Urlacher GONE from Bears

[MikeO]

The Bears announced today they won't be re-signing Brian Urlacher.

Seems like more than a ploy to get him to come down on his price when you go out of your way to say you have decided to move forward without him

[masterfins]

At this point in his career all he is worth is the league minimum.  Old (by NFL standards - 35) and regularly injured.  He's not an everydown player, I wonder what he was expecting to get paid?

[masterfins]

The Bears offered him $2 million for one season, take it or leave it.  He left it.  Felt it was an insult.  I wish I could be insulted like this.

[CF DolFan]

Zach Thomas' last contract was a one year 3 million dollar deal with Dallas like 5 years ago.  I would think that Urlacher's leadership was worth at least that today. They apparently didnt want him back.

[MikeO]

Zach Thomas' last contract was a one year 3 million dollar deal with Dallas like 5 years ago.  I would think that Urlacher's leadership was worth at least that today. They apparently didnt want him back.

Nobody pays for leadership, that is a huge myth!

Urlacher said he would play for 1 year $2 mill, just not for the Bears at that price. He thought that was an insult because all he has done for them. If another team offered that he would take it though. Lots of players have that logic, they let pride get in the way of a good business decision.

[TonyB0D]

sign him to the veteran minimum filled with performace-based incentives.  if he doesn't pan out, give him his walking papers.

[Landshark]

Nobody pays for leadership, that is a huge myth!

Veteran leadership is a vastly underrated quality in the locker room.  One big reason why the Dolphins underperformed in 2001 after overperforming in 2000 is because they lost vets like Trace Armstrong and Richmond Webb.  Those guys were aging but could still get it done.

[MikeO]

Veteran leadership is a vastly underrated quality in the locker room.  One big reason why the Dolphins underperformed in 2001 after overperforming in 2000 is because they lost vets like Trace Armstrong and Richmond Webb.  Those guys were aging but could still get it done.

Not arguing that...but no team will pay more $$$ for a guy for his leadership alone!

[el diablo]

Which is why the TEAM aspect of a team is going by the wayside. League minimum for a guy who makes the team better by being there, is ridiculous.  Unfortunately the veterans are seeing what they truly signed up for with the last CBA.

[masterfins]

Veteran leadership is a vastly underrated quality in the locker room.  One big reason why the Dolphins underperformed in 2001 after overperforming in 2000 is because they lost vets like Trace Armstrong and Richmond Webb.  Those guys were aging but could still get it done.

If Urlacher stayed with the Bears, yes he would provide veteran leadership.  However, going to a new team it takes time to get the respect of players who have been with the team for years.  Since he only has a year or two left I don't think he would provide much leadership.  I don't think Richmond Webb provided much leadership when he went to the Browns, he was just trying to bank some final cash before retirement.

[Landshark]

If Urlacher stayed with the Bears, yes he would provide veteran leadership.  However, going to a new team it takes time to get the respect of players who have been with the team for years.  Since he only has a year or two left I don't think he would provide much leadership.  I don't think Richmond Webb provided much leadership when he went to the Browns, he was just trying to bank some final cash before retirement.

Exactly my point.  The Bears would be wise to bring him back.

[MikeO]

Exactly my point.  The Bears would be wise to bring him back.

To do what? Give pregame pep talks? He is a 35 year old linebacker who is shot and can't play anymore. What are you bringing him back for?

[EKnight]

To do what? Give pregame pep talks? He is a 35 year old linebacker who is shot and can't play anymore. What are you bringing him back for?

He STILL averaged 98 tackles per year over the past three years, only missed 4 games during that time (how's that "injury prone"?) and intercepted 5 balls and recovered 7 fumbles. Those INT and fumble numbers are equal to or better than what Dansby and Burnett accomplished COMBINED in Miami during the same stretch. You act like Urlacher is washed up because he missed 4 games last year. Somebody will get him at the cheap, and be a much better team for it. -EK

[MikeO]

^^ never called him injury prone 

And if he is so good how come nobody has signed him yet? Teams should have been knocking down his door from day 1 of free agency, they haven't!

[bsmooth]

^^ never called him injury prone 

And if he is so good how come nobody has signed him yet? Teams should have been knocking down his door from day 1 of free agency, they haven't!

Probably because of his age, they figure he will be on the market for a little while.