Brian Urlacher News: Pro Sports Daily

Urlacher sought leniency for 'father figure' Vrdolyak

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November 14

Chicago Sun-Times

"He was a longtime political insider, but former Chicago Ald. Ed Vrdolyak apparently forged some close ties to Bears players, too. Before Vrdolyak's sentencing earlier this year, Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and former Bear Terry "Tank" Johnson each wrote letters to a federal judge, asking for leniency for Vrdolyak, newly unsealed court documents show. In his letter, Urlacher described Vrdolyak as a "father figure" and said he got to know him after becoming friends with Vrdolyak's son Eddie. "It is clear to anyone lucky enough to know him that all his actions are motivated by good intentions," Urlacher wrote. Johnson, who faced legal troubles during his time here, wrote: "During my ..."

Bears' defensive problems more than absence of Brian Urlacher

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November 1

Chicago Tribune

"Maybe the communication problems in Cincinnati wouldn't have occurred last Sunday if the six-time Pro Bowler had been there to relay the play calls. Maybe Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez would have failed to break loose with No. 54 in coverage on Oct. 18. But if Brian Urlacher believes he would have made a difference in the Bears' last two games, he won't admit it. "I've gotten beat on shake routes, too," Urlacher said, referring to Gonzalez's touchdown against the Bears at Atlanta. "They're hard, man. "I think Nick (Roach) and Hunter (Hillenmeyer) have both done a good job. (Middle linebacker) is not easy to do on the run. In this defense, we do a lot of checks. We've evolved the last ..."

Filling big shoes sometimes overwhelming mental task

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September 20

Chicago Tribune

"Dealing with the anxiety of replacing the injured Dick Butkus in the Bears starting lineup for the rest of the 1973 season, backup middle linebacker Don Rives relied on some of his favorite football clichés. One game at a time. One play at a time. One puff at a time. "[Teammate] Doug Buffone knew how scared I was, so at halftime of that first game against Detroit, he was feeding me cigarettes, saying, 'Don't be nervous, don't be nervous,' " recalled Rives, a Bears linebacker from 1973-78. "We always smoked before kickoff and at halftime, but I remember it was a lot heavier that game." The burden also can feel heavier for nondescript players forced to replace icons of the franchise. Back in ..."

Chicago Bears Brian Urlacher sues memorabilia company

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September 18

Chicago Tribune

"Talk about a bad week for middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. On Tuesday, two days after suffering a season-ending right wrist injury in an opening night loss to the Packers in Green Bay, the Bears captain says a sports memorabilia and licensing firm terminated his $1.1 million contract. Attorneys for the Pro Bowl linebacker filed suit Thursday against the company, Dream Inc., claiming the Florida firm was trying to use the injury to "wiggle out" of its financial obligations to Urlacher. He would have realized at least $600,000 in profits if the four-year deal wasn't breached, the suit alleged. At issue is whether Urlacher violated a clause in his contract with Dream that allows the firm to ..."

With Cutler in starring role, Urlacher era may be over

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September 15

Chicago Sun-Times

columnist Neil Hayes

"The Brian Urlacher era ended on the same night the Jay Cutler era began. That's one of the few things that seem clear after a game that was so like a midair collision that it will take days and weeks of sifting through the wreckage to find the black box that tells us what it all means. Our last image of Brian Urlacher in 2009 is of him planting Aaron Rodgers with a hit that was as clean as it was vicious. It may be one of the final scenes of a Hall of Fame career. Tick, tock. Urlacher isn't getting any younger, and the days when the Bears were built around middle linebackers have ended. Ding, dong. As painful as it might be for Bears fans to hear, the bells are tolling for Urlacher. He ..."

Bears coping for the best

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September 15

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Bears will encounter a bigger test than the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Soldier Field. They have to find a way to improve their underachieving defense of the last two seasons without Brian Urlacher. Insult Sunday night at Lambeau Field turned to serious injury Monday morning when the franchise learned Urlacher will miss the rest of the season after surgery to repair his dislocated right wrist. It's a significant blow for a defense hoping to regain form with coach Lovie Smith now at the controls. The 31-year-old reported to training camp in what he called his best shape in a couple of years, and now a team already hoping to improve despite the departure of ..."

