I have to say, I was a bit surprised when I heard the news that the Bears basically told Urlacher to take a hike. I am sad to see him go but I know it was time. I am not sure how the contracts work in the NFL, but if there was some type of incentive-laden deal, then I thought the Bears should have offered it. It would be something like starting all games, playing a certain amount of plays, etc. and then, base the salary off of that. Regardless though, Brian Urlacher will be in another uniform next year.
Like I said above, it will suck. He was one of my favorite players growing up. I know he said some shit about the fans booing them at games and I admit, I was pissed that he said that. My brother and I spend a lot of money every year on tickets so when the team sucks, we’e going to boo the hell out of them. Some people there even throw up their middle fingers as the players and coaches head towards the tunnel. If my seats were that close, I’d probably do the same thing. I saw his last game as a Bear as he limped off the field right before Russell Wilson won the game in overtime for the Seahawks. Side tracking here, fuck the Seahawks and their scumbag coach, Pete Carroll. Moving on.
This is how it is going to be though. The Bears, for the first time in my life, have football people in their front office making football decisions. They aren’t here to satisfy the idiotic Bears fans who call up The Score demanding that Doug Buffone becomes the defensive coordinator. I wouldn’t say they low-balled Urlacher, but they weren’t going to give in to his demands, especially with the team being close to the salary cap. I think Phil Emery and Marc Trestman are smart enough to know that Devin Hester is more valuable (as a punt/kick returner only) than Urlacher would have been. Even without bringing him back, they still have a lot of work to do to stay under the cap and be able to compete at the same time.
The last thing I’ll say is that I don’t think we would have seen this day if it wasn’t for Lovie Smith. He played him in the final game the previous season and it screwed up his knee which might have lead to his hamstring injury in the game against the fucking Seahawks. Lovie didn’t call a timeout as the defense was getting ran over in the final drive so that might have been a reason as well. I believe it was the same leg too. If anybody remembers, Urlacher was playing like he was 25 again in 2010 and 2011. When this past season rolled around, he clearly wasn’t the same and it was probably because of that knee that Lovie caused to get injured. I am still so damn happy that him and Jerry Angelo are out of town. Those two guys were people who impostered football people and they are another reason why Urlacher didn’t get a ring.
Here’s to you Brian. Thanks for 13 seasons.
Fire Ryan Poles | Fire Matt Eberflus 
March 21, 2013 at 2:19 pm
This is a good writeup. I don’t agree with the last paragraph so much but the rest is spot on. Your quote about we have football people making football decisions is fantastic. Bear fans need to get over the dumb hero worship (your caller into the score demanding Buffone be installed as the DC was briliant) and understand that this is a business that needs to be worked at and worked on constantly at a very high level to be successful.
March 21, 2013 at 6:37 pm
Yeah. Not a lot of people do agree with what I say but it’s all good. I am looking forward to the draft. They only have five picks though so you almost wonder if they are going trade down to save some cash and get more players in the process. There’s still only one linebacker under contract which, of course, is Briggs.
March 21, 2013 at 7:59 pm
I also am looking forward to the draft. Should be interesting to see if Emery has anything up his sleeve.
March 22, 2013 at 4:48 pm
Agree with everything Fro. The new guys have no loyalties to any player and this move sends that message loud and clear. It also says “Cutler you could be next”.