Windy City Gridiron - All Posts

Saturday Night Open Thread

2013-05-25T23:37:07Z

There's a lot going on tonight, so we're providing you an open thread for all your non-Bears sports or random talk.

If you're into all things Chicago, the Cubs lost the the Reds, 5-2, while the White Sox are into the second inning against the Marlins, still scoreless.

But more importantly than that, from here on out the Blackhawks play for their playoff lives, as they've fallen to a 3-1 deficit against the Red Wings. They drop the puck at 7:00 CT on NBC. The Penguins already finished off the Senators, taking their series 4-1, and the Rangers currently trail the Bruins 2-1 in their own bid to stay alive.

If you're into soccer, Dortmund lost to Bayern Munich 2-1. If you're into auto racing, NASCAR at Charlotte and the Indy Series' Indy 500 each held their qualifying today, and will run tomorrow. Who do you like in each?

And Cain Velazquez and Antonio Silva fight in UFC 160 tonight. For all things UFC, check out Bloody Elbow.

This is your Open Thread to discuss everything that's going on or that has gone on. As always, Open Thread Responsibly (TM).

For more on tonight's hockey game, visit Second City Hockey for all things Blackhawks and Winging It In Motown for all things Red Wings.

EDIT: Also, I forgot about the Spurs and Grizzlies tonight - I guess that happens when the Bulls are out. Anyway, visit Grizzly Bear Blues and Pounding the Rock for Grizzlies and Spurs information, respectively.

What's the meaning behind your SBN/WCG screen name?

2013-05-25T19:00:11Z

Many years ago when blogs and discussion forums started popping up on the internet (fun fact: Open Diary created the first platform where members could comment on other peoples' blogs), there were thousands and thousands of topics that sprouted seemingly over night. If there was a topic that you wanted to chat with other people about, chances are, there was a website for that.

Sports blogging was one of the first to catch fire, and the ability for fans to create free accounts and chat with other fans about their favorite teams is, for some, the greatest part of even having the Internet to begin with.

On that note, we have all created user names (some have created several until they find the one they like the best), and many of them are pretty self-explanatory. A lot of you probably remember my early times at SBN as GeauxBears, as that was my way of showing my fandom to not only the greatest football team in the history of the world, but also to identify my allegiance to the greatest university on the planet as well, Louisiana State University.

Before I was GeauxBears, I had originally joined the network with some other name that I've tried to go back and find, but I honestly can't remember what it was due to being some type of extra-long conglomeration like ChiBears34LSUTigers55 or something another.

For some reason I thought I had to express my fandom through my screen name (GREATEST FAN EVAR), but eventually settled on my real name when SB Nation started becoming more and more visible and transparent on the Web.

So that's mine... What about your screen name? What is the meaning behind your choice of name? And if there are any members that you've seen and wondered about, ask them to explain!

Have fun!

Jim Harbaugh Says Marc Trestman Taught Him Everything He Knows

2013-05-25T16:00:07Z

So we know Marc Trestman's a quarterback guru, we know he's won two Grey Cups in the CFL, we know he loves ball, and we at least think he knows football. At least one guy "knows" Trestman knows football. To be fair, that "one guy" made it to the Super Bowl last year.

"Everything wouldn't be an overstatement," [San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Jim] Harbaugh said. "We use his system still of calling plays and the way he taught us those concepts and techniques. I've used [those] since I coached with the Raiders, the University of San Diego, Stanford and the 49ers."

...

"Absolutely. Grand slam. That was a grand slam hire. You see the coaches that Marc has put around him, they know football. He knows football."

Yep. That's 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh delivering high praise for the Bears' head coaching hire in a radio appearance on Friday.

"He will do great and talk about long overdue. Marc Trestman becoming a head coach is well deserved, he will do a phenomenal job."

Of course, we won't know how it actually looks on the field until training camp starts in exactly two freaking months. But enjoy the offseason optimism.

Picks to Improve: Right Tackle

2013-05-25T12:00:08Z

Okay, you might be able to call this a bit of a cop-out, because we don't know who's even going to play the position - and the Bears' biggest addition in the offseason was a left tackle. So what does that mean for the right tackle position?

This year, the Bears will have up to four players competing for the starting right tackle position in camp (and keep in mind, that's "up to four:), some with some pretty nice resumes.