Who will miss their defensive star most, the Bears or Steelers?

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September 15

Chicago Tribune

"Together, Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and Steelers safety Troy Polamalu have made 11 Pro Bowl appearances -- Urlacher six and Polamalu five. But when their teams play each other Sunday at Soldier Field, neither defensive star will play. Urlacher broke the lunate bone in his right wrist and underwent surgery Monday that will require him to wear a cast for 12 weeks and spend another four in recovery. Polamalu sprained his left knee in the Steelers' opener Thursday and could miss up to six weeks."

Bears can survive loss of Brian Urlacher

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September 15

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"He picked up the phone on the first ring. That seldom happens when a reporter calls Brian Urlacher, but on this April day, the Bears middle linebacker was ready to burst with joy. Shock. Relief. Whatever emotions flooded Urlacher, when he started talking about the Bears' trade for Jay Cutler, the words tumbled out even faster than usual. Urlacher hadn't been this excited about football in years. This changes everything, he swore. He was so eager to start his 10th NFL season that, for the first time in years, he stayed in Lake Forest for the summer so he could report in the best shape of his life. And now this. Wrist surgery Monday to repair the lunate bone has ended Urlacher's year before ..."

Brian Urlacher likely out for the season with wrist injury

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September 14

Chicago Tribune

"Brian Urlacher appears to be out for the season after dislocating his right wrist, the linebacker said Monday. The team has not given the official word, but Lovie Smith is expected to address the issue during his afternoon press conference. Urlacher injured his wrist in the first quarter of Sunday's 21-15 loss to the Packers. He was ruled out after halftime. When asked about his status Monday, Urlacher said in a text message that his ``season is over.'' He was scheduled to undergo surgery Monday morning upon the team's arrival back in Chicago from Green Bay. A dislocated bone had to be surgerically put back in. The surgery might have revealed more extensive damage. The Bears defensive ..."

Urlacher knocked out with wrist injury

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September 14

Chicago Sun-Times

"Brian Urlacher was knocked out of the season opener Sunday night at Lambeau Field with a dislocated right wrist, and he was only the headliner on a lengthy list of players who will fill the training room. Urlacher was injured in the first half and was replaced by Hunter Hillenmeyer. He left the stadium wearing a brace, and there was no word whether he will require surgery, which would sideline him for at least a few weeks. Strong-side linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa had a teammate roll into his right knee on the first series of the game, and he left with a large brace on his leg. Tinoisamoa is expected to have an MRI exam today. ''It was a kind of a freakish thing,'' he said. ''I thought I was ..."

After rehab blues, old Urlacher is back for Bears

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September 11

Chicago Sun-Times

"The first order of business for Bears coach Lovie Smith this offseason was to get back to business as soon as possible. That meant a minicamp in mid-March and six full months of preparation for Sunday's season opener against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The whole while, talk has been about the resurgence of Brian Urlacher, the man at the center of the Bears' defense for his 10th season. For the last two seasons, the six-time Pro Bowl performer had not been the same player for the Bears. Offseason neck surgery slowed him last season. Previously a 258-pounder, he played in the 240s and was robbed of some of his strength. The year before, he routinely was held out of training camp ..."

Afalava, Cutler, Urlacher, Williams make good impressions in Bears camp

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August 21

Chicago Sun-Times

"A camp with record crowds couldn't have been any more quiet for the Bears, who closed up shop at Olivet Nazarene University on Thursday evening after a 22-day stay. Jay Cutler was introduced to raving crowds, and after a short flare-up the day players arrived when he and Brian Urlacher professed their undying respect as teammates no matter what Bobby Wade said in Minnesota, it was the kind of camp every coach dreams about. Defensive tackle Marcus Harrison had to get in shape before he was cleared. Cornerback Zack Bowman went down with a pulled hamstring after a week, but not before turning heads. Free safety Danieal Manning reinjured his hamstring. The biggest news dropped in camp when ..."

