On Focus with the Bears: Brian Urlacher

When you hear the name Brian Urlacher, you think about a guy who has played some of the best football of anyone at his position for the past several years.  He reminds you of some of the great linebackers of Bear’s teams past—players like Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary.  He reminds all of us about what the Bears do best: Play defense.

Urlacher isn’t young anymore, however and there have been several questions raised about his playing ability the past three years, as there are several people who have felt that Urlacher is in decline. 

He has had his share of struggles including one season in which he missed time due to a hamstring injury. Recently, he has had problems with his back and neck. Last season, Urlacher played well, but not as remarkably well as he has played in years past, leaving some to question whether or not his days in Chicago are numbered.

Despite his apparent decline, don’t look for Urlacher to be going anywhere else any time soon.  He still remains one of the most popular players on the team, and is one of the Bears' biggest leaders both on and off the field.  He also still has a lot left in the tank, and will help anchor a Bears defense that should return to form and play very well in 2009. 

While Urlacher may be on the downside of his career, he still has plenty left to offer a team that still needs his talents.  He remains one of the best players on the team and a legend still in the making.

This year, Urlacher will have to help out a defense that gave up some leads in games in 2008 and allowed a lot of yards at the wrong time (see their game against Houston last season).

With safety Mike Brown out of Chicago, it is imperative that Urlacher step up and be the leader on that defense. He needs to make sure that the players are lined up correctly at all times and that the proper defense is called. When someone makes a mistake, he needs to get on that player and correct them. He needs to be a coach on the field and in the locker room.

Urlacher’s play this season will be scrutinized by experts and fans alike.  If he doesn’t perform well, Chicago may start looking for someone to replace him in the very near future. So look for this to be a big season for Urlacher, knowing that it could be what determines if he will stay in Chicago past 2009.