J'Marcus Webb was a three-year starter - one year at right tackle (bad) and the next two at left tackle (bad and improving). Gabe Carimi missed all but six quarters of his rookie season with a knee injury and didn't look all that good at right tackle last season before he moved to guard. Jonathan Scott recorded seven starts over the course of last season.

Lester's always-excellent post-season Roster Turnover series hit on the tackles here, and it was clear that Carimi wasn't consistently showing the form that made him a first-round pick in 2011. Lester attributed it to his knee injury, and I tend to agree:

Watching him play last season I didn't see the same guy I saw briefly in '11 or at Wisconsin when he won the Outland Trophy as the best collegiate offensive lineman. I really don't think he was fully recovered from his knee dislocation or the follow up procedure. The knee itself may have been structurally 100%, but I don't think he was even able to round into football shape. He looked slower, he looked weaker, and he looked lost on numerous occasions. I think with another off season, he'll be able to get his body right and be able to play a solid right tackle in '13.

Knee injuries can be tricky things to deal with, especially if they aren't healing as they should, and can make it tough to get back into playing shape. While I was certainly disappointed with Carimi's play, I don't think it's a complete precursor of 2013 or the future beyond.

Truthfully, I'm not sure what the best course of action is for the Bears at right tackle. Webb has been improving as a tackle, but I worry about him playing badly switching sides. But he's not the same player he was in his rookie season - he's a three-year starter, and he'll be going into competition against a former-first-round pick with a lot to prove.

There are a ton of questions around the right tackle position, but so many of them can only make the right tackle position more solid.

Former NFL GM says Urlacher is not a Hall of Famer

2013-05-24T20:00:05Z

Bears fans who have watched Brian Urlacher since he came into the league 13 years ago know that he is among the best linebackers in franchise history. He has earned that place with his play.

He was a perennial Pro-Bowler, an All-Pro and the Defensive Player of the Year in 2005. Is Brian Urlacher the greatest linebacker ever? Probably not, but did he change the way the position is played? Did he revolutionize the middle linebacker position? I believe the argument is there. He was among the first with his size, speed and range at that position.

MORE: Brian Urlacher is a lock for the Hall of Fame

However, one former NFL executive does not think so.

According to Pro-Football Talk, Ernie Accorsi was asked about Urlacher's Hall of Fame candidacy during a Sirius XM Radio interview. This was his answer:

"I think he’s a borderline Hall of Famer," Accorsi said. "I don’t know that he’s a definite Hall of Famer. I think there is a host of them, like Willie Lanier, that were dominant players. He was good, but I wouldn’t put him in that level."

The follow up question was if Urlacher was a guaranteed Hall of Famer:

"I don’t think he’s a guarantee. I mean, he may get in because he got a lot of publicity and he was a hard player. But his span that he covered was really restricted. Now a lot of those middle linebackers were in those days. They didn’t have three or four wide receivers so they stayed on the field for three downs. They might be off today. But, no, I certainly don’t have him in [Dick] Butkus or Ray Lewis [category]. And I don’t think he should be in there, really with [Joe] Schmidt and [Ray] Nitschke and those guys, either."

Now Accorsi is entitled to his opinion of course, but how wrong is he? I thought I would compare Urlacher's resume to those he mentioned.

Now the first player he mentioned, Willie Lanier, played 11 seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1967-77. He was an 8-time Pro-Bowler and 3-time First Team All-Pro. He played before tackles and sacks were stats so all I can say is that he played 149 games, had 27 interceptions and scored two touchdowns.

Urlacher on the other hand, played 13 seasons, 182 games, had 22 interceptions, scored three defensive TDs and was an 8-time Pro-Bowler and a 4-time First Team All-Pro. To me, those are very, very similar careers. Now, I didn't see Lanier play, but from the stats it seems like Accorsi is really splitting hairs to say that Lanier was dominant and Urlacher is merely "borderline."

Joe Schmidt played 13 seasons for the Detroit Lions in the '50s and '60s, he appeared in 155 games, had 24 interceptions, 17 fumble recoveries and was a 10-time Pro-Bowler and 8-time First Team All-Pro.

Now Ray Nitschke is among the All-Time greats, like Butkus. Nitschke played 15 seasons, 190 games, had 25 interceptions, two defensive TDs and 23 fumble recoveries, a one-time Pro Bowler and 3-time First Team All-Pro. Butkus played in 119 games, scored one defensive TD, had 22 interceptions, 27 fumble recoveries and he was an 8-time Pro Bowler and 5-time First Team All-Pro.

