I woke up this morning to Mike Mulligan's doomsday report in the Sun-Times regarding Brian Urlacher's contract demands and then Brad Biggs' follow-up in the online blog. One phrase keeps entering through my eyeballs, slipping down through my esophagus and tearing my heart into little shreds (forgive also my lack of how biology works): "His agents have also dropped the idea that he be allowed to explore a trade."
I don't care if it's true. I don't care if it's a negotiating ploy. All I know is that Brian Urlacher needs to be on every radio station in America - from WTEX in Dallas to WGAY in San Francisco - denying it before I've taken my post-coffee morning dump. I want to hear him call Mike Mulligan a liar. I want to hear him lie through his teeth about how much he loves the city of Chicago and the fans, how much he wants to spend the rest of his career in the navy and burnt, how much the organization means to him. I want this because I've looked around Soldier Field on a Sunday and there isn't a fanbase in the National Football League that celebrates and defends one of their own the way we defend Brian Urlacher. When he's called the most overrated player in the league, we stage a revolution that would make Jean Valjean jealous. When his personal life is attacked by Jay Mariotti, we say "at least he ain't fighting dogs."
Brian Urlacher owes us this. Football players don't need to be heroes but Brian Urlacher is getting pretty damn close. He's the shining star of an era quickly turning into darkness. He's what we hang our wool knit hat on after a long Sunday afternoon. He's our canon in a suburban park. And if he forces himself out of Chicago, it's Walter O'Malley moving the Dodgers. It's Wade Boggs riding a horse in pinstripes as Red Sox nation vomits in their collective toilets.
Be our guy. And we'll hang you shirt up on the stadium wall and make sure nobody ever wears it again. And Urlacher's Chicken & Biscuits will knock KFC out of the Chicagoland area. And we'll flock like we're following Moses to the promised land to see you enshrined. But don't you dare hold this fanbase emotionally hostage. Be our guy, goddamnit. How could you not?
ADDENDUM: mikebdot - always on top of things - dropped this link below. Urlacher refers to the Sun-Times report as a gossip column. I don't know why I stopped ignoring this paper but I'm about to start again.
#2 Shady McBears Fan said . . .He's not going anywhere.
Who's going to want him coming off back issues and neck surgery?
The Bears will make this go away with a hefty bonus without adding too many years to his deal.
These are the games they play. On both sides.
We need Brian and he needs us.
April 18, 2008
#3 Pissed Off said . . .Urlacher for Chad Johnson?
Anybody?
Anybody?
This league has become full of whiners, wah wah wah. You get paid millions to hit other people and catch balls, you lucky fuckers, stop bitching and moaning like a bunch of adolecents.
April 18, 2008
#4 Pissed Off said . . .I agree that Urlacher isnt going anywhere, and those who are saying trade him for Chad...not just you Shady...are CRAZY! You guys truly are nuttier than squirrel shit and should be banned from anything Bears related for the rest of your life for even asking such a question. OH MY GOD!
Now after I've taken a deep breath Urlacher needs to speak out....soon! This better all be a lie. Urlacher had the #1 selling NFL Jersey in 2007 for sure and I believe at least one other year before that as well. Fans love this guy all over the world. He is THEE Linebacker and he's not leaving....ever.
April 18, 2008
#5 mikebdot said . . .This all said, give him the money and the extension he wants. He's the best defensive player in football and when its all said and done he can be the best defensive player to ever lace em' up.
And 54 fan, your right, theres probably only 32 teams that would still want Urlacher coming off of injury. Geez.
April 18, 2008
#6 said . . .Have you pooped yet?
April 18, 2008
#7 Shady said . . .I was just saying that to get a rise out of you PO'd. To be honest 85 is just a pipe dream anyway.
Apparently Briggs and Gould aren't showing up either. How can Briggs be upset about his money? Didn't he just sign a new contract? Sure it's not what he hoped it would be, but dammit, you just signed your freakin name on the dotted line no less than a few months ago!
It's a slippery slope here for the Bears. If they give in they set a precedent that will allow other Bears players to follow suit: Not happy about your contract? Act like a whiney spoiled baby until you get your way.
