Brian Urlacher retires

[JO_75]

I guess Urlacher decided it was best to retire rather play another season, but he will be joining Ray Lewis in retirement. 

 

 

Urlacher sent out a tweet on Wednesday saying that it was an honor to play his entire career with the Bears and including a link to a longer statement announcing that he has decided to retire from professional football.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/22/brian-urlacher-announces-his-retirement/

 

 

[Moderator 3]

I would retire, too, if no one wanted to hire me.

[T3hRaven]

Unsurprising, considering no one wanted him at this stage in his career.

[Ngata Chance]

Sad, he goes out feeling unwanted and unappreciated.

Quite a contrast to Ray.

[Gordo52]

A very good linebacker and someone whose spent their entire career with the same team. I respect him and wish him the best.

Lewis,Barber and Urlacher all are gone.

[GrimCoconut]

Well, we know he won't be a first ballot Hall of Fame player. Lol.

[CARavensFan]

Maybe now people will stop calling for the Ravens to sign him lol

[K-Dog]

Shame.
Players like him should go out in a better way than this.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

i guess the money teams were willing to pay him were not enough to risk his health by getting hit for one more year

[BloodRaven]

It's hard to like Urlacher when for so many years Bears fans couldn't mention him without trashing Ray.

[JO_75]

[ghost1986]

It's hard to like Urlacher when for so many years Bears fans couldn't mention him without trashing Ray.

Eh. I'm not gonna hate on a guy because of his team's fan base. I have respect for the guy. Not to mention his Xfinity commercials are hilarious. Same with Old Spice. But Ray's Old Spice are the best. Shame he couldn't have gone out on top like Ray.

[K-Dog]

It's hard to like Urlacher when for so many years Bears fans couldn't mention him without trashing Ray.

that has nothing to do with him.

Nothing.

[scrock]

he'll get into the HOF, but is he 1st ballot? i know one thing and he isn't on Ray's level

[BloodRaven]

that has nothing to do with him.

Nothing.

 

That's implied. It's just a funny observation on residual feelings from the past.

[JohnnyBoy8102]

Not a 1st Ballot guy.

A guy like Zach Thomas who has more All Pro 1st Team Selections (5) can't get a sniff but Urlacher is a 1st Ballot lock?

Seau, Brooks, and Ray are all way ahead of him. Other active LB (the clump them all together for the HOF) such as Ware and Willis already have similar/better resumes and no one is giving them 1st ballot status.

[Guest nflfan123]

Ernie Acossi said it best he's a borderline HOF, not a lock

[JohnnyBoy8102]

He is extremely overrated.

The Bears Defense has only been elite in 3-4 seasons of his entire career. All this "Urlacher led an elite defense for over a decade" garbage is hyperbole.

The "changed the game" talk is overdone as well. No team is clamoring for an Urlacher clone or to play a ton of the Tampa-2 scheme. All the younger great MLB/ILB are young ray Lewis clones.

[Guest nflfan123]

He is extremely overrated.

The Bears Defense has only been elite in 3-4 seasons of his entire career. All this "Urlacher led an elite defense for over a decade" garbage is hyperbole.

The "changed the game" talk is overdone as well. No team is clamoring for an Urlacher clone or to play a ton of the Tampa-2 scheme. All the younger great MLB/ILB are young ray Lewis clones.

I've heard people say if Urlacher played for Tennessee no one would no who he is, etc. What do you think?

[Ed_Reed20]

Not a 1st Ballot guy.

A guy like Zach Thomas who has more All Pro 1st Team Selections (5) can't get a sniff but Urlacher is a 1st Ballot lock?

Seau, Brooks, and Ray are all way ahead of him. Other active LB (the clump them all together for the HOF) such as Ware and Willis already have similar/better resumes and no one is giving them 1st ballot status.

 

He is extremely overrated.

The Bears Defense has only been elite in 3-4 seasons of his entire career. All this "Urlacher led an elite defense for over a decade" garbage is hyperbole.

The "changed the game" talk is overdone as well. No team is clamoring for an Urlacher clone or to play a ton of the Tampa-2 scheme. All the younger great MLB/ILB are young ray Lewis clones.

