Brian Urlacher has been on my mind  A LOT recently. It obviously started with him not reporting to preseason workouts/training camp (for personal reasons, supposedly), or dressing for the first preseason game. Then he showed up to training camp on Sunday, but did not participate, although he did reassure us that his knee feels better. (Then he was in my dream last night, and we were work-out buddies/BFFs, which was awesome.) But now, as the days go by, I’m contemplating the reality of his injury versus what we are being told.

Obviously, there is no major rush to getting Urlacher back on the field during the preseason games. It would be unnecessary strain on a knee that is not completely healed yet (which in turn, is the problem). And although Urlacher continues to claim he feels great, you can’t help but wonder if the soreness and swelling that has occured recently is something that will impact his availability and performance this season.

I don’t know much about physical therapy or athletic injuries; but my main concern/question is that if this injury occurred in January, and if after all this time just practicing makes it sore, than doesn’t it sound like a bigger issue than what they are telling us? And IF it is a bigger issue, than wouldn’t an actual game impact it a lot more than a little practice? Which may, or may not, lead to something worse? Maybe not. Maybe they are playing their cards right and just letting him rest until the time to play comes. And if that is the case, fine. Perfect. But if, God forbid, that is not the case, than our defense is going to have a huge slot to fill, regardless of what some people are saying.

Urlacher may be an older Bear, but he continues to be an explosive play maker that impacts the overall game and a leader on our team (Side note: I thought he had an amazing season last year). And with our much improved offense, it is vital that Urlacher is on the field with our defense, but he needs to do so at 100%.  I do not doubt his athletic ability or desire to play, and in no way do I think this is related to his contract being up at the end of this year (which I have heard many speculate and think is completely ridiculous to claim.)

But regardless of what is really going on, the most important thing right now is to keep an eye on this in the next few weeks. He will eventually need to practice if he wants to play Week 1 vs. the Colts, and when that happens we will be able to tell how bad, or how much we have all overreacted, regarding this injury. Until then…

I think we can all agree that the Chicago Bears’ first pre-season game last week vs. the Denver Broncos left more than a lot to be desired.  Granted, they did play without Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Julius Peppers and Brian Urlacher, but still.  It was not a good game.  Also, I didn’t even see a single down because I was in Green Bay Packers’ territory all last week and had I waltzed into the local bar asking for them to turn the Bears game on…well, yeah, I probably would not be here right now.

But, I digress.

Today, offensive coordinator Mike Tice said that he would not be able to sleep at night until Jay Cutler was protected.  Yes, this is an exact quote:  “I have trouble sleeping at night until I know that our quarterback is protected,” Tice said.

Um, Mike, I hate to break it to you, but unless a miracle occurs in the next three weeks, you will be awake for four months straight.  The only thing consistent about the Bears’ pass protection is how bad it is, and they had one of the worst, if not THE worst, offensive lines in the league last season.  The team allowed 49 sacks total (about three per game), in case you were wondering.  For comparison, the Buffalo Bills only allowed 23 all season, or an average of two less per game than the Bears.

I fear that poor Mr. Tice is headed for a LOT of sleepless nights this season.