Familiar foe just refuses to pack it in

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August 19

Chicago Sun-Times

"As Hunter Hillenmeyer climbed off his bicycle in front of the dining hall at Olivet Nazarene University on Tuesday morning, he was asked about the return of Brett Favre to the NFC North. Having just emerged from meetings, Hillenmeyer was unaware of the Mississippi-to-Minnesota developments and looked puzzled. ''What is the story?'' he asked before being filled in on Favre signing with the Vikings. ''Really?'' The longtime Bears nemesis is back, and he'll face them Nov.29 in Minneapolis and in the Bears' regular-season home finale Dec. 28 at Soldier Field on ''Monday Night Football.'' Favre is 5-0 against the Bears on Mondays. He embarrassed them the night the jersey numbers for Dick Butkus ..."

Chicago Bears' Brian Urlacher confident of rising playing level

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August 5

Chicago Tribune

"The pass was a laser over the middle, high and fast enough for any quarterback to let it go without worry. But Brian Urlacher somehow managed to twist his body and shoot his arms in the air to intercept Jay Cutler. It was one of those old Urlacher plays that have been too few lately. "I'm back," Urlacher said when asked about the play. "I feel good again. It feels good to be able to move around. I can run and sprint now. I even look fast sometimes. "It has been two years since I felt normal. I still have aches and pains. I'm 31 years old -- I'm going to have pains. But I'm moving as well as I have in a long time, and it's exciting." It's also exciting for Urlacher to be playing with a ..."

Chicago Bears put Jay Cutler-Brian Urlacher fodder behind them

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July 31

Chicago Tribune

"On the other end of the line was Jay Cutler, and one can only wonder how his name pops up on the caller ID of Brian Urlacher's cell phone. "Jay C.?" "No. 6?" Or maybe the word Vikings wide receiver Bobby Wade accused Urlacher of calling Cutler on KFAN-AM, a derogatory term for wimp? We only know that Urlacher's greeting made it clear that he knew who was calling. "[Cutler] called me and I said, 'What's up [wimp], what are you doing?' " a smiling Urlacher said Thursday after reporting to Olivet Nazarene University for training camp. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point." Urlacher would get no argument from most of the 25 members of the Chicago media surrounding him on a golf ..."

Wade comment makes Bears' Urlacher growl

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July 30

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Is Bobby Wade already trying to get the Vikings an edge over NFC North rival Chicago by creating friction in the Bears locker room? He started a controversy Wednesday when he told a Twin Cities radio station that Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher used a derogatory word to describe new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. "Jay Cutler is a good player," Wade said during an appearance on Paul Allen's show on KFAN Radio. "Obviously, it's a much different environment going from Denver to play in Chicago. Chicago is a tough club to play for. What is so funny, I actually saw Brian Urlacher this past weekend in Las Vegas, and we had a long conversation. I don't want to get him in trouble, but it wasn't ..."

Enormously jealous Urlacher can't admit it's Cutler's team now

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July 30

Chicago Sun-Times

"Iconsumed more than three hours of talk radio Wednesday afternoon. I surfed the Internet incessantly to read what people are saying about Brian Urlacher's alleged inflammatory comment about Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. In case you missed it, here's what Minnesota Vikings receiver Bobby Wade said on a Minneapolis radio station Wednesday about a recent conversation he had with Urlacher, his former teammate, in Las Vegas: ''Jay Cutler is a good player,'' Wade said. ''Obviously, it's a much different environment going from Denver to play in Chicago. Chicago is a tough club to play for. What is so funny, I actually saw Brian Urlacher this past weekend in Las Vegas, and we had a long ..."

Signs of discord on Chicago Bears?

