Thread: Urlacher urges contract extension for Smith

Urlacher urges contract extension for Smith

Believes coach deserves new deal for leading Bears to cusp of Super Bowl


Brian Urlacher talks contract extension, the Bears listen.

But this time, the Pro Bowl linebacker's lobbying has nothing to do with himself. Urlacher spoke up for the person he believes is mainly responsible for this year's remarkable turnaround.

Lovie Smith.

"Pay him, please,'' Urlacher said of Smith. " It makes no sense to me why he wouldn't get an extension. He has proven he's a great coach.''


Smith's 66 career victories, including three in the playoffs, are the third-most in Bears' history behind George Halas and Mike Ditka. He has three division titles and three, 11-victory seasons under his belt.

Yet some might judge Smith based on whether he beats the rival Packers in Sunday's NFC title game: Super Bowl or bust.

"And that's not fair,'' Urlacher said. "Look at the recent history of our team. I think 1985 was the last time we were any good before he came, right? And when Lovie got here, we started winning again.

"Now, if you don't win 10 or 11 games, it's disappointing because that's what people are expecting, because that's what he expects of us. That's the standard he's set for this organization. Before, you're 8-8 and it's, 'OK, we're getting better. We're getting more competitive.' He has gotten us back to where we needed to be.''

Smith, with one year and $5 million left on his contract, has stayed true to his personality and has avoided contract talk, although general manager Jerry Angelo hinted toward rewarding his coach at season's end. Smith is focused solely on a return trip to the Super Bowl, and beating the Packers for the ninth time in 15 tries.

"… One of the first things (Chairman) Michael McCaskey went over with me when I came here to interview for the job, was to make sure that I knew about the rivalry,'' Smith said Monday. "Believe me, we know exactly how we're supposed to feel about that rivalry.''

The Bears felt pretty good after defeating their long-time nemesis 20-17 when the Packers last visited Soldier Field in September. But even after that triumph and a 3-0 start, skepticism followed. Then the scrutiny of Smith intensified after back-to-back home losses to the Seahawks and Redskins.

Urlacher was annoyed with how folks portrayed his coach then, and still is bothered with how some doubt Smith now.

"Just look at what Lovie has done for our team,'' Urlacher said. "All the experts — which is what really counts, you know — picked us to be dead last in our division. They picked Detroit to be ahead of us. We're supposed to be 5-11, 6-10, 7-9, according to all the 'experts.' We're the underdogs. We're lucky. We had an easy schedule. We didn't beat anybody. But, we're here. And Lovie's the one who has done all the work.''

Expectations were low after the Bears failed to reach the postseason the previous three seasons, including two 7-9 showings.

"So we didn't win a couple of years there. That's not Lovie's fault,'' Urlacher said. "It wasn't because we weren't coached well or weren't prepared. And this is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league, so, yes, I think Lovie should get an extension now.''

If Smith reaches the Super Bowl, he would join the Steelers Mike Tomlin as the only coaches to lead their teams to multiple Super Bowls over the last six seasons. Tomlin received a two-year extension last July that included a year option, meaning Tomlin could remain in Pittsburgh until 2013.

Urlacher hopes Smith sticks around for many years to come.

"If people played for Lovie or knew him, they would feel the same way we feel about him,'' Urlacher said. " I really couldn't imagine playing for anyone else at this point in my career. Honestly.''

vxmcclure@tribune.com