Finally, the most recent player that Accorsi compared Urlacher to was Ray Lewis. Lewis, the media darling, is no doubt one of the best LBs of all time. Lewis played 17 seasons, 228 games, 31 interceptions, three defensive TDs and had 20 fumble recoveries. He was a 13-time Pro Bowler and 7-time First Team All-Pro. Since he played in the same era as Urlacher, I can list his sack and forced fumble stats. Lewis forced 19 fumbles and had 41.5 sacks. Urlacher had 11 forced fumbles and 41.5 sacks.

Yes, that's right, Urlacher and Lewis have the exact same number of career sacks. Lewis played many seasons in the more blitz-heavy 3-4 defensive scheme but has the exact same sack stats.

Some how Lewis is seen as perhaps the greatest linebacker of all time. His career numbers aren't a heck of a lot different than Urlacher's. I'm not listing sack stats because those are so subjective. I hate to say it, but is Lewis considered better because he danced his little dance every Sunday and was all "fiery" and gave a lot of speeches and wore a lot of eye black? 17 seasons and over 200 games played is certainly worthy of the Hall of Fame by itself. it's remarkable. But as far as the stats go, I see five players who all have very similar careers (Urlacher, Schmidt, Nitschke, Butkus and Lanier) and one whose career was just a tad longer and got a couple more rings and a couple more post season honors (Lewis).

To me, they are all worthy of the hall. Sorry Accorsi, but Urlacher is every bit the Hall of Famer that any of these guys are.

MORE FROM WINDY CITY GRIDIRON:

Follow the full Brian Urlacher Storystream

Chicago Bears schedule prediction Storystream

Bears Playbook - Marquess Wilson's West Coast Style

Confidence Check: Bears Tight Ends and Fullbacks

2013-05-24T18:12:44Z

Our Confidence Check series has been pretty positive in relation to the Bears depth charts at quarterback and running back. On the running back confidence poll, only 2% had a low level of confidence for the position, and only two votes out of 310 had zero confidence (I think Kev voted twice).

Now we move on to the tight end and fullback positions - and yes, I'm still classifying Evan Rodriguez as a fullback until Marc Trestman sends out a memo modifying it. Remember, we'll gauge confidence levels at high, low, or zero for each position on the depth chart, then give you our overall confidence level on the group and you can agree or disagree in the poll or comments section.

MORE: Brian Urlacher Retires from Bears

Starting Tight End: Martellus Bennett (6th year in NFL)

Job Responsibilities: Ability to provide adequate pass and run blocking when called upon, as well as exploit the middle of the field in the passing game. Give the quarterback a solid receiving option - especially near the goal line - when Brandon Marshall is quadruple covered.

Job So Far: Bennett was a disappointment in Dallas, where the Cowboys picked Bennett in the second round to be a complement to Jason Witten. Instead, Bennett never topped twenty catches in a season and went three straight years without a touchdown catch. Last year Bennett was revitalized with the Giants, catching fifty-five balls and five touchdowns while averaging 11.4 yards per reception. Still has a tendency to drop catchable balls - but not anywhere near Kellen Davis-like levels - and tied for tenth most drops among all tight ends with six (on eighty-eight targets).

Confidence Level: High. With Bennett, its important to consider exactly what your expectations for him are. He's not a top-five tight end in the league, which is fine, because he's not a bottom-five guy either (like we had last year). He's a remarkable improvement over Davis, and if he can duplicate last year's numbers and performance, that's great for the Bears and Jay Cutler. If you expect him to catch 65-75 balls and ten-plus touchdowns, I would have considerable doubts, but he's the clear-cut best option Chicago has at tight end position, and for once, that's not a bad thing.

Backup Tight Ends: Steve Maneri (3rd year in NFL), Kyle Adams (3rd year with Bears), Brody Eldridge (4th year in NFL), Fendi Onobun (4th year in NFL)

Job Responsibilities: As a group, must be able to adequately fulfill the duties of the starting tight end, but do so with diminished playing time. The backup group will not be a focus of the offense, but should be able to provide small sample sizes of decent production when called upon.

Job So Far: Maneri emerged as an under-the-radar free agent that a lot of teams were interested in this offseason due to his blocking prowess with the Chiefs. That makes sense since he is a converted offensive lineman is a huge tight end (6'7", 280 lbs) but has barely any career receiving stats (6 catches, 52 yards). Eldridge (14 catches, 84 yards) and Onobun (2 catches, 15 yards) have bounced around the league for a few years and are hoping to latch on with the Bears. Their primary competition is last year's backup Kyle Adams (4 catches, 40 yards).