 

So much truth in these posts.

 

 

Zach Thomas has to be one of the most underrated LBs in league history.

[JohnnyBoy8102]

I've heard people say if Urlacher played for Tennessee no one would no who he is, etc. What do you think?

 

I always thought he was a decent player who got a ton of undeserved credit/press and had a ton of shortcomings that were always swept under the rug. 

 

I watched 90% of his career games and he was the ultimate "Sammy Sosa type" to me. The whole game he would get dominated at the LOS or point of attack then suddenly make an athletic play (like tackling Vick in the open field in 2001) that would make all the highlight shows and everyone would think he had a great game. 

 

There are a lot of Urlacher Myths out there as well:

 

1. He changed the game/position:

 

This is not true. Like I said, he only led 4 Defenses that were in the top-10 in yards and 5 in the top-10 in points in his 13 years in the league. Those teams produced 3 playoff wins and and one embarrassing Super Bowl loss. What team is trying to get a MLB/ILB who can't get off blocks to play the Cover 2? 

 

2. He was a great leader

 

Again, the leaders of those Bears teams were always other players. Mike Brown early on and Lance Briggs/Peppers/Charles Tillman as the years went on. Urlacher led a media freeze for years and would give one word answers to questions, threw Cutler and other teammates (Cedric Benson) under the bus, was an arrogant [profanity deleted] to people (see Bad Ruten incident), and didn't lead much of anything most of the time (see #1 above). 

 

3. He was a complete defender

 

Again, untrue. Urlacher was the epitome of a hit or miss defender vs the run. Early in his career he would never take on blocks and would attempt to guess or run around them. That would lead to huge holes. For example, the immortal James Stewart had a 172 yard game vs the Bears in 2002. 

 

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200210200det.htm

 

He never was an elite run defender throughout his career and got embarrassed numerous times. Stewart, Steven Jackson, Jerome Bettis, Tom Brady, the epic duo of Chester Taylor/Ciatrick Fason (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612030chi.htm), Ryan Torain (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201010240chi.htm), Aaron Rodgers, Brandon Jacobs just to name a few. 

 

 

I would blame Urlacher for their Super Bowl loss as well due to the fact Addai/Rhodes looked like Jim Brown. 

 

3. At his peak, Urlacher was as great as Ray Lewis 

 

Again, untrue. Ray at his peak was considered the best PLAYER in the NFL by coaches, scouts, players, etc. 

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/6427963

 

Sporting News scouts had him as the #1 rating player in the NFL heading into the 2004 Season. Ray's 1999-2004 are as good as anyone's. 

 

 

4. Urlacher was the best MLB/ILB during his career. 

 

The ONLY seasons with an Argument are 2005/06 although I found him to be highly overrated during that time as well. 

 

Urlacher's DPOY season is bizarre as he made ZERO big plays the final 10 games of that season and was trucked by the Bus on the goalline yet still won the award. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa1TSaKmG2o

 

 

EVERY other player before or after had incredible stats and made big plays all season for their team to win. It was as if this award was forced to him in someways. 

 

5.Urlacher's career is equal to Ray's

 

How is that even possible? Ray has 10 All Pro selections to Urlacher's 5. More Super Bowls, more DPOY awards, more everything to be honest. There is NO way Urlacher is on the same level as Ray. 

 

Can anyone remember a big play or hit by Urlacher? All the Bear fans mention his 2001 run down of Vick and his 2006 performance vs the Cardinals. That's it? Two regular season game from 7 and 12 years ago? 

 

Ray had an incredible reach and influence on many young players including Willis, Ryans, Beason, Merriman, Kirk Morrison, etc. He essentially became the "Godfather" of the NFL or players at any position. 