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July 30

Chicago Tribune

"So Vikings wide receiver Bobby Wade tried driving a wedge between Brian Urlacher and Jay Cutler roughly a week after Packers wide receiver Donald Driver criticized the Bears' wide receivers. Can't wait to hear Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson's take on the Bears' secondary. Anybody else in the NFC North have a thought on the Bears? As distractions in Bourbonnais go, this rates up there with a mosquito. Any annoying buzz was smashed quickly. Wade called Urlacher to apologize Wednesday once he realized his reckless comments on KFAN-AM -- saying Urlacher called Cutler a profane substitute for "wimp" last weekend during a trip to Las Vegas -- had caused a stir. In this digital age, light a ..."

Brian Urlacher, other ailing Bears hit rest time

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June 18

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Bears got through the offseason program in the nick of time as a handful of star players remained sidelined with injuries. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is still out with a groin injury. That's not a huge concern in mid-June, but considering a hamstring injury in late July 2004 was an issue for the entire season, it's something to monitor. Urlacher did some jogging on the side with Hunter Hillenmeyer, who missed the entire offseason program to recover from surgery to repair a sports hernia. ''Once you've gone through an entire offseason, a lot of players have sore muscles -- no more than that,'' coach Lovie Smith said. ''I'm putting Brian along with quite a few other players that we ..."

Brian Urlacher spotted in Vegas with George Clooney's ex

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February 19

Chicago Tribune

"Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher apparently had a happy Valentine's Day. The Las Vegas Journal Review reports Urlacher was spotted at The Bank, a nightclub in Sin City's Bellagio, with former George Clooney girlfriend Sarah Larson, who once was a cocktail waitress at The Palms. "They were holding hands, definitely on a Valentine's Day date," a spy told the paper. Larson, 30, who was one of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People in 2008, and Clooney were spotted a year ago in Las Vegas on Valentine's Day but split three months later, leaving Larson "devastated," according to reports. Looks like she has bounced back nicely."

Bears should offer Brian Urlacher for Cardinals' Anquan Boldin

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February 15

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"Unless my spam filter is on the fritz, I did not receive the e-mail that agent Drew Rosenhaus is said to have sent all 32 NFL teams urging them to trade for wide receiver clients Anquan Boldin, Chad Johnson and Plaxico Burress. But if I had, this would be my reply in regard to Boldin specifically — with the Bears' best interests in mind, of course, even if that means using Brian Urlacher as trade bait. Drew, So you're looking for a taker for Anquan Boldin? Next question. (I've always wanted to say that to you on behalf of all the reporters and fans you have cut off midsentence.) Truth is, it's a timely question to ask here in Chicago. The Bulls aren't the only team in town that would love ..."

Bears' Brian Urlacher blitzes 'unwarranted' criticism

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January 1

Chicago Tribune

"Anytime he missed a tackle or got pushed to the ground by a 300-pound lineman, Brian Urlacher became an easy target for those figuring he had lost a step. Now that the Bears' season is over, the face of the team wanted to tackle his critics. "I'm tired of criticism that is unwarranted," he said. "People who say stuff about me, they don't know our defense. They don't know football. "Yes, I wish I would have made a lot more big plays. Obviously, everyone could say that on our defense. I wish I was around the ball more, but I wasn't. Just the way things worked out this season." The Bears rewarded Urlacher with a one-year contract extension before the season, an extension that included $6 ..."

Urlacher on Pro Bowl: It's all about popularity

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December 20

Chicago Sun-Times

"Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said he isn't bothered about not making the Pro Bowl because it's ''a popularity contest'' and admitted he doesn't always vote for the player who deserves it the most. Appearing as a guest Friday on WMVP-AM (1000), Urlacher said he votes for players he likes and for players who won't take a spot from one of his teammates. ''If people like you, they're going to vote for you,'' Urlacher said. ''That's all there is to it. As a player, I vote for guys I like, not necessarily guys who have good years. If there's a center who's going to keep Olin Kreutz out of the Pro Bowl, I won't vote for him. I don't know if all teams do that, but that's the way I do it.'' ..."

