The 10 Most Important Bears for 2011 - #4 Brian Urlacher

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 14, 2011 10:17 AM CDT in Roster Analysis

If you're just stumbling onto this series, I'll tell you what it isn't. It isn't a top 10 list of the best players on the Chicago roster or a top 10 list of my favorite Bears. It's just my subjective view of which Chicago Bears need to come through in order for the Bears to maximize their success in 2011. I looked at their on field impact, how much they will look to that individual for guidance or leadership, how badly the team would be hurt if they lost the player for any length of time, and other intangibles. Up at #4 is Brian Urlacher.

The first two years I compiled this list I had Urlacher at #2. I'm not trying to say he's losing any luster, I'm just seeing the Bears needing a few other players to really come through in 2011. But my opinion stands after three years of doing this series. Brian Urlacher is the most important player on their defense.

His ability to quarterback the D, to counter the offense's audibles, to set up his teammates, and to diagnose a play is invaluable. Adding Julius Peppers to the mix in 2010 was a big deal, a really big deal. But getting 'Lach back from injury was humongous. He returned to Pro Bowl form, and he was 2nd team All NFL from the AP. His unique ability in the Tampa 2 is critical to their success moving forward. Going sideline to sideline, dropping deep middle, and he's blitzing as good as he ever has.

I expect Nick Roach to be re-signed, and my guess is he'll be Urlachers primary backup. He has some experience playing the middle, but the drop off in ability would be a steep one. There's just no way to scheme to cover up for losing #54. If Urlacher is forced to miss any time, the Bears would have to alter some of the things they do defensively.

Here's the list so far, just click for the popable link:

#10 - Henry Melton
#9 - Mike Martz
#8 - Earl Bennett
#7 - Charles Tillman
#6 - Mike Tice
#5 - Julius Peppers

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Comments

Good call.

But I sincerely hope Jay Cutler’s not the #1 on this list. Just because it’s cliche. The QB’s the most important part of the team yadda yadda….

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Jul 14, 2011 2:08 PM CDT reply actions

if you look at my past series you might see have a hint

Cliche’s are sometimes true…

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 14, 2011 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions

I know but it's still cliche.

I hate cliche’s unless they’re really funny or something.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Jul 14, 2011 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions

there's no right or wrong

give us your top 10 most important Bears…

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 14, 2011 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions

My immediate reaction was to attempt to create a post arguing the Robbie Gould is the most important Bear.

Then reality set in.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Jul 14, 2011 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions

You do know he was my #10 last year!

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 14, 2011 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions

And a well-deserved #10 at that ^_^

by Doshi on Jul 15, 2011 8:31 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd give you mine or I can just tell you, it's Mannelly and Ditka... big shock I know.

My team is on the floor. -Coach Norman Dale

by Ditkavsworld on Jul 14, 2011 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Just start thinkng out of the box...

or be proactive. Maybe try giving us 110%. You know, it is what it is! Mostly because sh!t happens.

by LostInSTL on Jul 14, 2011 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

But but but

Angelo! I mean, he fixated on it and everything!

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Jul 14, 2011 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah... but he's no Dhani Jones

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 14, 2011 2:46 PM CDT reply actions

Really though, who IS Dhani Jones?

And more importantly, who wants to be Dhani Jones?

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Jul 14, 2011 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions

he sells the air freshners right?

Guns dont kill people. Brian Urlacher kills people.

by Bear Lovin 21 on Jul 15, 2011 12:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Yep.

Which, sadly for him, is still the best thing he is known for.

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Jul 15, 2011 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions

At this point in the countdown

Each person mentioned should equate a catastrophe if they are gone. Lach certainly fits the bill. I would say Lach, Peppers, Cutler, and Forte injuries would pretty well screw the season.

by Sound_Automatic on Jul 14, 2011 2:46 PM CDT reply actions

singly, not all at once. that would just be biblical

by Sound_Automatic on Jul 14, 2011 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Urlacher's more like #1 or #2 ....

