Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) tackles Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Bears beat the Vikings 28-10. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately, I have no memories of Dick Butkus though I have watched many highlight reels of his play. My childhood fantasy was to play Middle Linebacker for Notre Dame and then become a Bear. Well, needless to say, that plan didn’t work out too well for me but that did not quell my passion for Chicago Football.  Defense was the only side of the ball I could ever think about playing.

For anyone growing up in the Chicago Bear era of the 60′s and beyond you would understand that Chicago Bear Football meant Defense. It meant pain and intimidation. It was an era where Bear fans could not hang their hats on a their record, but rather the record of the opponents the Bears played…but one week later. They usually lost because they were often too beat-up to win.  Then 1985 happened!

So much has changed in the game over the years…the Bears selected Urlacher in the first round, from New Mexico, after missing the chance to draft Plaxico Burris. Yeah for us!

Like all things in the NFL, this too shall end. So we come to an end of an era. I have watched good Linebacker play from guys like Buffone, Wilson, Holdman, Colvin…some really good play from a guy named Wilbur Marshall. But I am blessed to have watched both Singletary and Urlacher in my life.  Those two set the bar for what I consider great Linebacker play.

Never have I seen a player in that position move the way Urlacher moved. Sideline to sideline at a speed that seemed at a different level than the other players around him. The “they are who we thought they were” Cardinals game where Urlacher took over and willed the Bears to victory it seemed. I have an autographed Doug Plank picture hanging on my wall…I have to have an autographed Urlacher trophy of some type…some way, some how I will have one.

I will miss Urlacher.  He definitely has a couple of good years in him if he can find a team to pay him at a level that will make him feel like it matters.  For a professional athlete at the end of his career, I truly believe the salary is more about feeding a person’s sense of worth and relevance than it is about the dollars.  A guy like Urlacher has millions so it is about pride, ego and relevance.  Unfortunately for Bears fans, the team did not scrape together enough millions to make it worthwhile for Urlacher to return.  I think both sides will walk away with hard feelings at first and go through all of the phases of denial, anger, acceptance and move forward.  Us fans will do the same as well.

Now we have to prepare for another season and this one will be without Urlacher and Roach too.  The winds of change are blowing in Chicago.  This news will affect free agency plans, draft plans and maybe even positional decisions prior to season’s start.  McClellin in the middle anyone?

We are all reminded at some point during the season that football is an entertainment business and as such, the players and coaches will come and go and be judged by the fans based on their performance’s.  Urlacher, I have to believe, will be a first round hall of fame inductee.  Urlacher is the essence of “Bear Football”.  He is the physical embodiment of all that is good in the game.  He is a role model for kids and has kept his reputation clean from the prying eyes of the media.  Urlacher is the kind of Linebacker that we will always compare other Chicago Linebackers too.

That point is important to remember because the players that replace Urlacher will always be compared to him.  Our memories of Urlacher will be heavily influenced by the play of the athletes that attempt to fill his shoes.  Like many great players, there will be no person that can truly replace him, only another player in the position that Urlacher played trying to carve out his own legacy with the Chicago Bears.

Farewell Brian…just don’t play for the Packers!  That I can not forgive…I still am angry about McMahon in green and gold!

Dec 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) scores a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has shown fans that he can be a capable No. 2 next to Brandon Marshall.  Injuries have slowed him down a bit this season, but so far he has racked up 19 catches for 256 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.  His three TDs put him in a tie for first among all NFC rookies.  Thanks to the 2012 Pepsi MAX NFL Rookie of the Week program, I was able to have a short phone conversation with Jeffery to discuss his first season, the coaching staff, and what it takes to play in the NFL.

Jeffery started out his athletic career in winning fashion, playing basketball for Calhoun County High School in South Carolina.  His team won the state championship his freshman year, before he ever stepped onto a football field.  However, as a sophomore, he tried football after watching his older brothers play.  Despite winning three more state championships in basketball, he knew football was his sport.  He stuck with it for three years at the University of South Carolina and was drafted by the Chicago Bears this offseason.  The rest is history.

