Seriously, I am a Bears fan who used to love Urlacher, then looked for any excuse to hate him. I was screaming every obscenity known to man at him when he went down against the Packers a couple years ago (for the season), only to learn through multiple sports radio callers (who were in the medical field) that the injury he had was extremely painful and legit. He is also somewhat aloof towards the local media, which causes them to hate on him a bit, which tends to shape a lot of Bears fan’s opinions of him. But now he is again one of my All-Time favorites. He is still playing at an exceptionally high level (see game 1 of the 2011-2012 season) for an older linebacker. Also, there are only a handful of middle linebackers EVER who would be as GREAT of a fit in Lovie Smith’s Cover-2 defense (love it or hate it, when it is run correctly and the correct players are in it has seen a lot of success over the years). The Bears just simply could not have played it the last 7 years the way that they have without Urlacher. That is not to say that he is the G.O.A.T. or anything, it just means that he is one of the more unique linebackers that has ever played. In my opinion, he is also one of the best, and still is today.

He is a surefire H.O.F. player, with a Defensive Player of the Year Award who is still the face of the Chicago Bears defense even with multiple “Stars” on it (Briggs, Peppers). With him still playing, at the age of 33, at such a high level the Bears can compete with every team in the league. That’s not to say that they will win the Super Bowl (I hate to admit that the Packers are my pick to win it all), but they have a realistic opportunity to win against any team in the NFL. The reason for that is that they have veteran stars at important positions and Urlacher is basically in-charge of it all.

On this forum, there IS something wrong with that.

It’s not about man-loving Urlacher, it’s about giving credit —> due.

@duehicky
And the Sunday before that, and the Sunday or Saturday before that, and in the Packers case, the Sunday or Saturday before that, plus be good enough to get in the darn thing in the first place. It is relevant because football is decided on the field. That silver trophy means the Packers were the best team. Period. End of debate.

By the way… if Urlacher played his career in a Packer uniform they would have named a street in Green Bay after him by now.
You guys wet your pants over A.J. Hawk.

As for the Superbowl comments, which aren’t really relevant, winning the superbowl means you were the better of the two teams on that Sunday. The saying any given Sunday exists for a reason. In this case the Packers are arguably the best team in the league, but think of for example the 2007 Giants. While they beat the patriots most people would agree the patriots were the better team. Even Plaxico said at one point they would probably lose 7 or 8 out of 10 games.

I cited those games as examples because they were both nationally televised and highly memorable among ALL fans.

You want recent? How about just this past season (2010), week 3, Chicago vs. GB:

“Brian Urlacher forced a key fumble
(ahem) Brian Urlacher forced a key fumble
(aaaand once more) Brian Urlacher forced a key fumble

and Chicago took advantage of a team-record 18 penalties by the Packers to beat Green Bay 20-17 on Monday night.

Robbie Gould won it with a 19-yard field goal with 4 seconds left. The Packers’ James Jones lost a fumble on a hit by Urlacher in the final minutes.
The Packers’ James Jones lost a fumble on a hit by Urlacher in the final minutes.
The Packers’ James Jones lost a fumble on a hit by —-> Urlacher <—- in the final minutes.
The Packers' James Jones lost a fumble on a hit by Urlacher (didja catch that?) in the final minutes.
Then Morgan Burnett was called for pass interference on Earl Bennett, setting up the winning kick.
…
Urlacher jarred the ball out of Jones' hands
U.r.l.a.c.h.e.r. jarred the ball out of Jones' hands
URLACHER!!! jarred the ball out of Jones' hands

after the receiver caught a pass from Aaron Rodgers near midfield. Tim Jennings recovered, giving Chicago the ball on the Packers 46 with 2:18 remaining."
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2010092700/2010/REG3/packers@bears

(hated) Division rival, final minutes, forced fumble for possession of the ball, leading directly to the win and a 3-0 record (in addition to piling up NINE (9) SOLO tackles) — Is that not a "high impact" game?

The fact is, your own petty cult-of-personality bias against Urlacher has completely clouded and blocked any potential for an ability to analyze and understand the game–or its players–with anything even resembling a shred of accuracy or objectivity.

Congratulations.

Or, in simpler terms– if you cannot recognize Urlacher's talent and OBVIOUS impact, you just don't know football, plain and simple.

back urlacher young days he was getting off blocks crazy because he was too fast for OL to hold on too,but he also had help with keith traylor and ted washington.

