I Got this Backer's Back
by Mark Saade on Nov 19, 2009 6:18 AM CST
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Overrated, over paid, washed-up, past his prime. These are a few of the words that have recently been used to describe Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. A 2005 Defensive Player of the Year award, six Pro Bowl appearances, consistently leading the team in tackles every year and providing locker room leadership has never been enough for people searching or hoping for the next Dick Butkus. #54 has played with numerous ailments over the last few years; he was the man in the middle of a defense that has been on the field for far too many plays thanks to an offense that struggles year after year. Yet through it all, Urlacher has never criticized his teammates or coaches. He has never given anything less than 110% in games and in practice. But still, we want him gone. Trade him for Boldin! Trade him for Marshall! Hell, trade him for any receiver west of the Mississippi!
Now, nine games into the 2009 season the Bears defense has been the worst it’s ever been under Lovie Smith. We have had two games where we have given up 31 points by half time. Two games, 31 by half time! This embarrassing feat has only previously been accomplished five times in Bears history, and considering the Bears were a founding NFL franchise, that is a pretty long history. We've tried to fill the void in the middle with veterans and regular starters, Nick Roach and Hunter Hillenmeyer. Though very serviceable and commendable, these two have struggled. Hillenmeyer has the brains, Roach has the athleticism. A hybrid of these two would be perfect....oh wait, we have that standing on the sideline with a cast on his right arm and a scowl on his face. The Bears run a Cover 2 defense; in this defensive scheme you must have a Mike linebacker that has the athleticism of a defensive back and the smarts of a coach (maybe other teams' coaches). NFL football may be the most physically demanding sport there is, but the game is still 95% mental. I feel this is where Urlacher is missed the most. As his physical skills decline, his football knowledge rises.
Urlacher has played hard for our Bears since 2000 and has had a number of great years. Yet, I think this year, his tenth in the league, after only playing one half of football is his most revealing. Leader, unappreciated, needed, important. These are the words that should define Brian Urlacher.
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I love Urlacher and never wanted him gone
"Hey, the offensive linemen are the biggest guys on the field, they're bigger than everybody else, and that's what make them the biggest guys on the field." -Madden
by BearNecessities on Nov 19, 2009 7:06 AM CST reply actions
Great post!
i agree also. i love this guy and without him we see what the team is like. seriously people you want him gone? i cannot wait to see him back.
Brian's Best Friends Forever
Would be some defensive tackles that eat up blocks.His only real knock imo is that he can’t shed blockers.What’s Ted Washington and Sam Adams doing these days?lol
You're being very Un-Dude right now.
by IslandBoodler87 on Nov 19, 2009 7:58 AM CST reply actions
Urlacher didn't make all those Pro Bowls for nothing
Agreed he is the staple of our defense. Yet it is something that will need to be addressed soon. He is 31-33? now and starting to get injured.
We will need to get a viable replacement and let Urlacher start teaching this person for a few years or to have as reserve if Urlachers get injured again.
Neither Roach or Hillenmeyer seem to be the answer. Of course if Lovie gets some brains or just plain common sense, he will drop this Tampa 2 crap and they should be able to fit into the new system better.
we need to start
grooming Urlacher to becoming our Linebackers coach
"Hey, the offensive linemen are the biggest guys on the field, they're bigger than everybody else, and that's what make them the biggest guys on the field." -Madden
by BearNecessities on Nov 19, 2009 8:39 AM CST up reply actions
thank you mark
It had to be said and thanks for saying it.
Some folks try to make football a rocket science and it isn’t.
Often the fortunes of a team turn on a leader, and Urlacher is that.
Sure, that is a simple viewpoint, but look at how many teams have tons of talent but lack a leader and see where the are at. Same place we are this season.
Say what you will about the rest of the defense, but Urlacher is still the MAN for the Bears.
The plus side is that he is spared the punishment on the field he would be taking this season and will come back fresher for it.
He does have the rep of not being the best at shedding blockers, but most linebackers have that same problem, truth to tell.
"Chance favors the prepared mind." - Pasteur
Gone? Gone? you talking about him Gone? we need him here!
A little Jim Mora humor for those that don’t get the subject line. Anyway, Brian is hudge to our Def. Yes he is older and not as sturdy as he once was, but him on the field as a leader and a guy who is going to make 85-95% of the plays going to is area of responsbility is big time for this team. Hunter is a backup and Roach is that “almost” guy. You know the guy that almost makes a ton of plays. He often is where he is supposed to be(more so on runs than coverage zones), but just seems to not bring it like you need your mike to and maybe more importanly, how we Bear fans are use to.
well said
his impact is needed for this defense
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 19, 2009 8:34 AM CST reply actions
Absolutely
agree 1000000%. Very well put.
