Brian Urlacher has said he needs to take a stand in his crusade for a new contract.
Barring an unforeseen breakthrough between the six-time Pro Bowl linebacker and the Bears, we’ll get a better idea what that new contract is worth to Urlacher come Friday when the mandatory minicamp opens at Halas Hall.
If Urlacher boycotts the event—as he told our pal Mike Silver at Yahoo! Sports he was likely to do earlier this month—he puts in jeopardy a portion of the $13 million signing bonus he received in 2003. Urlacher, who turned 30 Sunday and has skipped the voluntary offseason workout program to date, could risk losing money in his bid to earn more money.
At issue would be signing bonus forfeiture language in Urlacher’s contract, a standard part of virtually all NFL contracts. If he’s in default on his contract—and missing a mandatory team activity would qualify—the Bears could choose to pursue a pro-rated portion of that signing bonus. Just five years into the $56.65 million, nine-year contract, at stake would be $5,777,777 (the remaining pro-rated portion of the signing bonus).
That’s more than the Bears have offered Urlacher in guaranteed money in an $18 million, one-year extension. (We’ve covered the details of the offer before—$5 million to sign, a $1 million escalator in each of the next four seasons triggered by 85 percent play time, and a $9 million base salary in the new year of 2012.)
That pro-rated portion might be enough to ensure Urlacher is present.
“I would bet I wouldn’t be there,” Urlacher told Silver May 13. “My agents and the team had some good dialogue early on, but nothing’s happened lately. It’s been almost two months since there’s been any action on their end, and it’s a waiting game right now.”
There have not been any developments since, so unless Urlacher has a change of heart, maybe he will push the envelope, the one stuffed with $5.77 million.
There’s precedent for this, too. The Denver Broncos went after wide receiver Ashley Lelie two summers ago when there was a chance he would be traded to the Bears. The Broncos won and when Lelie didn’t pay up, they took him to court. Lelie paid.
It’s no big deal if Urlacher is fined by the team for missing minicamp—that levy can total only about $8,165. Going after him for millions would be a different story.
Urlacher’s bet might have changed. Maybe he’ll show after all.
Stay tuned.
Is Urlacher loosing his passion for the game??? Has he become bored with the game??? When the Briggs thing was going on after the 06 season Urlacher said on record that he would restructure his contract to accomadate Lance Briggs.
In 2007 here are some of the players that were paid a total of more then Urlacher. These players I beleive are a step or 2 below Brian Urlacher.
Zach Thomas 2nd highest paid LB at a total of $7,987,000
Keith Brooking 3rd highest at $7,942,226
Nick Barnett 4th at $7,683,571
Keith Bulluck 5th at $7,610,948
Daryl Smith 7th at $7,070,987
Rossie Colvin 8th at $6,433,160
Julian Peterson 9th at $6,301,920
Marcus Washington 10th at $6,020,416
Urlacher 11th at $5,850,510
Will Witherspoon, Shaun Phillips, Willie McGinest and Pisa Toniosamoa were all paid with in $850,000 of Urlacher.
Those 8 player should never warrent more money then Urlacher period! It is what it was in 2007. I dont think the Bears should rip up Urlachers 4 years on his contract. If at all possible cant they give him a money now deal that would make him a top 5 paid LB on AVG. Maybe in a bonus insted of an extension. I dont know the details on that side of the buisness. I dont even know if the NFL would allow it. Both sides need to compramise and do it quick. Lose Urlacher, Lose a Key leader that young players on the Bears look too/, learn off of. There comes a point where the Bears have to face the facts that they took advantage of Urlacher.
Is Urlacher washed up and does he know it? He is coming off a bad back last season and neck surgery in the offseason. I am fully supportive of an extension for Urlacher, HOWEVER, it should only be awarded after he's played 6-8 games this season and proves he can still play at his previous level. Asking for this money up front tells me that maybe Brian is not as healthy or able as the team needs him to be.
