first and the running game will get better.

 

Peace

[defiantgiant]

Fix the o-line first and the running game will get better.

 

Peace

Oh, no doubt. One of the reasons I like Andre Dixon is that he could be around in the 5th or 6th, giving us a couple of chances to get some o-line help first. Still, even after we've got some better blockers up front, we've got to have a healthy guy to spell Forte. Wolfe and Jones both have major injury concerns; Peterson has been dinged up too, and he'll be 31 before next season starts. Even Kahlil Bell, the guy we just elevated off the practice squad, had serious injuries in college: he tore the ACL in his right knee in 2007 and had multiple injuries to his left ankle in 2006 and 2008. We have to get better up front, but we also need a healthy back to take some of the load off of Forte.

[nfoligno]

I don't have a huge problem w/ Gilbert, but was not high on either Melton or Moore.

 

While I realize DL is a position that takes time to develop, you only make the situation more extreme when you draft a VERY raw rookie. Melton started out as a RB, and then switched to DL. It is hard enough to develop kids who has played 4 years of college at one position, much less one who has less than two full seasons after a position switch.

 

As for Moore, I would point out two things. One, CBs often develop quicker as rookies than DL, as you see rookies starting all over the place. Two, size is something we lack in the secondary, thus I was never on board w/ drafting a CB who is considered small, even in comparison to our current group.

 

To be fair, Moore, Melton, and Gilbert all play positions with a significant learning curve, where it's not easy to make an impact as a rookie. Remember Mark Anderson's rookie season? There's a reason that was so notable: 12 sacks is OK for a veteran DE, but for a rookie it was unheard of. Last year's best rookie DE had 5. Same thing goes for corners: unless a guy was a surefire 1st rounder, he's probably not going to start his rookie year. I'd say we've got a ways to go before we can write off Melton/Moore/Gilbert as busts. They were definitely upside picks, but even "safe" picks at those positions don't usually light it up their first year.

 

Wolfe and Okwo, meanwhile, played positions where rookies routinely make an impact. They were just bad picks, guys who weren't cut out to make the jump to the NFL.

 

[lemonej]

The one thing I've noticed JA does is that he will draft players from some of the same schools. So with that being said I will be looking at the rosters of Vandy. Oklahoma and Abilene-Christian to see who he will add to the squad next year. I may take a peek at Texas A&M Kingsville's roster also since that was one of Tampa's favorite schools( Where JA came from) and Garza is an alum.

 

So I'll give you a name OL Tony Washington 6-7 305 Abilene Christian and while I'm at it lets give Jay a toy to play with also Ricardo Lockette 6-3 200 4.3 40 Bethel College

[jason]

Great 3rd round pick

 

Gimme a break.

 

Suppose you buy a hot rod car, and then put it in the garage. Every once in a while you rev the engine, and once a month you drive it a mile to get groceries. How do you know if it runs well, or can go cross country, or can win a race against some punk on a deserted street? You don't.

 

The pick isn't as bad as the mismanagement of the pick.

[Connorbear]

Gimme a break.

 

Suppose you buy a hot rod car, and then put it in the garage. Every once in a while you rev the engine, and once a month you drive it a mile to get groceries. How do you know if it runs well, or can go cross country, or can win a race against some punk on a deserted street? You don't.

 

The pick isn't as bad as the mismanagement of the pick.

Agreed.

 

One of the many reasons Turner needs to go.

 

Peace

[lemonej]

Gimme a break.

 

Suppose you buy a hot rod car, and then put it in the garage. Every once in a while you rev the engine, and once a month you drive it a mile to get groceries. How do you know if it runs well, or can go cross country, or can win a race against some punk on a deserted street? You don't.

 

The pick isn't as bad as the mismanagement of the pick.

Absolutely righty Jason because Lance Briggs was taken in the same round and that is a great pick is Garrett Wolfe is not on the same planet as Briggs.

[jason]

Absolutely righty Jason because Lance Briggs was taken in the same round and that is a great pick is Garrett Wolfe is not on the same planet as Briggs.

 

yes, because the two have clearly been on the field equal amounts (not saying they should have been) and been given equal, game-time opportunities to show their worth in situations that benefit their talents. If Briggs were managed the same way Wolfe has been, he would have been in in third and long only, and used primarily as a safety.

[BearSox]

Gimme a break.

 

Suppose you buy a hot rod car, and then put it in the garage. Every once in a while you rev the engine, and once a month you drive it a mile to get groceries. How do you know if it runs well, or can go cross country, or can win a race against some punk on a deserted street? You don't.

 

The pick isn't as bad as the mismanagement of the pick.

 

haha, yeah. The 5'6", 175 pound twig was bound for greatness... if only we gave him more carries. Im sure Dan Bazuin would be an elite pass rusher right now if we let him make the team.

 

I actually dont mind Garrett Wolfe, but he was never worth a 3rd round pick and will never be anything more than a special teamer and backup.

[bowlingtwig]

haha, yeah. The 5'6", 175 pound twig was bound for greatness... if only we gave him more carries. Im sure Dan Bazuin would be an elite pass rusher right now if we let him make the team.

 

I actually dont mind Garrett Wolfe, but he was never worth a 3rd round pick and will never be anything more than a special teamer and backup.

I am not sure if he mount to much, but the biggest problem right now is that this current coaching staff has no idea how to utilize a players talents. You make a point that he is 5'6" and 175 lbs. That means I have 4 inches on him and he only weighs 15 lbs more. So what this current coaching staff wants to do is run up the middle. "Twigs" dont belong running up the middle. They tried use the screen last year but Orton was always over throwing him.

[jason]

haha, yeah. The 5'6", 175 pound twig was bound for greatness... if only we gave him more carries. Im sure Dan Bazuin would be an elite pass rusher right now if we let him make the team.

 

I actually dont mind Garrett Wolfe, but he was never worth a 3rd round pick and will never be anything more than a special teamer and backup.

 

and you know this how? Oh, right, you don't. Sadly, we'll never know Wolfe's potential until this staff is gone, because they don't know how to use their own players.

 

I'm sure if the Bears had Dareen Sproles you'd be saying the same thing.

[defiantgiant]

The one thing I've noticed JA does is that he will draft players from some of the same schools. So with that being said I will be looking at the rosters of Vandy. Oklahoma and Abilene-Christian to see who he will add to the squad next year. I may take a peek at Texas A&M Kingsville's roster also since that was one of Tampa's favorite schools( Where JA came from) and Garza is an alum.

 

So I'll give you a name OL Tony Washington 6-7 305 Abilene Christian and while I'm at it lets give Jay a toy to play with also Ricardo Lockette 6-3 200 4.3 40 Bethel College

 

Also Myron Lewis from Vanderbilt. He has just-average speed and quickness, which probably limits him to being a zone corner, but he's big (6'2" 205 lbs,) durable, and an excellent tackler. Worst-case scenario, he's a FS or a nickel DB. Best-case, I could see him as being a Tillman clone somewhere down the road, if he can learn to punch the ball out as well as Peanut.