As I’ve said, Urlacher’s theme song this year—we Bears fans are singing it:
“Don’t know what you’ve got, til it’s gone…”
And it’s not just his play on the filed, it’s the intangibles as much as anything:
Emotional leadership, on and off the filed, in the locker room, the ability to rally the team, to rise to an occasion when facing adversity, to make a big play when it’s most needed, and the smarts and savvy involved in being defensive General, etc.
Huge loss this year.
I hope Urlacher’s still here for YEARS, and that he gets to see a Super Bowl again before he retires.
After that, I hope he comes back to coach.
For the first time since, well, forever
Urlacher’s body is getting rest. It’s not getting beat up, and whatever little things were out there lingering (back, neck), are being able to finish healing up.
Hopefully, he’ll be 100% by this spring, and will go on a football crusade in 2010 similar to Wyatt Earp at the end of Tombstone.
In the meantime, we’ve got to get our OL fixed. With a full season under Marinelli’s belt, the DL should be ready to maul people next year, and seeing a LB corp of Briggs + Urlacher + Roach/ Pisa, along with the continued development of Manning/ Afalava at the safety positions… this defense should be ready to hurt some folks next year.
So, the folks in charge should be “fixated” on getting the other side of the ball figured out.
You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.
Hopefully, he’ll be 100% by this spring, and will go on a football crusade in 2010 similar to Wyatt Earp at the end of Tombstone.
But without the handlebar mustache
Unreasonable people make life difficult...
by WisBearsFan34 on Nov 19, 2009 12:04 PM CST up reply actions
Thief!
-------
"Newbie, if the next two words out of your mouth aren't 'See ya' then the third word will be 'Oh my god. My crotch. You've punched me in my crotch." - Dr. Percival Ulysses Cox
by David Taylor on Nov 19, 2009 1:14 PM CST up reply actions
Hey, talk to google.
When I got the pic from them, it looked legit. And now Patriot Resources is coming back and blaming me? Oh hell no!
/I’ll give ’em tree fiddy to not take me to court.
You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.
You better watch out for that gah damn lochness monster.
He hit me up for tree fiddy yesterday.
Ditka Avenger and Original WCG Power Poster!!!!
Want to be a blood donor? Insult Chuck Norris.
by Ditkavsworld on Nov 21, 2009 11:52 PM CST up reply actions
I would actually prefer
If he did it with the handlebar mustache.
"I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule."-Randal Graves
perhaps
A stach and soul patch like Al Swearengen in Deadwood – Url would look sinister for sure.
"Chance favors the prepared mind." - Pasteur
by Maelvampyre on Nov 19, 2009 12:28 PM CST up reply actions
Al Swearengen isn't doing anything these days, let's bring him in as Head Coach
talk about holding people accountable!!! I’m guessing Tommie would end up as pig slop.
If I may make a suggestion...
Fridge72 posted a FanShot about a candid interview Urlacher did. I would definitely suggest watching it. Not only does it show a different side of him, he also talks about what the media says and how much longer he wants to play vs. how long he can keep playing. Check it out if you haven’t already! Plus, he’s pretty funny during some of it. Especially getting seasick on the boat. :]
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
where is fanshot ?
Sorry, I am old and burned out and don’t know anything about Fanshot.
Help.
"Chance favors the prepared mind." - Pasteur
by Maelvampyre on Nov 19, 2009 12:29 PM CST up reply actions
Main page
on the lower right-hand side, just past all the fanposts.
"Those guys were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked" - Homer defines the Bears '09 season in less than 12 words.
Yup, it is.
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
by Ashley Czuba on Nov 20, 2009 1:51 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah it was!
I mean…
-------
"Newbie, if the next two words out of your mouth aren't 'See ya' then the third word will be 'Oh my god. My crotch. You've punched me in my crotch." - Dr. Percival Ulysses Cox
by David Taylor on Nov 20, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions
Quick correction
The Bears run a Cover 2 defense the majority of the time
Lately, they run their base cover-2 about 25% of the time. Either way, Urlacher is sorely missed in coverage/player-management/athleticism.
"Those guys were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked" - Homer defines the Bears '09 season in less than 12 words.
Urlacher was primed for a big year
hopefully the year off will do his body good and next year he’ll be all over the field
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 19, 2009 3:10 PM CST up reply actions
You are correct. I should have chosen my words more carefully.
