Replacing a legend, a fans take.

by fortefan09 on Oct 7, 2011 11:15 AM CDT

Watching Urlacher this season is a lot of fun. Who would have thought he could play like this at his age. I have never doubted the man, but not every linebacker is Ray Lewis and can play until their late 30's pushing 40. But I hope that, as fans we realize that #54 probably doesnt have more than 2 years left at best.

As a die hard fan and hopefull year after year, I have to wonder with all of the draft issues the Bears have had in the past 10 years, who are we going to bring in under Urlachers wing while he slowly eases his way out. I thought I would take a look at the top Linebackers out of college right now to see who might fit best.

1.Vontaze Burflict- Height: 6-3. Weight: 250

Dont think there is a whole lot needed to be said about this guy. Arguably one of the best if not the best linebacker to come out of college in a while. Burflict has the ability to make plays and tackles all over the field. Plays with a mean streak to say the least.

2. Luke Kuechly- Height: 6-3. Weight: 235

If there is anyone out there who's play reminds me of Urlacher it is Kuechly. I am not even a Boston College fan, but I have watched there games just to see him play. He is a tackling machine. Has fantastic instincts and reads the offense well.

3. Manti Te'o- 6-2. Weight: 245

Te'o is a big boy who can push his weight all around the field. He shouldnt have any issue translating to the NFL. His numbers have increased every year and I expect him to finish this year in the top rankings of a deep linebacking corps.

4. Dont'a Hightower- Height: 6-4. Weight: 260

The biggest Linebacker out of next years class plays with power. Hightower plays in a solid conference where he has constantly been faced with potent offenses. He does a good job stopping the run and plays well as a rushing backer. I dont see him fitting into a cover 2 defense well though.

5. Tank Carder- Height: 6-2. Weight: 237

What better name to fill the billet in Chicago than Tank Carder. Just the name alone makes him sound beastly. Although his little makeup/face painting needs to stop. Carder has some room to improve but has still shown that he can make plays. He would fit well in a Cover 2 scheme as he can cover the passing game as well as the run.

MY PICK- Depending how our Bears fare when the season comes to an end, I would like to see Tank Carder in Orange and Blue. Reason- It would make sense to me that we have higher needs than Middle Linebacker next year. But due to the fact that Carder will probably fall into the late 2nd round-3rd round area, We could use one of our thirds to snatch him up. Give him a year or two behind Urlacher to learn the ins and outs he would fit well in our D. Now I know you cant teach the instinct that Urlacher has but I believe Carder has that instinct that could be coached up a little by Urlacher.

Please Submit your pick in the comments section and let me know what you think.

This FanPost was written by a Windy City Gridiron member, and does not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of its staff or community.

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Urlacher may have 2 years left...

…at his current level of play (HOF-caliber).
He may not have the same freak-speed that he had circa 05-06 (and before), but his athleticism and instincts are still some of the best in the game. I can’t think of 3 other LBs in the league that could have made those INT’s this year.
Yes, we need to start lookin for a replacement. This years freshmen class would be a great place to start…
and remember, he missed all of ’09, which basically adds an extra year to his career…

by BOBdaBEAR on Oct 7, 2011 2:05 PM CDT reply actions

I'd love say we're in a position to spend a high pick on his replacement

but we have SO many needs I doubt we spend a pick on a backup for a guy who could play another 2-5 years. Yes, years 4 & 5 could be old man years. Next year’s draft could/should include for our first 4 picks: WR, OG/C, CB, S, OLB, maybe D-lineman before an Urlacher 2.0.

If its free, take two.

by T.J. Shouse on Oct 7, 2011 3:22 PM CDT reply actions

I apologize...

but just the thought of this is far too depressing to discuss.

"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith

by Pete Dixon on Oct 7, 2011 4:29 PM CDT reply actions

amen

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Oct 8, 2011 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Hall of fame middle linebackers are a dime a dozen.

