Urlacher situation: "Do Bears add another linebacker?"

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 08-08-2012, 02:28 PM

Interesting read.

[quote
LINK to the article
After Ross release, do Bears add another linebacker?

August 8, 2012, 2:01 pm

JOHN "MOON" MULLIN
The Bears’ release of Draylen Ross on Wednesday was not noteworthy, except for its possible timing.

Ross, listed as a tight end, was so far down the depth chart that he was the No. 3 fullback, a position that itself is on the bubble with the 2012 Bears. Kellen Davis, Matt Spaeth, Kyle Adams and rookie Evan Rodriguez are the top four tight ends, all of whom could make the 53-man roster.

But players are usually released at this point in training camp for purposes of roster adjustment. With Brian Urlacher’s status unclear, meaning that the Bears are down a linebacker for the last week, the need is there for another player to share the practice workload, if not more, depending on the longer-term status of Urlacher’s knee.

Who the Bears sign to replace Ross, and at what position, is right now the most watched “story” of preseason at this point, not how many tight ends the Bears will carry.

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**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 08-08-2012, 02:40 PM

People are saying Brian looks pretty gimpy at camp, favoring the leg. Not good. The last time we lost Urlacher (in 2009) we ended up 7-9 and had one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Nothing against having Roach at MLB, but he's not even on the same planet as Urlacher in physical talent.

If the knee injury No. 54 opted not to have offseason surgery on really does linger into this season, the Bears' Super Bowl aspirations certainly hang in the balance.

LINK to the article
Brian Urlacher Injury: When Do We Worry About The Chicago Bears Middle Linebacker?

By Ricky O'Donnell - Editor

Urlacher sprained the medial collateral ligament and partially sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Bears' Week 17 victory over the Minnesota Vikings to end last season when he collided with safety Major Wright. And here we thought all that win did was ruin Chicago's draft pick. Hardly!

It feels premature to exhaust too much energy over Urlacher's health woes and how it could affect this highly anticipated season. Urlacher enters 2012 at 34 years old, every season spent with the Bears. If anyone can stand to miss a few training camp practices in August, it's him.

But if the knee injury No. 54 opted not to have offseason surgery on really does linger into this season, the Bears' Super Bowl aspirations certainly hang in the balance.

Urlacher described his team as 'stacked' before training camp opened and it didn't feel like precarious boasting. The Bears just may have been 'Offseason Champs' after trading for wide receiver Brandon Marshall and bolstering their depth by signing quarterback Jason Campbell and running back Michael Bush. But Urlacher's bold proclamation only holds water if the defense remains intact. It starts with him. Brian Urlacher is essentially all the Bears have known in the middle of their defense for the last 12 seasons. Without him, it's entirely possible Chicago's lofty dreams could crumble.

If there's any stake in the eye test, I'm not sure Urlacher can pass it at this point. I've been in Bourbonnais to cover Bears training camp the last two Sundays, and Urlacher steps are decidedly wary. This might not be the same bit of foreshadowing as Greg Oden limping up to the podium after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, but it isn't an encouraging sign. No. 54 simply means too much to this defense. He is its pillar.

Lance Briggs talked about Sunday about the defense without Urlacher. Nick Roach slides from the strong side to the middle in Urlacher's stead. It isn't a good look. Briggs talked about how soft-spoken Roach tends to be. This is disconcerting when playing a position that requires you to bark out plays. Briggs told reporters something to the effect of "God didn't bless Nick with a middle linebacker's voice". Roach isn't about to disagree. When beat reporter Zach Zaidman asked him about playing the middle, Roach responded "I would rather Brian do it."

So would everyone, Nick. The middle is Urlacher's throne, the latest in a proud lineage that boasts icons like Butkus and Singletary. We tend to romanticize the past and the future over what's happening in front of our own eyes, but make no mistake: Urlacher is every bit as worthy of canonization as the two Hall of Fame inductees who played the middle in Chicago before him.

Now the Bears and their fans wait with bated breath. The Bears have the potential to make this a very fun football season in Chicago, but the absence of Urlacher would make for a very unwelcome handicap. There's no reason to freak out just yet, but the sight of No. 54 on the Bourbonnais practice fields, dawning a helmet and shoulder pads instead of a bucket hat, would certainly go a long way towards quenching a civic football nightmare.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 08-08-2012, 03:08 PM

John Clayton believes Urlacher will be fine

LINK to the article

5. Is Brian Urlacher's knee a concern?

Much has been made about Urlacher being out a week with a knee injury. Although it is worrisome that Urlacher's knee isn't 100 percent, I don't think it will affect him this year. Bears coach Lovie Smith is doing a good job of resting his aging core group of defensive players -- Urlacher, Charles Tillman, Lance Briggs, Julius Peppers and others. As long as Urlacher is healthy for the opener -- which he should be -- all should be fine.

**A-11** · 08-08-2012, 03:24 PM

To be fair, knee problems or not, I hope they are looking. Change will come before long and a captain will be needed. Having read N. Roach's comments it sounds like he is not over joyed with the idea.

"Should," has been used too often in these reports to feel totally comfortable.

**MPBears68** · 08-08-2012, 04:48 PM

This really bugs me. The injury was 8 months ago and obviously it was more severe than let on initially. And in a meaningless game that Lovie just had to win to keep his job and cost us higher draft picks.

Sit BU all PS if need be. There is ZERO need for him to play a single down in any PS game. I'm just hoping he can be close to 100% by 9/13 in Green Bay.