 

6. Urlacher is a sure fire 1st Ballot HOF

 

He is? His 2003, 2010, 2011 Pro Bowls are shoddy at best but if you want to use the number 8 compare this:

 

Contempories 

Zach Thomas-7 Pro Bowls/7 All Pros

Ray Lewis-13 Pro Bowls/10 All Pros/2 DPOY/SB MVP

Patrick Willis-6 Pro Bowls/6 All Pros

DeMarcus Ware-7 Pro Bowls/7 All Pros

Derrick Brooks-11 Pro Bowls/9 All Pros/DPOY/Pick-6 in SB

Junior Seau-12 Pro Bowls/10 All Pros

Lance Briggs-7 Pro Bowls/3 All Pros

Brian Urlacher-8 Pro Bowls/5 All Pros/DPOY

James Harrison-5 Pro Bowls/4 All Pros/DPOY/2 SB Rings 

 

 

Older Players

Randy Gradishar-7 Pro Bowls/6 All Pros/DPOY

Isiah Robertson-6 Pro Bowls/5 All Pros

Pat Swilling-5 Pro Bowls/4 All Pros/DPOY

Larry Grantham-5 Pro Bowls/8 All Pros

Chuck Howley-6 Pro Bowls/6 All Pros/SB MVP

Karl Mecklenburg-6 Pro Bowls/4 All Pros

Maxie Baughan-9 Pro Bowls/7 All Pros

Robert Brazile-7 Pro Bowls/6 All Pros

Bill Bergey-5 Pro Bowls/5 All Pros

Kevin Greene-5 Pro Bowls/3 All Pros/160 Sacks

Hardy Nickerson-5 Pro Bowls/4 All Pros 

 

If he is a sure fire 1st Ballot HOFer then Zach Thomas, Patrick Willis, Ware, Gradishar, Grantham, Howley, Harrison, Baughan, and Swilling all deserve that consideration as well. 

 

Zach Thomas is projected as not even getting a sniff of the HOF. 

 

Remember for HOF purposes all LB are grouped together and All Pro selections by the AP, Sporting News, and Pro Football Writers are all counted. 

[berad]

JohnnyBoy deserves post of the lifetime

[AsianRice]

I would retire, too, if no one wanted to hire me.

lmao...truth hurts....

[JohnnyBoy8102]

JohnnyBoy deserves post of the lifetime

 

Thanks man. 

 

I just find the Urlacher 1st ballot debate ridiculous. 

 

Still trying to find out how he was equal to Ray, was such a "humble" player, great team leader, and led his dominant defense for over a decade. 

 

I never found his peak to be that "great" and he started to decline while still in his 20s. If he was a member of the Jags or Titans he wouldn't have nearly the Pro Bowls he had.

 

Ray was still a 1st Team All Pro by Pro Football Focus in 2011. We only saw Ray look "old" for the equivalent of 1/2 a season (end of '11 & 1st part of '12) and he still had his moments during that time. Ray would have never let the likes of Ryan Torain come into The Bank and run for 6 yards per carry while he was in his prime/early decline phase. Do you think he would have let Taylor/Fason rack up 190 yards on the ground when he was 28 years old ? (linked the 2006 Vikes game when Urlacher was 28). When Ray finished his 13th season (2008) he was a 1st Team All Pro. When he finished his age 34 Season (2009) he was a 1st Team All Pro. Urlacher last season was 34 and in his 13th season. This off season no one wanted him for minimal pay. 

 

Being on the Bears and having a unique look definately helped Urlacher throughout his career. For example:

 

2003: 116 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 0 int, 0 ff, 0 fr, 4 pd, 22nd ranked D in Pts, 14th ranked in Yards 

 

Somehow that was a Pro Bowl season but these two didn't make the Pro Bowl?

Dat Nguyen: 121 tackles, 2 sacks 0 int, 2 ff, 2 fr, 11 pd, 2nd ranked D in pts, 1st ranked in yards (2nd team all pro)

Nick Barnett: 112 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 int, 0 ff, 1 fr, 6 pd, 11 ranked D in pts, 17th in yards 

 

That worked the opposite direction for Ray. In 2006 the Ravens had the #1 Defense and Ray put up:

103 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 int, 1 FF, 1 FR, 8 PD

Al Wilson got the pro bowl nod (before Ray got it due to the Wilson injury) with 92 tackles, 1 sack, 0 int, 1 FF, 0 FR, 4 PD on the 14th ranked Defense in yards. How does that make sense? 