Bill George, Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Brian Urlacher…….pffffft

by mick11 on Oct 7, 2011 7:58 PM CDT reply actions

agreed

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Oct 8, 2011 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions

NONE

None of those chumps are going to be able to replace Urlacher.

Think you're a REAL fan? Get certified at Fanified.com!

by Dave Wolf on Oct 8, 2011 8:02 PM CDT reply actions

there only chumps until next year when they are beastin on another team

How about a Carimi pancake for your A$$

by fortefan09 on Oct 9, 2011 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions

hard to respond to this question

Because we don’t know for sure if Lovie and his crew will be back next season, which will go a long way to determine what defensive scheme is in place.

Having said that, I think once Urlacher is gone you can pretty much figure there will be massive re-building going on – not just at LB but everywhere.

"Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and f**k the prom queen."

by Maelvampyre on Oct 9, 2011 3:24 PM CDT reply actions

Have to agree. Lach will be 35+, Lance 34, Tillman 33, Harris 32, Pep 34, Idonije over 30 something.

Basically the whole defense will be gone bar Peppers, Tillman and probably Harris.

"The Cubbie Bears are experiencing a 'Bull' market, so they are not Hawking anything because they are in the Black." Go Cubs, Bears, Bulls and 'Hawks.

by Shuggs on Oct 9, 2011 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Ray is not close to 40, he is only three years older than Urbacker at 36, and he has way more wear and tear.

I personally can see Brian playing here like Ray, until he decides to go. 36-37 is when he will retire with a Hall resume and perhaps a Super Bowl, if the O plays well it will happen. And to think his peers said he was the most overrated star not 5-6 years ago.

Te’o is not that big, he is much smaller than Urlacher and he isn’t considered a monster at the position and he isn’t heavy.

Based on these guys and what you are saying about Burflict, you would have to go with him. Don’t bother going with another guy because the position isn’t a priority. When you see a top guy you take him, the 9ers didn’t screw around with Willis, Panthers Beason or the Falcons with Lofton.

"The Cubbie Bears are experiencing a 'Bull' market, so they are not Hawking anything because they are in the Black." Go Cubs, Bears, Bulls and 'Hawks.

by Shuggs on Oct 9, 2011 7:18 PM CDT reply actions

You can say that again!

Whenever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft, it changes its call sign to Bear Force One.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Oct 10, 2011 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually, Teo is big, 245 pounds for 6'2 is pretty beastly.

How about a Carimi pancake for your A$$

by fortefan09 on Oct 11, 2011 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Ray is not close to 40, he is only three years older than Urbacker at 36, and he has way more wear and tear.

Te’o is not that big, he is much smaller than Urlacher and he isn’t considered a monster at the position and he isn’t heavy.

"The Cubbie Bears are experiencing a 'Bull' market, so they are not Hawking anything because they are in the Black." Go Cubs, Bears, Bulls and 'Hawks.

by Shuggs on Oct 9, 2011 7:19 PM CDT reply actions

Hate to break it to you brother but 36 is not far from 40.

Even if you are talking 36, how many linebackers or players for that matter play until they are 36 (not counting punters) Thats right! not too many. And the reason that Willis, Beason, and Lofton were selected is because those teams didnt have a quality linebacker. Im just saying what most fans dont watn to think about.

How about a Carimi pancake for your A$$

by fortefan09 on Oct 9, 2011 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions

I've been more peeved ast Angelo not addressing the MLB spot as much as anyone one OL spot.

We also have to draft Kreutz replacement. Both are no.1 picks required. And I’d love to see Vontaze Burflict in there. He’s got that Butkasian “I don’t like anybody” streak in him. Can’t teach that. We need a guy ASAP too, not just to take over from Urlacher, but to go in if he’s injured. We’ve been missing that guy for a long time. Thing is, we can’t just quick-fix Angelo’s repeated failures at drafting. He’s caused too much damage to just ‘repair’ ……

by Wally&Mac on Oct 10, 2011 8:41 AM CDT reply actions