Brian Urlacher knows defense. Specifically he knows the Bears defense. What he’s been watching the past few years since he left in 2013 is a mere shadow of the great units he played with from 2000 to 2012. Though things ended on a bad note for him in Chicago, he wishes for nothing more than to see the Bears make the defense great again.
Well it has to be a good thing hearing his opinion on the new unit being built by John Fox and Vic Fangio. Urlacher appeared on CBS Sports Radio recently to talk his latest projects and of course his thoughts on the state of Bears football. After stating why he thinks Cutler flopped in Chicago and why Lovie Smith may have cursed the franchise, he made an interesting, if subtle statement about what’s to come in 2017.
“Their defense is going to be good this year. They were good last year and they had so many young guys play that it’s only going to help them this year.”
Urlacher knows better than to get lost in the stats. He trusts his eyes and indeed the Bears defense did look good in 2016. This despite a myriad of injuries to key guys like Leonard Floyd, Eddie Goldman, Pernell McPhee and Danny Trevathan. With most of those men back healthy, it stands to reason the unit can perform even better this year right?
Urlacher knows the 2017 Bears defense is under the radar
If anybody knows about exceeding expectations for a young defense, it’s Urlacher. As a rookie in 2000, his unit was decent but hardly great. They finished 20th in points allowed and 16th overall. He was the lone true standout to make the Pro Bowl. It’s almost a carbon copy of 2016, which finished 24th and 15th in those respective categories. Both defense had some individual standouts but hadn’t yet learned how to play together.
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A year later in 2001 that all changed for Urlacher. The Bears made some quietly good offseason additions and with a run of good health became one of the most suffocating units in football. They ranked 15th overall but 1st in points allowed. The team went from 5-11 to 13-3 and won the division.
Urlacher wisely knows that if they could do it, why can’t this new group? They certainly have an array of talent capable enough. It’s all about staying healthy and playing within the system. This will be the third year under Fangio as a defensive coordinator. By now the play speed should really start to pick up for guys. They no longer have to think about what they must do. They already know it.
When a defense can play fast without thinking? That’s when good things happen.