And why would he Urlacher say he might retire because of neck injuries, then demand more money or a trade? Doesn't that pretty much eliminate his trade value? WTF?
These distractions will eventually take it's toll on the team and prevent it from performing like it's capable of.
Except I don't know who is more to blame: The players or the organization? Either way, if winning is the only thing that matters, then both sides are making HUGE mistakes.
April 18, 2008
#8 jeff said . . .#6 was me.
Re: 54 for 85, lemme quote Urlacher on this one:
"Could I see a scenario where I wouldn't be here? It would be if they traded me. But we all know that's not going to happen."
Why so much drama at Hala$ Hall?
April 18, 2008
#9 Pissed Off said . . .mikeb, great job.
April 18, 2008
#10 Shady said . . .MIkeb...terrific.
The report came out pretty quick that #54 never said that. Glad he did that. Glad it was so quick.
Shady Im the only one that said anything but I guarantee everyone was thinking what I said. And why is Chad a pipe dream? The vikes or bucs might be getting Jared Allen, is that a pipe dream? We got Moose the offseason after he was the best WR in football, was that pipe dream? Chad Johnson is more than attainable the Bengals front office just needs to see that they need to get rid of him.
April 18, 2008
#11 Prefontaine said . . .Because Chad Johnson, Mr. Ocho-Cinco, is not the kind of player the Chicago Bears are looking for. Not because of his production, but because of all the off-the field antics and distraction he causes for the team. The Bears look for players to fit "their way of doing things" before they even start to look at statistics. They have a history of letting "me" guys walk who put themselves before the team. The Chicago Bears organization has a way of selecting players who fit their system, and Chad Johnson is a guy who certainly DOESN'T fit the bill. I'm not saying I wouldn't like to see him in a Bears uni, I'm just tellin' you it 'aint gonna happen... Not to mention the already cap-troubled Bengals would take around a 6 million dollar hit by letting him go. Why would they? Why? I bet you teams around the NFL want the Bengals to tell CJ to shut up and play football so that he doesn't continue the trend of "unhappy" players complaining to the media non-stop about their football team until they get their way. The Bengals are a joke of a franchise because of things like this, the Bears would never let themselves fall into a position like that, although it looks like they're getting close with their contract situations.
If you want PO'd, we could make a little wager about whether or not it's gonna happen. If 85 does become a Bear, then I'll change my name to Shady McDouche Bag. If he doesn't, you change yours to Rex's Athletic Supporter. Deal? haha I guess you should get the odds on this one, see if you can figure out a way to make this interesting. I bet you he doesn't get traded at all, let alone to the Bears!
April 18, 2008
#12 said . . .Big fan of the Cinco Quatro!!!
Glad be is planning on sticking around
April 18, 2008
#13 Pissed Off said . . .Shady, See #28 on the previous thread. I'm not going to argue with you if your not going to read everything.
I really dont think the Bears will sign him becuase they arent competent enough to realize how much this guy could help. I'm not really into betting you that he will become a Bear cuz I dont think Cincy is letting him go, that coupled with the fact that the Bears front office is too ignorant to make the call doesnt make for good odds. I'd still do it with some odds in my favor but Im not sure even if I had 31-1 odds how that would work. Does that mean I could make you post under 31 different names if I won, like "Shady I dont know what the fuck I'm talking about McBears Fan" or "Shady unobjective tool McDouche Bag"? Either way your Rex cheap shot was pretty low but thats no surprise.
April 18, 2008
#14 Shady said . . .#12 was ME
April 18, 2008
#15 zisk said . . .RE: #28 What makes you so sure CJ would be different on the Bears? I would think it would get worse. I mean, do you hear what he's saying about his QB? Calling him a liar. You don't think a guy who calls himself ocho cinco and a future h.o.f would say anything about getting the ball enough from REX GROSSMAN or KYLE ORTON in a Lovie Smith "running off the bus" offense? C'mon.
And YOU calling ME nonobjective? Ha. That's rich.
