Alaskan Grizzly

Naw, not completley stupid. He probably did save the team money. He's an on again, off again TE with Tackle experience. Could be worthwhile. And he went to Temple....like Rodriguez...for whatever that's worth.

Olin Kreutz didn't really have as much pull as did Urlacher. When Kreutz left, who on the offensive side "stepped up" as a leader? Cutler? He seems to still be the same as always. Garza? They are both "Captains" but not sure how they have "stepped up" in the absence of Kreutz. I'm not sure where on the defensive side you're going to see that leadership as much. Tillman? Briggs? (He's had his chance before and had difficulty in calling the defense in Urlacher's absence, hence why Roach stepped in), Peppers? (Has anyone ever heard the man speak? He seems to lead in action more than word. Below is an article that shed some insight to the goings back and forth. There was a better article somewhere else but I was unable to find it again. Anyhow a snippet: "The Bears original offer was a firm one-year contract for $2 million, Urlacher and his agent countered a two-year deal for $11.5 million. Urlacher was under the assumption the two parties would reach a deal somewhere in the middle, turns out there wouldn't be any negotiations. Urlacher's agents responded with a proposal of one year and $3.5 million deal, though the Bears management still wouldn't budge." http://www.examiner.com/article/brian-urla...offer-insulting I think what is happening in Baltimore is more a result of what happened with their not renegotiating with Flacco earlier in the year. They decided to wait it out and bingo, they won the Super Bowl. Oddly enough the Bears will find themselves in a similar role this year. Hopefully they were paying attention.

Can you say "irony"? You don't seem to understand the concept of what the management is doing to this team. Sure they are trying to put their stamp on the team, but they are burning bridges in the process. There are other players on the team that are taking note; Peppers, Jennings, Tillman, Briggs....all players that no doubt had a strong bond to Urlacher. If it wasn't evident in their play on the field, look at the time when Urlacher's mother passed. The team chartered a jet to attend her funeral. As someone pointed out earlier, this WAS more a family enviornment. It appears that its trending away from that. The traditional values and pride that some fans have to this team are being whittled away. You say its time to move on and get new blood but at what cost?

Devin Aramoshadu or Bernard Berrian?

Well said sir. Cheers to you.

Maybe he decided against going to Chicago because he heard Urlacher isn't staying? And maybe Captain talked to Moore?

Briggs, Tillman, Peppers, Jennings..and any other player that Urlacher had some influence to join the team could take this as a slap in their face as well. For what its worth, and more to the point of what Jason was saying, Urlacher was on course to lead the team in tackles before his hamstring injury late in the season. He was not playing horribly..that is fact. He was just not playing HOF caliber.

x2

And Heisman winner to boot. DHB was a player that intrigued me when he came into the draft. That was the year the Bears traded for Cutler and had just lost Booker (after his second tour). There seemed to be a lot of buzz at the time for WR talent. The Bears did draft Juaquin Iglecias and Johnny Knox that year and we know how that worked out. Anyway, still an intriguing thought.

Too bad. That's a shame.

After reading up on him a bit, it looks like injuries bugged him to start out. But, to be fair, he has been apart of a woeful team in the Raiders all of his career. He had Jemarus Russell, Jason Campbell and Carson Palmer (not the Palmer of old, but the old Palmer) as his QB's during his tenure. He was hit big time last year during a game with the Steelers...remember it well with all the highlights. It was a wicked shot that put him out cold for awhile. I think bringing up Bey in this discussion makes a lot of sense. He hasn't garnered a lot of interest (probably would be cheap) and could potentially replace Knox in the speed WR department.

I agree with all of this. Still am curious what the "asking price" is/was. I saw a reply last night that said Ray Lewis' cap hit was $4.95 Million, but how does that translate to Urlacher's "asking price"? Did he or his agent ever set a number? Or are they simply hoping for more than the $2 Million that Chicago originally offered them?

Meh...camp fodder.

