Also, why did Dan jump on the Alabama question guy? Poor sap was just curious not a conspiracy theorist. Sheesh.

Im going to assume thats rhetorical, Mike.

So my point is basically: let it not be said that I never complimented Laurence Holmes.

It's really quite simple.

Can you find someone better and afford that player in your financial scheme?

If the answer is YES, then don't sign 54.

If you can't, then re-sign 54, or make him an offer for what you want to pay him.

Anyone that tells me he lost something and isn't the same player is just playing "Master of the Obvious" and should be an ESPN 'expert'!

He's clearly not the same player. The Bears don't need him as much as some people think they do. I think it's time to let him go.

Maybe you don't agree but in Urlacher's last game against the Seahawks he was terrible against Russell Wilson and that was the game when he injured his hamstring. He's too old to be chasing a lot of these young guys around.

I have not heard of the Bears looking at any middle linebackers in free agency, but you have to think they'll be drafting some after Nick Roach left. At this point Urlacher is not the future, but would be maybe a band-aid to get you through the season and who knows whether he can even make it through a season.

I believe Dan was slobbing his knob at some point last year, when he was at his healthiest, claiming he was still getting the job done. The defense was great for stretches, so he mustn't have been that bad? I dunno. I didn't break down the tape. But I do like the idea of cutting the Lovie cord totally.

yeah I know, but he had some good games. had that pick six. I think Dan was saying, despite the fact he couldn't run he still had value.

*

Sir asked Dan where he was planning on finding said (presumptive) Stud, but he didn't push that hard and the whole thing kind of died.

IIRC, didn't Dan retort with saying that you can get an Undrafted Free Agent who can "easily replace" Urlacher? Then there was some trepidation that other people would have a crack at getting those UFAs and a mention about how the Bears are proactive in having their annual tryouts at RB/WR/K to make sure their contingency plans are in place should the unthinkable happen and Olindo Mare's services are needed.

As a final note: Remember that Urlacher started the season without a training camp and not in great condition, having just had surgery. He played his way into shape but wasn't the player of old. An offseason of conditioning may return him to some form of himself, not 100% but if he can be 80% that would probably be better than any point last season, and good enough for one more year.