Thread: Coach vague about Brian Urlacher

Originally Posted by motownbear

We still don't really know who emery and trestman really are and how to interpret what they say to the media. We don't have the time yet like we did with JA and lovie to determine their code. Plus why say things now that can cost you more once negotiations begin

With that said I can see it play out like how it did for kreutz. Bears will be firm with what they feel they should invest and it will be on urlacher to either accept or reject. I hope he accepts but its hard for a vet to be humble just look at what kreutz did.

True but we're talking about different players with somewhat different personalities too. In the final analysis Kruetz knows he made a mistake so tha example is out there and I think Brian is thinking far more with his head than Kruetz did. He's very aware of the other contract issues Emery has to deal with and he badly wants to play and play in Chicago so I think finding a way to make it work is high on his list.

Right now I think he may be more concerned that they'd rather he retire and that has my attention as well.

Originally Posted by soulman

I know that he wants to play and he wants to play badly but badly enough to play somewhere else? I don't think so but you can never say never for a guy who's as much of a warrior as he is. It may come down to saying OK Brian one more year or one year at a time and making him an offer like we did with Izzy although maybe the price would be a little higher....or maybe not.

This is a little like a Brett Favre kind of think but with the drama and Favre's ego involved. The pause for the cause gives both sides sometime to think it all through. No matter where Brian plays you know that he's gonna retire as a Chicago Bear so from my point of view it makes little sense to force him to play out his last year or possibly two on another team. He believes he can still play and lead that defense to a championship and I really don't doubt that.

Ray Lewis isn't the player he once was either but there's no doubt in my mind that Baltimore carried a "let's win one for Ray" mentality into the playoffs and that SB game. I still say 80% of Urlacher is still better than 100% of our options right now.

I agree and would like to add that after seeing how the Bears treated Knox by keeping him on the team so he could be a fully vested veteran and receive all the related benefits that they are keeping the door open for Brian to play another year or two then retire as a Bear. That's showing him the respect he is due and rewarding him for the great years he had as a team leader and as one of the best to ever play in a position with such a rich history with the Bears. He is still better than 90% of the MLB's in the league even at his advanced age. JMHO though.

Originally Posted by pigeonenema

think of all the illegitimate children Urlacher can father when he doesn't have to report to a pesky job in the fall! Strip clubs beware!

What a wonderful observation. Troll here often? I guess with just five posts you don't. Come back again when you have even less to say. It's kind of fun to see guys like you banned before they even get ten posts.

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

BU is not the player Lewis was last year though. While there is no doubt the D will suffer from the lack of knowledge of BU, they could well benefit from an increased level of play, ecspecially agianst the run, which BU has been getting bulldozed lately. There is a point of deminishing returns w/a player...and BU sooner then later is going to be there and you need to get his replacement ready, and Roach is not that guy.

Well now Ray missed a few games too and Urlacher has never been good at taking plays head on so talking about him getting taken out of plays could just as easily been a discussion we could have had five or ten years ago. Actually I think we've had quite a few of those come to think of it so this is no shock to me.

He plays a different game than Lewis but he's no less valuable to the Bears defense than Lewis is to the Ravens. Even gimped Urlacher still had some pass coverage skills whereas Ray is not what you'd call a top pass defender. I don't there's ever been an NFL MLB with quite the unique set of skills Brian has.

Yeah, he's needs to be replaced but we haven't yet and I don't see a guy in this draft that's anywhere near his equal or at least not any of the first round guys. Roach is only a short term answer not a long term solution. I wouldn't have a real problem taking an ILB in the second but I would in the first and I'd be much happier if it was in the 4th or 5th. We're not gonna draft another like him this year so we'll have to build one ourselves.

I wish we could have gotten Kuechly last year.

there is some quality in the Draft this year. If "our guy" is picked before we draft, I think they may go ILB with the 1st. If not, we could still end up with 1 of the 4 good ILBs with the 2nd.

Draft his replacement this year no matter if he stays or goes. Maybe DeCicco gets more playing time, I'd like this and see how he does. Or they go with Briggs - Roach - McClellin.