 

His 2010 and 2011 were solid &  healthy seasons that were ranked in the top 10-12 or so at the position but they were NOT pro bowl calibar seasons. Urlacher benefited by have 3 Pro Bowls added to his resume and an injury replacement selection in 2000 (Detroit's Stephen Boyd was hurt). 

 

The Bottom Line (no pun intended with the Ray Lewis reference) is that Urlacher did not make as single All Pro 1st team from the AP or any other major selector (Sporting News, Pro Football Writers) in his last 6 seasons after his age 28 season. 

 

And a Final comparison:

 

Player A:

13 Seasons, 184 Games, 1733 tackles (1103 solo), 20.5 sacks, 85.5 stuffs, 16 FF, 8 FR, 17 INT, 68 PD, 4 Defensive TDs

7 Pro Bowls, 7 All Pro Selections (5 1st Team Selections), 8 Top 10 Defenses (5 in top 5)

3 Wins-5 losses in team's playoff games 

 

Player B:

13 Seasons, 182 Games, 1358 tackles (1043 solo), 41.5 sacks, 87 stuffs, 12 FF, 16 FR, 22 INT, 91 PD, 4 Defensive TDs

8 Pro Bowls, 5 All Pro Selections (4 1st Team Selections), 4 Top 10 Defenses (3 in top 5)

3 Wins-4 losses in team's playoff games

 

One player has been deemed a 1st Ballot Lock and put into the elite group of Ray, Lambert, Butkus.....while the other player is an afterthought in HOF discussion. 

[Ed_Reed20]

You're on a roll, JohnnyBoy. We need to get you on the HOF voting panel.  

[gabefergy]

I always thought he was a decent player who got a ton of undeserved credit/press and had a ton of shortcomings that were always swept under the rug. 

 

I watched 90% of his career games and he was the ultimate "Sammy Sosa type" to me. The whole game he would get dominated at the LOS or point of attack then suddenly make an athletic play (like tackling Vick in the open field in 2001) that would make all the highlight shows and everyone would think he had a great game. 

 

There are a lot of Urlacher Myths out there as well:

 

1. He changed the game/position:

 

This is not true. Like I said, he only led 4 Defenses that were in the top-10 in yards and 5 in the top-10 in points in his 13 years in the league. Those teams produced 3 playoff wins and and one embarrassing Super Bowl loss. What team is trying to get a MLB/ILB who can't get off blocks to play the Cover 2? 

 

2. He was a great leader

 

Again, the leaders of those Bears teams were always other players. Mike Brown early on and Lance Briggs/Peppers/Charles Tillman as the years went on. Urlacher led a media freeze for years and would give one word answers to questions, threw Cutler and other teammates (Cedric Benson) under the bus, was an arrogant [profanity deleted] to people (see Bad Ruten incident), and didn't lead much of anything most of the time (see #1 above). 

 

3. He was a complete defender

 

Again, untrue. Urlacher was the epitome of a hit or miss defender vs the run. Early in his career he would never take on blocks and would attempt to guess or run around them. That would lead to huge holes. For example, the immortal James Stewart had a 172 yard game vs the Bears in 2002. 

 

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200210200det.htm

 

He never was an elite run defender throughout his career and got embarrassed numerous times. Stewart, Steven Jackson, Jerome Bettis, Tom Brady, the epic duo of Chester Taylor/Ciatrick Fason (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612030chi.htm), Ryan Torain (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201010240chi.htm), Aaron Rodgers, Brandon Jacobs just to name a few. 

 

 

I would blame Urlacher for their Super Bowl loss as well due to the fact Addai/Rhodes looked like Jim Brown. 

 

3. At his peak, Urlacher was as great as Ray Lewis 

 

Again, untrue. Ray at his peak was considered the best PLAYER in the NFL by coaches, scouts, players, etc. 

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/6427963

 

Sporting News scouts had him as the #1 rating player in the NFL heading into the 2004 Season. Ray's 1999-2004 are as good as anyone's. 

 

 

4. Urlacher was the best MLB/ILB during his career. 

 

The ONLY seasons with an Argument are 2005/06 although I found him to be highly overrated during that time as well. 

 

Urlacher's DPOY season is bizarre as he made ZERO big plays the final 10 games of that season and was trucked by the Bus on the goalline yet still won the award. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa1TSaKmG2o

 

 

EVERY other player before or after had incredible stats and made big plays all season for their team to win. It was as if this award was forced to him in someways. 

