The 10 Most Important Bears in 2010 - #2 Brian Urlacher
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 27, 2010 10:45 AM CDT
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PrintI'm using the same criteria I used last year in trying to rank the Top 10 Most Important Bears. I'm not only going to look at any potential on field impact they may have, but also the individual's leadership, and also depth at the position (would losing him be a huge blow or not), and in the case of my next guy, losing him was a gigantic blow.
Maintaining his place at #2 on my list is middle linebacker, Brian Urlacher. He is without question the prototype MLB for the Tampa 2 scheme, and until the Bears no longer run that defense, Urlacher will be the most important piece of their D.
First off, I did think his backups performed admirably last year. Nick Roach was better at OLB, and Hunter Hillenmeyer showed how valuable he is as a back-up. But how many games did we see a play not made because it wasn't #54 out there? No one can go sideline to sideline like Urlacher can. No one understands the defense like he does. No other Bear can take away the middle third in zone like he can. He embraces his leadership role on the defense, and when he went down, no one really stepped up to take that responsibility. I'm not saying there were no other leaders on that D, I'm just saying no one took their leadership to another level. The things Brian Urlacher can bring to the Bears can not be replaced.
As pointed out splendidly by eldilar last week in my Julius Peppers post (he was #3), without Urlacher the Bears 3rd down defense ranked 27th in 2009. After ranking 5th, 2nd, 2nd, and 2nd, the previous 4 years. I'm sure an improved pass rush will help that number, but so will a healthy Urlacher patrolling the middle of the field. And he has been relatively healthy throughout his career. Besides missing all but a handful of snaps in 2009, the only other year he's missed any time was 2004 when he sat out 7 games. In which the Bears lost all 7. So if you're scoring at home, the Bears are 7-15 when Urlacher misses a game.
He's a team captain, the face of the defense, and the unquestioned leader of the D. The optimist in me says the year off will be great for his overall health, but the pessimist in me realizes at some point age will catch up to him. I just hope Father Time is still a couple years away.
The list so far:
#10 - Robbie Gould - Kicker
#9 - Matt Forte - Running back
#8 - Olin Kreutz - Center
#7 - Mike Martz - Offensive Coordinator
#6 - Chris Harris - Safety
#5 - Chris Williams - Left Tackle
#4 - Tommie Harris - Defensive Tackle
#3 - Julius Peppers - Defensive End
#2 - Brian Urlacher - Middle Linebacker
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The decline has to have started
After putting up 3 straight seasons b/w ‘05 – ’07 of ~94 tackles he fell off in ’08 by 15 and then we all know about last year. It’s a demanding position and between his back issues, age, and declining wheels, we’d be lucky to see production comparable to what he did in ’08.
In 2008 he had one of his best seasons
He had 5 ints and 5 sacks
tackles are unoffical so i dont know who you are going by
When Urlacher is in the there the bears are a better TEAM not just defense
by Bear Lovin 21 on Jul 27, 2010 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions
That stats by eldilar say it all
In order to be a successful team. We need Urlacher to play his best and stay healthy.
Thats like me saying...
Steak and Potatoes should be their own food group
Urlacher is important and belongs in the top 10
but THarris and Peppers will have more influence as to how good this year’s defense is.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 27, 2010 11:16 AM CDT reply actions
Where's Peanut?
I think it is pretty obvious who #1 is. I am seriously shocked that Charles Tillman is not going to make the list. I think he fits all 3 criteria perfectly. He has the potential to be the best CB on the field for the Bears despite being moved to the right side. I never heard of Tillman rising as a true leader of the D, but on the other hand, there is such a high level of respect that comes with any player that has performed at his level for this long. Lastly, if he were lost for any length of time, which of course is a distinct possibility. It has the potential to be a 2 win difference which means playoffs or no playoff for these Bears. I think he deserves to come in at #6 on this list.
I love Tillman...
but, he’s been moved to the other side… and if he does go down I think he can be replaced
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 27, 2010 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree. We have plenty of people who can't cover WRs
just as well as Tillman can’t.
by Dane Noble on Jul 27, 2010 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Right......
