Urlacher's Big Day Not Enough, But Proves His Importance
The book is finally closed on the 2010 Chicago Bears season. And while it's a disappointing end, it's a season that few saw coming.
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The book is finally closed on the 2010 Chicago Bears season. And while it's a disappointing end, it's a season that few saw coming.
We have spent the better part of the week, now, talking about ourselves as much as we have the Bears and the Packers.
The Chicago Bears have a tradition of defensive excellence. It started with the "Monsters of the Midway" and continues today with players like Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers.
It's been said numerous times by talk show hosts this week: "Even if the Bears win the Super Bowl, people are still going to wonder how good this team really was."
Early this season, there were some people unhappy with Julius Peppers' production because he wasn't racking up sacks like they expected.
The Chicago Bears wanted to look more like the Monsters of the Midway. The Bears' defense showed that kind of power Sunday when they dominated the Seattle Seahawks.
The Bears aren't underestimating the Seattle Seahawks after they defeated the Saints last week and after their loss to Seattle in October.
The talk has already started, or continued for that matter, that the Seattle Seahawks don't deserve to be in the playoffs. They ended the season 7-9, but upset the defending Super Bowl Champions in the first round.
Not too long ago, many people were calling for Jerry Angelo to be fired. But there's no denying that he's made two moves that have lead the Bears to the playoffs this season.
The Bears won't be playing this week, as the number two-seed they've earned a first round bye in the NFC Playoffs. And according to Boomer Esiason, former NFL quarterback, there are even more positives for the Bears.
Brian Urlacher, Devin Hester, Julius Peppers and Lance Briggs were all named to the Pro-Bowl this season. But is there a bigger honor awaiting these players once their careers are over?
Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo announced that he has no plans to step aside after this season. He even seemed to be rejuvenated with the Bears' success this season.
A year ago today, the Chicago Bears held a press conference declaring that they valued continuity, but also wanted drastic changes. As crazy as that sounded at the time, that's exactly what happened.
One year ago today, the leaders of the Bears held one of the worst press conferences in Chicago sports history.
To say that the Bears' defense is never satisfied is an understatement. No matter what the outcome of the game is, the defense always feels like they could have done better, that they're not perfect yet.
As the biggest free-agent of last offseason, Julius Peppers signed a contract for over $90 million with the Chicago Bears, and he's lived up to the expectations that came with it.
Getting away with something is not evidence that it was a good idea. There are times in the life of every thoughtful person when we look back at a decision to take a risk of some kind, and think "Well, that probably wasn't too smart.
The Minnesota Vikings finally did something right this season. By beating the Philadelphia Eagles, the Vikings gave the Bears a guaranteed first round bye in the NFC Playoffs.
The NFL announced the rosters for the 2011 Pro Bowl team, Brian Urlacher was among four Bears to be named to the team. See the complete roster here.
Bears' fans are starting to like what they see on the field. The team's newest star, Julius Peppers, has been as advertised and the offense is starting to put up some points.
Just before the Jets face the Bears, controversy breaks out about Rex Ryan. The Jets need to win to secure a spot in the playoffs and the attention on Ryan's foot-fetish videos might distract him from the game. The Bears already clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2006 and it's Jay Cutler's first NFL post-season of his career.
Monday night's game resulted in a few things for the Bears. Devin Hester is now, officially, the greatest returner of all-time, as if that was ever in doubt.
One of the biggest surprises this season has been the outstanding play of defensive lineman Matt Toeaina.
Prominent aspects of this year's Bears discussion are winding together for Sunday afternoon's game against the Patriots at Soldier Field.
The Bears have had success this season with their cover two defensive scheme. The Bears didn't change for Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles, and they probably won't change for Tom Brady and the Patriots.
A 16-year-old boy was shot while walking in Albany Park on Tuesday night.
A Cicero woman is suing Uber and a driver after the driver allegedly sexually assaulted her. She and her boyfriend said Uber hired him despite the driver having a criminal background.
The Cubs (84-68) maintained a half-game lead over Philadelphia (83-68) for the top NL wild card.
The dirty conditions come as the school board voted last month to cut costs and part ways with about 30 union custodians.
The White Sox, who lost at least 100 games in each of the past three seasons, have held at least a share of first since July 4.
Three Chicago City Council members announced they have negotiated a revised parking meter deal with New York-based Stonepeak Partners to the benefit of the city.
The Legislative Ethics Commission has appointed David Risley acting legislative inspector general effective the day following the Sept. 30 resignation of his predecessor.
The Kennedy Center board, which is filled with President Trump's allies, is set to vote Tuesday on a new plan to close the center for two years of renovations.
President Trump has thrown his support behind Darren Bailey, the Republican candidate for Illinois governor.
Attorney Bill Quinlan on Tuesday became the latest candidate to announce a run for mayor of Chicago in 2027.
Nicor customers will get a break on their bills this fall after Illinois Attorney General Kwame Roul reached an agreement with the utility to cut $140 million from its requested rate hike.