Bears working on their core

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December 7

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"Inevitably these days, when out-of-town reporters get an audience with middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, they wonder. This week's teleconference with Jacksonville reporters was the latest example. "How long do you think you can play?" Urlacher, 30, was asked. "Until I'm done," he answered. "I think I'll have a good idea when it's time." Only he knows when. But Urlacher publicly pondering his retirement near the end of his ninth season brought necessary attention to the Bears' revised Super Bowl calendar. How long till they go back? What role, if any, will veterans such as Urlacher play in that process? This season was the fifth in coach Lovie Smith's five-year plan, ideally intended to ..."

Urlacher lashes out at 'unreasonable' mother of his son

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November 27

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"God punished Brian Urlacher for being a bad father by giving him a bad back. Nine NFL seasons of taking on fullbacks and offensive linemen didn't do it. The big pulling guard in the sky did. Sound a little outlandish? Consider the source. Tyna Robertson espoused it to Urlacher in a text message during a recent rant to the father of their son, 3-year-old Kennedy. The same Tyna Robertson who was ordered last year by a judge to pay dancer Michael Flatley $11 million for bringing a false rape charge. "Stuff like that just shows how … unreasonable she is," Urlacher said Wednesday in an exclusive interview with the Tribune. Robertson's role during the most important practice week in this Bears ..."

Veterans baffle GM as well

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November 17

Chicago Tribune

"Count Jerry Angelo among those baffled by Brian Urlacher's limited production this year relative to his Pro Bowl seasons. Of all the factors offered as explanations for a decline in Urlacher's tackles, sacks and interceptions, the Bears general manager knows only what the problem isn't. "It's not lack of effort," Angelo said Sunday before Urlacher made his first interception and was as active as he had been all season. "He's doing that." Angelo draws his own conclusions by breaking down tape of Urlacher and other players after every game. He sees many of the same traits in the middle linebacker that were obvious during dominant seasons. "We're not seeing the big plays from Brian that he's ..."

Urlacher gets paid but earns nothing

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November 13

Chicago Sun-Times

columnist Dan McNeil

"Jerry Angelo shrugged off threats by pouty linebacker Brian Urlacher last summer. Unhappy with the $25.5 million he had remaining on his deal, Urlacher couldn't find Lake Forest in the offseason and made noise he may not know the way to Bourbonnais. Asked if he thought the six-time Pro Bowler was trying to hold a gun to his head, Angelo offered a chesty response. ''If he does, it's a water pistol,'' he told Harry Teinowitz of WMVP-AM (1000). Urlacher and agents Pat Dye Jr. and Bill Johnson are having the last laugh. Angelo may have perceived the threat to be an idle one, but he caved. He rewarded the favorite son of Lovington, N.M., with $18 million in new money, including a $6 million ..."

Urlacher caught in the middle

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November 13

Chicago Sun-Times

"If Brian Urlacher has as much disdain for the Bears' cover-2 defense as many suggest, he was circling the wagons around Lovie Smith's beleaguered scheme Wednesday, protecting his head coach and, by proxy, defensive coordinator Bob Babich. Urlacher, at the center of an embattled defense that ranks 17th in the league despite major investments from front to back, has come into focus with five tackles or fewer in four of the last five games. It's not the kind of production anyone is accustomed to from the face of the franchise, who clamored for a new contract in the offseason until getting a one-year, $18 million extension just before training camp. But in a conference call with media in Green ..."

Urlacher angered by fans' booing of Grossman

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November 4

Chicago Tribune

"Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher saw no problem with waving his hands to the fans after they booed the defense's second-quarter struggles Sunday against the Lions. Urlacher wiggled his fingers in the air as he departed the field at halftime, a gesture interpreted as mocking toward the jeering fans. His actions fueled criticism on talk-radio shows Monday morning, particularly from those displeased with the way the six-time Pro Bowler has played this season. "I was just putting my hands in the air," Urlacher said Monday. "On third down, when the fans are cheering and we throw our arms up for them to scream louder, what's the difference? If I choose to do it when they're booing, there's ..."

