From the Tribune, "For the second year in a row, the Bears will be without a Pro Bowl linebacker for the start of their voluntary off-season program, in part because of an unresolved contract situation. Brian Urlacher told the Tribune on Sunday he plans to skip the first day of workouts, slated to begin Monday, and left open the strong possibility that he will bypass the Bears' entire voluntary off-season program, which includes organized team activities (OTAs)."
Looks like Urlacher will be sitting out for a while. We'll see how much the Bears are willing to pony up for their franchise player. Interesting because there is no question that Urlacher is on his way down. He has sacrificed his body and given all he can for the Bears and been one of the greatest at his position but now with the neck surgery and arthritic back and his age, I am sure we have seen the best of him. I'm sure he wants to land that one more pay day before he ages anymore. He is still under contract and the Bears don't seem to really renegotiate but this is Urlacher. We'll see how this unfolds.
7 comments:
No big deal. He is under contract and will play. He may need more time for his neck to heal anyway.
Even if he needed a contract, or he was in a contract year, I cannot imagine he would command a max contract.
I do hope the Bears work something out, but he is under contract for 3 more years.
It's not a good thing. Just creates bad feelings b/t Bears brass and their franchise player. Also, doesn't look good for the other players. Not a huge deal unless it doesn't get taken care of. Still, you have previously said that the Bears have no obligation to do anything with him. He has 3 years remaining on his contract. Should the Bears do something because it is Urlacher?
Also, when TJ and Briggs didn't participate in voluntary workouts, Lovie did reprimand them to some degree. Do you think Urlacher will get the same treatment?
If the Bears want to do something they will - but frankly, they need to worry about the draft right now. I don't want to see them commit money to Urlacher before they know what their draft looks like and how much they have to spend signing their picks.
A reprimand won't make any difference. Lovie demoted TJ and Briggs for a week or two. No big deal. Urlacher knows the D, he is a veteran. I have no problem with him sitting out OTAs (I wish he wouldn't), but he should rest his neck and it allows other guys to get some work. It is not like Urlacher needs the practice to understand the D.
This is really a non-story in my opinion.
I think it is a little bit of a story because Urlacher carries a lot of weight in the locker room. If he says something or if he does something, I am sure it is noticed.
There is a good article by Haugh in the Tribune today basically saying that Urlacher will lose in the court of public opinion which is true. However, the team is noticing and it will be in the Bears best interest to take care of this as soon as possible. Which is also true. Really it's not the kind of thing you want to see from your star/franchise player who has 4 years left on a lucrative contract.
Will be interesting to see how it plays out.
Here is the bottom line - Urlacher will be playing on Sundays for the Bears this coming season.
There is no need to extend him, but if the Bears have the money and feel like doing it - fine. Otherwise, there really is nothing Urlacher can do about it.
Frankly, I find it irritating that he is complaining after he was the highest paid defensive player in the NFL for a time. He has a fair contract and while there is nothing wrong with asking for an extension, I think there is something wrong with holding out. It would be nice if players actually honored their contracts.
I agree. The players want their cake and eat it too. They sign the long term/high dollar deal but after a couple of years when the market rises, they want to renegotiate and get even more money even though they have several years left on their original contract. I don't like it. BOO URLACHER!!!
Boo indeed!
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