By Jimmy Street
sports@daily-journal.com

After fighting an uphill battle to overcome a hamstring injury during the first week of training camp, Garrett Wolfe is climbing another slope in the Bears' final week of work at Olivet Nazarene University.

With two days of camp remaining, the rookie is still working to transition from being recognized as one of college football's most explosive players to learning a new playbook and earning the respect of his new teammates.

"It's a constant uphill battle," said Wolfe. "I'm working toward it, just trying to make plays and do what is asked of me. (Respect) isn't something you can ask for; it's just something you just have to gain."

While Wolfe is fighting to fall into the good graces of the veteran members of the team, he has been the beneficiary of learning from Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson during the earliest stage of his young professional career.

"I've learned a lot from Cedric and Adrian," Wolfe said. "All they've done is tried to help me and embraced me. You hear those horror stories about guys who don't take a newcomer on and help them out and are very negative. These guys have been nothing but positive and hope for the best with my development."

Rex Grossman has been pleased with the rookie's progression during training camp, and the Bears' quarterback is confident in the third-round draft pick's ability to be a good player.

"He's been out here picking up blitzes real well, and he's a smart football player," said Grossman. "He just needs (a few) more reps to really feel comfortable. He's looked good."

Some might perceive Wolfe's lack of size to be a problem during the rigors of the season, but Grossman doesn't think the rookie's 5-foot, 7-inch, 186-pound frame, will hinder his ability to effectively block defenders at the NFL level.

"I don't think it's real tough. He's a good football player, and that's all that matters," Grossman said.

Even at the college level, Wolfe was viewed as under-sized, but his lack of size didn't lead to a lack of performance.

During his three-year career at Northern Illinois, the running back became the 12th player in NCAA Division I-A history to rush for over 5,000 career yards, and he was also the fourth player to produce 1,500 yards in three consecutive seasons.

Wolfe averaged more than 181 all-purpose yards per game with the Huskies, and he views his small stature as a virtue rather than a flaw.

"I most definitely view (my size) as an advantage," Wolfe said. "It's hard to see me behind some of those big offensive lineman. It makes it harder for me to be picked out."

Growing up in Chicago, Wolfe always hoped for a chance to play in the NFL, but now that he has earned a chance to play for the team he grew up rooting for, he admits that his current situation is a sweet one.

"(It hasn't) necessarily been my dream to play for the Bears, just to play in the National Football League," Wolfe said.

"Growing up a Bears fan just makes it that much sweeter."