 

5.Urlacher's career is equal to Ray's

 

How is that even possible? Ray has 10 All Pro selections to Urlacher's 5. More Super Bowls, more DPOY awards, more everything to be honest. There is NO way Urlacher is on the same level as Ray. 

 

Can anyone remember a big play or hit by Urlacher? All the Bear fans mention his 2001 run down of Vick and his 2006 performance vs the Cardinals. That's it? Two regular season game from 7 and 12 years ago? 

 

Ray had an incredible reach and influence on many young players including Willis, Ryans, Beason, Merriman, Kirk Morrison, etc. He essentially became the "Godfather" of the NFL or players at any position. 

 

6. Urlacher is a sure fire 1st Ballot HOF

 

He is? His 2003, 2010, 2011 Pro Bowls are shoddy at best but if you want to use the number 8 compare this:

 

Contempories 

Zach Thomas-7 Pro Bowls/7 All Pros

Ray Lewis-13 Pro Bowls/10 All Pros/2 DPOY/SB MVP

Patrick Willis-6 Pro Bowls/6 All Pros

DeMarcus Ware-7 Pro Bowls/7 All Pros

Derrick Brooks-11 Pro Bowls/9 All Pros/DPOY/Pick-6 in SB

Junior Seau-12 Pro Bowls/10 All Pros

Lance Briggs-7 Pro Bowls/3 All Pros

Brian Urlacher-8 Pro Bowls/5 All Pros/DPOY

James Harrison-5 Pro Bowls/4 All Pros/DPOY/2 SB Rings 

 

 

Older Players

Randy Gradishar-7 Pro Bowls/6 All Pros/DPOY

Isiah Robertson-6 Pro Bowls/5 All Pros

Pat Swilling-5 Pro Bowls/4 All Pros/DPOY

Larry Grantham-5 Pro Bowls/8 All Pros

Chuck Howley-6 Pro Bowls/6 All Pros/SB MVP

Karl Mecklenburg-6 Pro Bowls/4 All Pros

Maxie Baughan-9 Pro Bowls/7 All Pros

Robert Brazile-7 Pro Bowls/6 All Pros

Bill Bergey-5 Pro Bowls/5 All Pros

Kevin Greene-5 Pro Bowls/3 All Pros/160 Sacks

Hardy Nickerson-5 Pro Bowls/4 All Pros 

 

If he is a sure fire 1st Ballot HOFer then Zach Thomas, Patrick Willis, Ware, Gradishar, Grantham, Howley, Harrison, Baughan, and Swilling all deserve that consideration as well. 

 

Zach Thomas is projected as not even getting a sniff of the HOF. 

 

Remember for HOF purposes all LB are grouped together and All Pro selections by the AP, Sporting News, and Pro Football Writers are all counted. 

First Ballot HoF post!! I love it.

[SecretAgentMan]

*Singing*

Oh go (guitar lick).

Go Johnny Go go !

 

Go Johnny Go go go  !

Go Johnny Go go !

 

Johnny B Goode

[JohnnyBoy8102]

I can talk about this topic for awhile and have plenty of ammo.

Look at this article:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8202e4d5/article/split-opinions-on-urlachers-credentials-for-hall-of-fame

That is heading into the 2011 season and all the analysts were 50/50 on Urlacher's candidacy.

Suddenly a reputation Pro Bowl season in '11, an unbelievably terrible '12, and no playoff appearances and he is a 1st Ballot lock?

How does such a jump happen like that?




This is a comparable resume to Urlacher's career:

8 Seasons, 100 Games, 812 tackles (599 solo), 19.5 sacks, 11 Int, 12 FF, 10 FR, 48 PD, 2 Defensive TD
6 Pro Bowls, 3 All Pro Selections
9-5 team record in the playoffs w/ a Super Bowl Ring

That is Ray's career just in his 30s and it is comparable to Urlacher's career.

[Yatagarasu]

He should've taken the Bears offer it was a little more than veteran minimum.

[Irish Raven]

Super posts JohnnyBoy