Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher returned to practice for the first time since he injured his hamstring on the second to last play against the Seahawks on December 2nd.  Urlacher tested the bum wheel in pregame warmups vs the Cardinals in Arizona last weekend, but hadn’t practiced this week until Friday.  Although the veteran linebacker is chomping at the bit to get into the game, it’s unlikely he’ll play on Sunday.

Here’s Lovie Smith on Urlacher’s progress:

“The normal progress we hoped he would make he has made,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “Brian doesn’t have to necessarily practice a full practice before we would play him, but we’re not to that point. We’re just going to look at how he moved around and see how he feels after today.

“It’s not like he went full speed. You just have to see if you think he’s ready to go when you’re coming off of a muscle injury. That’s how it goes. There’s no ideal time. But I wouldn’t take off too far on the Brian Urlacher talk. All we can tell you is that he had a limited practice today, which is progress for us, no more than that.”

According to Brad Biggs, Urlacher will be officially listed as doubtful on the final injury report of the week.

Dec. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) leaves the game with an injury in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Bears defeated the Cardinals 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In better news, running back Matt Forte is expected to be a go on Sunday.  Forte injured his right ankle for the third time this season during Sunday’s 28-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Forte’s been doing a lot to prepare for this must-win game:

“I’ve done this stuff before, acupuncture, chiropractic stuff, soft-tissue work, hyperbaric chamber, same stuff,” Forte said. “It seems to work better. I think since I sprained it the first time, it’s gotten all the way healed so it’s not a lot more damaged than the first time.”

Forte will be a key vs the Lions on Sunday.  In nine career games vs the Lions, he’s got 7 touchdowns and averages over 100 all-purpose yards/game.  With Michael Bush on IR and third stringer Armando Allen missing practice this week with a knee injury, the Bears only have Forte and recently re-signed Kahlil Bell ready to go on Sunday.

The biggest injury concern I have is at the safety position.  Chris Conte suffered a hamstring injury vs the Cardinals and with veteran backup Craig Steltz already on IR, it looks like Anthony Walter or newly signed Troy Nolan could get the call at free safety.  The safety spot is critical vs a team like the Lions who are likely to throw it around a lot.  Remember last season during the Monday night game in Detroit where safety Chris Harris was repeatedly torched, leading to his release and a shakeup in the safety position bringing Conte up to the starting lineup, where he and Major Wright have held it down pretty well since.

Oct 22, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebackers Brian Urlacher (54) and Lance Briggs (55) gesture before a snap during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a while since I’ve penned a LOWER THE BOOM post and it’s long overdue.  I’ve heard a lot of talk coming out of Halas Hall, through the media and over Twitter  the last few days out of Chicago Bears players and it smacks of desperation and self-pity.

It started Sunday night with Brian Urlacher calling out the fans for booing the team.  Next you see this from Bears safety Chris Conte on his Twitter feed:

We have two must win games left. We need all the support we can get. if u aren’t with us then you are against us. Real bear fans #beardown

— Chris Conte (@ChrisConte47) December 16, 2012

And this morning, you hear Lance Briggs crying about the Bears being the most booed home team in the league.

“I understand where he’s coming from,” Briggs told Comcast SportsNet Chicago. “I’ve been here a long time, too and I’ve (heard) a lot of boos. For a lot of the wrong reasons. Nobody, on any team I’ve seen, gets booed more at home than here in Chicago.

And of course Briggs has to trump that dumb comment with the requisite, “fans don’t know…” comment:

“That’s also a point to the passion of the Chicago fans. Everyone is passionate, but everyone in Chicago doesn’t know how to run a football team. Everyone doesn’t know how to play professional football. It’s our job to do that.”

First of all, Briggs clearly hasn’t spent a lot of time in Philadelphia or New York.  What’s the common denominator?  LOSING.  I don’t need to be a gourmet chef to know what bad food tastes like.

Here’s my advice to Briggs and the rest of the Bears cry-babies:

IF YOU WANT US TO STOP BOOING, PLAY BETTER!!!!

These Bears remind me of Johnny Fontane in the original Godfather, crying to Don Corleone about not knowing what to do about not getting the lead role in a new movie.  Here’s the Don’s advice:

Someone needs to slap some of these Bears around, figuratively and literally, and tell them to act like men.  Stop worrying about the fans and the media and focus on the Arizona freaking Cardinals.

As fans, we can be resigned to the fate of another January on our couches watching other teams in the post-season, but the players should be acting differently.  This The Bears can still make a run to save their season and their beloved players coach, but they’re not going to do it wasting time talking about the booing fans.  I’d expect more from two of the Bears biggest leaders.

BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!!!!

Oct 28, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears free safety Chris Conte (47) makes a tackle on Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Chicago Bears defeat the Carolina Panthers 23-22. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-US PRESSWIRE

Chicago Bears safety Chris Conte thought the notice he received was a joke, but the $21k he has to come up is no laughing matter:

“I thought someone was playing a joke on me at first,” Conte said. “I didn’t think it was real at first. I thought it was a prank. I know (kicker) Robbie (Gould) has done it a few times to guys, or they’ll make up a fake email or something and it will be like, you got fined for whatever. And that’s what I thought it was. And then I looked on the Web site and it wasn’t a joke. I was a little surprised because I was expecting a FedEx (notice) to come and then I just saw a piece of paper that was just like an e-mail and that’s why I thought someone was playing a joke on me. But it was no joke. That’s for sure.

(more…)

I’ve decided to flip-flop things a bit this week.  Normally I just pick the Milk Carton and put the Game Ball up for a vote, but I feel like there were so many worthy nominees for the Milk Carton after the miserable performances turned in early before the Bears roared back to steal the 23-22 victory over the Carolina Panthers.  So let’s get to the nominees to see who will grace the Milk Carton. (more…)

Dec 11, 2011; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) and defensive tackle Stephen Paea (92) tackle Denver Broncos running back Jeremiah Johnson (37) during a rushing attempt at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

The Bears defense has been limping through the preseason while missing three key starters for a better part of the action. With the season opener against the Colts just days away, it’s crucial for the Bears to get healthy.  Good news from Halas Hall as the Bears returned to practice following Tuesday’s off day. (more…)