Confidence Level: Low. Its hard to justify a high level of confidence in a group of backup tight ends with barely any evidence to prove it. I like the fact that Chicago seemingly picked up Maneri when he was a hot free agent, and he should fit into Matt Spaeth's old blocking specialist job well. The worst-case scenario for the third tight end is having Adams back, which I'm okay with, but the lack of career receptions from this group is a bit troubling, even though the next guy mentioned below could help solve that issue.

Starting Fullback: Evan Rodriguez (2nd year with Bears)

Job Responsibilities: Occasionally be the lead blocker for the running backs, be a receiving option out of the backfield, provide the offensive coordinator with a versatile skill-set to utilize in a variety of ways.

Job So Far: Well, he did get arrested this offseason, but was cleared of the charges. His rookie year began with dreams of Rodriguez doing his best Aaron Hernandez impersonation, but instead he gave us a few missed games due to injuries and four catches. He didn't look bad last year for a fourth-round rookie, but he never really became a cohesive part of the offense, either. Your call if the blame for that falls more on Rodriguez or Mike Tice.

Confidence Level: Low. Rodriguez will get his chance to be an integral member of the Bears' offensive unit this year. He's the only listed fullback on the roster, and his background as a tight end allows the coaching staff to move him around to a variety of positions on the field. He should benefit from having an offensive head coach/coordinator that knows what an offense is actually supposed to look lilke, but he just hasn't done anything to warrant a high level of confidence to me yet. I hope I'm wrong, and I believe that Trestman can put Rodriguez in the best possible position to be successful.

MORE: the Superfans predict a Bears Super Bowl in 2013

Overall Level of Confidence: Low.

I love the Bennett signing (as I'm sure we all do) and respect the Maneri-Spaeth swap-out. But a lack of receiving options at tight end other than Bennett scares me immensely as it just takes one injury to put our tight end depth back at last year's level. Rodriguez is really the linchpin, I think, as to whether you have high or low confidence in this group. If he can develop into a solid secondary receiving option behind Bennett, then the offense will have a chance to be more balanced and talented. If not, then the tight end position is like the Bears wide receiver position last year: one player stands out, the rest drop the ball.

Poll

What's your confidence level in the Bears' tight ends and fullbacks?

The Bears Den: May 24, 2013 - Offseason news and notes

2013-05-24T12:06:16Z

Bears to retire Mike Ditka’s number - Larry Mayer: The Bears will honor legendary former player and coach Mike Ditka by retiring his No. 89 jersey at halftime of a Dec. 9 Monday night game against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field.

Relentless Trestman expects a lot from Bears’ QBs - Adam L. Jahns: Part disciplinarian, part friend, the Bears’ QBs are learning that Trestman is all about details. He strives to trust his QB, empowering him to decide which of three plays to use at the line to attack the defense.

Steve Ronkowski: Bears Playbook - Marquess Wilson's West Coast Style

Team report - "They don't get old. I just get old." - 32-year-old Lance Briggs, when asked if OTAs and minicamps ever get old.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Click for Chicago Bears Tickets for next season. Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and shirts.

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Urlacher

NFL coaches, players share admiration for Urlacher - Larry Mayer: After Brian Urlacher retired Wednesday following 13 illustrious seasons with the Bears, several individuals who played and coached with and against the star MLB shared their thoughts. Aaron Rogers heaps praise on #54; more reaction from around the NFL.

Urlacher's game of legends - Steve Rosenbloom: For that game, if not also that position-changing career, Urlacher was who we never thought any linebacker could be. Moon Mullin: Not #54's personal highlight.

The truth about Urlacher - Dan McNeil: On and off the field, there was way more good than bad with #54.

Urlacher legacy one of loyalty to Bears - Jeff Dickerson: Urlacher's sometimes frosty relationship with the media shouldn't matter to fans nearly as much as the loyalty and legendary generosity he displayed towards teammates, especially the rookie or practice squad guys with no family in town who were invited to spend the holidays at his house.

Did Urlacher call it quits too soon? - Jeff Dickerson: It doesn't sit well with me that Urlacher's final NFL play ended with him limping off the Soldier Field turf after the second-to-last snap of an overtime loss to Seattle. Chris Wesseling: Would have finished out career with Cowboys.