We always can move Steltz to CB if Peanut goes down and we need someone who can’t cover WRs! ;)
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 27, 2010 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions
sarcasm alert
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 28, 2010 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions
he’s best at run support.
He’s good at taking out teammates too, don’t forget that.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 28, 2010 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions
You guys are so darn negative...
"He is remarkably bright", a "terrific talent", the sky is the limit for Cutler"
-Mike Martz-
it's not his fault that he has no over the top safety help.
"from the Chi, the city of hella haters, where we keep rising to the top like elevators. Hi haters I'm back off hiatus." - grammy family
by Where Triples Go to Die on Jul 27, 2010 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes sir!
Which is why a more experienced safety will help the corners
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 28, 2010 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions
The over the top safety has nothing to do with
Peanut getting beat in the first 4-5 steps by the WR. It also has nothing to do with Peanut being out of position or having a speedy WR blow right by him.
Tillman is good at stripping balls, and largley lives on the reputation he built 3-4 seasons ago.
When he's instructed to play 8 yards off he's at a disadvantage
when he expects a safety to be over the top and he passes his WR off only to see him run free with no safety in sight… it looks like the CB was at fault, but no one really knows what coverage was called …
When the D-Line isn’t getting consistent pressure it hurts the corners. The only CB I’ve seen the last few years get blown by was Vasher.
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 28, 2010 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
I wish there was a stat showing the number of times
a player fell down in coverage. It seemed like every single friggin game Tillman would fall down while in coverage, or get his eyeballs juked out by a WR. Every game.
But I will will agree with you on the pass rush. If we don’t give the QB time to go through all of his reads (sometimes twice) on a play, we’ll have more success covering people down the field.
Also remember,
Peanut is a CB because he wasn’t good enough to be a WR, like most CBs. He, like others, are constantly over matched, forced to chase around a receiver who is likely bigger, faster, and stronger. Hence, why I suspect the cover 2 has become so popular.
If CB was a franchise changing position, the Bears would be in the market for a CB every year, instead of replenishing through the draft.
"from the Chi, the city of hella haters, where we keep rising to the top like elevators. Hi haters I'm back off hiatus." - grammy family
by Where Triples Go to Die on Jul 28, 2010 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I've read this before from people:
Peanut is a CB because he wasn’t good enough to be a WR, like most CBs.
That seems like more of an urban legend than anything.
I like to think of it this way
They are mostly equal in athletic ability, but CB’s tend to be shorter than WR’s. Also you gotta think, is it harder to catch a ball that’s thrown to you or intercepting one that wasn’t.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 29, 2010 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions
think of it this way
he played safety in college… he was converted to a corner much like they tried with daniel manning… the man can play safety his natural position
by Tommy Ohyeah Mcduffie on Aug 2, 2010 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
and really, there only 2 or 3 true shutdown corners in all of football.
"from the Chi, the city of hella haters, where we keep rising to the top like elevators. Hi haters I'm back off hiatus." - grammy family
by Where Triples Go to Die on Jul 28, 2010 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions
It's more than just play with Urlacher
As you mentioned, his leadership is a big plus. Also, making adjustments and ensuring other players can hear them and are where they should be seemed to be something lacking when he is gone.
As far as strictly play goes......
I think Harris and Peppers rank just above Urlacher in importance. But when you look at the entirety of what each player brings to this team, I think Urlacher trumps both. His sideline to sideline athleticism and his leadership are big intangibles that may not show up on paper, but definitely show up in the end results. Harris has been under-performing for years, and yet it was last year, when Urlacher was gone, that our third down defense saw a massive decline, as well as our 31st ranked red zone defense. I think that lends itself to just how important #54 is to this defense. Tommie didn’t have good years in ’07 or ’08, and the Bears had nobody at end anywhere near Peppers caliber, yet the defense performed a lot better in all of yards, turnovers and points. The big difference was Urlacher,
I’m not saying he’s the defensive savior, or that he alone is the reason for success or failure, but I’d say he the driving gear in the machine.