Being an NFL athlete is basically winning the genetic lottery. Big enough, fast enough, strong enough, durable enough, willful enough to compete, and smart enough to learn the position.
Most high-ranked NFL guys are paid more money initially (in their first year plus signing bonus) than the average person makes in a lifetime. For a part-time job. With fringe benefits--like being treated like princes by everyone, everywhere they go. And the ability to earn more money in the local, and sometimes national, media.
Signing a contract with guaranteed money means no matter what happens (injury, etc), you get paid. Incentives add to the deal, but these guys have alot of guaranteed money coming their way. All they have to do is not get convicted of a felony for dog fighting and then lying about it in Court (perjury).
The players are represented by lawyers/agents of their choosing in these negotiations. They negotiate for months. They voluntarily sign the contracts.
Urlacher signed his contract. He has two career threatening injuries and we do not know how he is going to perform. And the Bears are still offering him a massive bonus, above and beyond what he is entitled to under his contract.
But that's not good enough of Urlacher.
I am not a big Angelo fan, but here, let Urlacher sit if he wants to sit. Just like his buddy Briggs, who found out that he is not worth crap on the open market, Urlacher has a moron whispering in his ear about how great he is and how much money he is worth.
He is worth alot of moeny. And he is being paid well.
Shut and and play, Urlacher. Shut up and play.
For everyone who seems to be iffy about paying Urlacher more money I say watch last years film. The film don't lie. This guy was terrible. He was not like himself at all. He missed so many tackles and rather than lower the shoulder everything was hand grabbing. I watched the Seattle game and a few others I recorded on my DVR and Urlacher should have just sat on sidelines. Last year everyone was mad at Lance Briggs for wanting more money but we all knew he deserved it. And while some of you die hard 54 Urlacher fans never wanted to admit it Lance Briggs is a better linebacker than Urlacher is at this present time. At least when Lance Briggs held out before coming to camp 1) he was in shape and 2) he played like a animal. I'm sorry but I just don't understand why wouldn't Urlacher play this year and prove to earn this money from what we saw last year. This is why I respect Rex Grossman and for all you haters out there he is the only Chicago Bear I know with the most heart. Here is a guy who signed a 1 year deal just to prove himself. I mean this could make or break his NFL career. But to show how confident he is in play he puts his game where his mouth is. Now this season hasn't started but that kind of attitude is what I want in a quarterback. most qb's would have left and pointed the finger but not Rex Grossman he continues to take the higher road regardless how many people bash him. Now back to Urlacher if he feels he's good enough let him do what Rex is doing and prove himself worth it. Although, I already know Rex can play he just needs some talent around him unfortunately Angelo never gave it to Rex because he was always giving Urlacher what he wanted on defense. Rex and the offense suffered because this team was one-sided not because he never had ability. you fans need to wake up period.
This is making me really nervous. This is a year too soon for this. Is anybody else getting a hint of "now or never" from Urlacher? Is this desperation from a player whose body is telling him next year will be too late for the golden goose? On one hand the guy is an elite player, the face of the franchise. They basically rode him to the SB in '06. I'd love to see that happen again this year. But then....he is 30 and has played below par for 2 out of the last 3 years because he hasn't been healthy.
I love the guy and want him to make what he is worth, but this is serious. What if he can only play another year and his back goes out? If they screw up and pay him another wad of guaranteed money now it could mortgage cap space for a couple years. Urlacher sitting at home in comfort is not worth three years of 6-10, 7-9, 5-11 because they can't pay anybody else.
I agree - we do not know how his injury is, maybe the Bears do...let him play a few games and see what his level is, then restructure as he is one of the best if healthy, I would not give him money to walk away with though,
wow - some of those players don't belong on the field with Brian.