Manning, Colts saw Urlacher potential - Michael C. Wright: Peyton Manning revealed on Thursday that his former team, the Indianapolis Colts, hoped that Urlacher would fall to them in the 2000 NFL Draft.

Urlacher’s career should be defined by brilliant start, not halting finish - Steve Silverman: Urlacher did not have a definitive position when he was selected in 2000. By the time he retired, he had redefined the MLB position in a way that suited the modern game.

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: Brian Urlacher is a lock for the Hall Of Fame

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Is Urlacher a first-ballot Hall of Famer?

Debating greatness: Urlacher vs. Lewis - Both will be on the 2018 ballot for Canton and have been compared throughout their careers. Jeff Dickerson and Jon Greenberg state the case for each. John Breech: Urlacher: "Ray's the best of all time". Lindsay H. Jones: Marquee MLB eventually could become extinct.

Photos - A few shots of #54 from a Tribune photojournalist (thanks to Sam Householder).

Five Chicago athletes who didn’t go out like Urlacher - Dave Wischnowsky: Here are five Windy City athletes who looked the weirdest playing for a team other than the one they’re best known for.

Will Brian take up skyscraper-climbing and biplane-catching now that he's retired?

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Bearsss

NFL.com: Around the League - Marc Sessler takes a look at teams who are shaking things up in an attempt to reinvigorate their stagnant offenses. Not surprisingly, the Bears number among that group.

NFCN Blog - Kevin Seifert: Looking at projected starters, the Bears have NFL's oldest starters.

Urlacher vouches for Cutler's toughness - John Paschall: "I played against him when he was in Denver and I played with him in Chicago, and I'd just rather play with him in Chicago. He's a tough dude."

Selecting four faces for the Bears' Mount Rushmore - How do you condense the achievements of a franchise of legendary names down to four faces? Moon Mullin gives it a go.

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Ditka

Bears to retire Mike Ditka's No. 89 - Brad Biggs: A sure sign relationships are healing, Hall of Fame TE will become the 14th Bears player so honored and the first since Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers in 1994.

A timeless classic - Dan Pompei: To everyone who has called Bears football a significant part of his or her life, he is a treasure, the closest thing to founder-owner-coach George Halas still among us.

Ditka timeline - There wasn't enough space for all the butt-kickings he handed out.

Dane Noble: Greatest coaches in NFL History, per ESPN

Photos - A gallery of retired Bears' numbers. That's the players who wore them and not the numbers themselves, you goobers.

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Polish sausage

NFP Agent's Journal - Jack Bechta: Some useful tips for those who want to work in sports.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Kevin Seifert: To this point of the offseason, the Vikings have elected to carry untouched the largest salary-cap hit for a non-QB in the NFL. So what does that mean about Jared Allen's future with the team as he enters the final year of his contract?

Know thy enemy: Packers - Kevin Seifert: Mike Neal has been working as an OLB at OTAs. Are they really going to use a 294lb LB?

Know thy enemy: Lions - John Niyo: Lions need Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley at front of line as leaders. Good luck. Louis Delmas already injured?

Know thy enemy: Lions - Kevin Seifert: TE Brandon Pettigrew's drop percentage over the past three years is 7.2 percent, the fourth-highest in the league. Kellen Davis would kill for that.

The live performance on Letterman suggested by jetcitybearfan is here; I'm a fan of Jamie Hewlett's artwork from his time with British comic 2000AD.

Brian Urlacher is a lock for the Pro Football Hall Of Fame

2013-05-24T02:03:54Z

Brian Urlacher will be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame some day, and it's OK if it's not on the first ballot. There's a chance he will be a fist ballot guy, but if he isn't, it's nothing to gnash your teeth over.

Many Bears fans want to bang the drum for Urlacher's first ballot candidacy, and I get that, but in reality the only difference in being elected on the first ballot and not, is the bio line that reads, "First Ballot Hall Of Famer". If you make it into that select company it's a special day.

The latest Chicago Bear that went into the Hall was defensive end Richard Dent, who was elected in 2011, fourteen years after he retired. Dan Hampton was elected twelve years after he retired. Mike Ditka was part of the 1988 Hall Of Fame Class, and he retired in 1972. Are their Bears' legacies any less than that of first ballot inductee Mike Singletary?

When ever I think about a players Hall Of Fame credentials, in any sport, the first thing I consider is; Was he one of the very best at his position for a decade? Was Brian Urlacher one of the best middle linebackers in the game during his 13 years? The answer is an emphatic yes.