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 27, 2010 1:49 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Addendum......
I probably would have went as far as to rank Urlacher #1 over the inevitable Cutler Ranking. Why? Because if the other team cannot score, you cannot lose. The Bears made the ‘05 playoffs under Kyle Orton’s leadership on offense, and the ’06 team led us to a Super Bowl despite the erratic and inconsistent play of Rex Grossman.
It’s a matter of philosophy, I guess. But, to me, offense wins games while defense wins championships.
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 27, 2010 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
You have to win games before you win championships.
I would agree though that Urlacher is the most important guy on this team. Even though he is on the downslope of his career, he is still the quaterback of that cover 2. Oh, and his replacement is Hunter…
"from the Chi, the city of hella haters, where we keep rising to the top like elevators. Hi haters I'm back off hiatus." - grammy family
by Where Triples Go to Die on Jul 27, 2010 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Let's hope we don't have to endure anymore
Hunter “make the tackle 6 yrds downfield” Hillenmeyer anymore…
"He is remarkably bright", a "terrific talent", the sky is the limit for Cutler"
-Mike Martz-
#54
Completely agree. This guy is the key to the defense this year and having him healthy for all 16 games will make a huge difference. If the D-Line can keep the blockers off of him he will have a huge season and we’ll be contenders.
the post by eldilar was brilliant
It really drove home the point of the value of Urlacher.
Having said that, Wilt also put up a good case for listing Urlacher at #2 and for being the complete package that he is in the Tampa 2.
If #54 can have an all pro year, he would figure even higher in hindsight of course.
I cannot wait for this season to begin!
Go BEARS!
"Do or do not... there is no try." - Yoda
Without doubt!
- is indeed, the key to our “D”
Can’t wait,
… Go Bears!
I think it is fitting that Urlacher, Peppers, and Harris are 2,3, and 4
giving the importance the MLB, Elite Pass Rushing End, and 3 technique Tackle are to the cover 2 defense.
by Dominique Blanton on Jul 27, 2010 6:47 PM CDT reply actions
that was a great find...
I had to immediately edit my Urlacher post to include your stuff!
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 28, 2010 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions
maybe we should scratch Mike Martz
and instead include the entire coaching staff at #7. While the offense will certainly be a question mark, the defense has been a question mark since the superbowl. Awful play calling on the defense cost us at least one playoff spot (2008).
"from the Chi, the city of hella haters, where we keep rising to the top like elevators. Hi haters I'm back off hiatus." - grammy family
by Where Triples Go to Die on Jul 28, 2010 1:32 PM CDT reply actions
True
We could fill a whole book of rants over Lovie Smith’s questionable tactics on defense last year. I don’t know if it was him, or just the burden of being a head coach and DC at the same time, but a large part of the defensive success relies on him.
by GriggsBriggs on Jul 28, 2010 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
J. Cutty shoulda been #2....
and URLACHER #1….
Bears 3rd down defense ranked 27th in 2009. After ranking 5th, 2nd, 2nd, and 2nd, the previous 4 years.
R U SERIOUS! That’s ridiculous!! Cutler has some things to do to improve his game, but all Urlacher has to do is BE THERE! GOD I can’t wait for football… 1day 21hrs 33mins!!! LOL
GO BEARS!!!!
Maybe I don't expect much from Urlacher...
but I don’t see him as the #2 most important guy. He’s more like 5th or 6th. He can play great this season and I do not see that changing the overall effectiveness of the defense. He is a far superior MLB to any of the alternatives, both as a field general and a player, but his play isn’t what makes or breaks this defense this season. Peppers, T Harris and even Z Bowman will make a bigger impact on the success of the Bears defense. We already know what a bad D-line does to Urlacher, he either plays at 80% hurt or gets knocked into the IR before mid-season. I hope Urlacher is back to form, but i don’t have much faith that his return will resurrect this defense. Let’s hope the offense can put up so many points so quickly that the Bears won’t have to play much against the run. Nonetheless, thanks for another great post Wilty!
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE!
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