And that 31 names to 1 is awesome, I like the "Shady I-don't-know-what-the fuck-I'm-talking-about-McBears Fan" especially. Funny 'cause it's true... but then again, neither do you. I'm thinking that the one for you will either be Rex's Athletic Supporter or maybe Given up on Grossman. I'll agree to your 31 names to one deal.
April 18, 2008
#16 Jason Nark said . . .I would never forgive the bears if they let Urlacher go, he is the bears. As much as I like Devin Hester he's not going to be in a fathead commercial tearing apart an office as a grizzly bear
April 18, 2008
#17 Matt said . . .Birds fans are coming to Chicago==beware.
http://www.jasonnark.com/2008/04/fog-you-chicago.html
April 19, 2008
#18 Phil from SATX said . . .I'm sure there's no way Urlacher would lie to the media, being that he holds them in such high regard.
Once again, be pissed at your old agent, not the Bears. They didn't force the pen in your hand.
April 19, 2008
#19 Viva said . . .Is there anything remotely constructive to argue about, or even talk about? This was obviously if not a non-issue, at least a very low-level, not very important issue. Right now we're a week from the draft, and I believe the BT is focusing on that and pretty much that alone. I'm sure wheels are in motion already with Tommie and Devin and Brian will be next.
Shady and PO'd, once again, no need to fight. Have to agree with Shady that ole Chad is not worth arguing about, it ain't going to happen in a gazillion years. Not our move, not our style, not our kind of guy, not any of it. So I can't get exercised over whether or not we SHOULD do it (for pure football reasons, of course we should - but maybe not for other reasons) - because it's Mega Moot.
Now if we were the character-less Cowboys we'd be all over this thing, and likely they will. Not that I'm saying you're character-less if you want Chad - he's not that bad. But the fucking Cowboys kill me. They're all over Pacman Jones, the guy who thought it was pretty damn dope to bring a trash bag full of $1 bills into a strip club to see what kind of fun he could stir up. And later (reportedly) had a girl by the hair and was bashing her head into the stage, repeatedly. The Cowboys would suit up Satan's illegitimate son if he was available.
I believe I differ from Jeff in this area, although I also think if I pushed him on it he'd reveal a somewhat different take. I don't want bad character guys on the team. Plain and simple. I'll take guys with mean streaks, I'll take humorless guys, I'll take high ego guys. But I don't want someone who would bash a woman's head on a stage, no matter how good he makes our team, no matter if he could promise us a Super Bowl by being on it.
The Bears seem to agree with me, and the worst that they'll do is pick up the occasional bad locker room guy. That's okay, those guys usually weed themselves out - the Me guys, the non-Team guys. You can survive them with a strong locker room and a strong coach. So we could deal with Chad, and if he remained bad, he'd be gone pretty soon.
BTW, I certainly don't put Tank Johnson in my definition of a bad character guy - he had a guns jones, and he stupidly had them around kids, and he liked to drink - but I don't think he was a bad guy. And saying that, I still agree with the decision in letting him go, he really forced the Bears' hand. A good 2nd round pick bites the dust. Wonder whether last year's 2nd rounder is ever going to do anything for us?
One week and we'll know a lot about 2008.
April 19, 2008
#20 Shady said . . .Fuck Mariotti - and the rest of the tabloid ilk @ the Sun Times!
April 19, 2008
#21 Shea said . . .Any1 else glad that our Rash decided to stick around for at least another year?
That's one Rash I DON'T want to get rid of.
April 19, 2008
#22 Megan said . . .It's always one thing or another with this team. There is no way Urlacher will be traded. JA will find a way to make #54 happy and he will retire a Bear.
Oh, and if anyone is interested: 7-round mock up at my site. It's pretty good if I do say so myself. hahaha.
April 19, 2008
#23 Z said . . .I just about attached a defibrillator to myself.. WTF??? Are you guys trying to KILL ME?? I have been away, being ever studious, decided to come here, catch up and WHAAAMOOOO.
Good Lord, don't do that to me. I read all the way down, I feel better but SHIT JEFF!?!
Did we get an answer on that yet? it has been almost 24 hours? Need an enema?
