Urlacher Likes the Bears Chances.............

Brian Urlacher: ‘I really think we can do it this year’

BY JOE COWLEY jcowley@suntimes.com July 25, 2012 3:00PM
http://www.suntimes.com/csp/cms/site...YPE=image/jpeg Brian Urlacher at Bears minicamp in June. | Getty Images

Updated: July 25, 2012 3:01PM


BOURBONNAIS – Brian Urlacher contract talk is a dead topic.

All but given the last rites by Bears general manager Phil Emery on Tuesday, and likely not seeing a resurrection until after the 2012 season concludes.

The 34-year-old middle linebacker and poster boy for all things Bears over the last 13 years, seems content with that that idea, instead focused in on the here and the now.

What that means for Urlacher is the days of coming into training camp and pretending that the Bears looked like a contender on paper are now over. As far as Urlacher’s concerned, with the talent that’s been assembled for 2012, he can both speak it and believe it.

“Yeah, I think we have the talent now to reach our expectations,’’ Urlacher said.

Now? Somewhere former GM Jerry Angelo has to be cringing with that statement.

“We always say it because it’s the right thing to say, but I really think we can do it this year,’’ Urlacher continued. “I mean we’re stacked at every position. I mean anytime you add [receiver] Brandon Marshall, [running back] Michael Bush, our defense is healthy again, which is a big deal for us, and then [quarterback] Jay [Cutler] being
back healthy is a big deal, too.’’

Cutler’s health is in fact 1A on the list of “What the Bears need to make the playoffs,’’ but go ahead and put down Urlacher’s health as 1B.

The good news? The damaged left knee he suffered on Jan. 1, against

the Minnesota Vikings is fully recovered with no limitations placed on him one day before practices begin.

“Yeah, as far as I know [I’m practicing], yeah. It feels good,’’ Urlacher said of the injury that limited him in the offseason. “Every practice that they let me go, I’ll be going. [Head coach] Lovie [Smith] gives us days off sometimes when we don’t expect them, so we’ll see how that goes.’’

Before the injury at the end of the 2011 season, Urlacher was doing what Urlacher does. That meant 135 tackles, three picks, 10 tackles for losses, and a lot of fans wearing the No. 54 jersey in the stands.

So that’s why the idea that the Bears would be willing to move on without him after this season is laughable. Especially, if he continues to patrol the middle of the field at such a high level. While Urlacher has said that there were no talks about a contract extension in the offseason, that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. It will likely be a hurdle now crossed in the offseason.

“I’m content to focus on the team’s movement towards its goals,’’ Emery said of the Urlacher contract talk. “Each and every contract situation is unique of itself. What we do as a personnel department along with our coaches is keep our eyes on the big picture. And our big picture right now is to get on the field and earn our place in the NFL every day.’’

All well and good, but Urlacher has more than earned that place, as well as his place in Bears folklore.

“I’ve had good conversations with Brian,’’ Emery continued. “That’s a fine human being. He’s obviously, if not our team leader, one of our top team leaders. Brian Urlacher’s been a great Bear and a great NFL football player. Yes, I’ve talked to him. And I’m excited about Brian this season.’’

Urlacher’s excited, too. Excited about being part of a team that looks balanced enough to hurt the opposition both offensively and defensively. What he won’t get caught up in, however, is the idea of at his age and contract status, there is a sense of urgency to win it
all this year or watch the window close.

“There is a sense of urgency every year,’’ Urlacher added. “It’s a new team every single year. There are guys gone, guys get cut that you don’t expect to get cut, or traded, so every year there is a sense of
urgency. No different than any other year.’’

Here's what I got as huge kick out of. Player speak past and player speak present.

What that means for Urlacher is the days of coming into training camp and pretending that the Bears looked like a contender on paper are now over. (You mean you weren't being honest with us all those other times when you told us the Bears were a championship caliber football team?)

“Yeah, I think we have the talent now to reach our expectations,’’ Urlacher said. (But Brian ya' know you've told us this before)

“We always say it because it’s the right thing to say, but I really think we can do it this year,’’ Urlacher continued. (Yeah I know, but that was when Angelo was still around and he made us say it. This time it's actually true)

You have to admire his candor and of course the little swipe at Angelo intentional or not. As fans we've seemed to have gotten so used to the dysfunctional way this team had been run under Angelo and Mike McCaskey that I think we're so overjoyed at the change that we forget that this is the way a good team is supposed to be run.

Guess we can put to rest any thoughts of the Bears not extending his deal too. There's no urgency because both sides know it's gonna get done. There's no rush so why worry. He's not gonna finish his career as another Bears HOF MLB playing his last year somewhere else. Not gonna happen.

Plus all you have to do is look at the guy to see that he's still in incredible shape. He doesn't look any older than he did when he was 25 and he doesn't play much differently than when he was 25 either. If Brian says this is the year and no foolin' this time I'm buying.

Trying to keep my expectation down, I gotta say though this team has a chance to go a long way this year and the clock is ticking.