Even when the Bears won back to back Division Championships in ’05 and ’06, they only played the Cover 2 about 40% of the time. I think the drop off in the Cover 2 scheme is a combination of teams figuring out how to beat it and the lack of a consistent pass rush.
just an idea about Url
Interesting thought me and some friends have discussed; Urlacher loses some weight and moves to saftey. Seems like it could work. Didn’t he play SS in college?
yes
He did play SS in college called the Lobo position and combined elements of linebacker and SS, the position was pretty much created for his skill set. Having said that, he also played receiver and returned punts sometimes. In high school he was a QB, I believe. Nevertheless, he is not going back to playing safety.
"Chance favors the prepared mind." - Pasteur
The Bears defense
was rated #1 & #3 in 2005 & 2006.
They dropped to #16 & #16 in 2007 & 2008.
Urlacher was in the middle when they were ranked 1 & 2 . . . and also when they were ranked 16 & 16.
Without him they are now ranked 19th only a few notches below where they were the last two seasons.
The Bears are on pace to give up 7 points more in 2009 than in 2008. One TD!
Essentially the difference between the 2008 Bears defense with Urlacher and the 2009 Bears defense without Urlacher is one TD (and extra point).
Big deal.
ok
Ax makes a good point, however, stats aside, lets look at the won/lost record. The name of the game isn’t “Lets get the Best Ranking”, it called WINNING. The Bears winning has sucked withouth Urlacher in the lineup and that is the bottom line. Look at the mess we have now for a season.
"Chance favors the prepared mind." - Pasteur
With Urlacher in 2007 - 2008
They were .500. Without him (so far) they are .444. One game under 500.
That might be a big difference to some. Not to me.
There's a world of difference between the offenses
We’re even more inept this year than last, for the most part. That might have some effect on the defensive performance when you consider how often they’re out there.
I’d be interested to see the difference in defense in runs up the middle and passing in the middle area where he normally covers.
"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
"F*** everybody outside of Halas Hall. BEARDOWN" - WavyGravy
You are right.
All three phases (offense, defense and special teams) are intertwined and affect each other.
That said, the Titans were #2 in defense last season and #14 in offense, just ahead of the Bears at #15 on offense. The Bears, however, were #16 on defense.
The Titans were able to play the second best defense in the NFL in 2008 with an offense ranked right next to Chicago’s.
also
Urlacher misses 7 of those previous games and the Bears lost every one of them.
"Chance favors the prepared mind." - Pasteur
Urlacher started 32 out of 32 games in 2007/2008
They were 16-16 those two seasons combined.
He’s done folks. He can’t move anymore and no way can he fight off blocks. He had a good over-rated run.
no way
He’s lost some speed, but he’s still a beast and he basically played injured all of last year. He’s not going to be what he was in the past, but given some extra time to heal, I think he has a few good years left. HH has done a decent job, but I get the impression that Urlacher’s leadership is sorely missed.
does anyone agree with me and considering where roach was at the begining of the season that he has done a decent job. if he is an over achiever with better coaching he would be a starter on any other team and a good back up for us next year. i also like the idea of brian being a coach for us when his playing is done.why didnt we keep singltary in this role.
We suck because we are missing the captain of our defense.
Any team that loses its defensive captain will struggle. This team is built around good defense compensating for a historically neglected offense. Take #54 away and you no longer have a good defense, you have a 4-5 record.
We suck for a lot of reasons
But that’s one. Others are that Tommie can’t get pressure; the O-line can’t get a push in the run game; we don’t have a #1 receiver; and we have vanilla play calling on both O and D. But other than that, sure, its because we’re missing Urlacher.
by Orval Overall on Nov 22, 2009 12:22 PM CST up reply actions
I couldn't agree more
Brian Urlacher is the heart and soul of this team. I am a huge Urlacher fan, and I for one cannot wait to see him back on the field. He dislocated his wrist. It’s not a nagging injury like a hamstrinhg or turf toe. Even at 50-75 % I’d take Urlacher over anybody else we have, or anyone else we could get.
This just goes to shows you
how important Brian Urlacher is to the Bears. Any one who doesn’t understand that just doesn’t get what a real leader is. He has been hampered by injuries as of late but when he is healthy, he is one of the best. The Bears can’t afford to lose such an important player in to anything. This just goes to show how much of a difference that Brian makes.
by braziliancubsfan on Nov 25, 2009 6:04 PM CST reply actions
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