April 20, 2008
#24 Max said . . .Darrell Jackson 1.5 mill, ya he had a bad year last season but he was stuck on the 49ers. He has had some real good years. Worth 1.5 mill in my opinion plus 400k in incentives.
Hopefully Davis can have more impact catches next year with more opportunity.
Urlacher should honor the contract he signed and the Bears should make sure he is always the highest paid LB, shit defensive player on the team. 120 something tackles and 5 INT and 5 Sacks in an off year. Most jersies sold in the NFL. They should give him an extra performance bonus out of respect. Give him more $$ and Harris too and make a better offer to Hester and then up it again if he continues to get better after this season.
Come on draft. We need this one.
Our TE's would take a lot of pressure off of #85 if he was here and the running game was decent. Damn I hate selling out for me-1st players but he is pretty nasty.
April 20, 2008
#25 Al in WI said . . .RRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ok, so our receivers are still substandard. . . but i gotta love the fact that my boy is still on the squad. Big play Rashied!
April 20, 2008
#26 Z said . . .Have had to be away on biz that week or so, and will be again this week. So, I've been catching up on everything that going on.
I'm suprised by the Urlacher deal, though I don't fault him because of the contract realities of the new cap. I have confidence that it'll be taken care of before camp though, or at least not be an issue. Urlacher is the franchise.
I don't share the view that we got a great schedule from the league. I think we're getting screwed. Starting out with two road games against likely playoff teams is no favor. I also don't get how odd our schedule is this year with 2 on the road, 2 at home, 3 on the road, 3 at home pattern it has. I've never seen that before.
I like the home stands however, and the fact that 3 of our 4 primetime games are at home this year. That's a nice change from last year. And I think it's a bonus to have the Jags come here late in the year.
It's tough to gauge wins and losses at this point because this team has so many unknowns. And did so little in FA. So much of a schedule is when you catch a team too.April 20, 2008
#27 Prefontaine said . . .Oh yeah I almost forgot.
Jay Mariotti is a tool.
A dull, simple, angry little tool.
Trade # 54. How about F*@# YOU. Can we trade you for a different hack writer from another city.
April 20, 2008
#28 Rancid said . . .Rashied earned his contract with the catch vs. the Vikings in 2006. Saving a game and ensuring that this guy can come back and have a productive year. I still think Bradley can come out and perform big this year.
The WR will be fine, I still worry about the QB!
April 20, 2008
#29 Z said . . .Been gone all weekend. Took a short cruise. Read this and found out I didn't miss much.
1. Ocho Cinco - I'd take him for our 2nd, NOT #14
2. Just pay Urlacher. He's Urlacher, right?
3. Still trying to decide in my own mind what is more offensive to me as a diehard fan: People who have blogged on here in the past that they would like to see #4 in a Bears uniform or people now blogging that they would like to trade #54. Both are shit. Go away, go hang out with Mike on whatever blog he finally went to.
April 20, 2008
#30 Z said . . .And I also am not feeling this schedule as being particularly easy. Can we go 9-7 maybe 10-6 and make the playoffs? With a relatively healthy D and using our O weapons better (we have a few and I mean just a few) and if we get some real starters in those holes on the O-line, sure.
Let's see. Thanks NFL for the 2 road games against probable playoff teams to start the year. Oh well I never expect things to be easy for Chicago. Gotta fight thru and grind it out.
April 20, 2008
#31 Max said . . .This will be long.
So let's say we beat Tampa who is not that great (weak division last year. I live there and everyone was pretty suprised they made the playoffs). So at worst 1-3 to start (and I do think the Carolina[revenge on the bus throwing Moose] and Philadelphia games (just don't like them, probably cause of 4 NFC title games though they did embarass GB) will be scrappy, winnable games.
We better beat Atlanta on the road and let's say we win all of our division home games and lose all the road games (and I also think it is very possible that we could sweep any of our division foes [hopefully Det's AP will be hurt by week 8 and they will trade him to us for a full recovery and a HOF career]). So 3-1 in this stretch. Half way point 4-4 at worst with a loss to Det on the road in a game that I think the Bears will want revenge real bad.