Since joining the Bears, he has had his share of adversity, dealing with two injuries that have kept him out of six entire games and parts of two others.  He said that one of the most difficult things about transitioning to the NFL was the amount of focus and work ethic needed to succeed.  Wide receivers Brandon Marshall, Devin Hester and Earl Bennett have taught him a lot about what it takes to make it in the NFL.

One thing that impressed me the most about Jeffery was, what some people might perceive as cockiness, came off as an extreme confidence in himself and his abilities.  When asked if any defensive backs gave him big problems this season, he couldn’t think of any on the spot.  However, when asked if there were any aspects of his game that he wanted to improve, he said, “Everything.”

Bears fans have a lot to look forward to if Jeffery, Marshall and Bears quarterback, Jay Cutler, stay healthy.  These three guys are developing chemistry that continues to improve every time they are on the field together.  Jeffery had nothing but positive things to say about Cutler.  He described him as the leader of the offense.

And if Jeffery has any reservations about head coach Lovie Smith or offensive coordinator Mike Tice, you wouldn’t know it from talking to him.  He really appreciates and respects Lovie for his strong motivation in the locker room.  When asked about Tice being responsible for a Bears offense that ranks 28^th in yards per game, Jeffery was quick to point out that not just one person is responsible.  He said that every guy, from the coach to quarterback to the receivers, is accountable, and everyone on the team has things they can improve.

Jeffery also isn’t one of those NFL players who is out at the club all night, every night.  He spends a lot of his free time relaxing at home.  That being said, when it’s time to work, he’s ready.  When asked if he had any regrets from his rookie season, he said that with each day, he is just constantly trying to get better.

As for this weekend’s game against the Green Bay Packers, Jeffery said that he doesn’t care who’s guarding him, he just wants to win.  This will be his second time playing the Packers this season.  He had a season low one catch for seven yards in Green Bay during Week 2.

Jeffery assured me that his hand and knee are getting better each day.  He did drop a few balls last Sunday, but ended the game with three catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.  Not too shabby for his first full game since Week 5.  He will need to be as close to healthy and ready to help out the Bears offense against the Packers.  When asked what he was expecting this weekend, he said, “It’s gonna be dogfight.  It’s gonna be a big one.”

With the NFC North division title and a playoff spot on the line, you bet your Martz it will.

*Don’t forget to check out the 2012 Pepsi MAX NFL Rookie of the Week program at www.NFL.com/rookies and vote between Tuesday 8am CT and Friday 2pm CT for Alshon Jeffery each week he is nominated.  Also, check out this Funny or Die video featuring RGIII and other NFL rookies.*

*You can follow Alshon Jeffery on Twitter @AJJeffery1.*

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It’s that time of year again.  The Chicago Bears have released their preseason depth chart.  I know they’ve barely had time to practice, but let’s see how the offensive “starters” shape up after an abbreviated offseason.  I’ve brought my Magic 8 Ball along to help.

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Chicago Bears tight end Desmond Clark was kind enough to spend a few minutes with Bear Goggles On for this exclusive interview.

I’m hesitant before interviews because athlete’s public image sometimes doesn’t match up to who they really are. This isn’t one of those cases at all; he’s down-to-Earth and just a really nice guy.

Here are the highlights:

Talking about fired TE Coach Rob Boras:

I’ve spoken to him a couple times since he left. He’s taken it hard. He’s from Illinois, so that was his dream job.

Talking about Lovie’s personality as coach:

Don’t give me that crap about his personality, because he was a good coach with that personality in ’05 and ’06, so you can’t say that he’s not a good coach now. He’s the same man with the same personality. If you want to talk about X’s and O’s, OK, then I’ll listen. But if you’re going to talk about personality, I’m going to tune you out, because it makes no sense. With that same personality, he took us to a Super Bowl. It has no weight when people bring up that argument.

When talking about Jay Cutler and his leadership:

Once Jay is able to lead us to that playoff victory and to the Super Bowl, that’ll set the record straight. Like I always say, when you’re not winning, everyone wants to pick everything apart. “Lovie’s not a good coach because he doesn’t get emotional. Jay’s a whiner because he’s emotional.” You know what I’m saying? Jay’s emotional and that’s not good. Lovie’s not emotional and that’s not good. It doesn’t make sense….how do you want it?

Check out the full transcript after the jump:   (more…)