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Brian Urlacher News & Rumors

Urlacher says Toradol use isn't rampant
January 25
Chicago Tribune
 
"Brian Urlacher's sprained knee is coming along just fine, and his progress has nothing to do with taking pain medicine. "The rehab is going good," Urlacher told the Tribune on Tuesday. "It's still not where I want to be, but the knee gets better and better every day. It's just stiff, but the range of motion is getting better. I still can't play golf though." Urlacher did not need surgery to repair the medial collateral ligament damage he suffered in the last game of the season against the Vikings, but it will prevent him from playing Sunday in the Pro Bowl."
Brian Urlacher gets injections to play
January 24
ESPN.com
 
"Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher loves the game so much that he gets pain-killing injections and would not admit to feeling like he had a concussion in order to stay on the field. Urlacher appeared on "Real Sports" on HBO and said that he has been shot up with Toradol, an anti-inflammatory that can decrease pain by reducing inflammation. "It's normal," Urlacher told "Real Sports". "You drop your pants, you get the alcohol, they give you a shot, put the Band-Aid on and you go out and play." Kremer points out in the segment that regularly using the drug can lead to kidney failure and gastrointestinal bleeding. Urlacher professed to not know the side effects but says it didn't really"
Bears' Urlacher admits he uses painkiller Toradol
January 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"Beating the Vikings in the season finale isn't the only thing that made the pain go away for Brian Urlacher The Bears middle linebacker acknowledged he uses the painkiller Toradol in the latest edition of "Real Sports" on HBO. "You drop your pants, you get the alcohol, they give you a shot, put the Band-Aid on, you go out and play," Urlacher told interviewer Andrea Kremer. "Not that big of a deal.""
Briggs, Urlacher ruled out of Pro Bowl
January 10
Chicago Tribune
 
"Running back Matt Forte is hoping to play in the Pro Bowl despite a knee injury, but two Chicago Bears linebackers won't be making the trip to Hawaii. Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher played in all 16 regular-season games, but neither will appear in the Jan. 29 all-star game in Hawaii. The NFL announced Monday that Briggs has been replaced by Minnesota's Chad Greenway, the first Pro Bowl appearance for the Vikings star. London Fletcher of the Washington Redskins also has been named to the NFC roster as an alternate, meaning he is replacing Urlacher."
Urlacher's knee injury not as bad as he feared
January 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"Brian Urlacher laughed at any suggestion he shouldn't have been on the field during the fourth quarter of Sunday's meaningless season finale at Minnesota. "That's just stupid to me," the Bears linebacker said Monday. "Who are the people saying that? Media? If there's a game and I'm healthy, I'm playing. I don't care what the situation is. Unless my coach pulls me out, my (butt) will be out there playing. I think every guy on the team will tell you the same thing." Urlacher fought until 5 minutes, 21 seconds remained in regulation, when he crumbled to the ground in pain following a collision with teammate Major Wright. Both attempted to make a play on the ball, and all of Wright's weight"
Major Wright does wrong as Brian Urlacher sprains knee
January 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It was a play that typified the Bears' demise this season — the aggressiveness that makes the Bears' defense what it is worked against the team Sunday. At least it seemed to when safety Major Wright saw a ball in the air in the end zone in the fourth quarter, tried to make a play and instead jumped on middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, who suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament when his left leg bent awkwardly as he fell. Vikings quarterback Joe Webb's pass for Percy Harvin was incomplete. So the Bears ended up with a consolation victory and the future of their best defensive player in doubt — that might not end up being a net gain. ''Our defense is coached to go after the ball; I"
After scare, Urlacher 'should be OK'
January 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"At the end of a season in which stars rolling around in pain has become a regular occurrence, the Bears had one final scare in the fourth quarter Sunday. Brian Urlacher jumped in the end zone for Joe Webb's high pass. It appeared he had a good chance at an interception. But Major Wright also went for the ball from behind Urlacher. The safety hit Urlacher and knocked him to the ground. "I was over the top of him," Wright said. "My weight landed on him." Nickel corner D.J. Moore went for the ball too, and he landed on Urlacher as well. "You can't be out there and decide not to go for the ball," Moore said. "If you decide to not go for the ball, the offense is going to end up catching it for"
Urlacher returns to practice
December 31
Chicago Tribune
 
"Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher returned to practice Friday after missing the previous two days with a knee injury. He is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Minnesota but is expected to play. "Always good to have our main guy out there,'' Lovie Smith said. ``Didn't see any issues with him today. All of the guys want to finish up strong. Brain is a big part of that.'' While Urlacher practiced, running back Marion Barber remained sidelined with a calf injury and is listed as doubtful. But Smith said Barber would be a game-time decision."
Urlacher happy Tillman made Pro Bowl
December 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"Brian Urlacher didn't exactly celebrate being selected to his eighth Pro Bowl, but the linebacker didn't disregard the honor, either. "You're always happy when you get recognized by people around the league,'' he said. Urlacher was more excited for cornerback Charles Tillman, who made his first Pro Bowl. The Bears lobbied hard for Tillman last year. "That's great for Peanut,'' Urlacher said. "It always happens that you don't go when you have your great year. You go the year after.''"
5 Bears named to Pro Bowl
December 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"Matt Forte's season ended Tuesday when the Bears placed him on injured reserve but the day brought some good news as the running back was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. Forte becomes the first offensive player general manager Jerry Angelo has drafted in 10 years to be selected to the all-star game, although he can't play because he was placed on IR with a sprained MCL in his right knee. Angelo now has selected eight Pro Bowl players in the last nine drafts."
Urlacher burnishing Hall credentials
November 17
Chicago Tribune
 