Pay is getting lucicrous in the NFL and all pro sports, where it will end is strikes etc...eventually
The Bears defense was ranked 28th in the league last year. 28th out of 32. Even though Urlacher played all 16 games. His performance was abysmal until the last 4-5 games of the year- when the playoffs were out of reach. He might still be an elite player- last year was either an aberration- or the beginning of the end of his dominant play. If you owned the Bears- would you sink a bunch of money into a 30 year old linebacker with an arthritic back? The emperor has no clothes. Bears ought to hold the line and call his bluff. No way the guy walks away from the contract money and endorsement money. No way.
It's silly to point out what other LB's make, Urlacher willingly signed his contract so just live with it.
All i got to say is you signed the contract you wanted, and now you want more, and the management offerd a very nice deal that they didnt have to and you turned it down.there is no way you would have ever seen Butkus or Singletary pull the crap your trying to pull stop crying and play or stay home, Quit,or better yet RETIRE you've lost your passion for the game and can't play at the same level you did two years ago I've been a bears fan for fourty years and will continue to be a BEARS FAN for the rest of my life to all you BEAR fans out there hang in there we'll turn this ship around C YA Randy
brad- What does urlacher want??
I just do not understand how adding $18 million to a $56 mill/8yr deal he signed in 2003, making it $74 million for 9 years, or $8.22 mill/per year, which makes him BY FAR the highest paid bear and top 5 paid "D" player in entire league isn't enough?
The $5 mill bonus gives him $3.95 mill+ $5 mill SB + $1 mill playing time=$9.95 million in 2008 or again the highest paid bear by 1 year, avg pay($8.22 mill) and highest total amount( $74 mill).
Have you talked with brian or his agent on what, if this isn't sufficient? what he wants? And i hope it isn't a "fake" second year that will never be paid, ala miller,walker,arch etc. that would not make sense. or dwight freeny's $22 mill last year pay that again will never be paid,but makes a contract 'look better"
thanks for all the info!
Urlacher just doesn't want to practice this off season. Even if he was here, he would probably be "held out" for w/e precautionary reasons.
The suspiscion that he knows he is not as healthy as he used to be so he is looking for big payday is doubtful.
I will not be alarmed now. And i bet I won't have to be alarmed at all. He will show up to camp (this is when he must show up), and play because he loves the game and wants to get paid.
He will show up because he knows this team is not that far off from the playoffs, and anything can happen there if they get hot at the right time (see 05 steelers, 06 colts, and 07 NYG). I presume the O-line is "fixed" and that will make the difference of:
1. increase of TOP from 27 minutes to 32 minutes.
2. 85 rushing yards per game to 125
3. One less Turn over per game
4. 6 more offensive points per game
All this, of course, will benefit the defense with more rest per game. If the Bears can run, they probably get 3 less 3 and outs per game. They had a lot of those last year. It wasn't the total TOP that killed the BEars defense, it was when they gave up a long drive, and then offense goes 3 and out, then they have to right back onto the field. Although, if the defense remains healthy, their will not be very many drives over 30yards against the Bears defense this year.
Also, these positions were all upgraded:
1. Oline (duh)
2. RB (Forte is good, and Benson is better with competition)
3. WR (some of you might think I'm nuts, but Berrian is a quality #2 receiver wanting #1 money. They need that extra money for T. Harris and Hester. Muhammed is old. Period. Booker is the same guy Moose was 3 years ago. He is a tough vet that will block his A@$ off for you and catch the tough pass. By no means is it a strength of the team, but it can do everything that those two departed receivers could do. Plus, TE is so strong it offsets the receivers.
4. Safety: I watched Steltz a few times. He hits hard, and good tackler, and seems to know where to be. Although he may have been slightly undertested having Dorsey on the D-line. Plus Payne, Brown, and McGowan are healthy, and battle tested. Manning could have a break out year. Speed is not his problem, it is brains.