My question is: ever see Dhani Jones almost SINGLE-HANDEDLY take over a game and by sheer force of will and athletic skill lead his team over nearly insurmountable odds to victory?

Nope.

Anyone else remember the MNF Chi v. Arizona game? (the famous “they are who we THOUGHT they were” game?)

Of course you do.

But aside from the Denny Green spasm, and the Hester return — THE pivotal moment of that game was Urlacher’s ripping that ball out of Edge’s arms.

In that game, Urlacher registered 25 tackles and forced the key fumble (which Penaut Tillman returned 40 yards for the TD) bringing the Bears to within 23-17 with 5:00 remaining. “Overrated” Urlacher also recorded three devastating hits on Leinart and broke up two passes in the game.

In the fourth quarter alone, Urlacher made solo tackles on Edgerrin James after gains of 0, 2, -2, 2, 1, and -2 yards.
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2549

How about the 06 NFC Championship game against the Saints? Remember when Reggie Bush pointed at/taunted Urlacher on his way into the endzone? Remember what happened after that?

My point is — only GREAT players can totally take over a game like this (and have).
Besides being the heart, soul, and general of the Bears defense — with a host of honors and RECORD-SETTING stats that speak for themselves, Urlacher is a game-changer.

Yes, Willis, Beason, Ruud, etc. might be younger, more dynamic, and have gained a step on Urlacher — but until they can play at this level for OVER a decade, make the same kind of impact plays when it counts, and show the same leadership on the field and in big games, Urlacher was, IS, and will continue to be the best LB in the NFC.

Period.
(which is what those who think otherwise must be on)

Brian Urlacher …….. didn’t he used to be somebody???
======================================

Unlike Dhani Jones who has never been anybody and is carrying on that fine tradition.
If Urlacher is overrated then what does that say about Dhani Jones?

What is the sudden whining about the Bears from the Bengals all about?
No one in Chicago gives a damn about Cincinnati, their team or the collection of turds they suit up on Sundays.
What you have is a couple of players in Cincinnati that were cut by the Bears for being a-holes and/or non-productive (Benson & Johnson) and they have spent the last year whining about their former team.

It seems to me that there are black players in the league that have a real problem with Urlacher’s skin color because there is no other explanation for the bitching at this point.
A stiff like Dhani Jones puffing out his chest while ranking Urlacher is a real good example.
Dhani Jones?

NFL Networks Top 10 shows are awesomely entertaining.

However, these “top 100 of 2010″ and then following up with another show arguing about the previous show is crazy. Way too much info…..I don’t watch it. What a time trap.

Now, you have these athletic demi-gods doing THEIR own lists. Enough already. Your killing the idea

Best d-linemen and linebackers voted by o-linemen and RBs
Best receivers voted by DBs
Best DBs voted by receivers
Best o-linemen voted by d-linemen and linebackers
Everyone can vote on best QBs

Let the people who most often have to face off against them tell us who’s the best.

4× First Team All-Pro selection (2001, 2002, 2005, 2006)
1× Second Team All-Pro selection (2010)
2000 Male Athlete of the Year (UNM)
2000 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
2001 Football Digest Defensive POY
2005 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year
4× Defensive Player-of-the-Week
Special Teams Player of the Week
NFC Player of the Month (Dec/Jan 2010/11)
NFL Rookie Defensive Player of the Month (10/2000)
Brian Piccolo Award (2007)
NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
Led the NFL in fumble return yards in 2001
Most tackles in a season (University of New Mexico)
Chicago Bears season tackles record (153, 2002)
Chicago Bears career tackles leader (1,192)
NO RINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

————————————————
You did see how far Brady was from Urlacher when that play happened right? Just a matter of 2 different opinions I guess.

Brian is the starting linebacker on the Summer Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears. And as we all know, getting off a block is not a requirement for being the Summertime Champs!

… Just flapping yer jaws is quite enough.

Lets see that 125 total tackles for both guys!

Fail.

Commandment of Football #1 – You are what your record says you are.

Last team standing = best

These people amuse me. Here you have the Packers, arguably the most un-hateable team in the league, and fans of other teams “have issues” with the fact that they’re world champs. Um – as of right now, they ARE the best team in the league. Who is better? Until someone else is crowned world champs … no one!

And just b/c I don’t agree that the Bears are the best team in the north, that doesn’t mean Urlacher should stop saying it. You want guys like that on your team.