jason

FYI - I've heard this same topic come from the mouths of college coordinators and NFL officials, and it's being somewhat misconstrued. The competition committee isn't talking about a runner "lowering his head." They're talking about a runner "leading with the crown of his helmet," which has a subtle difference. I will provide one caveat, however, and that is the phrase "taking the head out of football." I've also heard that phrase used. They want to seriously eliminate any and all feasible possibility of helmet contact - we all know it stems from the legit concussion problem but also the fear of lawsuit over brain trauma - without affecting the game too much. For what it's worth, a similar rule (12-2-8-g) has been in place for quite some time, and I don't think I've ever seen it called on a runner (even when the runner deserved the penalty):If a player uses any part of his helmet (including the top/crown and forehead/”hairline” parts) or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily. I believe the famous Payton run below is the type of action they are talking about removing. Note that he just lowers the head multiple times with the intent of leading with the crown of his helmet. He's not even looking at the defender prior to, or during contact.

That would be cool. Fluker and Te'o would be perfect for team needs.

This

And he's still probably going to be about the 20th ranked RB if you're doing a fantasy draft. It just doesn't concern me much.

Is there some sort of website out there of which I'm unaware that measures a player's skill, leadership, production, knowledge, and effectiveness, and then slots in financially?

Dude, you know what I mean. For me and you and the majority of people world wide, 2.5 is not a slap in the face. For pro athletes, particularly ones as recognized and accomplished as Urlacher, it's a completely different animal.

He's worth a look. I think he'd probably beat out most of the guys on the Bears' roster.

My thoughts on the items you bolded: 1) Double Teams - You have to factor in whether or not the double team was initiated because of required help, or because the blocker was chip blocking on his way to the second level. If internet porn has taught me one thing, it's that not all double-teams are created equal. 2) Play Calls - I don't just mean run vs. pass. Runs need to also consider where they are headed and the desired outcome of a block (e.g. drive, shield, cut). Pass blocking obviously has similar considerations. 3) Blocking-scheme - I allude to it in #1 and #2, but not all blocks are created equal. You can't blame a guy for a weak block if his job is to get to the second level and just hip check the first line of defense. 4) QB drops - Simple stuff. What is the QB's initial set up, and how many steps does he have in his dropback? We could quibble about whether or not the steps are called, or the size of the steps, but that's not the point. 5) Time in pocket - It's not hard to judge. You give it a one-thousand-one, one-thousands-two, etc.

What he has been previously offered has no financial bearing on what he will be offered. And offering him 2 or 2.5m is, IMHO, a slap in the face to a guy who personifies the greatness of Chicago football down to the very position. I desperately hope he resigns with the Bears and gets to prove he has plenty gas in the tank, and to prove his critics wrong.

You don't think he'd negotiate lower than 5m? That's where I have a problem. 2-2.5 is a straight up slap in the face (not to mention not even replying to his original offer). It doesn't take much financial maneuvering to get an extra million out of there and meet closer to the middle.

It would require us to agree to the terms of how someone gets ranked. Judging from your first reply, I don't know if that's feasible. But just in case: 1. Each play is noted with an easy way to reference. Drive 1, play 1 = 1.1 Drive 1, play 2 = 1.2, so on. 2. All plays are counted so there is no confusion. False starts count as a play. 3. Grading scale (this is where it gets iffy): -Standard A-F -Double teams factored in -Play call factored in -Best guess at blocking-scheme factored in -QB drop factored in -Time in the pocket factored in -Hurries counted -Hits counted -Sacks counted I'm thinking something very close to the above. **BTW - The comparison you so badly want to make is just not a reality since the offensive schemes are so vastly different.

Kolb will get bigger money from the Jets.

Terms: -Urlacher has to resign with the Bears or the wager is off -Urlacher has to "play over 12" - (i.e. 12 games and 1 snap is "over") Whoever wins gets to chose the other person's signature for, let's say, the entire playoffs of next year?

What's funny is, he is EXACTLY what's best for the team. Part of the reason the Bears got Peppers was, no doubt, because of the atmosphere Lovie created. Like him or not as a coach, the players enjoyed playing for him. That permeated to other players around the league. It told them the Bears were an organization to play for. A family. Dropping Urlacher now, when we already know the disparity for contract is minimal, says exactly the opposite. On top of that, his play works out well for the other team needs. There are enough needs that it makes sense to hold on to him for a 2-year contract, and fix the more glaring issues on the team. You know, like multiple on the OL, Safety, TE, and OLB. It'd be different if he straight up sucked last year. But he didn't, and any representation trying to prove such is just false. He was average. You pay him as an average player, chip in a few bonus possibilities, and let him retire a Bear. That's how you do business. Signing someone else and dropping Urlacher like a bad habit may be better in the next 2 years or so, but long-term I believe it has a negative effect.

It sure does seem that way. I don't see how else you could propose offering the face of the franchise for the past decade a measly $2m contract. On his skill alone he's worth more than that. His skill, leadership, standing in the clubhouse, and knowledge of the defense, makes him easily worth more than that. But for some reason it's become popular to propose running him out of town early. If only this type of attitude was directed at the OL for the past five years. It's the $2M per year thing that is what's ridiculous. Especially when scrubs on this team have received more. Especially when backups have received more.

Friendly wager on that? Maybe a signature picture bet?

Exactly. I don't know where this Urlacher hate comes from all the sudden. Was he an pro-bowler last year? Absolutely not. Is he washed up? Absolutely not. If he were, the defense would have suffered tremendously.

My litmus test for this is: Where would he go in a fantasy draft? As a result, this doesn't really worry me that much.

There is a TON of FA LB help out there this year. The Bears should be able to wait it out and grab someone pretty decent as a stop gap for a late round (4-7) LB.

That's not a wildcard. A "wildcard" would be Jamarcus Russell. Cheaper too.

scs - Since you have ample time, would you be willing to do a play-by-play breakdown of what you believe happens? Give it a grade on each play. Use whatever scale you want (A-F, 1-10, whatever). Include N/A plays where you see fit. If you're willing to do this, I'll do the same over the weekend. I'd be interested to see whether your thoughts coincide with mine. Part of the problem on all this is "how" someone gets graded.

Or was it because your hard-on for Webb grew? Be honest man, tell the board how you know Webb. Is he a neighbor? Family friend? Did he donate time to a function you enjoy? There's gotta be a reason for you to so vehemently defend the dude while actively trying to downplay any possible replacement.

:whip Classic.

And it happened this past year as well. Read my signature line.

The opinion is not universal. I'd argue that overall Garza was just as bad, and Webb was damn close. Both Webb and Garza were below average in all facets of the game, with highs and lows spread throughout, but Carimi was downright dominant in run-blocking. His pass-blocking was just horrible is all. If you average out the performance entirely, I don't see why Carimi is not "rated" as somewhere around average, or at least comparable to Garza and Webb, neither of which had truly dominating performances last year.