Demi wrote:
Maybe more athletically. But 13 years in this defense doesn't make up for that?
That's a big question in my mind. Just because he knows where he needs to be doesn't mean he can GET to where he needs to be as fast as he needs to get there. His lateral agility has been sapped. There were many times last season I caught him lumbering like an offensive lineman after a receiver or running back that got free. It was, frankly, a bit sad.
Bringing in a rookie to plug into the middle of this defense? 9 years for Winfield and that counts for him, but Urlacher is shot? The guy was hurt, and he's healthy now.
First-round rookies have been known to do well (Kuechly, for example). Again, it's the whole question of athleticism vs. experience and how much of a gulf is between Urlacher and, say, a high-round rookie. Winfield's 2012 was significantly better than Urlacher's. Plus, he'd be a nickel player which would keep him fresh. Comparing the two isn't exactly apples-to-apples. But if you do, Winfield would be the better veteran pickup (IMO).
This season and next I find it hard to believe Urlacher wouldn't contribute more in this defense then a rookie or Audie Cole!
So much love for Urlacher. I don't get it. I'd understand 3-5 years ago but now? After it's obvious he's running on fumes? Weren't you always bashing EJ for the same reasons you're defending today's version of Urlacher? I just find it hard to believe you think Urlacher would be a significant advantage to our defense over a rookie or Cole. I guess I don't see it that way.
As far as Winfield, he was already working on being a part time player and half-coach before he was even cut. At a position we already have a few young guys fighting for time at. We have bodies at corner, we have Audie Cole in the middle. A bit more of a need!
We're thin at both positions. I'd agree that LB is probably a bit more dire, but I'm not sure Urlacher is worth $3 million to simply "fill a hole" when it can be done much cheaper with likely comparable results (or a high-round rookie in lieu of a 35 year-old injury-plagued declining stopgap). It's important to remember that if Urlacher still had something, why is he still available and has yet to make any visits?
Not even a question with Jennings, but it is with Urlacher? Is there something that makes you think this? Or just that you wouldn't like the signing?
I have questions that Jennings is going to be a productive mentor, but it's possible. And it's possible both will. But I simply think that Urlacher would have less of a desire to do so as he'd be here for a year, and likely just playing out of spite at this point. I'm just speculating, obviously, he could be very generous with his time and be a fine mentor to our LBs.
Winfield was here for 9 years, fat lot of good he did our corners during that time!
It's been reported on numerous occasions how well-liked/respected Winfield is in the locker room. He's a defensive leader and I have no doubt he's done what he can to help corners that reach out to him. However, he's not magic. It's impossible to attribute a player's success or improvement to the mentoring of another player.
Just like Jennings we have a need at the position and at least for the short term future they're the best option available. If Brown and Teo are gone or we go another direction we just roll with Cole or some later pick that's there? Urlacher had a knee issue, then hamstring later on. According to him both are healed and he's able to workout again fully. Players all the time get the injury excuse, including our very own Jerome Simpson. But it isn't even brought up with Urlacher to explain issues he had last season?
That's largely because of his age and the fact that he's declined steadily since 2007. He's had back, neck, hamstring and knee injuries in the last several years, the most recent (knee) he has three separate surgeries. He even conceded in September of last season that his surgically-repaired left knee "just isn't the same anymore" and is "never going to be the same." That's different than Simpson, who's significantly younger and hasn't had the chronic injuries Urlacher has.