"On the day Brian Urlacher goes into the Pro Football Hall of Fame — a latter-career resurgence makes it a matter of when, not if — I wonder if he will thank Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby. I wonder if Urlacher will go Michael Jordan on us and use his induction speech to name names of people whose doubt or disrespect fueled his competitive fire on the way to enshrinement."
Brian Urlacher says his beloved late mother is 'on my mind all the time'
November 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The voice is distinctive, piercing and loud. "Hey, I'm sorry. I can't get to the phone right now. But if you leave me your name and number, I'll call you back as soon as I can. "Thank you." That is the custom greeting on the cell phone of Lavoyda Lenard, who died Sept. 12 in her suburban Dallas home at the age of 51. Two months later, Brian Urlacher still pays the $80 phone bill, so he and his family can hear Lavoyda's voice. He talked to her at least twice a week, and he text-messaged her constantly, since he wasn't a Facebook fixture like her. And while he's speed-dialed her number a few times to hear her voice, his 10-year-old daughter Pamela has called far more often. "Pamela talked to"
Urlacher, Briggs defend Payton, praise Rivera
September 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs voiced their opinions loudly about two members of the 1985 Bears. The star linebackers have had their personal lives dissected on more than one occasion so, naturally, each had a take on the recent expose of Walter Payton's private life. In Jeff Pearlman's new book, "Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton,'' Pearlman reports that Payton was involved in several extramarital affairs, fathered an illegitimate son and had suicidal thoughts."
Briggs, Urlacher come up big in 4th quarter
September 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"Bears linebackers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher took over in the fourth quarter Sunday, much like they did in last season's NFC title game and in last year's Bears-Packers matchup at Soldier Field. They kept their team within striking distance by creating two takeaways. Briggs stripped Packers running back James Starks, and the fumble was recovered by Julius Peppers. The turnover resulted in a Bears touchdown. On Green Bay's next series, Urlacher dove to intercept an Aaron Rodgers pass intended for tight end Jermichael Finley. "I was just doing my zone drop," Urlacher said. "I happened to be in the right area.""
After emotional week, Urlacher just wants to talk football
September 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"Anthony Adams paused for a second to keep from getting choked up. The Bears nose tackle couldn't mask the emotions he felt for teammate Brian Urlacher, whose mother, Lavoyda, died unexpectedly Monday. Urlacher took the field Sunday against the Saints, just a day after delivering a heartfelt speech at his mother's funeral in his hometown of Lovington, N.M. Adams, Chris Harris, Patrick Mannelly, Charles Tillman and Israel Idonije pitched in for a private plane to attend the service. Lance Briggs was part of the original contingent that included Chairman George McCaskey, President Ted Phillips, general manager Jerry Angelo, head coach Lovie Smith and linebackers coach Bob Babich."
Game of psychology when mom's death doesn't stop Urlacher from playing
September 18
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"If you noticed, most of the initial media reports about the death of Brian Urlacher's mom eventually got around to whether he would play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. There wasn't anything callous or unfeeling about it. If anything, that element should have been higher up in the stories for the simple reason that it was on the minds of most Bears' fans — right behind the question of how she died and the sadness they felt that anyone's mother should pass away at the tender age of 51. The consensus in all of the stories was unwritten but understood: Of course he's going to play. And the consensus was correct. He was back at practice Thursday, three days after his mother, Lavoyda,"
Bears likely to be better team as they unite behind grieving Urlacher
September 18
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Nobody knows exactly what to expect from Brian Urlacher when he takes the field Sunday, one day after his mother's funeral. The only sure thing is that his teammates will follow his lead. They can't truly feel his pain. But they're fueled by the same emotion. ''I think this week we've all been driven by it a little bit,'' said long snapper Pat Mannelly, a 14-year veteran and the only current player who was here when Urlacher arrived in 2000. ''We're a pretty close group of guys. When somebody has an issue, especially like a death like this, everybody rallies around him. I think everyone is motivated to play the game their own way, but I do think something like this might raise it a little"
As others before him, Urlacher can ease pain of losing parent on field
September 18
Chicago Tribune
 columnist David Haugh
"As usual, there was no stopping Walter Payton. The unexpected death of his father, Edward, on Dec. 11, 1978, gave Payton a jolt worse than any tackler ever could but an inexplicable force inside pushed him to keep fighting. The way the parent Payton just laid to rest would want, the way Chicago came to expect from a man who defined the Bears. "Walter and I talked about it and there really never was a doubt,'' recalled Eddie Payton, Walter's brother who was a member of the Chiefs at the time. "It wasn't a question of if we were going to play that week; it was a question of when we'd be back. We were committed first to our family and second to our teammates, who were like family. The team"
Bears support Urlacher at funeral for his mother
September 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bears organization made sure one of its own wasn't alone during a time of need. A large contingent of team executives, coaches and teammates flew to Lovington, N.M., to offer their support to linebacker Brian Urlacher at the funeral for his mother. Lavoyda Lenard, 51, died unexpectedly Monday at her Texas home, and a small, private service was held Saturday morning. In addition to the group that had planned to attend -- chairman George McCaskey, president Ted Phillips, general manager Jerry Angelo, coach Lovie Smith, linebackers coach Bob Babich and linebacker Lance Briggs -- several others made the trip."
Brian Urlacher's return pumps up Bears
September 16
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Even when Brian Urlacher left the Bears to grieve with his family after the sudden death of his mother, Lavoyda Lenard, it was expected that he would play against the Saints. But teammates were surprised to see him back so quickly Thursday. ''Brian's a warrior,'' defensive tackle Henry Melton said. ''I don't even know how I would handle that kind of loss. I reach out to him. It's a tough situation. He's amazing to be back [after two days].'' After leaving town Tuesday and missing practice Wednesday, Urlacher returned to Halas Hall and participated fully in practice."
Bears sending contingent to funeral for Urlacher's mother
September 16
Chicago Tribune
 
