Bears Blitz

Published by Gene Chamberlain on May 18, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

By Gene Chamberlain

Brian Urlacher hasn’t talked much with the media the past two years, unless it’s through a blog written by a friend or with some benign network television mouthpiece.

There are plenty of things that need to be asked of the “face of the Bears,” starting now:

• After being a dominant force in 2005 and 2006, your defense took a step back the past two years to rank 28th and 21st. What is your view of why this happened and has the window of opportunity closed for this unit?
• What do you see as being the key(s) to a rebound if one is possible?
• Coach Lovie Smith has taken over the defensive play calling responsibilities from defensive coordinator Bob Babich. How do you feel about playing in a defense with the head coach calling defensive plays? What kind of difference can he make?
• Safety Mike Brown came into the league with you on the 2000 Bears. How will it feel playing defense without him back running the secondary and how did you feel when he wasn’t offered a contract?
• There have been times when you have expressed some frustration with playing in Lovie’s Cover-Two defensive system, and you said it’s not best suited to your skills. Why is this, and how do you think you might be better used?
• You’ve never played on a defense supported by a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback. How do you feel about Jay Cutler’s acquisition and the loss of Kyle Orton?
• A popular notion among fans is that you would be better suited as a weak side linebacker in this defense because you would be in a better situation to blitz and make plays up the field. What are your thoughts on this?
• You’re turning 31 this week, are in your 10th year and have had back problems in the past. How are you feeling heading into this year?
• Linebackers seem to be playing longer and more effectively the days. Ray Lewis is an example. Any idea how long you might want to keep playing?
• You’re renowned for your ability with a ping pong paddle—a football player who plays ping pong. Any thoughts to taking up shrimp boating like Forrest Gump after football?
• I’ve heard and read that your favorite musical groups are N*Sync and Backstreet Boys. Please say it ain’t so.
• Middle linebacker great Dick Butkus played only nine seasons and like Chicago greats Ernie Banks and Gale Sayers, he never won a championship. You’ve been in a Super Bowl but haven’t won one. If you’re unable to win one, how will you feel about what you’ve achieved in your career?
• You’ve become one of the most popular players for endorsing products in NFL history—although maybe not quite at Peyton Manning’s level. Any favorite commercials or moments from doing this?
• Did you ever think when you came out of New Mexico you’d wind up the poster boy for an entire league?
• You spent much of the past two seasons at odds with the local media, refusing to do press conferences and giving one- or two-word answers to postgame questioners except when dealing with your friend Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.  Why?
• Do you worry that this hurts your image with fans or that it can have an effect on Hall of Fame voters, who are all NFL media members, once you become eligible?