NFL fines Urlacher $20,000

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October 19

Chicago Sun-Times

"Tommie Harris' bizarre fumble Sunday at Atlanta proved to be more costly than originally thought. Not only did it give the Falcons the ball deep in Bears territory in the second quarter of their 22-20 loss, it wound up costing Brian Urlacher big. The middle linebacker was fined $20,000 for abusive conduct toward a game official after he complained following the unusual play, as first reported Friday at suntimes.com. Urlacher drew an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty after Harris had recovered Jerious Norwood's fumble at the Bears' 23-yard line and then inexplicably coughed the ball up, turning it over to the Falcons. Replays showed Harris was attempting to lateral the ball to teammates. He ..."

Spouting off gets Urlacher $20K fine

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October 18

Chicago Tribune

"Commissioner Roger Goodell is cracking down on personal conduct on the field too. The NFL has fined Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher $20,000 for abusive conduct toward an official in Sunday's loss to Atlanta. A league spokesman described that conduct as "verbal abuse." Urlacher mouthed off to an official after a replay challenge of Tommie Harris' fumble in the second quarter allowed the Falcons to retain possession. Harris had recovered a Jerious Norwood fumble at the Bears' 23 but lost control of the ball and the Falcons recovered. Urlacher's subsequent penalty gave the ball to the Falcons at the 12-yard line and they ultimately kicked a field goal to make the score 9-0."

Briggs, Urlacher show little sympathy for QB

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September 16

Chicago Tribune

"Lance Briggs was aware of the chatter from inside the Panthers' locker room regarding his hit on quarterback Jake Delhomme in the third quarter Sunday. "If I hit him late, I would have been flagged for it," Briggs said Monday. "The play was clean. If he hadn't taken extra steps, he wouldn't have got hit." Delhomme had his head snapped back by a Briggs hit as he was sliding and demonstratively voiced his displeasure to the officials. Panthers teammate and ex-Bear Muhsin Muhammad suggested Briggs would get fined for the hit. "I'm not a dirty player and never have been," said Briggs, who insisted Monday night that he would appeal any possible fine. "They pay me to be mean on Sunday. It's ..."

Urlacher will start engine— at Indy

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August 14

Chicago Tribune

"The smirk on Brian Urlacher's face revealed how concerned he was about the Bears' lackluster defensive effort in the first exhibition last Thursday. "Players don't put too much stock into the preseason. At least I don't," Urlacher said. "After these four [exhibitions] are over, we're all 0-0 again." That being said, Urlacher said the defense should have performed better, particularly on Kansas City's initial series. Remember, the Chiefs went 81 yards in 16 plays while consuming almost nine minutes. "We weren't very aggressive," Urlacher said. "We weren't getting downhill. We missed tackles, had mental errors … all that stuff. "You could say it was the first game, but all our guys have ..."

Urlacher reborn, right down to his core

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August 5

Chicago Tribune

columnist Dan Pompei

"In the players lounge before practice, the face of the franchise starts out on all fours. Then he kicks his feet up in the air as high as he can with his hands still on the ground. He does this 10 times. "Donkey kicks," they are called, and they could help restore the Bears' defense to its former glory. "My favorite," Brian Urlacher says. Donkey kicks are part of an elaborate stretching program the 30-year old middle linebacker has embraced to ease him into the next phase of his career. In April, three months after his neck surgery and four months after a season that was diminished by an arthritic lower back, Urlacher decided to try a program called Egoscue to treat musculoskeletal pain. ..."