"Bears coach Lovie Smith didn't think twice about flying to Lovington, N.M., on Saturday to support Brian Urlacher at the funeral for the linebacker's mother, Lavoyda Lenard. Smith, Bears Chairman George McCaskey, President Ted Phillips, general manager Jerry Angelo, linebackers coach Bob Babich and linebacker Lance Briggs make up the contingent scheduled to attend the private 10 a.m. service. "Brian is family,'' Smith said. "We see it like a family member passed away. So of course we're going to be there. The Bears will be represented well. We want to be there to show our support and help Brian as much as we can through a tough time.''"
Bears rally around Brian Urlacher in wake of his mother's death
September 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, the Bears announced that middle linebacker Brian Urlacher was named the NFC's defensive player of the week. It was more icing to cap a brilliant season-opening 30-12 victory Sunday over the Atlanta Falcons, the NFC's top seed last postseason. But nearly 90 minutes later, the Bears — on behalf of Urlacher — issued a statement that puts the immensely popular NFL in perspective. "My mother, Lavoyda, unexpectedly passed away Monday at her home in Texas," Urlacher said in the statement. "My first priority right now is to be with my family as we mourn her loss and make the arrangements to lay her to rest. "This is a very difficult and emotional time for us, and I"
Brian Urlacher's toughest loss
September 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"There is irony in every mother's death. Soft or harsh, it's always there. We're born believing our mothers, our vessels to this world, will never leave us. But they do. They must. And the time is never right. When Lavoyda Lenard, Brian Urlacher's mother, died suddenly Monday at 51, the irony was fierce: Her resurgent middle-linebacker son was soon to be named the NFC defensive player of the week for his stellar play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. At his newest moment of glory, Urlacher abruptly lost the one person who makes such things as awards irrelevant to him. Urlacher has called his mother his "heart,'' and there must be a vast majority of pro ballplayers who feel the same about"
Bears have empathy with Urlacher
September 15
Chicago Tribune
 columnist David Haugh
"Sometimes on the football field, Bears cornerback D.J. Moore's mind still drifts to his older brother who was shot to death in May. Moore can be in full gear, wearing a helmet and shoulder pads, but nothing can protect his heart from aching. They have yet to invent football armor for that. "It's hard when you lose somebody in your family, but you just play because you know what to do and how to act on the field — it's football,'' Moore said Wednesday relating to the pain teammate Brian Urlacher must feel."
Brian Urlacher dealing with personal matter, status uncertain for a bit
September 14
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is dealing with a personal matter, and his status for the next few days is uncertain, according to two sources. Urlacher is coming off a brilliant performance in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, when he made a key diving interception late in the first quarter and recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown."
Urlacher attends to family emergency
September 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Brian Urlacher rushed out of town Tuesday to attend to a family emergency in Arizona involving his mother, the Tribune has learned. Urlacher is expected to be away from the Bears for several days and his status for Sunday's game against the Saints is unclear. Teammates, the coaching staff and members of the front office are aware of Urlacher's situation but no further information was available Tuesday night. The Bears took Monday and Tuesday off following Sunday's 30-12 season-opening victory over the Falcons in which Urlacher scored a touchdown on a fumble return and intercepted a Matt Ryan pass. He also had 10 tackles."
Brian Urlacher seems to be getting better with age
September 12
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Someday soon, the No. 54 jersey will be slower, less intimidating. It will be a step behind running backs out of the backfield, it will miss tackles, it will jump onto the pile of bodies late, rather than start the pile. It will be just another number on an aging player. A memory of what used to be. "Not yet,'' Bears defensive end Israel Idonije said with a smirk Sunday. "This guy is phenomenal, and, trust me, we are all going to continue to see him do some bigger things this season.'' If middle linebacker Brian Urlacher actually is due for bigger things than he showed in the Bears' 30-12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, well, opposing offensive coordinators might want to plop, plop,"
Bears' Urlacher showing no signs of age
September 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bears didn't introduce Brian Urlacher last out of the Soldier Field tunnel before Sunday's 30-12 victory over the Falcons so he could nap longer. And they didn't petition the league to play as many noon games as possible so Urlacher still can make the Early Bird Special. But if you were surprised to see the aging linebacker nimbly leave his feet to intercept quarterback Matt Ryan on the play that was the beginning of the end for the Falcons, you had company on the Bears sideline. "I couldn't believe he did that — not bad for Joe Paterno's brother," kidded defensive tackle Anthony Adams, who played for JoePa, now 84, at Penn State."
Urlacher on Meriweather: 'He can bring it'
September 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"Last October, Brian Urlacher mentioned Brandon Meriweather's hit on Todd Heap as the only vicious blow on a weekend full of violent collisions. Now, Urlacher can't wait for Meriweather to go out and stick someone. "He's a good football player,'' Urlacher said of his new Bears teammate. "Gosh, he's been to the Pro Bowl the last two seasons. I think he's going to help us. "I'm not sure yet about him learning the defense and if it's going to be a quick process for him or not. But once he gets it down, he's going to help.''"
Urlacher thinks Bears match up well with Falcons
September 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher fully understands the quality of opponent coming Sunday to Soldier Field. The Falcons finished as the NFC's top team last season with a 13-3 record. Quarterback Matt Ryan guided the league's fifth-best scoring offense. Not to mention the offensive weapons Ryan has in receiver Roddy White, rookie Julio Jones, tight end Tony Gonzalez and running back Michael Turner. "It's a big challenge for us,'' Urlacher said. "They do everything well. Every week, it's always going to be a challenge. "But you know what? We're pretty good, too. We think (the Falcons are) good. We definitely give them all the respect. But we match up well with them.''"
Urlacher won't practice; Bowman out vs. Giants
August 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is expected to miss Thursday night's practice as he continues to recover from what Lovie Smith called general soreness. Urlacher started individual drills during Wednesday's practice then was sidelined during 7-on-7 and full-team drills. His absence should allow the Bears to get a longer look at rookie Dom DeCicco, listed as the backup middle linebacker on the depth chart. Nick Roach played the middle Wednesday with Urlacher sidelined, and DeCicco could get Roach's second-team middle linebacker reps. Urlacher said his soreness is no big deal. He should be ready for Monday night's exhibition against the Giants."
Urlacher upbeat about Bears' rapid turnover
August 17
Chicago Tribune
 