5. D-Tackle: Quite simply the most important part of our team. The cover 2 hybrid Smith runs is so dependent on the tackles getting push and pressure to collapse the pocket. This keeps the quarterback from stepping up to avoid DE's, and disrupts running plays from the start. The whole defense thrives with free hits when the 2 DT are causing havoc. Dvoracek will be fine, and Lovie wont put him on kick off coverage/return anymore. Harris will be fine. Period. And the backups are better this year. Harrison and Toenia are a clear upgrades over Adams and Walker. Plus Odonije is bulked up for DT.
STAY HEALTHY DEFENSE and GO BEARS!!!!.
Will all of you fake football fans stop complaining about a pro athlete who wants to be paid what he considers to be his worth? It is very petty for you to say things like this about an employee of a company (just like you and I) who sees others in his same field of expertise who have not proven themselves as much, and wants to be paid comperably.
Lets say you're a janitor. If you know that you are one of the best janitors in the business, and consistently have improved the skills of all of the janitors around you, so much to the point where they defer to you and also agree that the office would be much dirtier without you, it would hurt your pride to see janitors around you make more money than you...and only because the janitor pay scale has increased around you.
In these days of players who can be terminated from said "contracts" at will, it is not unreasonable to request a review of what you are paid in contrast with what you have contributed to the company.(Said company being notoriously cheap over the years - we all know that they're not gonna spend this money on a quality free agent that'll come onto the market. If they had signed Michael Turner or a QB or something, I would be much less understanding.)
Yeah, I know...I saw running backs run around and right through Urlacher last year, and it was NOT pretty. But the man played through it all (whenever it was reasonably possible) instead of just sitting on the sidelines, with the hope that it would be all better this year, like a lot of players do. Without Mike Brown in the defensive backfield, who exactly on the roster would have played better?
So if thats your only argument for not even "considering" reworking Urlachers contract, take a look at your job and really consider if you would sit back and be happy about your situation if the tables were turned.
Let's stop and think how dumb the Bears organization is being on this specific issue. Bears + #54 = $$$$ I can't begin to say the sick amount of money I spend on Bears items, let alone items with #54 on it. I read every post above. I ask this:
How many millions will the Bears loose if Brian gets his new deal and either doesn't perform or is injured?
How many millions will they loose without #54 jerseys, tickets to see him ( some people do pay to see the players), T-shirts, posters, fatheads, boobleheads, magnets, stickers, action figures (my wife calls em dolls...bulls!@#), accesories...........you get it right?
Pissing off Brian is starting to piss off not only Brian, but some of the most die hard fans. If you dont want to reward him for his accomplishments...some of you above(Packer Fans)have even called him horrible.....atleast acknowledge that he has made the Bears organization millions from his name and number...millions. Any normal person who works their butt of at work and is not properly compensated hits the company up for more $$$$. If you don't get it you walk. Just because the majority of people don't have the lluevos to step up to their boss and ask/demand more money when you know you deserve it, doesn't mean there is something wrong with us...there is something wrong with you. Shut up and work? Yeah...but when do work and perform....F@#$ that, pay me.
Once again Micheal Turner is not a proven back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He has NEVER had more then 95 carries in one season.
Anybody remember the running back Hicks that the Bears signed. He was a burner. He was backing a good RB. He floped. I see the same with Turner. I project Turner having around 700 yards. GET OFF THE HIGH OF TURNER. LT wore the defence down for Turner to run anywhere. One other point about Turner 60% of all of his carries came in the 4th quarter. Sooooo Falcons just like the Viking paid a guy #1 money when indeed they are a Number 2 guy.
Marlon it isnt silly to compare contracts. Heck how do you think the drafted rookies get paid. Compare the contract to the player that was drafted a couple before or after.
Its simple the Bears took advantage of Urlacher and his agent. It should have been a back loaded contract. Maybe if it was a back loaded contract Urlacher wouldnt be in this position.
Jerseyboy...Lance Briggs is currently better than Urlacher? My god, are you twelve years old or something? The more I read your posts the more I am convinced that you are a juvenile.