Urlacher says 9-year deal was a mistake

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July 23

Chicago Sun-Times

"If he had it to do over again, Brian Urlacher never would have signed a nine-year contract in the first place. But the Bears middle linebacker was all smiles Tuesday night when he rolled into training camp a couple of hours after signing his one-year, $18 million extension at Halas Hall. ''I would definitely caution anyone signing a deal that long,'' Urlacher said of the nine-year, $56.65 million contract he signed in 2003. ''It's very enticing at the time because it's a lot of guaranteed money up front, and you want to get that security. But at the same time, you don't know how you are going to play, either. You may outplay it."

Moral of the story: Urlacher worth it

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July 23

Chicago Tribune

columnist Rick Morrissey

"Apparently, Brian Urlacher wasn't as deluded as a lot of people thought. He was right. The Bears really do need him. We know this because they capitulated to his contract demands. They capitulated because without him, they don't have a solid defense. And without a solid defense, they don't have a team. If that sounds like a hostage situation, maybe it is. But it's better than being held hostage by, say, Ricky Manning Jr."

Urlacher: 'I never wanted to leave Chicago'

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July 23

Chicago Tribune

"Though days ticked away and contract talks stalled, Brian Urlacher never envisioned playing for another team. In other words, the face of the Bears wasn't ready for an extreme makeover. "I never wanted to leave Chicago,'' Urlacher said Tuesday, heading to training camp hours after signing a one-year contract extension through 2012. "Someone leaked something about a trade or something. That got out and people starting talking. But I never said I didn't want to be a Bear. Of course I wanted a raise. But I never thought about going anywhere else.''"

As legacy wobbles, Urlacher forced to compromise

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July 22

Chicago Sun-Times

columnist Jay Mariotti

"He isn't Butkus. He isn't Singletary. Which means he isn't a legend -- nor will he ever be. Brian Urlacher is a joystick attacker and tireless maker of TV ads at a time when fast and sleek sells, all the more convenient when he's the star of middle linebacker theater in Chicago. But to suggest he's an all-time great is to ignore his performance dips and off-field warts. This hissy fit over his contract could have triggered his demise in a depressed football town. Fortunately for Urlacher, the Bears bailed him out and helped steady his wobbling image Monday by giving him an unnecessary contractual bump: a $6 million signing bonus and an opportunity to earn $18 million in new money if he ..."

Let's make a deal to rev up the rivalry

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July 22

Chicago Tribune

columnist Mike Downey

"I had an idea. The deal of the century. The deal of any century. The most talked-about trade in the history of trades. Brian Urlacher for Brett Favre. It would shock every NFL jock. It would be the biggest thing in football since George Halas was a Leatherhead. What a whopper—54 for 4. No cow in Wisconsin would be sure whether to moo or boo. Favre's fans would turn blue; Urlacher's would spritz up their Vitamin Water. I wonder what his Packers backers would wear to the games—can a head of cheddar be bald? I love Urlacher, but he seemed unhappy with his contract, or at least he did until Monday's news that he had signed an extension. I love Favre, but he is unhappy with his ..."

Bears bet new money on Urlacher

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July 22

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"Nobody should interpret the Bears and Brian Urlacher finally agreeing to a new contract Monday as a career achievement award for the middle linebacker. This is not an $18 million gold watch or very expensive thank-you card. This is the Bears putting new money where their mouth is. Through all the hand-wringing in the last year over an arthritic back and surgically repaired neck, the Bears maintained that Urlacher would be fine by training camp. They insisted that Urlacher's body wasn't breaking down and his level of play hadn't suffered. Now they have backed up those bold conclusions with a $6 million signing bonus and $1 million a year raise over the next four seasons for a ..."

Urlacher agrees to new contract with Bears

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July 22

Chicago Sun-Times

"A year after placating one linebacker on the eve of training camp, the Bears have made another one happy. Just more than 24 hours before the deadline for players to report to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Brian Urlacher has agreed to a new contract. The Bears made the face of the franchise happy, ending sometimes ugly negotiations that hung over the offseason like a dark cloud. The former defensive player of the year will receive $6 million in a signing bonus for what is a one-year extension worth $18 million."