"There are a lot of new faces hanging around the Chicago Bears training camp this season, so many that Brian Urlacher can't keep track. "This is the most turnover I've seen from one season to the next,'' the veteran linebacker said. "With the lockout ending the way it did, they had to sign a lot of guys so fast. But, yeah, I think it's helped us because we're going to be a better team.''"
Urlacher still leading by example
August 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"The face of the franchise felt more like a freckle back in August 2000. Brian Urlacher was the Bears' first-round draft pick, the future of the team, the new poster boy in town. None of those factors absolved him from the wrath of veteran teammates such as Bryan Robinson. "It was a preseason game during my rookie year,'' Urlacher recalled, "and I (goofed) on one of the blitzes. B-Rob went berserk on me yelling, 'You stupid mother (bleep).' I got embarrassed. I was like, 'I'm sorry,' because I didn't know what else to say. He laid into my ass pretty bad.'' Urlacher, who remains close friends with Robinson, becomes a little hesitant now when watching the growing pains of draft picks Stephen"
Sunday's practice update: Urlacher picks off Cutler
August 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"Brian Urlacher's interception of Jay Cutler during 7-on-7 drills highlighted Sunday night's practice at Olivet Nazarene University. Urlacher read Cutler's eyes as the quarterback zeroed in on Roy Williams over the middle. It was Cutler's lone interception of the night. Cutler completed 6-of-12 passes during the 7-on-7, but Earl Bennett had a drop and was out of bounds on one play. Bennett made up for it with two touchdowns in the red zone during the drill. Williams got heckled early for dropping a pass during individual drills but was cheered after a few nice catches throughout the course of the night."
Bears' Brian Urlacher: Turf situation is a joke
August 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Linebacker Brian Urlacher is just as incredulous as a lot of Bears regarding the chronic turf issues at Soldier Field. ''I don't understand why they don't have FieldTurf yet,'' Urlacher said Saturday at training camp. ''We're a fast team. We play fast on FieldTurf. The injury issues aren't as bad as they used to be. They've gone down a lot in the last few years with the way they've made the turf. So I don't understand it. Use our speed. Let us get out there and run." The artificial turf became an issue again Friday night when the Bears' Family Fest had to be canceled because open seams from a recent resodding at Soldier Field made the playing conditions hazardous. The Bears returned to"
Disgusted Urlacher lobbies for FieldTurf
August 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher voiced his displeasure with the Soldier Field playing surface a day after unsafe field conditions caused the team's Family Fest practice to be canceled. "It's a joke," Urlacher said. "I don't understand (why) they can't have the field ready. It sucks for the fans because I'm sure it was a pain in the butt to get down there with the all traffic and everything. I think coach (Lovie Smith) did the right thing in not letting us practice on that stuff." Tim LeFevour, general manager of Soldier Field, took responsibility for the playing surface being unsafe for the Bears' Family Fest practice Friday night, but LeFevour assured the field would be ready for next"
Urlacher blocks out criticism from Bengals' Jones
June 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher showed no signs that he's slowing down Thursday when he responded to criticism from the Cincinnati Bengals' Dhani Jones. Jones left Urlacher off his list of top-10 linebackers during a recent NFL Network appearance, asking, "When's the last time Brian Urlacher got off a block?" Jones, a sixth-round draft pick out of Michigan in 2000, has played for four NFL teams and is best known for his offseason work as an analyst and for his bow-tie business. "I think we were drafted in the same class, right? ... I haven't heard anything about him since then," Urlacher told "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on WMVP-AM 1000. "I saw him on a TV show with a bow tie on,"
Brian Urlacher rips Soldier Field turf
June 23
ESPN.com
 
"Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher believes he's on the most talented team in the NFC, but there is one thing the Green Bay Packers possess that makes Urlacher jealous. "Green Bay has awesome turf," Urlacher said Thursday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "The weather we play in, they have the same [weather]." Both Soldier Field and Lambeau Field have grass surfaces. "We played in the last game of the regular season there, and it was great," Urlacher said. "Look at ours, and it's beat up and looks horrible." Urlacher isn't the only player on the Bears -- or other teams -- to complain about Chicago's field conditions. "It is a disaster," Urlacher said. "I don't know what else"
Bengals LB Jones levels shot at Bears' Urlacher
June 21
Chicago Tribune
 
"Give Dhani Jones credit: The outspoken Cincinnati Bengals linebacker knows how to make a name for himself, the latest example being his recent shot at Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher. Jones, a three-time all-Big Ten selection at Michigan who has played for four NFL teams since being a sixth-round draft pick by the New York Giants in 2000, has written commentaries for ESPN.com and served as a correspondent for the NFL Network while also leading the Bengals in tackles the last three seasons."
Brian Urlacher has Bears QB Jay Cutler's back
May 24
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Sean Jensen
"Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, who was among the first to defend his quarterback in January, still is seething about questions regarding Jay Cutler's toughness. "It was stupid," Urlacher said Sunday, referring to other NFL players who criticized Cutler on Twitter after he left the NFC Championship Game in the third quarter. "Then all the guys that were trying to get attention, it was just dumb to me. They're not playing, so don't talk [trash] about someone who is playing. "If Jay could have been in there, he would have been. That's all I know. He's not a little [expletive]. He's a tough dude. He played hurt, and anyone who watches our games knows how tough he is." Still the face of the"
Urlacher still upset over Cutler criticism
January 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"Nearly a week after the Bears' heartbreaking loss to the Green Bay Packers, Pro-Bowl linebacker Brian Urlacher is still baffled by the criticism of quarterback Jay Cutler by current and former players. Urlacher, appearing Friday morning on the WMVP-AM 1000's "Waddle & Silvy Show," said the shots on Twitter from the likes of the Jacksonville Jaguars' Maurice Jones Drew "pissed" him off. "Anyone who knows Jay and has played with Jay and seen the hits he's taken in his career knows he's not a sissy. He's a tough guy. He goes out there every day and doesn't say anything about what's going on, just practices and plays and goes about his business. It really frustrated me. I didn't think it was"
Bears' Urlacher, Harris named 2nd-team All Pro
January 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"Julius Peppers and Devin Hester were named All Pro by the Associated Press on Monday, but they were not the only Chicago Bears who received votes. Brian Urlacher was a second-team All Pro at inside linebacker. The first-teamers at the position were Patrick Willis of the 49ers with 28 votes and Jerod Mayo of the Patriots with 21 votes. Urlacher finished one vote behind Mayo with 20. The other second-teamer at the position was Baltimore's Ray Lewis, who had 18 votes. Bears safety Chris Harris was one of eight players at his position to receive one vote, which placed him in an eight-way tie for second-team All Pro. Troy Polamalu of the Steelers and Ed Reed of the Ravens were the first-teamers"
Urlacher, Briggs back out of Pro Bowl
January 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"Chicago Bears linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs are taking a pass on playing in the Pro Bowl. Urlacher, who was selected to his seventh Pro Bowl in the most impressive season he has had since he was named the NFL's defensive player of the year in 2005, will be replaced in Sundays' all-star game by Washington linebacker London Fletcher, the Redskins said Monday. Briggs told the Tribune he also had no plans to make the trip to Hawaii, and the Carolina Panthers announced Monday that Jon Beason will take his place. The Bears' weak-side linebacker had been named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth consecutive season."
Brian Urlacher defends Jay Cutler
January 24
ESPN.com
 
"Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher vehemently defended the toughness of quarterback Jay Cutler, who left Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter with an injured left knee. The Packers won 21-14 as the Bears were forced to play third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie after second-stringer Todd Collins was ineffective. Cutler said he will undergo an MRI on Monday. "Jay was hurt," Urlacher said. "I don't question his toughness. He's tough as hell. He's one of the toughest guys on our football team. He doesn't bitch. He doesn't complain when he gets hit. He goes out there and plays his ass off every Sunday. He practices every single day. So, no, we don't"
Same arm, different purpose
January 24
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"He had the ball under his arm and nothing but brown grass in front of him. This was going to be perhaps the greatest Brian Urlacher highlight of all time. The clip of him returning an Aaron Rodgers interception for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in perhaps the most antici­pated game in Bears history would be replayed forevermore. The only thing between the Bears' iconic middle linebacker and the end zone was Rodgers himself. It was a mismatch if there ever was one. Then Urlacher tried to cut back, only to find Rodgers getting an arm on him, tripping him and sending him crashing down after a 39-yard return. Rodgers passed for 244 yards and ran for a touchdown in the Packers 21-14"
Urlacher, Briggs spark Bears' 'D' in 2nd half
January 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"Forever the optimist, Brian Urlacher, with his team trailing 14-0 in the third quarter, walked over to injured teammate Jay Cutler and posed a simple question. "I asked him if he would be able to play in the Super Bowl," Urlacher said. "I never at one point thought we were going to lose." Prior to Sunday, Urlacher had planned to bring his family on the field for the postgame celebration. Then he and fellow Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs nearly willed their team straight to Dallas. The defense kept the Bears in Sunday's NFC title game with Cutler sidelined most of the second half nursing a sprained knee. Urlacher and Briggs combined for 15 tackles and two interceptions, including"
Brian Urlacher rivals Julius Peppers as Bears' defensive MVP
January 23
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Dan Pompei
"Julius Peppers is a deserving candidate for NFL defensive player of the year. But you can make a strong case that Brian Urlacher has been at least as valuable to the Bears. According to coaches' statistics, Urlacher accounted for 14 percent of the team's tackles this season, compared with 5 percent for Peppers. Of course, Urlacher is supposed to make more tackles because of his position. Peppers is supposed to make more impact plays, and he has. But Urlacher has made a lot as well. When you combine sacks with tackles for a loss, Urlacher has made 15 plays in the opponent's backfield (four sacks, 11 tackles for a loss), compared with 14 for Peppers (eight sacks, six tackles for a loss)."
Urlacher and Matthews the backbones of their teams
January 22
Toronto Sun
 
"The legacy of both the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears is a long, and at times, storied one. At no position on either team is there a more colourful and ferocious list of athletes than those who roamed the field as linebackers. Historically, the linebacker slots on both teams were glory positions, filled with gladiators who are now the stuff of legend. On the Bears there are the likes of Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and if you want to go way back in time, Bronco Nagurski. The Packers, meanwhile, are led by the legend of the great Ray Nitschke as well as the likes of Dave Robinson and Fred Carr. On Sunday in the NFC Championship game, the spotlight will very much be on two excellent"
Brian Urlacher, Clay Matthews epitomize Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers
January 22
Arizona Republic
 
"It's the oldest rivalry in NFL history and it conjures up remembrances of what tradition in sports and between cities truly means and is supposed to be all about. Chicago vs. Green Bay says it all. For the 182nd time, the Bears and Packers will line up and try to destroy each other. Only this time, when they meet Sunday at Soldier Field, it will carry more importance than it has since 1941. That was the last and only time these two division rivals met in the postseason. This time, it's for the right to advance to the Super Bowl and a return to their glory days. And isn't it only fitting that two key players on opposite sides seem to symbolize the grit and greatness from yesteryear, back"