Preseason games don’t count in the standings, but don’t try to convince Bears rookie running back Garrett Wolfe that they’re not important. “They’re very valuable, especially to a young man like myself,” Wolfe said. “I’m third on the depth chart right now and I’m just trying to become a better football player. If there’s ever an opportunity for me to help this team, that’s something I want to be prepared to do.” Monday night’s preseason game in Indianapolis is another chance for Wolfe to continue his development. After missing 12 practices while sidelined for a week with a hamstring injury, he rushed for 15 yards on seven carries in last Saturday’s preseason opener in Houston.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner. “I’ve been impressed with how quickly he’s picked things up.
“The biggest thing he needs to work on is just getting reps. Last week the speed of the game was totally new to him, and it showed. But I thought late in the game he felt a little more comfortable and I see a little bit of a difference in him this week in that regard.”
As a senior last season at Northern Illinois, Wolfe led the nation in rushing with 1,928 yards and 18 touchdowns and was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year. He also surpassed the San Diego Chargers’ Michael Turner as the school’s all-time leading rusher with 5,136 yards and his 6.5 yards per carry average set an NCAA Division I-A record.
Rookie running back making steady improvement - Chicago Bears
08-18-2007, 05:02 PM
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