Urlacher back with team

[ostrogoth]

Brian Urlacher will attend the Bears' mandatory three-day minicamp starting Friday, the linebacker told the Tribune Thursday evening.

 

Urlacher, who has missed all of the team's voluntary off-season activities up to this point, had been lobbying for more money than the Bears offered in a one-year contract extension. The deal was believed to include $5 million up front, and $1 million added to his base salary per season granted he participated in 85 percent of the snaps. The extension through 2012 also was believed to include a base salary of $7.5 million in the last season. The Bears likely would reworked that if Urlacher is still active

 

Urlacher signed a nine-year, $57 million deal in 2003 that included up to $19 million in bonuses.

 

Although Urlacher will rejoin his teammates, his campaign for more money is unlikely to end. He isn't the only Bear looking for a new deal. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris and return special Devin Hester also are seeking new deals. Neither Harris nor Hester participated in a recent organized team activity session open to the media.

 

Urlacher, who battled through an arthritic condition in his back last season, still leads the Bears in tackle with 123. He also led the team with five interceptions to go with five sacks.

[madlithuanian]

Well, that's pretty good news all considered. Thanks for the update.

 

Brian Urlacher will attend the Bears' mandatory three-day minicamp starting Friday, the linebacker told the Tribune Thursday evening.

 

Urlacher, who has missed all of the team's voluntary off-season activities up to this point, had been lobbying for more money than the Bears offered in a one-year contract extension. The deal was believed to include $5 million up front, and $1 million added to his base salary per season granted he participated in 85 percent of the snaps. The extension through 2012 also was believed to include a base salary of $7.5 million in the last season. The Bears likely would reworked that if Urlacher is still active

 

Urlacher signed a nine-year, $57 million deal in 2003 that included up to $19 million in bonuses.

 

Although Urlacher will rejoin his teammates, his campaign for more money is unlikely to end. He isn't the only Bear looking for a new deal. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris and return special Devin Hester also are seeking new deals. Neither Harris nor Hester participated in a recent organized team activity session open to the media.

 

Urlacher, who battled through an arthritic condition in his back last season, still leads the Bears in tackle with 123. He also led the team with five interceptions to go with five sacks.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

I think now that he's coming back, the Bears should make a statement and reward him. Than maybe Harris/Hester will see that the Bears really will try to reward there players and hopefully in the near future the two sides can agree with deals that are both good for the org as well as the player (ie, Hester/Harris).

 

I know Tommie Harris was supposed to be on ESPN 1st Take this morning, but I had to roll to work before he came on so I wasn't able to see his interview.

[LT2_3]

I think now that he's coming back, the Bears should make a statement and reward him. Than maybe Harris/Hester will see that the Bears really will try to reward there players and hopefully in the near future the two sides can agree with deals that are both good for the org as well as the player (ie, Hester/Harris).

 

I know Tommie Harris was supposed to be on ESPN 1st Take this morning, but I had to roll to work before he came on so I wasn't able to see his interview.

 

They've already offered him a $5 mil signing bonus, and extra mil per year for the remaining 4 years, and an extra year with a salary ranging somewhere between $7.5 and $9 million.

 

This has never been about whether the team was willing to pay him more, it's really been about Urlacher wanting more and having it guaranteed. He says that he wants more money than what they're offereing, but I'd bet that he'd take the current offer if more of it was guaranteed in case he has to retire due to age/injuries.

[Connorbear]

They've already offered him a $5 mil signing bonus, and extra mil per year for the remaining 4 years, and an extra year with a salary ranging somewhere between $7.5 and $9 million.

 

This has never been about whether the team was willing to pay him more, it's really been about Urlacher wanting more and having it guaranteed. He says that he wants more money than what they're offereing, but I'd bet that he'd take the current offer if more of it was guaranteed in case he has to retire due to age/injuries.

Agreed. I think since Url is back it could signal a deal can be worked out soon (similar to Gould's return). I would think guarenteeing more of the money might resolve this situation.

 

Peace

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Agreed. I think since Url is back it could signal a deal can be worked out soon (similar to Gould's return). I would think guarenteeing more of the money might resolve this situation.

 

Peace

 

Good to see Urlacher stepping up, if he can be there to participate with his unhappiness, then Harris and Hester should also follow suit. The mandatory workouts are very important b/c this is were they get handed the new twists.

 

I'm all for moving a little more money up front since Url has shown that he will step up for the team.

[Connorbear]

Good to see Urlacher stepping up, if he can be there to participate with his unhappiness, then Harris and Hester should also follow suit. The mandatory workouts are very important b/c this is were they get handed the new twists.

 

I'm all for moving a little more money up front since Url has shown that he will step up for the team.

Haris is there but cannot participate in drills because he is recovering from surgery. No idea why Hester is not participating.

Peace

[nfoligno]

Agreed. This is about guaranteed money, and frankly, I think the team has been MORE than fair.

 

I think people forget that Urlacher was the first player the bears signed who still had 2 years remaining on a rookie deal. Not only did they re-sign him, but gave him the largest contract ever for a bear, and up there among the rest of the league's elite.

 

Now, w/ several years to go, and coming off a year riddled w/ injury, the bears none-the-less stepped up and offered more money, both in guarantee and additional yearly money. They didn't simply tie the money to incentives, but flat out offered the money per year.

 

IMHO, the team has been more than fair. And I don't get comment about "Urlacher stepping up". What has he done. He has shown up to MANDATORY practices.

[madlithuanian]

All else aside, I'm just glad he's there!

 

I'd like to see the team give him a little more love than the initial extention...but not much more. Maybe a little more up front money. But I want nothing to stand in the way of re-upping Hester!

 

Agreed. This is about guaranteed money, and frankly, I think the team has been MORE than fair.

 

I think people forget that Urlacher was the first player the bears signed who still had 2 years remaining on a rookie deal. Not only did they re-sign him, but gave him the largest contract ever for a bear, and up there among the rest of the league's elite.

 

Now, w/ several years to go, and coming off a year riddled w/ injury, the bears none-the-less stepped up and offered more money, both in guarantee and additional yearly money. They didn't simply tie the money to incentives, but flat out offered the money per year.

 

IMHO, the team has been more than fair. And I don't get comment about "Urlacher stepping up". What has he done. He has shown up to MANDATORY practices.