Rex Grossman signed a one year contract to come back and prove himself? LOL!!!!! How about after the 2007 season when Rex got benched, injured, and at one point had the lowest QB rating out of all QBs, he had nowhere else to go? As for his "heart," it really showed in the 2006 season finale against Green bay whn thge night before, he had been partying a lil' bit much.
And then you compare Urlacher's output to Grossman's...Geez, my head is hurting. Question, did you really watch the games from last year or were you just watching replays on Madden '08 where you were getting your A$$ handed to you on rookie mode?
i think the bears should part ways with urlacher while they still have the chance. i'm sure they can dupe the redskins into giving up a 1st rounder for him, they were willing to do it for briggs. urlacher isn't the same player anymore and we all know it. his chronic back and neck problems won't improve with age. urlacher has never been an ideal fit for the cover two, he just can't shed blocks. now that isn't to knock his game, ray lewis can't either, but i think the constant contact with linemen is taking its toll on his body. the bears should seriously consider trading him now while the urlacher brand still has some luster to it.
i seriously think it would be the best for urlacher and the bears.
pretty crazy but check this out.
at best we might be able to get another decent season out of him and after that he'll be pretty much done. why else would he want to get some much now? i think his injury is more serious than anybody is letting on. changing his mind from i'll take less money to help the team to pay me or i won't play, something is up with that. if he's traded to a team that suits his defensive abilities he might be able to eek out a few more pro bowl year. sorry but that isn't going to happen in chicago anymore.
replacing an aged and injured urlacher isn't as hard to replace as people think. lance briggs could be moved to the MIC position and jamar williams could take briggs place. or you can keep briggs where he is and move jamar williams to MIC. either way it isn't as bad as many people would think.
jamar williams is a talented guy and proved that when he filled in for briggs. jamar and briggs do something urlacher can't do, shed blockers. they are both more suited for a cover two scheme.
i really don't think the defense will drop off that much without urlacher and we might be pick to pick up a first round or second round pick for him.
i know a lot of people will disagree with me but urlacher isn't what he was. if he was 2005 urlacher i'd say sure give him the money but he isn't. i think the sooner we realize that, the sooner we can move on
i did a little checking into the possibility of an urlacher trade. a ton of rumors and most lack any real creditability. on the bengal message board they seem to want to trade chad johnson for urlacher straight up. i've also read about the patriots having an interest in urlacher but i did find one story that is probably the most creditable.
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24638064/
that's steve silverman's opinion
i don't know, if the bears get a first round pick maybe they can snag james lauranitis.
another linebacker with a funny last name?
ohh and I think his dad was a wrestler too. animal or hawk?
i know it's just an opinion or rumor but hey one of them has to be true?
well maybe
I think the Bears need to pay Urlacher top 5 linebacker pay. Im hearing a lot of fans saying, oh he signed a contract so he should live with it. Thats all good, but I think Urlacher is takeing this as a pride thing more than greed, as many fans feel he is. Urlacher goes out there every sunday and plays Bear football, and better than most linebackers in the league do, but yet he is one of the lower paid linebackers. Most fans agree, but say "he signed a contract, and at the time he signed it he was one of the highest paid. Its not the Bears fault that the market value has gone up for a linebacker of Urlacher status." Thats right, its not the Bears fault, but now they have a chance to make things right, bacause this is in the Bears control to do so.
