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So 54 comes out and demands a new contract, that he's not getting his fair market value. Apparently he never took economics at New Mexico.

Since he signed his last deal after the 2004 season which made him the highest-paid MLB in NFL history by a pretty wide margin, lets see what has happened...

He's had neck surgery
He's admitted to having arthritis in his back, a condition his own agent told the media will shorten his career
The team has crumbled into a sorry shell of its former self around him
Lance Briggs left because he felt he wasn't getting the right money (okay, that's a complex one, but that's how it all started)
Tommie Harris needs an extension so he isn't treated like Briggs next summer
Devin Hester needs a new deal pronto

I'm not one who normally gets on Urlacher either; I think he's an outstanding player but he's on the downside. If he's a true team guy he would accept that in order for them to not suck next year and beyond, he's got to honor his deal so they can spend that $$ to help rebuild. With a good FA and rookie class there's no reason (other than Rex) this team cannot be right back with the class of the NFC next year...but it's going to take lots of wise spending.

He's in absolutely no position to demand more money; I'd actually consider asking him to take less if I were Jerry Angelo. I know everyone deems the procedure minor, but it's still surgery on his freaking neck! That's gotta be weighed in for a guy who leads with his head so much and has a bad back. Simple NFL economics Brian--you don't get paid for what you've done, you get paid for what you can still do and do in the future. Not every team works that way but the Bears have been that way forever.

Its even worse because Urlacher isn't a media-type guy.

He's a popular figure in Chicago, but he could've ruled this city if he wanted, just chose not to.

For that, I always saw Urlacher as a selfish guy. He's a great player with an undeniable hunger to win, but in a major market, where Football is King, you must have, show, and fully express your personality.

i.e. Ditka

If Urlacher had taken Economics @ New Mexico, he would've understood that if he had taken advantage of the media, his football salary would've been just a very small portion of his total earnings.

he's a selfish b!tch if you ask me.

trade him to bring us back some picks. I'll miss seeing him on our team, but his time has come. We have Briggs anyway! We can replace an aging MLB!

You guys know he did restructure his contract before so we could get players signed... Selfish yah

Bluewaterheaven wrote:You guys know he did restructure his contract before so we could get players signed... Selfish yah

I highly doubt he did this out of the goodness of his heart. He got one of the most lucrative contracts for a defensive player ever at the time and got the security of a $13M bonus paid in installments through 2011. He's free to play the holdout game if he likes - that's about his only power. Bears seem to be acting in good faith by trying to renegotiate at this point which they certainly don't have to.

Seems like we always need one star linebacker on the team who's complaining about his contract.

Cliff Levingston wrote:Seems like we always need one star linebacker on the team who's complaining about his contract. :nono:

Why can't it be Hillenmeyer? There's a holdout I can tolerate!

Chewie wrote:Why can't it be Hillenmeyer? There's a holdout I can tolerate!

Cause he got his extension last year.

And OT: who's the chic in your av?

Cliff Levingston wrote:-= original quote snipped =-


Cause he got his extension last year.

And OT: who's the chic in your av?

I'd like for him to hold out for an ever larger extension, then! His job should be up for grabs. We drafted two LBs fairly high within the last two drafts - let's see if they can unseat HH.

That's Reon Kadena. Google the name to see what's under the half shirt (if you actually LIKE that sorta thing!).

Chewie wrote:I'd like for him to hold out for an ever larger extension, then! His job should be up for grabs. We drafted two LBs fairly high within the last two drafts - let's see if they can unseat HH.

Who would really replace him other than (maybe) Briggs' possible replacement Jamar Williams? Hunter has done a fine job at his position, a position that basically requires him to fill a gap in order to funnel tackles toward Urlacher and Briggs.

Chewie wrote:That's Reon Kadena. Google the name to see what's under the half shirt (if you actually LIKE that sorta thing!).

Why do you think Cliff Levingston asked?

Cliff Levingston wrote:Who would really replace him other than (maybe) Briggs' possible replacement Jamar Williams? Hunter has done a fine job at his position, a position that basically requires him to fill a gap in order to funnel tackles toward Urlacher and Briggs.

Well, it would be Jamar Williams or last year's 3rd round pick, Okwa. I'm not feeling the love with Hunter. When he wasn't filling the gap, he was missing tackles - I tried to focus soley on HH for a good number of plays last year and wasn't impressed. Would be surprised if even Hunter would tell you it was his best season last year. Just let the best man win the position is all I'm saying....

Chewie wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Well, it would be Jamar Williams or last year's 3rd round pick, Okwa. I'm not feeling the love with Hunter. When he wasn't filling the gap, he was missing tackles - I tried to focus soley on HH for a good number of plays last year and wasn't impressed. Would be surprised if even Hunter would tell you it was his best season last year. Just let the best man win the position is all I'm saying....

It's spelled Okwo. (Michael Okwo from Stanford)

NoSkyy wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



It's spelled Okwo. (Michael Okwo from Stanford)

My bad. If he saw the field more, I'd learn it !

Oh yea, forgot about Okwo since he was one of the many to get hurt early in the season.

If we could get another impact safety or have Mike Brown stay healthy along with some other key guys, our defense is going to be monstrous. Too bad it'll have to make up for the definitively worst offense in the league led by Ron "my brother's a head coach" Turner.

Cliff Levingston wrote:If we could get another impact safety or have Mike Brown stay healthy along with some other key guys, our defense is going to be monstrous. Too bad it'll have to make up for the definitively worst offense in the league led by Ron "my brother's a head coach" Turner.

Thats a good one Cliff

woo. tell me another. woo hooo.

You are of course right in your statement....Now I'm off to google Reon Kadena

Cliff Levingston wrote:Oh yea, forgot about Okwo since he was one of the many to get hurt early in the season.

If we could get another impact safety or have Mike Brown stay healthy along with some other key guys, our defense is going to be monstrous. Too bad it'll have to make up for the definitively worst offense in the league led by Ron "my brother's a head coach" Turner.

LOL

I think our defense can be back to 2005 level (yes, the 1st round playoff exit year) where our defense carried the team.

3 of out top defensive players, Urlacher, Brown, and Harris were either out or not healthy all season. If we get those guys back healthy along with solid corner play, a happy Briggs, and a full year Dvoracek who I believe will be a beast, then we will reemerge as a top 3 defensive team.