The talk of the town is Brian Urlacher’s season ending wrist injury and the talk is extensive.  David Haugh thinks the Bears will survive and I agree with him.  Neil Hayes believes the injury represents a changing of the team leadership guard.  Brad Biggs and multiple fans are wondering why 54 can’t play with a cast on his wrist.  My phone lit up yesterday with text messages of condolence.  Football friends from around the country were calling me to get a response on the matter.  My response varied.

I understand what Brian Urlacher means to the Chicago Bears and I was excited for the career resurgence the club was expecting this season.  Urlacher is one of the most popular players in Chicago sports history.  Why?  It’s not complicated.  He’s a white guy playing middle linebacker for the Bears.  Is he a Hall of Famer?  I don’t think so.  I think his athleticism and propensity to make big plays has always usurped his overall production – especially since Keith Traylor and Ted Washington left town.  Brian Urlacher is a great athlete.  Lance Briggs is a great linebacker.

The mourning must end.  We can argue about Urlacher’s value until kingdom come but it won’t change the fact that the champs are coming to town Sunday afternoon.  A loss to Pittsburgh will send the Bears to a rejuvenated Seattle the following week, hoping to avoid an 0-3 start.  One can only hope that the entire organization echoes the sentiments of Adewale Ogunleye and re-focuses their attention on the field.  A win Sunday and Brian Urlacher’s injury becomes a non-story.  A win Sunday and Jay Cutler’s four picks were a short roadblock on the yellow brick road.

I hope Urlacher will be the type of injured player that Mike Brown always was.  On the sideline.  Cheerleading.  Coaching.  Being present.  I like the guy.  But he’s no longer on the fifty-three man roster.  Nick Roach is.  Jamar Williams is.  Hunter Hillenmeyer is.  Brian Urlacher can’t help the Bears beat the Steelers.  Those three guys can.

Bear down.

Note: If you’d like to send Wale an email, it’s adewaleogunleye93@yahoo.com.  He’s been answering fan questions on his blog.