Chicago Bears Camp Battles: Major Wright vs. Craig Steltz

Major Wright and Craig Steltz will be competing for the starting strong safety spot during Bears training camp this year.  The battle will highlight two players who don't bring ideal qualities to the position and leave Bears fans desiring more.

Steltz played well during the season last year, and as always has the respect of the coaches.  Major Wright on the other hand has been in the dog house and is battling injuries.

Steltz is the bigger of the two players but isn't much of an athlete.  Wright is smaller but is a more aggressive player with better overall talent than Steltz.

Wright has been running with the first team unit during off-season activities, while Steltz has played more consistently and been healthy.

While Steltz doesn't have the qualities of a high level starter, he has played smart, which is a key factor for any player in the secondary.  He plays with good footwork and has gotten better during his tenure with the Bears.

Wright is still a player that's learning the nuances of the position and his injury problems have hurt his cause.  Wright needs to take that next step towards becoming a top level player.

The Bears however, may not see Wright as that player with the drafting of Brandon Hardin in the third round this year.  Hardin has the size, speed and athleticism necessary to take on tight ends and to be a strong force in run support.

The problem with the Wright vs. Steltz competition, the winner is going to be the weak link in the secondary.  Neither one has been able to step up and show any real play making ability.

Frankly, Steltz is a career backup who probably shouldn't even be on the roster.  He's been able to stay out of the dog house and he's been a solid special teams player.

Wright can't stay healthy and has yet to live up to the potential that made him a third round pick.

The strong safety position at this point is a position of ambivalence.  Who ever starts could be benched at any time because neither one has proven that they can be the long term answer at the position.