I hear many fans say "Urlachers skills have gone down" but I beg to differ. Think about it, Urlacher led the Bears in tackles with 123 [again], led the Bears in interceptions with 5 for 101 yds and 1td, and was 3rd on the team in sacks with 5. Also keep in mind,Urlacher did all of this with,horrible safety play, a rookie corner and some weeks a different set of corners, and no real nose tackle in front of him. Just like the poor QB and runningback play was due in part to a bad line, some of Urlachers problems were also from his supporting cast. I gurantee with a nose tackle like Dusty Dvoracek in front of Urlacher would have made all the difference in freeing up Urlacher to make plays. When Dvoracek went down the Bears did not have another true nose tackle on the d-line. Now this season the Bears will have 2 in Dusty and rookie Marcus Harrison, all 6-3 310lbs of him. With these two in front of Urlacher, a healthy secondary and I don't think Urlacher will be getting snubed for the pro bowl this season. Now just imagine how Urlachers numbers would have looked like with all of this, maybe it might be cheaper to pay Urlacher now, then wait till he has a healthy supporting cast around him to help GO BEARS!!
Joe, I checked out the article. Silverman must be suffering from multiple personality disorder. One the one hand, he says the Bears should trade Urlacher b/c he's just coming off neck surgery and will not be as good as he once was. In fact, his motor will cease working by Novemeber. On the other hand, he cites Urlacher coming off a great season (123 tackles, 5 sacks, 5int.) and some team could luck out by aquiring him via trade with the Bears. HUH?????? Anyone else look at the article??
I can understand Urlacher's frustration with the contract, but the market has moved and he was locked in a long time ago in his long-term deal, which by the way is still good money, top 10 if he was Transitioned. The owners always sign these contracts with the intention that all of the $$$$ will never be realized by the players, and # 54 is no different. Now Brian must wait his turn or take the dough on the table from the BEARS,1 year extension offer, at least thst puts money in his pocket now, with a promise of more later if he lasts...The priority guys is on signing Harris and Hester to deals while we have the money (cap room).....Urlacher can only expect to get more cash once this is done, that's how business is handled, and as Angelo correctly says players are always unhappy with what they are getting paid....Brian's still lucky he could be all of us working regular jobs, blowing time at work trying to figure out what he should do.....
Joe you are taking Creightons place in stupidity. Why trade a Hall of Fame linebacker???? Makes no sence.
You claimed Briggs can shed Blocks??? Thats not true. Not true at all. Why do you think Briggs has more backfield tackels then any other Bear. Ahhhhh Because opposing offenses key on Urlacher and Tommie Harris to open up a big holes for Briggs. Most every play Briggs is in the backfield he is untouched!!!
What happen to Holdman when he left free agentcy? What happen to Rossie Colvin besides break a hip when he left for free agentcy? What will happen to Briggs if Urlacher leaves the Bears? What will happen to Hunter if he is Traded or released.
I have an answer for that Joe. There average at best. Let the Bears do a dumbie move like the Charger did with Junior Seau.
joe, interesting article. A few things stood out:
"If Shanahan was to send the Bears running back Travis Henry, wide receiver Brandon Stokley and linebacker Ian Gold along with two draft picks — including a first-rounder if the Broncos make the playoffs — it would be a trade that would work out well for both teams."
If the Broncos want to trade three starters and two draft picks, one of which is a first rounder, for Urlacher I'd say do it even if he wasn't threatening a hold out. That's an offer you can't refuse.
"Bears general manager Jerry Angelo has offered a small (by Urlacherian standards) raise. Something that would make his salary about $18 million this year. The great Urlacher is unmoved. He wants to have a huge payday from his employers."
Pretty amazing that Urlacher thinks $18 million to play football for one year is a small raise and not a huge payday. I've been thinking Urlacher is just plain stupid, but now I'm thinking he's brain damaged.
"Henry may be busy off the field — he has fathered children with nine women — but he can run with the football. "
Well, with Urlacher gone, at least Lance Briggs will still have someone to look up to.
Joe I read that artical that Steve Silver wrote. I think I came out more stupid after I read that.
He claimed Tavaris Jackson " is a better quarteback option then Chicago's deadly duo." What is this guy smoking. I want some.
Then Steve Silver said "if Shanahan was to send the Bears running back Travis Henry, WR Brandon Stokley and Ian Gold along with 2 draft picks- including a first round if the bronco's make the playoffs it would be a trade that would work out for both team."