Drivers in Chicago and beyond were paying the highest gas prices ever recorded for the Labor Day holiday as millions of Americans were making their way home on Monday.
Around 115 million domestic and international tourists visited Illinois last year, pushing visitor spending past $50 billion for the first time and generating more than $88 billion in total economic impact.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit Thursday against ABC Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric Inc., alleging deceptive business practices.
Cook County homeowners are again facing a sharper increase in property taxes this year than businesses, the Office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announced Monday.
A judge on Tuesday was expected to place two shuttered Chicago-area safety-net hospitals into receivership.
Cardinal Blase Cupich and a group of Catholic nuns have joined a federal lawsuit challenging Illinois' Medical Aid in Dying law, which is set to take effect in just over a week.
Flies have been everywhere this summer in the Chicago area, and some of them bite. But why is this happening?
Prime Healthcare is drawing criticism after announcing it will stop obstetrics services at three Chicago-area hospitals.
The Chicago Department of Public Health on Tuesday announced two human cases and one death from the West Nile virus in the city this year, and one of those two people has died.
Plans for a new Chicago White Sox stadium in the South Loop have residents near the existing ballpark in Bridgeport concerned, not just because the team might be leaving, but also what might be coming nearby.
A new report from the University of Illinois Chicago said federal immigration enforcement led to $1.26 billion in unspent money at retail establishments and restaurants in Cook County.
Around 115 million domestic and international tourists visited Illinois last year, pushing visitor spending past $50 billion for the first time and generating more than $88 billion in total economic impact.
A new Whole Foods Market is coming to Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.
More than 100 Black-owned businesses were showcased at Soldier Field Sunday for Black on the Block.
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas all released statements Tuesday on Instagram saying they were withdrawing from Ed Sheeran's tour.
Performer Macklemore is being dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop tour after making on-stage statements that some found controversial.
Dubbed the "Designer to the Stars," Bob Mackie won nine Emmy Awards, a Tony Award and was nominated for three Oscars.
The stage was set and the air was humid as rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, took the stage for the first of two Chicago concerts at Soldier Field Thursday night.
James Fulton Engstrom, now a healthy teenager, was born without a pulse in 2010 — and his survival is the miracle the Catholic Church credited to Fulton Sheen's intercession, clearing the way for beatification.
The future of Rate Field is back in the spotlight on Wednesday.
A 16-year-old boy was shot while walking in Albany Park on Tuesday night.
Meteorologist Kylee Miller has the extended forecast.
They did not reveal exactly when coyote genes might have entered the chihuahua lineage or if it was deliberate or accidental.
Chief meteorologist Albert Ramon is tracking more wet days, some bringing storms, in First Alert Weather.
A Cicero woman is suing Uber and a driver after the driver allegedly sexually assaulted her. She and her boyfriend said Uber hired him despite the driver having a criminal background.
The request through FEMA would provide grants for temporary housing and damage repair.
A 16-year-old boy was shot while walking in Albany Park on Tuesday night.
The dirty conditions come as the school board voted last month to cut costs and part ways with about 30 union custodians.
The crash happened near the spot of a deadly Metro bus crash in Chatsworth.
A Cicero woman is suing Uber and a driver after the driver allegedly sexually assaulted her. She and her boyfriend said Uber hired him despite the driver having a criminal background.
Both hospitals were supposed to be placed in receivership, but after five hours of closed-door negotiations on Tuesday, it is still unclear what the future holds for both hospitals.
Chicago police crime data show 255 reported crimes in the last two years on the two blocks where the former Hard Rock and Rainforest cafés sit vacant. Neighbors have been calling the city about the alley between them for six years.
A three-year effort by the Cook County Sheriff's Office to help bring down crime on the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago appears to be working.
Several lawsuits are challenging Illinois' medical aid in dying law that is set to take effect on Sept. 12, including one in federal court arguing the law discriminates against people with disabilities.
The Cubs (84-68) maintained a half-game lead over Philadelphia (83-68) for the top NL wild card.
The White Sox, who lost at least 100 games in each of the past three seasons, have held at least a share of first since July 4.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham outlined the traits she wants in the WNBA's next commissioner — someone who values players, communicates openly, and can unite a diverse league.
Connor Bedard has been named the 37th captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, capping a busy offseason for the young center.
Chicago has won three of four and moved one-half game ahead of idle Philadelphia for the top NL wild card.
Chicago police on Tuesday issued a community alert after a man groped a woman on a CTA Red Line subway platform downtown.
A $30,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person who shot and killed a 911 dispatcher in the Back of the Yards neighborhood last week.
A 15-year-old girl returned to court Monday to face murder charges, after authorities said she was one of a few people responsible for pushing a man out of a moving Chicago Transit Authority Red Line train.
An 85-year-old man from Crown Point, Indiana, was arrested this past weekend on accusations of shooting his wife.
Chicago police this past weekend issued a warning about a man who grabbed a woman at a CTA Blue Line station in Wicker Park.