Brian Urlacher will retire a Bear. A bittersweet, yet proud moment for Chicago Bears fans everywhere.

Let’s take a look back at the career that gave Brian 939 tackles, 41.5 sacks, and 22 interceptions.

Urlacher Draft Day (photo via: suntimes.com)

Brian was the Bears’ first round draft pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Coming from the University of New Mexico, there were a lot of possibilities for him as a professional. The positions he had the talent to play seemed endless.One of the more popular lines from Mel Kiper’s draft report that year said: “I view him as either a mike-man or OLB, with his overall physical ability and toughness ideally suited for the second line of defense.”

Bears chose him to fulfill the LB slot, where he thrived for 14 years.

Chicago fans immediately took a liking to Urlacher’s play style and aggressiveness on the field, and they claimed him as their own. His rookie year he recorded 8 sacks and 123 combined tackles. Not bad for a kid from New Mexico.

Over the next few years Brian had some personal issues, like everyone typically does at some point in their career, but it never really impacted his play and it was never anything serious (which is all fans really care about). This was the transition in which he turned into less of a categorized athlete and more of a “celebrity”.

Urlacher walks off after Super Bowl loss (photo via: Chicago Tribune)

In 2007, Urlacher helped the Bears reach the Superbowl in which they faced the Indianapolis Colts. This was their first Superbowl appearance since 1985. They lost 29-17, in what would be Brian Urlacher’s only appearance in the big game. That season he recorded 123 combined tackles and 5 sacks.More recently, fans everywhere started to see the decline in his play as his health started taking hits. In 2009, he dislocated his wrist in the season opener and missed the rest of the season. And in January 2012, he sprained his MCL.

Summer 2012 was a long one for Bears fans. The media provided conflicting reports on his treatment and his rehab, and they provided no answers regarding his recovery.

Turns out, Brian had blood therapy in Germany before his surgery. He played a few games the beginning of the 2012-13 season, but it wasn’t the same Urlacher we were used to seeing after all these years. He continued to lead on and off the field, he had 1 interception returned for a touchdown and 68 combined tackles, but he lacked the spark that IS Brian Urlacher.

Seeing him go down against the Seahawks in December was tough to watch across the league, but especially in Chicago. When it was announced that he injured his hamstring, most of us knew this would be the end to an era. But deep down we also still had a teeny, tiny glimmer of hope that our great Urlacher would come back stronger than ever.

He didn’t.

The contract discussions were coming. Fans were torn. Some wanted Brian to remain a Bear if the price was right, and to support him to the end of his career. Some didn’t think it was worth it considering his health. An agreement could not be made and Urlacher and the Chicago Bears officially parted ways on March 20th.

I won’t get into the “where will Brian end up?” discussion, because this is about his career. And his career is in a Chicago Bears jersey and in the best city in the world.

Although his health has declined more recently, no one in Chicago will every forget the resilient Brian Urlacher that blessed our organization in 2000. For 14 years, he has given us every ounce of his passion. For 14 years, he has helped make our team stronger. For 14 years, he has provided our guys with leadership on and off the field. For 14 years, he has tried to not only improve, but improve all those around him.

To watch the entire career of a possible Hall of Famer is pretty cool. Especially when that potential Hall of Famer is one of our own.

Thank you for all blood, sweat, and tears, Brian. My only regret is that we didn’t get you the Superbowl ring you deserve.

Brian Urlacher (photo via: nbc Chicago)

It seems that the overwhelming response regarding Jason Collins is positive, at least from a media and fan standpoint (at least from what I have seen). Besides Mike Wallace, who posted on Twitter that he basically didn’t understand how someone could be gay with so many beautiful women everywhere… something like that. Those tweets have since been deleted.

Now Lance Briggs has caused a mini-controversy for his passive-aggressive tweets about the topic.

Lance Briggs’ Tweets About Jason Collins (photo via: twitter)

My point is, no one is making you address the topic via social media, no one is putting you on the spot and forcing you to talk about it. Do not put yourself, or your publicist, in a situation where you have to defend your personal views. They are your personal views for a reason, keep them that way.

Everyone is open to their opinion and I’m sure some people feel strongly about it and want to make those views public. But just remember that you are in the eye of the public, and everything you say will be held against you even if you didn’t mean it in a negative way.

For the record: I still love Lance Briggs. Just proving a point.

The regular season schedules were released last week, and fans all across Chicago cringed at what looks like a pretty tough year of match-ups for the Bears.

The good: first two games are at home, a perfectly placed week 8 BYE, and (arguably ‘good’) four prime time games with two being at home

The bad: four of the last six games away, won’t be able to utilize our Windy City home field advantage in the dead of winter as much as we’d like, teams are much more competitive compared to 2012

Exciting schedule none the less, but Trestman sure will have his hands full.

