• Possible End of an Era

    by
    Rich Gapinski
    Published on 12-04-2012 05:10 PM
    7 Comments Comments


    It is time for fans of the Chicago Bears to get ready for the inevitable. Brian Urlacher will not always be the middle linebacker for the team. The end may be soon. The end may be now.

    Word came out today that the most recent cornerstone of the Monsters of the Midway will miss at least three weeks with a grade 2 hamstring strain. The injury occurred during the exciting end of the team's loss at home. He had a choice to stay about 15 yards down the field or to run towards Russell Wilson running out the pocket. He chose to chase and heard something pop. The Bears lost on a touchdown pass to Sidney Rice only a couple plays later.

    The injury that occurred during the final game of last season to his knee has been well-documented but not well-explained. Once Urlacher was unable to return quickly seven months after the injury, it became obvious that his knee would never be the same. He even opined the same statement. Everything that really happened during the off-season may never be known. Urlacher has been sly in comments about that, too.

    What the current situation means for Urlacher and the team is extremely important. It is possible that Chicago makes the playoffs with Dom DeCicco at MLB (re-signed today). It is possible that Urlacher will be back in four weeks. The report says three, but I think age and current leg strength will be a factor here. It also is possible that the Bears lose in Minnesota and at home against the Packers. It is possible that a quick death is coming to Lovie Smith's (He has modified it since he learned from Dungy) famed Cover 2 with no middle linebacker to run it.

    Urlacher has mentioned that a Super Bowl win this season would end his career. I could see a sad scenario where Urlacher tries to come back next year and just can't do it anymore. He has also said that he won't play if he knows he is not helping the team. It is time for Bears fans to start preparing for the end. A fitting end would be one more tipped pass over the middle or one more gang tackle in the hole with fellow linebacker Lance Briggs. Reality may not afford him the opportunity.

    Comments 7 Comments
    1. Docta's Avatar
      They don't really need an elite MLB for the defense to excel. Urlacher hasn't played that well this season, and the D has been fine.

      Roach might even be a better replacement at this point. McClellin has been getting more snaps at LB, and it's about time Geno Hayes played. DeCicco is just there for depth (I hope).
      Reply
    1. biggittyb's Avatar
      Nick Roach is not better than Urlacher. Roach is a better special teams guy than he is regular linebacker.
      Quote Originally Posted by Docta View Post
      They don't really need an elite MLB for the defense to excel. Urlacher hasn't played that well this season, and the D has been fine.

      Roach might even be a better replacement at this point. McClellin has been getting more snaps at LB, and it's about time Geno Hayes played. DeCicco is just there for depth (I hope).
      Reply
    1. Docta's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by biggittyb View Post
      Nick Roach is not better than Urlacher. Roach is a better special teams guy than he is regular linebacker.
      Urlacher will be missed for being the field general on D. Roach has improved since last year and is definitely faster than Urlacher at this point.
      Reply
    1. wxwax's Avatar
      Shoot, I saw this coming more than a year ago. Surely the Bears did too?
      Reply
    1. Rich Gapinski's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by wxwax View Post
      Shoot, I saw this coming more than a year ago. Surely the Bears did too?
      Drawing from my previous experiences with the Bears front office, I have to say no.
      Reply
    1. mikesteelnation1's Avatar
      I knew this felt like deja vu. Here's the preseason thread we discussed the same thing..

      http://footballpros.com/content.php/...thout-Urlacher

      My views really haven't changed. Cfb doesnt develop mike's that can effectively run the mike in this d. At least not to the level to execute like they have this year.

      Guess we wait and see..
      Reply
    1. iwatt's Avatar
      We should draft the kid out of Notre Dame. Must keep the proud tradition of Mlb going.

      Urlacher is no longer as fast, but his ability to read QBs and schemes will be sorely missed. Why are the Bears so opportunistic given the back 7 isn't really athletic? Veteran saavy, and that is lead by 54.
      Reply