Harvey Unga Goes To Chicago Bears in the 2010 Supplemental Draft
Published by Bryan Dietzler on July 16, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears did something unusual today in the NFL Supplemental Draft—they actually made a selection.
With a seventh round supplemental pick, the Bears went ahead and selected BYU running back Harvey Unga.
Unga led the Cougars in career rushing yards (3,455) and also caught 102 passes and added 45 touchdowns during his time there . Unga played in a total of 41 games for BYU and was a durable player during his career there.
What does this mean for the Bears? If Unga can hold on and make the team—which many think he will—it gives them a great third option to help spell Matt Forte and Chester Taylor. He can also come in if there is an injury and help keep the rushing game going.
This probably spells the end of Garrett Wolfe’s career with the Bears.
The Bears drafted him in the third round just a few seasons ago, but they really didn’t find a role for him. It was thought that he would be a good third down back, but injuries and problems on offense kept him out of that role. Now, unless Chicago decides that his value on special teams is just too great to lose, he could be gone.
With Kahlil Bell waiting in the wings and showing a lot of promise last season and in mini-camps this summer, the Bears may decide that they want to keep Bell and let Wolfe go. It will be interesting to see what they do with him at the end of training camp.
All this depends on whether or not Unga makes the team. You can bet that he’s going to get a solid shot at making it, and he could be a part of the Bears’ offense this coming season.
Unga had some trouble in school and withdrew due to some violations of BYU “honor code.” This apparently didn’t affect the Bear’s decision to use a seventh round pick (and give up their pick for next year) on Unga. Chicago might have felt that its depth at the running back position wasn’t as good as others thought, so they went ahead and rolled the dice with Unga.
This decision won’t cost them much, and may pay off in the long run. However, the Bears now have to make some decisions about their running back group. It promises to be one of the most competitive training camp battles we have seen at the position in a long time.
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