Brian Urlacher may not have been the premier middle linebacker in the NFL during his 13 year career, but he was definitely in that conversation. Urlacher himself gives the honor of best MLB in his era to Ray Lewis, and I tend to agree. Regardless of your personal feelings about Lewis, he was an exceptional football player. Sure he played the game with a theatrical flair, and his pre-game dance took on life of it's own, but he was damn good between the lines.

The second half of Urlacher's career, the best inside linebacker was probably San Francisco's Patrick Willis, who has never missed a Pro Bowl in his six year career that began in 2007. He's another outstanding football player, and when Urlacher was missing Pro Bowls from 2007-09, it was Willis that was talked up as the best inside backer in the NFC.

The only Pro Bowl that Urlacher missed in his first seven years in the league was 2004, when he only played nine games. An injury robbed him of what probably would have been another Pro Bowl that year. In 2007 the Bears' record dipped after their Super Bowl, and Urlacher missed the Pro Bowl even though he had an outstanding statistical season.

MORE: Greatest Chicago Bears Seasons: Brian Urlacher 2007

The Bears missed the playoffs again in 2008, and Urlacher again missed the Pro Bowl. Then in 2009 he went down with a season ending wrist injury in the week one game against the Packers. Many experts figured this was the beginning of the end for Urlacher. It wasn't.

In 2010 Urlacher not only returned to the field, but he was named to the Pro Bowl for a 7th time, then he made it an 8th in 2011. Last season he valiantly tried to play, but it was clear the injury he suffered in the week 17 game of 2011 was too much to overcome.

He had moments of the "old" Urlacher last year, but he just couldn't fully recover from his knee injury. Then a hamstring injury ended his 2013 season prematurely.

In total, he had those eight Pro Bowl nods, he was named 1st team All Pro four times, one 2nd team All Pro, a Defensive Rookie Of The Year award, and a Defensive Player Of The Year award. The one thing missing from his resume was the Super Bowl ring, and unfortunately some voters will hold that against him. Those voters will be idiots, but that won't stop them.

Another often talked about knock on his career, was his perfect match for the Lovie Smith Tampa 2 defense. The old cockamamie "product of the system" argument. If you were to build a Tampa 2 middle linebacker from the ground up, he would be Brian Urlacher. His speed and coverage ability was tailor made for that defense, but it baffles me that some conveniently forget that he was a four time Pro Bowler before Lovie Smith was hired to coach the Bears.

Urlacher thrived in the Dick Jauron version of the 4-3 that had those two behemoth defensive tackles in front of him eating up the middle. During these years Urlacher was playing a different game entirely. He wasn't concerned with the middle third in pass coverage, he was playing more of an attacking role as the mike backer. Two of his three highest tackle totals came during the Jauron years, as did more than half of his career sack totals.

Brian Urlacher is a player that would have thrived in any scheme, and at any linebacker position. He had the speed to be a 3-4 pass rushing OLB or a 4-3 weakside OLB, and he had the strength to play the strongside in a 4-3.

The other argument against him that pops up from time to time is that he may not even be the best linebacker on his team. Former teammate, and current Bear Lance Briggs, was named to seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 2005-11, and he is a damn good linebacker. But using him as an argument against Urlacher's Hall worthiness is just asinine. Playing with good talent doesn't diminish what one player can do.

Ray Lewis played with players that were voted into 36 combined Pro Bowls during his 17 year career, and Urlacher had 20 such players named during his 13 year career (Briggs' 7 is the most, and Tommie Harris is next with 4). Mike Singletary played with two other Hall Of Famers on his defense, and that didn't stop Hall voters from electing him.

Brian Urlacher was one of the most physically gifted linebackers to ever play in the NFL. He was also one of the most cerebral players to ever play his position. He was a leader of his team and the face of his franchise for his entire career.

Wearing the yellow jacket that signifies pro football greatness is a special honor that few ever receive, and in my opinion Brian Urlacher deserves to be there, and he will be there. But don't take my word for it, here's what a couple of the quarterbacks that he matched wits with had to say.

Peyton Manning, his opponent in the 2006 Super Bowl said, "It's a no-brainer when it comes to Brian having a Hall of Fame career." and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, "Brian was the ultimate competitor, leader, and a no-doubt Hall of Famer,".

Urlacher was a playmaker, a game changer, and he was at the top of his game throughout the majority of his career. Exactly the type of legacy that will get someone into Canton.

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