Wolfe and Bennett To Get A Shot

by Adam T on Jan 27, 2009 2:46 PM CST Comment 18 comments

For the past year (two for Wolfe) we have discussed the merits of Garrett Wolfe and Earl Bennett. With Wolfe it has varied from whether he even should be on the field to whether he can be a Darren Sproles type of back. With Bennett is was how good is he actually if he isn't able to break through with the receiving crew we bring to the table.

None of this is from the mouths of Jerry Angelo or Lovie Smith, but it looks like we may actually get an answer.

For Bennett it comes from this statement made by Vaughn McClure:

Receiver doesn’t appear to be the top priority for the Bears but no one can deny it being an area of need. The Bears seem content with Devin Hester’s development and intent on finally giving Earl Bennett a shot. Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker are unlikely to return next season, and Rashied Davis will have a spot based on his performance on special teams.

and for Wolfe it comes from this from Brad Biggs:

The vibe I get is that general manager Jerry Angelo would very much like to see Wolfe worked into the mix more. We don't know if he can handle a role as a complementary back at this point because he simply has not had the chance. As Angelo explained, so much of the focus was on getting Matt Forte ready to carry the load as a rookie, that the rest of the players at the position were forced into lesser roles.

Again McClure and Briggs aren't in the Bears meeting room, but the point is there. You drafted them either give them a chance to succeed or get rid of them. We don't need to hold on to a back the stature of Wolfe if you have no intention of using him.

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Looking at the Bears depth chart

It looks like the Bears will need at least three new WR’s and Wolfe’s contributions on special teams have earned him another year to prove himself.

Old Style is the nectar of life.

by Mordecai on Jan 27, 2009 3:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I have no problem at all...

No problem with keeping wolfe and giving him his shot.

If you were looking for a guy to run the occasional Wildcat he might be decent at that as well.

We’ve got him signed for a couple more years, he plays good special teams and I think we can give him more plays, whether that is as a true number 2 or as a third down back we will have to see.

Bennett? Why not give him a shot, we already have him, let’s see what he can do.

HAVING SAID all this, we have yet another indication that if the problems from the last two years were not with the players, then they were with the coaches. We HAD these guys already… so either they are not that good or were misused.

by sabbath999 on Jan 27, 2009 3:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Good Give them a shot

If they are no good, let them go. But then we need to reevaluate Angelo’s cred as a GM because honestly two years in a row your third round picks are not dressing or ST only? That’s not very good. But if the bears are hot to trot not on a receiver then what will they do to replace the outgoing Booker and Lloyd? They will have to draft a receiver at some point.

Fire Ron Turner!!!
Fire Angelo!!

by GallopingGhost on Jan 27, 2009 4:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Someone know???

I thought we signed Booker for two years?? Am I way off on this?

by Stellarpete22 on Jan 27, 2009 4:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I know Lloyd..

Was a 1 year thing but I thought Booker was a 2 year deal as well.

If things came easy, then everybody would be great at what they did, let's face it.
Mike Ditka

by Ditkavsworld on Jan 27, 2009 5:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bennett

Why this guy didn’t get a chance to play this year still puzzles me… Its not like we have anyone at WR who was worthy of keeping their jobs, ( except for Hester ).

by nicky boy on Jan 27, 2009 5:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Booker signed till 2009

He still has 1 more year, $1.750.000, on the cap…

by nicky boy on Jan 27, 2009 5:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

crazy talk

I’m a big fan of Wolfe. Twice he came from nowhere (on the tv screen) to prevent opposing teams from scoring on special teams. Forte is the man and he is able to overcome a lot of the woes on the offensive line, I cannot say the same about Wolfe though. Wolfe adds needed speed to the rb position and should see more time next season

“intent on finally giving Earl Bennett a shot”…. umm WTF? finally? what was stopping them? bears were/are so good on offense why play our recent high draft pick wr thatd just be crazy…

by No It All on Jan 27, 2009 10:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Bit skeptical

I’ll believe it when I see it. I’m still shocked that JA drafted these guys with no real idea on how to use them. What was the other blog called? Does the GM and the coaches talk? Is it that difficult to get Wolfe out there and run some draws/screens? You don’t have to worry about him blocking if those plays are called. Bunch of geniuses at work.

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

by propheteer on Jan 27, 2009 11:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

that we don’t try to work in players on offense. Wolfe needs to be given some time early in games and on third down to give Forte a breather …or find someone else (APeterson) since I doubt anyone will be signed or drafted at RB.

