LB Brian Urlacher: Former Pro Bowler Just Fine in the 4-3
by John M. Crist of BearReport.com, September 10, 2009 at 3:41pm ET

Brian Urlacher Profile

The NFL is a copycat league more than ever these days, as evidenced by the fact that the Bears will be facing a new 3-4 defensive scheme in Green Bay for the first time during the Lovie Smith regime.

But that doesn't mean former Defensive Player of the Year Brian Urlacher has been paying much attention, pleading his ignorance to one of the trends sweeping through the NFL.

"I don't know much about the 3-4," Urlacher said Thursday before practice at Halas Hall. "I know a lot of AFC teams run it. They're pretty productive. Usually most of the guys that lead the NFL in yards, which I guess is a big deal to everyone, they're usually a 3-4 defense. I know the Steelers run it. New England runs it. They're usually pretty good. Someone blitzes from each side all the time, I guess, is the core thing. If you bring someone off the edge every play you're still rushing four, but it feels like you're bringing pressure I guess. I don't know a whole lot about it, to tell you the truth. I guess you can confuse teams quite a bit."

Nevertheless, Urlacher has always been a 4-3 guy and doesn't feel the need to wonder what life would be like in the middle of a 3-4.

"I like our defense," he said. "I was in a 4-3 when coach [Dick] Jauron was here, [defensive coordinator Greg] Blache. I like it. It's comfortable for me."

Bears fans are hoping the 4-3 is more comfortable than ever for Urlacher, who is coming off consecutive Pro Bowl-less campaigns but appears to be past the back and neck issues that slowed him down in 2007-08.



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Brian Urlacher
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 258
Position: LB
Date of Birth: 05/25/1978
Experience: 10
High School: Lovington HS
(Lovington, NM)
College: New Mexico


Biography:

PRO CAREER: Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year has been selected to six career Pro Bowls while registering 1,299 career tackles, the most ever for a Bears player in his first 8 seasons… Stands 6th on team's career sacks list (first kept as a stat in 1982) with 37.5, which is also the most all-time amongst Bears LBs… In 2007, became just the 3rd Bears player in franchise history to record 5 INTs and 5 sacks in the same season… Tallied a career-high 7 takeaways (5 INTs, 2 FR) during the 2007 season, adding 5 sacks… He leads all NFL linebackers with 8 INTs since 2006 and is tied for fifth amongst LBs with 15 INTs since entering the league in 2000… Returned one of his 5 INTs of the 2007 season 85 yards for a touchdown vs. GB (12/23/07) to become the first player in franchise history to have a 90-plus yard fumble return for a TD (90-yard at ATL 10/7/01) and an 80-plus yard INT return for a score… Finished 4th in the 2006 Associated Press Defensive Player-of-the-Year voting a year after he won the award to become the second Bears player to receive the honor (Mike Singletary, 1985, 1988) in franchise history and just the fifth player in NFL history to be named Defensive Rookie-of-the-Year and Defensive Player-of-the-Year in their career… Has recorded over 100 tackles in each campaign in his career, including a career-high 214 in 2002, the most ever by a Bear since tackle totals began being recorded in 1971… Has contributed to Chicago allowing the fewest points in the NFL in 2 of his 8 seasons, including 2005 when the Bears 202 points allowed was the fewest since a franchise-record 187 in 1986… First Chicago defender to lead the team in tackles in his initial 4 NFL seasons and was the first Bear to pace the team in tackles for 4 straight seasons since Singletary did so 5 straight years (1988-92)… Fifth player in franchise history to receive Pro Bowl selections in each of his first 4 NFL seasons (Rick Casares, Mike Ditka, Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers)… Ranks 2nd behind Mike Brown on Bears all-time list for career fumble return yards with 158 on 8 career recoveries, including a 90-yard TD in 2001.

HOW ACQUIRED: Entered NFL as first-round selection (ninth overall) by Chicago in the 2000 NFL Draft.

PERSONAL NOTES: Had jersey number 11 retired during "Brian Urlacher Day" ceremonies at Lovington (NM) H.S. in February, 2001… All-state selection at WR and FS led club to 14-0 record and state title as senior while catching 61 passes for 15 TDs, returning 4 punts and 2 kickoffs for TDs and rushing for 2 more TDs… Also all-district in basketball… Active supporter of the Special Olympics in the Chicagoland area and in his home state of New Mexico… Has 2 daughters, Pamela and Riley, and 1 son, Kennedy… Younger brother, Casey, played football at Lake Forest College and spent time on Bears roster before the 2003 season; veteran of 2 seasons in Arena Football League2… Donated football and weightlifting equipment to Lovington H.S. in 2002… Supplied shoes for each boys and girls sports programs at LHS in 2006…Hosts an annual charity basketball game at Lovington High benefiting the high school.