At home against Tenn is very doable. Sure we have problems with mobile QB's and they got some of their old players back but this is going to be a big game for us (and especially for our safeties). So if we win at St. Louis and lose the 2 Div road games and Tenn. 1-3.
Then if we win at Houston and at GB and lost at home to Jack and NO that would be 2-2.
So in this nightmare scenario we would be 7-9.
The good news is that means that we would only have to have 2 of these things happen to be 9-7.
A win at home against Phi, Tenn, Jac or NO or on the road at Car or Ind or a win against any div foe on the road if we hold court at home.
That means win 2 of our 9 med to difficult games here to be 9-7 . Think we can do it? I do (I think our best chance is to sweep 2 out of 3 of our div enemies or take Tenn or NO at home. I think that 3 of those things will happen and we'll be 10-6)
April 20, 2008
#32 Matt said . . .If we get help at O-line, Rex limits mistakes, and we stay healthy, this team could go 10-6. Our losses would be @ Colts, vs Eagles, @ Lions, @ Vikings, vs Jacksonville ( i dont care what anyone says, Garrard isnt affected by the cold, the running game can run in any type of weather, and their D can be straight nasty) and add in one more game (vs Bucs or @ Houston??)
that said, we could also go 6-10 if the O-line takes time to mesh, Rex is bad Rex and we dont stay healthy, like last year. . . . im gonna stay positive but I will wait for season predictions till after the draft
April 21, 2008
#33 jeff said . . .Why in the hell are Bears fans getting their Zubaz in a knot about "trading Urlacher"?
What team in their right mind would trade for a player who is on the downside of his career with an arthritic back and who had "minor neck surgery"?
Let's see.....I would guess.....
Relax, for God's sake.
April 21, 2008
#34 animal said . . .matt, if you don't think teams wouldnt trade for urlacher, you're nuts.
April 21, 2008
#35 JB said . . .who saw the espn special on mcfadden?
awesome. just awesome.
1 of 12 kids. mamma's a crack whore (im not making this up).
one brother is a crip, one is a blood (how stupid is that?)
multiple arrests
multiple illegitimate kids with multiple womenjust incredible. no, thanks, we already have one head case at running back.
the only thing that could of made that story better is if he told the views how he likes to "make it rain!"
go ahead, rip me for being insensitive, but you just cant make that shit up
April 21, 2008
#36 Pissed Off said . . .welcome to draft week...where the 2008 season begins...because after this it's draft grades, mini-camps, then training camp...get pumped.
April 21, 2008
#37 Pissed Off said . . .Shady, I never said I'd make the deal, and I didnt read the linked article but I'm assuming its just an opinion, just like me and Jeff and apparently many others have one (want chad), just like you, Phil and others have one (dont want chad). And mine is that we should get Chad if he's attainable. I have my reasons, and you have yours, as well as others have theirs. I dont care if you dont like me or my stance with Rex but I will continue to support him, not athletically though as you suggest. I just think he's a good player with lots of potential and he needs some guys around him, mainly an O-line and some non-concreted fingered WRs. I've said this before but I think it might be a moot point anyway cuz he might not be available but if he is I have no character questions of him like you do if he's on this team.
I'll say it again as well, trading urlacher is the craziest thing someone could suggest. And to echo Jeff, there are about 31 other teams that would like Urlacher on their roster and would give up something to have him.
April 21, 2008
#38 Shady said . . .The last part of my 1st paragraph was regarding Chad.
April 21, 2008
#39 Matt said . . .I respect your opinions PO'd and admire your faith in Rex, so don't take it personally when I joke about Rex being "your boy". My Urlacher comment was also joke, I knew it would fire people up considering the responses from the last thread about CJ. No harm, no foul and Urlacher is still a Bear. By the way, that link I posted was to a Haugh article on why not to trade for CJ. First day of work and I'm wayyy in over my head, I need some Bears news to keep me relaxed.
April 21, 2008
Jeff, you can bet they would trade for him, but its sure as hell not going to be what Bears fans think he would be worth.
I heard Arkush say at best it would be a third-round pick.
From what I read here, nothing short of a first-round pick would be acceptable, sadly that's not realistic.
April 22, 2008
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.