Thread: Can Urlacher Still Help The Bears?...............

It does seem to be "trash Urlacher week" in the media, doesn't it?

We all know he isn't what he used to be and never will be again but he's far from worthless as a player (if healthy, better than any replacement we could get this year) or as a leader/mentor (directing the D, bringing along a possible successor). Bottom line, and I dont give a rats ass what these writers say, it should be a priority to re-sign him at a reasonable price if at all possible.

The second thing that struck me was the writers insinuation that "the Bears are rebuilding, this season is going nowhere anyway, so why bring back an aging vet?" argument. That's utter bullshit. This team won 10 games last year with a horrific OL, no TE production whatsoever, and a coaching staff that didn't know jackshit about developing players and running an NFL offense. ANY KIND OF DECENT OFFENSE and this was a 12 win playoff team last year and probably a WC team the season before, despite losing their starting QB. Being cautious in expectations for a new coaching staff is understandable but the problem was strictly the O and the only D player who appeared to be in decline was 54. Everyone else important is back and not "falling off a cliff" production-wise. Even if the D declines a bit, possible but even that is not assured, an improved O (not exactly a high bar to surmount for the new players and staff) should more that make up for it. As I've mentioned before, this was a top-5 defense in numerous categories so I don't expect it to suddenly collapse into the bottom third of the NFL. And to claim definitively that this team, which is still far from complete for 2013 yet, can't win a SB at this point is as moronic and idiotic and to predict that it definitely will.

2 of the last 3 SBs were won by teams who finished the regular season with 10 wins or less AND got into the playoffs only with a week 17 win. The 3rd of those three won it with an very-aging MLB, a bunch of key injuries, and a QB who previously was looked upon as "talented but not elite enough" to compete with the Mannings, Bradys, and Rodgers' of the NFL. Sound familiar???

Originally Posted by MPBears68

It does seem to be "trash Urlacher week" in the media, doesn't it?

We all know he isn't what he used to be and never will be again but he's far from worthless as a player (if healthy, better than any replacement we could get this year) or as a leader/mentor (directing the D, bringing along a possible successor). Bottom line, and I dont give a rats ass what these writers say, it should be a priority to re-sign him at a reasonable price if at all possible.

The second thing that struck me was the writers insinuation that "the Bears are rebuilding, this season is going nowhere anyway, so why bring back an aging vet?" argument. That's utter bullshit. This team won 10 games last year with a horrific OL, no TE production whatsoever, and a coaching staff that didn't know jackshit about developing players and running an NFL offense. ANY KIND OF DECENT OFFENSE and this was a 12 win playoff team last year and probably a WC team the season before, despite losing their starting QB. Being cautious in expectations for a new coaching staff is understandable but the problem was strictly the O and the only D player who appeared to be in decline was 54. Everyone else important is back and not "falling off a cliff" production-wise. Even if the D declines a bit, possible but even that is not assured, an improved O (not exactly a high bar to surmount for the new players and staff) should more that make up for it. As I've mentioned before, this was a top-5 defense in numerous categories so I don't expect it to suddenly collapse into the bottom third of the NFL. And to claim definitively that this team, which is still far from complete for 2013 yet, can't win a SB at this point is as moronic and idiotic and to predict that it definitely will.

2 of the last 3 SBs were won by teams who finished the regular season with 10 wins or less AND got into the playoffs only with a week 17 win. The 3rd of those three won it with an very-aging MLB, a bunch of key injuries, and a QB who previously was looked upon as "talented but not elite enough" to compete with the Mannings, Bradys, and Rodgers' of the NFL. Sound familiar???

For me you bring up an interesting thing:

The second thing that struck me was the writers insinuation that "the Bears are rebuilding, this season is going nowhere anyway, so why bring back an aging vet?" argument.

I do see about 10-15 new players on the roster this year giving Emery/Trestman an opportunity to put their 'stamp' on the team. However, I hope everyone else also chalks the Bears up as 'no win' rebuilders!

The core of the Bears team is pretty darn good, and you could make an argument that O has been running on two cylinders. I think Trestman and Tucker have a pretty good nucleus to work with on both sides of the ball, and with a few more good moves, and a real NFL offensive gameplan, the Bears could be far from a team in rebuilding mode that has no chance to do anything this year!

Originally Posted by soulman

This deserves a sticky all by itself. I'm getting tired a people who slavishly believe what these 4th rate writers and talking heads are saying and who are too fucking lazy to do a little research of their own before making ridiculous suggestion and predictions.

I'm not 100% right about everything I believe either but God dammit I'm not 100% wrong either. If "warm body" could just move in and play MLB and the run the defense better than Urlacher why don't we really save some big money and just turn it over to Costanza and DeCicco, our Italian Stallions. They fit the description of being slightly better than just any"warm body" since they're already under contract.

Ignore the white noise guys....Phil, work your magic and bring back Urlacher. Reasonable price, yes. But don't be too penny-wise-pound-foolish either. Just STFU and bring him back. We aren't "replacing" him this year (and shouldn't) so get over it and get him signed. Priority #1 pre-draft IMO.

A healthy Urlacher is still our best option. I'd give him a chance to get healthy and keep the iron in the fire. No way would I give him the 5 million deal but I'd keep talking with him.

In terms of rebuilding the team. You never know what is going to happen with a season. There are so many variables and a team can get hot and outperform their talent. You have to play good enough to make the playoffs, hope for a little bit of luck with injuries and try to hit your stride come playoff time. Virtually every year a team vastly outperforms expectations (Colts last year) so this rebuilding nonsense is just that.

Originally Posted by JustAnotherBearsFan99

I just go by what I see and not what I read. What I saw was poor play by Urlacher. What I've seen is a guy who can't stay on the field due to injuries, and (understandably) is slow to heal.......he's an old high-mileage body. Lots of heart, but like all great athletes, eventually age does catch up with people.

If Emery and Trestman believe that he can still play well enough to justify the cap money, then bring him back. And they will. But if they see someone who can no longer help the team, then now is the time to say goodbye.

Urlacher wouldn't want to be carried on the roster as a charity case.

He was certainly limited last season by his health. If he isn't able to use the off-season to recover I'd agree with you. But I assume he at least has a chance of getting healthy. If that chance is 50% I'd say he is worth the risk. If it is 25%.... then I'd have more reservations. But the Bears medical staff are the people with the best picture of what his chances are with an off-season of rest. Not us fans sitting around the keyboard.