Urlacher shows up

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June 12

Chicago Sun-Times

"First came the appearance of middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, who took part in his first voluntary workout of the offseason, presumably as a goodwill gesture to open lines of communication in his efforts to upgrade his contract. Then came a Halas Hall sighting of Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for defensive tackle Tommie Harris, another Pro Bowl player seeking a new deal. Nothing may be imminent, but Urlacher's appearance was a lift to teammates and coaches alike. Defensive end Alex Brown was asked what it meant to have Urlacher on the field. ''It's like [asking] what does it mean to have gas in the car?'' Brown said."

Bears' contract talks with Urlacher positive without progress

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June 8

Chicago Tribune

"The sides have talked at least twice in the last few weeks after going months without much dialogue. Urlacher's meeting with Angelo lasted about 20 minutes. "He let me know how he felt on some things," Angelo said. "It was a positive conversation." Urlacher is leaving all comments on his contract to his agents for now. "Any time both parties can get together and talk, certainly that's positive," said Bill Johnson, who represents Urlacher."

Urlacher takes pass on OTAs

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June 5

Chicago Sun-Times

"If you had ''no'' in the Will Brian Urlacher Show Up for OTAs Pool, you're a winner. Three days after mandatory minicamp concluded at Halas Hall, the Bears' middle linebacker was nowhere to be seen Wednesday when voluntary organized team activities resumed. When Urlacher spoke last Friday, he either hadn't made up his mind or wasn't sharing. 'Not sure,'' he said when asked if he would be at OTAs. ''Possibly. Maybe. Yes. No. Pick any one of those answers you want.''"

Urlacher's absence from Bears OTAs no cause for alarm

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June 5

Chicago Tribune

"Brian Urlacher's absence from Wednesday's organized team activities didn't create nearly the stir that his arrival at mini-camp did last week. Sure, the goal is to have Urlacher at every possible voluntary team function while he continues to deal with a contract dispute. But linebackers coach Lloyd Lee viewed practice without his star pupil as an opportunity to school others. "It's never good when all your guys aren't here, but, it gives the young guys an opportunity to get more reps," Lee said. "Some of our young guys, when Brian was here, weren't getting the reps they have been getting in OTAs. You can kind of look at the bright side of things."

'Supposed to be here,' Urlacher's at camp

May 31

Chicago Sun-Times

"What's the big deal? That seemed to be Brian Urlacher's stance after Friday's mandatory minicamp practice ended and the six-time Pro Bowl linebacker had covered the field sideline to sideline the way fans have been accustomed to him doing for eight seasons. ''I'm here, aren't I?'' he said when asked if there was any doubt he'd arrive."

Urlacher stresses commitment to Bears over cash

May 31

Chicago Tribune

"There was no doubt Brian Urlacher would show up for Friday's mandatory mini-camp after he made his intentions known Thursday... "Brian coming to camp has nothing to do with any threat of lost money," said Bill Johnson, Urlacher's agent. "It's due to his commitment to his team and his teammates. He's there on his own accord because he misses football and the guys. He's in great shape and has never missed mandatory team activities.""

Progress, report: Brian shows up

May 30

Chicago Sun-Times

"If Brian Urlacher was going to find a resolution to his contract squabble, let alone a happy one, he wasn't going to do it away from Halas Hall. The face of the Bears knows that much, and he took a step in that direction by reporting for the mandatory minicamp that begins today. Urlacher was at the facility Thursday, when players were required to be present for a physical, weigh-in and team meeting. Now he's expected to have the opportunity to show off how he's moving on the field with his rehabilitated back and repaired neck."

Happy camper can really prove worth

May 30

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"By surprising everybody and deciding to report Friday for a three-day mandatory mini-camp, Brian Urlacher has shown he is more serious about his contract demands, not less. Staying away would have been the equivalent of pushing the Bears away from a negotiating table they resented sitting at in the first place... Showing up simply represents the best negotiating ploy for Urlacher, who still will be seeking a new contract Friday when he enters Halas Hall."