Now I know Steve Silver has some good Glaucoma medicine.
Travis Henry dosnt even know if he will clear medicly before training camp. IAN GOLD, IAN GOLD ha. Thats a joke. Brandon Stokley would look good in a Bears Uniform.
It realy stinks that some media will corrupt the healthy minds of us Chicago Bears Fans.
Im not a NAIVE person to beleive what these peice of dung shock jock media folk have to say. Grow a brain for yourself JOE!
I can't believe this mess Urlacher has not played a full season since 05 he is getting caught up in the flow, over pursuing plays and just getting blown up by lead blockers. That list is all fine and good but because other teams overpay players then the Bears should follow suite that would be stupid. Thomas is out of football, Brooking plays for a loser, Colvin is over the hill and over-paid, Bullock and Barnett are very good top 5 talent and Peterson is coming on the others are average at best. So Brian upgrade play upgrade pay real simple. Right on Jerseyboy.....
Scott: "Big enough, fast enough, strong enough, durable enough, willful enough to compete, and smart enough to learn the position."
You forgot ... And darn it, people like me!
JerseyBoy: "This is why I respect Rex Grossman and for all you haters out there he is the only Chicago Bear I know with the most heart. Here is a guy who signed a 1 year deal just to prove himself. I mean this could make or break his NFL career."
You know what? When you're right, you're right. I don't believe he can survive without a descent running back and that IS NOT Cedric "2-yards and a cloud of bust" Benson. As much as I like Orton, there is A LOT to be said about Grossman's confidence and the heart it's taken to not only rebound from injuries but then shake off the "Fragile-sauras Rex" tag.
Ryan the Bears Fan: "Yeah, I know...I saw running backs run around and right through Urlacher last year, and it was NOT pretty. But the man played through it all (whenever it was reasonably possible) instead of just sitting on the sidelines, with the hope that it would be all better this year, like a lot of players do."
You just made EVERYONE'S point and showed you are NFL-retarded\business-retarded in the same instance. He got worse last year, so why should he make more money? Because some guy made more money than him in a year when he played better? Is Urlacher some sort of fine wine that's going to get better with age? No. So your entire argument is baseless.
Let's use your janitor analogy. Five years ago you were a great janitor and got paid like one. Last year, you could barely push a broom and needed an assistant to help you dump your dirty mop water. Now, you want a pay raise so that your on par with guys who are making more money than you and are performing on a MUCH higher level than you? If you work at a job that would be willing to give you a raise for what you "USED TO BE WORTH", then I would consider early retirement because they are either bankrupt or about to be.
Brando: "Then Steve Silver said "if Shanahan was to send the Bears running back Travis Henry, WR Brandon Stokley and Ian Gold along with 2 draft picks- including a first round if the bronco's make the playoffs it would be a trade that would work out for both team."
What's wrong with this? Seriously? I don't let anyone do my thinking for me as most of you have noticed by my posts.
Chicago needs to entertain the option of trading Urlacher if he's threatening holdout and being a divisive locker room entity. I'm not saying I'm sold on the trade but if it were an actual proposal:
Henry has shown flashes but we would need medical clearance and a Henry-off-injury has to be an upgrade over a Benson-off-injury. I DRTFA but I am guessing this was written before Gold was released? Anyway, Stokley and a couple of draft picks (preferably 2nd and 3rd rounds) and I would be willing to listen and look ahead at next season's draft to see how valuable those picks would be.
What I'm tired of hearing is guys still bringing up Colvin and Holdman when comparing Urlacher. Seriously stop that. If the big wigs believed that they would not have signed Briggs to a contract. And another thing people need to stop doing is acting like Briggs wasn't wanted by anyone but the BEARS. Stop laughing at a guy making 6 or 7 million dollars a year. That has got to stop. And comparing Urlacher to Jordan isn't going to wash. Jordan outright owned this town. Jordan brought fans to t