It was offensive how well the offensive personnel was used last year. Overall, play calling was better, but the best way to rest Forte is not to pull him out in the third quarter of every game and let KJ or AP run, and then try to come back in the 4th with a fresh Forte. Every game at the beginning of the yaer, I kept thinking Forte was hurt coming into the 2nd half…then the TV schlepps explained that the Bears are just trying to get some rest for Forte.

Thinking back, now, I think was one of the dumbest ways to handle personnel (besides keeping Rashied Davies on the field after he dropped so many key passes).

I think Lloyd should be re-signed and Booker cut. BL actually caught balls, and difficult passes, too.

Lovie Smith and Angelo should smack themselves for taking Bennett and Williams. Both were overrated, and unless they get super-motivated a la Mario Williams… neither was worth their draft.

And, please, no Penn State players, please. Maybin or Williams? Can’t we just bring back Curtis Enis and Michael Haynes?

Someone call Bill Parcells and give him 1 million to tell us who he’d draft if he were us.

by ethan a on Jan 28, 2009 9:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I have a huge problem with this

I am all for giving Wolfe and Bennett a shot.

In the case of Bennett, you drafted him last year, came out in training camp singing his praises. So, you have to come out and say that now you’re willing to give them a shot? Because, obviously, you didn’t give him a shot last year? Seriously?

Wolfe….again, same thing. You draft him, he lingers on the bench, and now you want to give him a shot? Not a year before?

This tells me that Lovie and Jerry definitely go into training camp not as a chance for competition. They have their set lineup and that’s what they go with (barring injury or a media-induced ’competition’). Jerry and Lovie, you two are jokes.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Jan 28, 2009 11:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

That’s why even at the end of the season (last 4 games) Hester was still out there catching (not returning) punts when he wasn’t doing a damn thing. Same reason Grossman was our crazy starter the past few years. They stick with the wrong guys too much. Keep Booker off the field and put in Bennett—Booker made two great catches all year and that was it. And seriously, does anyone really like McKie? he can’t pick up a two-yard run and he rarely gets over 4yds on a swing pass.

by Stellarpete22 on Jan 28, 2009 1:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh.....Jason McKie

I’m posting on the FB’s available in the draft tomorrow. I think I’m gonna put more energy into the FB’s than any other position, because I’m pretty sure anyone who weighs under 400 pounds can do a better job than McKie.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Jan 28, 2009 1:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

looking forward to that

as much running out of the I formation we do, I would think that FB would be a key position to have some real talent at. We need a Lorenzo Neal there.

by Subotai on Jan 28, 2009 1:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Can we bring Lousaka Polite back off the Dolphins roster?

That guy was such a player, but apparently being a veteran like Mckie and squatting like you’re in the forest and don’t want anyone see you going and not wiping is what we look for in a full back. Don’t mind the fact that Mckie can’t block, run or catch and that Polite actually is built. We like fat guys that stand as troll and dwarf doubles in the upcoming Hobbit movie.

I’m sorry, was that too mean? Looking at Polite’s numbers this year, in short yardage especially, compared to Mckie’s awesome 2.4 ypg makes it more understandable.

by ethan a on Jan 28, 2009 9:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL!

Great post.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Jan 28, 2009 10:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not a big wolfe fan

Not to say that the kid doesn’t have heart, but his skill set is quite limited.

“very limited as a blocker in blitz pick ups. He has good hands and can be tough to corral in the open field. His quickness, lateral agility and burst make him dangerous in space. Wolfe has good run instincts and inline vision, but again his size hurts his ability to be a downhill ball carrier. He is best as a cutback-runner or bouncing the ball to the outside. He is quicker than fast, but doesn’t have enough burst to threaten the edge. He has limited experience as a returner and could be a roster liability, if he can’t contribute more in other areas.” Scouts Inc and a grade of 54 (weak)

Let’s face it, we blew it with this pick. If he was a 6th rd draft choice and maybe 3rd string rb I could be happy with him. But not that fast, can’t block, can’t break a tackle, and his listing of 5-7 186 is very generous. He would have to grow alot to get to Sproles size. Too many liabilities. Spend a 4th-5th rd pick on a back from a small school to back up Forte. Someone with speed and some strength to help out with the blocking. Wish he was bigger…

by tfrabotta on Jan 28, 2009 3:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Rashad Jennings-Liberty

We should have two 3rd round picks. This kid {6’ 1" 235#}seems to always knock the first tacklers down. He would be a great lead blocker for Forte. He could take a FB position so you could keep Wolfe and AP. I read that he has 0% body fat so he could probably put some weight on.

by luckie815 on Jan 29, 2009 6:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs