Wolfe admits he didn't do enough

Garrett Wolfe doesn't consider his rookie season a washout by any means, but he also isn't content to rest on his accomplishments.

The third-round pick from Northern Illinois averaged just 2.7 yards on 31 carries but added 117 receiving yards on 9 catches for an average of 13.0 yards.

According to Wolfe, that isn't enough production to carve out a niche for himself in the offense.

"I don't think I made enough plays," the graduate of Holy Cross High School in River Grove said. "I didn't have that many opportunities, but I don't think I made enough plays to really establish or really create a role."

For now, Wolfe has at least proved to himself that, even at 5-feet-7, he can play with the big boys in the NFL.

"There's no doubt in my mind," he said. "I never doubted whether I could. It was something that I wanted to prove to others."

Wolfe's biggest play of the season came in the final game when he gained 33 yards on a short dump-off on third-and-27.

He also had a 25-yard run against the Broncos in Week 11.

As a first-day draft pick, Wolfe showed enough to warrant consideration next season in a muddled backfield picture, even if his role isn't clearly defined.

"That's something I hope I did," he said. "I hope I showed that I can compete at this level and (play) at a high level. But that's something that remains to be seen."

Feeling a draft: The Bears will pick 14th in the 2008 NFL draft, second-to-last among the seven teams that finished 7-9 because of their strength of schedule.

The Bears and Lions had the same strength of schedule, but their tie for the 14th spot was broken by the divisional tie-breaker. Since the Lions defeated the Bears twice in head-to-head competition, the Bears get the higher draft position.

Looking ahead: Although the NFL schedule won't be released until spring, the Bears know their 2008 opponents. They face the Lions, Packers, Vikings, Saints, Buccaneers, Eagles, Jaguars and Titans at home. They play on the road against the Lions, Packers, Vikings, Falcons, Panthers, Rams, Texans and Colts.

Sticking around: Four practice-squad players -- guards Tyler Reed and Mike Jones, safety Leonard Peters and running back P.J. Pope -- were signed Monday to reserve/future contracts, enabling the Bears to retain their rights.