I'm curious; where did this $5 Million / year figure come from? I understand that Urlacher may have been offered about $2 Million per from the Bears but haven't factually heard where this upper number came from. I'm not sure what Lewis was paid to play for the Ravens last year. However I believe that Urlacher's presence on the team is immeasurable. However there is some similarity to what Lewis' presence was to the Ravens. That being said, I don't know that the mere presence of Urlacher on the team for one or two more years is worth $5 million per year (don't really think that he does either) nor do I think he should settle for $2 Million. Somewhere in the middle is more reasonable.

Intriguing, especially given his draft status. But with his off field issues he could become a liability. If Lovie were still coach I would definitely encourage it. Maybe help him in character and skill building. Too bad the team didn't work something with Roach (trade wise).

They said the same thing about Warren Moon. Lol

Although he just resigned with Montreal does the NFL trump CFL? (I know the answer, just thought I'd ask).

What about Anthony Calvillio? Sure he's older (so is Peyton) and under a new contract but... He knows Trestmans offense. http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/footba...parture-1.49186

Yes Connor, thank you for reminding me of that...again. And ML...'bite me'. I for one an glad to see Bowman back, gives us Alaska fans someone to cheer for.

There are a few options still on the team, although not entirely attractive, in DiCicco, Costanzo, JT Thomas or 'yes' McClellin. All of these guys could potentially be developed if thought to be of any worth.

Don't know that "love" describes it, more like respect. Respect for wha the team is right now in no small part to his contribution. I beg to differ that he is not "competent" but maybe not as capable as he once was. Does that mean we just give up? As far as whether he makes the whole season, I wouldnt take the bet that Jason made you as normally I'm not a betting man. But if I were I'd be more likely to think hes going to play more than 12 games. As others have pointed out, he's had a full offseason to heal and will be focused to see it through. Looking too far into the future can cause you to lose focus on the present. Roach is gone and in your opinion so too should Urlacher. I'm not so sure that it's a wise choice to be so hasty. Having two starting LBs gone at once sounds more like rebuilding than 'building on'.

Daventry, I said it once and I'll say it again: I support Lovie Smith, am disappointed he's gone but will 'hope' the new regime can do better. As MadLith and I discussd, I am juxtaposed to where he was once. When Lovie was coach I was optimistic, he not so. Now we are swapped. I have "acknowledged" it now you need to comprehend that is where I stand. The reference to the Eagles and Redskins dripped of sarcasm. If you were unable to comprehend that, my bad. Since opinions are like therory, they can be flawed until scientifically (or statistically) proven otherwise. You say mine "seem flawed" then Ill surmise that you mean to say that I could be right. I suppose the fact remains to be played out. It sounds like we are about the same age but whether either of us was a fan most of our 40ish years it doesn't take away from one being more right than the other. My youngest is a fan and has been most of her 9 years. Does that make her any less? You can deride me further if you feel I necessary but I'll stay pat on my original thought. That being Urlacher deserves another shot as a Bear. Ill leave the expertise of contract negotiating to the experts.

Being one of the only Lovie supporters left I should mention that Tim Jennings was a direct result of Lovie's "player development".

He didn't, I did. Picture of Tebow.

Mr Daventry, what YOU need to put into context is what Jason wrote earlier...to which I replied: "What's funny is, he (Urlacher) is EXACTLY what's best for the team. Part of the reason the Bears got Peppers was, no doubt, because of the atmosphere Lovie created. Like him or not as a coach, the players enjoyed playing for him. That permeated to other players around the league. It told them the Bears were an organization to play for. A family. Dropping Urlacher now, when we already know the disparity for contract is minimal, says exactly the opposite." I will not argue that "players want to get paid". That is why when Dan Snyder took over in Washington we saw the Redskins win so many Super Bowls the following years. Or when Philadelpha opened up its pocket book a few years ago to construct an all star team (the same one that Vince Young declared "The Dream Team") and win back to back championships. What I prefer, as do most traditionalists (aka some Bears fans) want is for stability. Trading old for young, pricey for cheap doesn't always translate to wins. And since you brought it up, I make no qualms nor apologies for my support of Lovie. As was mentioned earlier his style (coaching or personality) is what brought our Defense to what it was known for these last few years.