Bears Regular Season Schedule

Week 1: Sunday, Sep. 8, Cincinnati, 1:00 PM

Week 2: Sunday, Sep. 15, Minnesota, 1:00 PM

Week 3: Sunday, Sep. 22, at Pittsburgh, 8:30 PM

Week 4: Sunday, Sep. 29, at Detroit, 1:00 PM

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 6, New Orleans, 1:00 PM

Week 6: Thursday, Oct. 10, NY Giants, 8:25 PM

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 20, at Washington, 1:00 PM

Week 8: BYE

Week 9: Monday, Nov. 4, at Green Bay, 8:30 PM

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 10, Detroit, 1:00 PM

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 17, Baltimore, 1:00 PM

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 24, at St. Louis, 1:00 PM

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 1, at Minnesota, 1:00 PM

Week 14: Monday, Dec. 9, Dallas, 8:30 PM

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15, at Cleveland, 1:00 PM

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 22, at Philadelphia, 1:00 PM

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 29, Green Bay, 1:00 PM

According to ProFootballTalk.com, the Bears have signed former Jaguars left guard Eben Britton to a one-year contract.

This is another move to pick up competition within the offensive line, but Britton only started five games last season because of some injuries.

Britton was Jacksonville’s second-round draft pick in 2009.

It’ll be interesting to see how he is used going forward.

Naturally, I’ve talked with about a dozen Bears fans over the past several weeks about basically everything. They are hardly ever in agreement, but the one thing everyone seems pretty passionate about was arguing that Manti Te’o should NOT come to Chicago. Obviously, there is a counter argument to this floating around, but it is not nearly as funny.

Some of the reasons and thoughts I heard are listed below for your enjoyment:

• He got owned in the Championship game exposing the reality of his game and that could potentially show how it works out in the NFL
• Only ND fans support this, which means nothing since it’s basically ‘Draft-Bust-University’
• You don’t draft MLBs in the first round, especially when you have the ‘First Round Draft Blues’
• Because the last thing Chicago needs is the new and improved version of the Tebow-media-obsession
• Te’o is naive
• Because Emery is a smart GM and would never make that mistake
• He will have a quality career in the NFL, but he is not first round talent
• Because the whole ‘any press is good press’ thing does not work in our favor with Manti

Any even funnier than that is what people said they would do if the Bears DID draft Manti:

• Go all “Cleveland” on the Bears and start burning jerseys (my personal favorite)
• “I would rather die” (my second favorite)
• I really don’t want to get trolled
• I will boycott the Bears if I have to
• Find Emery’s draft notes and destroy them

So do I care if he comes to Chicago?

I think he will have a decent career, but no, I don’t think it should be in or start in Chicago. Personally, I don’t think that he is worth a first round draft pick. Maybe he will be proving us all wrong within a year… who knows?

About three months after his arthroscopic hip surgery, Brandon Marshall starting running on a track last week. He seems to be recovering quite well and should be healthy and ready to go (knock on wood) by the beginning of the 2013 season.

In regards to the new offensive changes the Bears will see in 2013, Brandon Marshall recently told Sean Jensen of the Sun Times,  ‘‘Oh, my gosh, I’m in love with it.”

Let me repeat that…

‘‘Oh, my gosh, I’m in love with it.”

If that doesn’t make you feel good about the new offense, I don’t know what will. It’s pretty exciting to know that your #1 WR is embracing everything.

And the relationship between Marshall and Martellus Bennett is great which is another reason to smile if your a Bears fan. Last month, Bennett referred to Marshall as a ‘mentor.’ And more recently, Marshall told the Sun Times that they have been studying the new formations together, telling Sean Jensen, ”It was exciting to go through, and it’s pretty cool to have a partner.’’

You’re right, Brandon. It is pretty cool. And I think we are all just as excited as you are to see everything unfold.

So far: solid off season for Brandon.

Roberto Garza’s public relations person has it easy. Obviously not completely true, but when you have a client who is such a good person and is so involved within communities and within the fan base, it’s hard not to take notice. I’m sure he or she is really thankful for their job.

Earlier this month, a house fire broke out in McHenry, Ill., and the family not only lost their home, but also their 12-year-old daughter. A fundraiser was held for the family March 30 and among the attendees was Roberto Garza. Local businesses, community members and event volunteers have reached and exceeded their $20,000 goal for the family.

Although it’s not clear (and it’s not important) if Garza donated to the cause, his presence was felt and I’m sure it impacted the amount of donations and attention the event received. And this is just another way that he has given back to the fan base since his arrival.  Garza is an active member of the United Way Chicago, was the Bears nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2006, and is actively involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Chicago. He is often at community events and always recognizes the importance of a strong family base for children.

Roberto, you’re awesome, and with this you win again. Thanks for continuing to care.

