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Converted MLB Urlacher making converts
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It takes more than highlights and hype to win a Pro Bowl spot. That's why I have been slow in coming around on Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. The "next Dick Butkus" better understand that legacy.
Urlacher is more than just hype and, yes, more than just a white hope, which I must admit made me guardedly suspicious of the growing fan hysteria in Chicago about this rookie from New Mexico.
|  | | Brian Urlacher leads the Bears in sacks and tackles. |
My concerns can be put to rest. Greg Blache, the respected Bears defensive coordinator, convinced me of that.
"I know exactly where you're coming from," said Blache, an African-American. "And part of me -- strictly the coach part -- well, I don't like the attention he's getting. I don't want to ruin what he's got going here. But he's so smart, he's so good, he's making us a better football team. I must say, in fairness to him, Brian is as good as any young guy I've ever been around."
Then Blache said it: "He deserves to be in the Pro Bowl."
Urlacher has been getting our attention in recent weeks with a variety of spectacular plays. He made a bone-crushing block that sprung safety Tony Parrish for a 38-yard interception return touchdown, and Urlacher then sealed the Bears' 13-10 upset of Tampa Bay with his own interception. He leads the Bears in tackles. Shoot, he leads them in sacks.
"Do you know how hard it is to get six sacks from the 'Mike' position?" asked Blache in wonderment. "He's real, man. The kid is the real deal, and the past few weeks he's taking it to another level. In terms of all-around ability, after Derrick Brooks in Tampa, I don't know of a better one in our conference. Brian is phenomenal."
In fact, Urlacher was named the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month in October, and he's having a better November. Urlacher also has been gaining the support of opponents and teammates for postseason honors that go beyond rookie-of-the-year status.
"I'll be the first to say that Urlacher deserves to go to the Pro Bowl," Bears defensive end Bryan Robinson told reporters after Sunday's upset. "You guys, put that in the paper, write it up, and get his name out there, so other people can notice him."
How can you not notice Urlacher? He's 6-foot-4, 250 pounds and, by everyone's evaluation, he runs like a defensive back. Which is what he was at New Mexico, where his credentials at New Mexico were eye-popping. He played strong safety and some rover. He had 154 tackles as a senior, caused fumbles, chased quarterbacks, broke up passes.
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Brian is as good as any young guy I've ever been around. ... He will be one of the scarier players we've seen come into this league. ” |
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— Bears defensive coordinator Greg Blache |
But get this -- he played offense and returned kicks. In fact, he had a 15.8 average on 10 punt returns, a 26-yard average on three kick returns, and he had six touchdowns on seven pass receptions when he was inserted in red-zone situations.
Makes you wonder why Urlacher wasn't a more viable Heisman Trophy candidate.
One of the best-kept secrets of the draft was Green Bay's attempt to acquire Urlacher. It was fairly well known that Packers GM Ron Wolf, one of the best personnel men in the business, was trying to trade up from his No. 14 slot. There was a lot of speculation about Wolf wanting Florida State defensive tackle Corey Simon (who has 8.5 sacks for the Eagles).
In fact, Wolf wanted Urlacher. The Bears actually were hoping Virginia running back Thomas Jones would slip to their No. 9 slot. He didn't, and the Bears pulled the trigger on Urlacher, who made some scouts nervous because of his projected move to linebacker.
The Bears struggled with what to do with Urlacher. Bears vice president of personnel Mark Hatley told me on draft day that Urlacher would be tried first at outside linebacker, then moved to middle linebacker after the first year because "we can see him really being a player there, but he needs a real offseason to make that conversion."
That's exactly what the Bears tried when training camp opened. They put Urlacher on the strong side at linebacker, and he was a disappointment.
"He struggled at 'Sam' [strong side linebacker]," said Blache. "When we lined him up over tight ends, he really struggled. We had a preseason game against Cincinnati where [Bengals tight end] Tony McGee just took him to school. He saw the film, his teammates saw it. We were about to lose him, I think."
Blache and head coach Dick Jauron moved him off the ball and saw some improvement when Urlacher had space in which to operate.
Then Blache said the Bears decided to "go ahead and bite the bullet" by moving Urlacher to middle linebacker. At first, he played only a dozen or so plays but by the second week against Tampa Bay, they decided to baptize him with full immersion.
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When Blache says 'scary,' I immediately think of Lawrence Taylor and Dick Butkus. ” |
"He's not the consummate middle linebacker yet -- he's doing things with a lot of native ability and instinct," said Blache. "Now, let me tell you, he's as smart as a whip. He does not repeat mistakes. I don't remember one this young this smart. He handles our calls, he makes the checks and he's worked so hard at it that he's on the same wavelength with me. I can start a thought process, and he finishes it."
In a way, Blache was conceding that Urlacher might have the intelligence of Mike Singletary, the size of Butkus, the tenacity of both men and perhaps is a better athlete.
Blache also said that when it all comes together for Urlacher, "he will be one of the scarier players we've seen come into this league."
Gee, when he says "scary," I immediately think of Lawrence Taylor and Dick Butkus. Come to think of it, Urlacher wears the high-top football cleats.
"Oh, yeah, he's a throwback," said Blache. "In the very best tradition of it."
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