It was no coincidence that our worst ever defense came under Hattie Hilenmeyer at Mike. If Cutler goes down, Hanie can play. But if Brian goes down, we’re fkd.

by Wally&Mac on Jul 14, 2011 3:20 PM CDT reply actions

quit with the hanie crap

I'll roll up

by suckmyditka on Jul 14, 2011 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

I for one only want to see Hanie hold a clipboard, extra points/field goals, and Jay’s jock if he asks him.

My team is on the floor. -Coach Norman Dale

by Ditkavsworld on Jul 14, 2011 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions

everyone always says

“but he played really well when he came in”

yeah for a third stringer who oculdn’t beat out Todd Collins

He played really well until he thew a pick 6 to BJ Raji.

I'll roll up

by suckmyditka on Jul 14, 2011 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions

To be fair, though, Todd Collins (reality) couldn’t beat out Todd Collins (the version that Martz had in his head). Hanie never had a chance.

Cosmis: JESUS LORD IN HEAVEN DANIEAL MANNING JUST KILLED A MAN

by Spongie on Jul 15, 2011 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

The defense sucked ass...

for many reasons, not just Urlacher’s absence.

by LostInSTL on Jul 14, 2011 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions

This is a good spot for Urlacher...

he has the unique abilities to both call the defense and the speed/size to play the most important position in the Cover-who. If his play is poor or he’s injured, the defense is middling average and the offense will not be potent enough to outscore much of the league. However, he does not have to be the lone featured star for the defense to succeed either. Taking your comments about him being the most important defender on the team leads me to believe your top 3 are offense, which I would concur with.

by LostInSTL on Jul 14, 2011 4:45 PM CDT reply actions

smart man...

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 14, 2011 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions

I disconcur

The Ravens won with defense and defense alone (pretty much). The Bears are set up to be a similar team. The offense has to be adequate. The defense has to be exceptional. That’s BEAR ball which is why I stated weeks ago that, to me, the season rests on Tillman and the secondary. Plus the health of Urlacher, Briggs, and Peppers. Don’t forget that this team is centered around its defense. As long as Lovie is the HC. With a solid DT last season or better performance from our safeties (at least more consistent) we’d have won it all. Granted we’d win like 14-13 but we’d win. The offensive line only sucked (granted it was never “good”) when Martz was calling for 70-30 passing to rushing ratios or 37 step drops. They became adequate-below average as the season wore on and Martz pulled his head out of his rectum. Defense is how this team will put itself in position to win. We just need an average offense that can move the ball without stupid turnovers.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Jul 14, 2011 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions

"Defense wins Championships" looks good on a bumper sticker but,

Good offense always beats good defense… I’d prefer the Bears have a good all around team.

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 14, 2011 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm calling shenanigans!

Good defense almost always puts teams in position to win. See every Steelers team ever, most Cowboys teams, THE 1985 Bears, most every Packers teams, even a couple Patriots “franchise” teams. If the defense didn’t dominate, it at least held teams back enough to let the offense play loose. Good offense always beats good defense? Ask Marino, or Rivers, or even Favre (and I could truly go on) how they feel about that statement.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Jul 14, 2011 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions

You win the game when you outscore your opposition

Defense is all reacting to what an offense does. As someone that has called offense and defense (obviously not at the pro level) the offense always has the advantage. Almost every coach will tell you that.

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2011 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions

And I'm just talking scheme wise

a team full of great athletic players that are coached up can trump any scheme…

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2011 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions

For the life of me I can't find it now.

But a little while back Football Outsiders had an article on this very subject. Their conclusion after rigorous statistical kung fu? Passing defense (or lack of it) wins Championships.

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

by Pete Dixon on Jul 15, 2011 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions

it's a passing league these days

If you can throw the ball, you have a great chance of winning

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2011 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions