The Bear’s Den, February 5, 2018

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS / BRIAN URLACHER

Morrissey: Urlacher in Hall of a place beside Bears' George, Butkus, Singletary - ChicagoBears.com - The linebacker could drop into coverage, smothering running backs and tight ends. He hunted from sideline to sideline. He ran, and nobody could hide.

Finley: When Hall of Fame knocked, Bears great Brian Urlacher nervously, humbly answered - Chicago Sun-Times - The face of the franchise from 2000 to 2012, Brian Urlacher will become the Bears’ NFL-leading 28th enshrinee Aug. 4 in Canton, Ohio.

Finley: Nick Foles' TD catch looked a lot like Bears QB Matt Barkley's — in same stadium - Chicago Sun-Tim - The play looked a lot like another quarterback receiving touchdown at U.S. Bank Stadium - Matt Barkley's.

Biggs: Bears hire ex-player Donovan Raiola as assistant offensive line coach - Chicago Tribune-Donovan Raiola, who had a brief stint with the Bears in 2009, has been hired as the team's assistant offensive line coach. Raiola previously worked under offensive line coach Harry Hiestand at Notre Dame.

Haugh: Brian Urlacher: 'I changed the way middle linebacker was played' - Chicago Tribune - In 13 seasons for the Bears from 2000 to 2012, Brian Urlacher revolutionized the middle linebacker position in coach Lovie Smith’s Cover-2 defense. If anybody deserves induction in his first year of eligibility, it is the franchise’s most significant player in the post-1985 era.

Biggs: Bears great Brian Urlacher now a first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer - Chicago Tribune - Bears' Brian Urlacher and Ravens' Ray Lewis were the players in the conversation for the best middle linebacker of their era and it is fitting both were voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on their first ballot.

Haugh: Brian Urlacher gets his just due with Hall of Fame honor - Chicago Tribune - Lifetime validation came Saturday for Brian Urlacher when the game bestowed its highest honor on the Bears’ best player since Walter Payton in electing him to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot.

Hub Arkush: Bears' Urlacher named to Football Hall of Fame on first try - Daily Herald - In his first year of eligibility, linebacker Brian Urlacher, who starred for the Chicago Bears from 2000-2012, became the 28th player in franchise history to be selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- the most of any franchise.

Ingalls: Brian Urlacher Inducted Into the Hall of Fame - Da Bears Brothers - Brian Urlacher is officially a first-ballot Hall of Fame linebacker.

Santaromital: Brian Urlacher reflects after getting Hall of Fame nod: 'I was very happy to go to college for free' - NBC Sports Chicago - Brian Urlacher looked back on his career and those that helped him get to the Hall of Fame after he was elected.

Mullin: Takeaways from Brian Urlacher becoming latest Bears HOF selection - NBC Sports Chicago - Brian Urlacher left quite an impression on John 'Moon' Mullin during his 13-year Bears career.

Stankevitz: Brian Urlacher elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame on first ballot - NBC Sports Chicago - Brian Urlacher was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot, a well-deserved recognition of the career of one of the best middle linebackers to ever play the game.

Emma: Brian Urlacher, Chicago’s Humble Star, Now A Hall Of Famer - CBS Chicago - "Very humbling," Urlacher said of being selected to the 2018 class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Hoge: An Easy Call As Brian Urlacher Heads To The Hall Of Fame - WGN Radio - As Urlacher was being greeted by Baker in his hotel room Saturday afternoon, former teammates and opponents were gathering on the red carpet at the NFL Honors at the University of Minnesota, voicing their support for the former Bears linebacker. Of all the strong statements made, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers delivered the most impactful compliment.

LeGere: Nagy and Trubisky forever linked, but Helfrich must help mentor Bears QB - Pro Football Weekly - Nagy confident Helfrich the guy to teach Bears young QB

Perez: Devin Hester’s Super Bowl TD remains epic moment in Bears history - Bears Wire - Super Bowl: Devin Hester's TD on the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl remains an epic moment in Bears history

Mayer: Urlacher voted into Hall of Fame in first year of eligibility - ChicagoBears.com - Reaching the pinnacle of his sport, former Bears star middle linebacker Brian Urlacher was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday in his first year of eligibility.

Mayer: Current, former Bears among many to congratulate Urlacher via Twitter - ChicagoBears.com - Shortly after it was announced that Brian Urlacher was headed to the Hall of Fame, current and former NFL players were among the many to congratulate the Bears legend.

They Said It: Brian Urlacher elected to HOF - ChicagoBears.com - Here’s what writers around the country wrote about the election of Brian Urlacher to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Cashman: Three Big Wide Receivers The Chicago Bears Might Target – Bears Barroom - The Bears will aggressively move in free agency for wide receivers. My prediction is Pace’s draft board will be loaded with mid-round targets – developmental players who have upside but may need a year or two to develop.

Dickerson: Why Chicago Bears' Brian Urlacher made the Pro Football Hall of Fame - Chicago Bears Blog- ESPN - A game-changing athlete at linebacker, Brian Urlacher anchored the Bears' defense for 13 seasons and was selected to eight Pro Bowls.

You won't believe the message HOF prez found on Brian Urlacher's door - ESPN - David Baker found a puzzling sign hanging from the former Bears linebacker's door as he approached with big news -- but he ignored it anyway.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Perez: Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt named Walter Payton Man of the Year - Bears Wire - The NFL announced Houston Texans DL J.J. Watt is this year's Walter Payton Man of the Year

Wilner: Tom Brady wins league MVP, Rams get 3 awards, Keenan Allen comeback player - Chicago Tribune - For the third time, Tom Brady is the NFL's Most Valuable Player.

Biggs: For Brian Hoyer, trading places with Jimmy Garoppolo worked out just fine - Chicago Tribune - Former Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer traded places with Jimmy Garoppolo in October and now he's back with the Patriots with a chance to win a Super Bowl ring as the backup to Tom Brady.

Jahns: Front-office chess - Ex-Bears brass member Dwayne Joseph now aiding Eagles' rise - Chicago Sun-Times - Joseph’s ability to connect with players will play a role in Super Bowl LII. Just ask Alshon Jeffery.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Packers 2018 Free Agents: Jahri Evans might be 1 and done in Green Bay - Acme Packing Company - Injuries to the Packers’ offensive line allowed for some younger linemen to get good development reps and provide depth for the future.

Gates: Schefter - Redskins considering using franchise tag on Kirk Cousins - Daily Norseman - Why? I have no idea.

Payton: Keeping Jim Bob Cooter is the right move by the Lions - Pride Of Detroit - Matt Patricia and company are making the right move by holding onto Jim Bob.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

J Wood: Thank you Brian Urlacher - Windy City Gridiron - I originally wrote this piece when Urlacher retired. That site no longer exists, but it feels appropriate as he enters the HOF, and I wanted to share it. Hope you enjoy.

Zeglinski: A franchise-defining first-ballot Hall of Famer, Brian Urlacher is a genuine Bears all-time great - Windy City Gridiron - Urlacher was the face of a franchise who also changed football. A face that helped a city love a sport once more. His place among NFL legends is forever cemented.

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