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By TOM MUSICK
October 3, 2012
LAKE FOREST – For much of his six-year career, Matt Spaeth has hidden in plain sight.
The Bears’ blocking tight end came out of anonymity for at least a few minutes Wednesday as quarterback Jay Cutler praised him for his role on the team. Spaeth was on the field for 60 percent of the offense’s snaps Monday against Dallas, and he helped J’Marcus Webb in pass protection while also filling in for injured teammate Evan Rodriguez as a run blocker.
“He’s a wild card in our offense,” Cutler said. “He moves around a lot. We ask him to do a lot of different roles in the passing game and the running game.
“[He] doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Week-in and week-out he’s a guy you can count on, no matter what we ask him to do.”
Spaeth said he appreciated the compliments, but he was fine without being in the headlines.
“To be honest with you, I don’t really care if I don’t get the credit,” Spaeth said. “I want to be out there, I want to play football. My thing has been, since I’ve been here, I’ll do whatever they ask me to do."
Spaeth also can be effective as a receiver, although that is not his primary responsibility. He has caught 44 passes for 329 yards and seven touchdowns in six seasons, which included 60 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers and 19 games (and counting) with the Bears.
