In the 8th game of the year, Urlacher makes his first appearance!

If you ACTUALLY believe that BU didn't make an appearance until the 8th game, I think you're misunderstanding what his mere presence on the field also means.

Has he lost a step or two? Sure, no doubt. But his leadership on the field and his still somewhat formidable skill-set forces the O to take him into account on each and every play. You can't simply disregard him because his skill-set goes BEYOND the physical. He's smart. He has a knack for being in the right place (or at least area) at the right time, and even when he's not, his presence allows other members of the D to excel in ways they may not normally. It's called TEAMWORK. Not sure why some of you are so focused on individuals instead of how each individual strengthens the team.

He's not yet at the point where any negative physical ability totally offsets any positive presence and what that means to the defensive effort.

Maybe in another year or so, barring another injury, it'll be a different story.

It is beyond time, however, to be grooming the next bad-ass.

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Originally Posted by Nick

He was noticeably slower...but still great

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Too true. I almost wept in longing for the younger Urlacher on his pick six today. Some prefer 500 page novels. For me? that run in embodies "The Tragedy of the Human Condition." </morbid>

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Originally Posted by loki520

If you ACTUALLY believe that BU didn't make an appearance until the 8th game, I think you're misunderstanding what his mere presence on the field also means.

Has he lost a step or two? Sure, no doubt. But his leadership on the field and his still somewhat formidable skill-set forces the O to take him into account on each and every play. You can't simply disregard him because his skill-set goes BEYOND the physical. He's smart. He has a knack for being in the right place (or at least area) at the right time, and even when he's not, his presence allows other members of the D to excel in ways they may not normally. It's called TEAMWORK. Not sure why some of you are so focused on individuals instead of how each individual strengthens the team.

He's not yet at the point where any negative physical ability totally offsets any positive presence and what that means to the defensive effort.

Maybe in another year or so, barring another injury, it'll be a different story.

It is beyond time, however, to be grooming the next bad-ass.

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I agree 100%, loki. Urlacher has actually played very well this year; I think it was against your Packers that he recorded 11 tackles. He's still a great run stopper, still the leader of that defense, and he is still the face of this franchise. I think he's got another 2-3 yards left in him before he totally goes belly up, or as you said, barring another injury.

He's played well this year, but this was his first game where he might atually have been the best D player on the field this year. I think that's what Benj was trying to say. But so far this year, the whole D has stepped up and he hasn't had to be that guy like he has in years past.

Both CB's have been playing out of there minds, the DL has been outstanding and Briggs has been playing out of his mind too. Even the Safeties, who were thought to be, the weak link in a very strong D have played over there heads.

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Originally Posted by Riczaj01

I think that's what Benj was trying to say.

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SHUSH! Quit harshing my mellow. I "need" to poke Benji over something, he's been entirely too agreeable lately, and this was as good a reason as any.

Oh I think Benj will be more then happy to let you "poke" him anytime :)

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Originally Posted by Riczaj01

Oh I think Benj will be more then happy to let you "poke" him anytime :)

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Get your mind out of his gutter.

Urlacher wasn't bad this year... just not a Top3 MLB anymore. Average Starter with great leadership.

Not sure about next year...

Actually, what I meant, was this is the first game where you actually noticed Urlacher. The first game where you really remember making a big game changing play.

He might have looked slower but I for one wouldn't what to try to stop him on that run, Thats one big mean running machine.

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Originally Posted by Nick

He was noticeably slower...but still great

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