Bears Blitz

Published by Bryan Dietzler on July 13, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Ever since middle linebacker Brian Urlacher went out in the first game of the 2009 season, people have been wondering just how much he means to the Bear’s defense and the team as a whole. 

Urlacher has been a fixture of the team for several years. Early in his career, he was one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL. 

His size and speed was a deadly combination. When he went out for seven games with a hamstring injury the Bears found out firsthand how much they missed him. 

They didn’t win a single game while he was gone.

Recently Urlacher has shown signs of age, but he is still a big part of the Bear’s defense. 

The middle linebacker is one part of a 4-3 defense and Urlacher is no exception. He helps call the defensive plays when he is out there. He is the leader on and off the field. He is the face of the defense to fans and media alike.

Many Bears fans remember some of the remarks that Urlacher made to a reporter who was following him around last season about the team and the coaching staff.  Some of what was said was not well received by the Bears front office. 

Was it the truth? 

Was it just Urlacher taking shots at the team in an attempt to stir up trouble?  Either way, that incident dropped him down a few notches with fans and perhaps with some of his own teammates.

Then came the war of words between Urlacher and Gayle Sayers (with a little help from Dick Butkus). 

Fans sided with Urlacher for the most part, feeling that Sayers was out of touch with what was going on with the Bears at that time (and some felt that Sayers had no room to talk because he had never been part of a championship team and therefore didn’t know what it took to win the big game). 

While this may be a minor blip on a big radar, it proved that Urlacher still possesses the leadership qualities that he has exhibited over the course of his career with the Bears.

Inspiration and leadership both on and off the field are hallmarks of Urlacher’s career with the Bears. 

When the Bears went to the Super Bowl in 2006, Urlacher was there cheering them on (on both sides of the ball) and showing all of Bearsland just what kind of player he is.

So just how important is Urlacher to the Bears? 

In the absence of anyone else to step up and provide the same kind of leadership that he provides, Urlacher is vital. He inspires his teammates, helps keep them in line and provides a voice in a room without voices. 

On the field, Urlacher is the player most responsible for getting the defense to line up right, make changes when he sees the offense do something prior to the snap, as well as make the calls. 

Some people feel that anyone can call a defense but Urlacher does it best.

Chicago didn’t do so well with Urlacher out of the lineup last year even though they did win more games than they did when he was out of the lineup before. 

Despite his age, Urlacher is still one of the best middle linebackers playing in NFL right now, and with his return, the Bear’s defense will be that much better in 2010. 

His inspiration on and off the field will be a big difference this year.

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