Brian Urlacher Parts Ways With Chicago (Photo via: AP Photo)

Regardless of how you feel about the way the Brian Urlacher/Bears dilemma worked out, he deserves a proper goodbye of all the years, sweat, blood and tears that he has shed for this city and for this team.If you don’t know, the Bears offered BU a $2 million/1-year deal, to which he made a $3.5 million/1-year counteroffer. Although it didn’t work out, Brian seemed pretty bitter (as most would be) about the situation considering his desire to retire a Bear. He claimed the offer was an ‘ultimatum’ and that there wasn’t anything genuine about it. I understand why the Bears made the decision they did, and this is all ‘he said, she said’, but it doesn’t sit well with me that he is going out with a bad taste in his mouth.

Yes, I know he was injured blah blah, you don’t have to explain these things to me, but after everything he has meant to this city, it’s kind of sad seeing him leave with this sense of animosity. But as someone I’m sure is going to point out as if I’m unaware– it’s a business.

Anyway–

Brian, thank you for the memories. You’ve worked your ass off during these 13 years and it didn’t go unnoticed. You are one of the main faces of this franchise and its history and you are a legend for what you’ve done. You will always be a Bear to our fan base (unless you go to another team in the NFC North, because you know all about how Chicago holds grudges). Good luck to you. Continue kicking ass and taking names. Heal up and enjoy your last couple years in the game like you deserve to.

Brian Urlacher Highlights

On the first day of Free Agency, the Bears made several moves that seemed fitting and made the fan base fairly happy. Overall, I would count this as a positive day for Emery and Trestman.

Martellus Bennett. former tight end from the New York Giants, was signed to a four-year deal worth around $20 million. This is an upgrade to the position, previously held by Kellen Davis who was cut on Wednesday. This also gives Jay Cutler another offensive weapon to utilize during the transition into this new offensive system.

Jermon Bushrod, the left tackle formally with the New Orleans Saints, has also agreed to terms with the Bears, addressing a long term issue with the offensive line. This is a pretty decent upgrade from Webb, although, I think we overpaying quite a bit at $35.9 million/5 years.

Henry Melton accepted the franchise tag on Friday and signed the tender on Tuesday, but the Bears still hope to work out a long term deal with him by the July 15th deadline.  Because of the tag, Melton will earn $8.45 million in 2013.

Brian Urlacher’s deal has yet to be worked out and the Bears don’t seem too worried about it. So as of right now, Urlacher is a free agent for the first time in his career. There is a still a chance that he gets re-signed, but it doesn’t seem like it is getting treated like a priority and my thoughts are that other teams will begin to show interest soon.

Brian Urlacher

According to ESPN, Brian Urlacher’s agent has submitted a contract proposal to the Bears organization, hoping to influence their decision to keep him around for next season. Although his performance declined in 2012, he is a life long Bear with a desire to stay in Chicago. Details of the proposal have not been released yet, but considering that compensation was the biggest issue regarding his status, chances are he is seeking less than the base salary he had last year ($7.5 million without the workout bonus).

My guess is that if he is asking for more than $4 million/year, then the Bears will pass or ask for the contract to be adjusted further. I personally just think if they can find a way to make it work financially where they are not taking a hit, then they don’t really have a reason to turn him away.

Miracle Coming in the Form of Jared Cook?

As we all know by now, Jared Cook wasn’t given the franchise tag by Tennessee which leads people to think he will test free agency. And how perfect would he be for Chicago? Just think about that for a second…

We need a new weapon for our passing offense. We need a weapon in the form of tight end. Marshall cannot do it alone. Kellen Davis has been rather inconsistent at the tight end position and this would be a pretty good upgrade.  Sooo basically this is perfect. I don’t wanna say anything else about it or anything because then I will get my hopes up. But just think about this and how great it is.

Off season Schedule

Mark Trestman has released his off season schedule that Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune posted today. The basic details are below:

• Voluntary off season workout program begins April 2nd.
• Extra, voluntary mini-camp April 16 -18. This is awarded to teams who have new coaches.
• Rookie mini-camp for draft picks, undrafted free-agents: May 10 – 12.
• Off season training (OTAs): May 13 – June 6
• Mandatory min-camp: June 11 – 13.

Busy off season ahead, but this is great considering the complete revamp the team has seen so far.

Jason Campbell

Don’t think about the horrendous loss to San Francisco, guys. And forget about those six sacks that occurred that night. But according to Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bears look like they are interested in resigning Jason Campbell to backup QB Cutler next year.

Campbell brings veteran experience to the table which seems to be a big plus, and he is affordable for the team. Thoughts on Campbell coming back? Is there anyone else out there right now that we can afford that can potentially be a better fit? These are all questions people are throwing out there, and valid ones at that. But I would not be surprised if he does in fact get re-signed.