| Name: Brian Urlacher - Profile Position: Strong Side Linebacker College: New Mexico (Lobos) Height: 6'4" Weight: 260 Vertical Leap: 34" 40-time: 4.59 sec. Acquired: Chicago Bears, First Round (9th overall) NFL Comparison: Ray Lewis(Ravens) Background Brian Urlacher's Profile When the offseason began and the fans' focus looked towards the draft, there was no more of a glaring need staring us in the face, than that of linebacker. Marshall Faulk had victimized the Bears linebacking corps for 204 yards on 12 receptions, not to mention his 5.4 yards per carry average on the ground. It was beyond evident that the Bears were in serious need of help at linebacker. One of the names that was kicked around on our message board for some time was a little-known safety/linebacker from New Mexico named Brian Urlacher. Urlacher got the notice of Bear fans for his ability to tackle virtually anything, anywhere on the field. But New Mexico? College Highlights - Brian Urlacher Profile The little-known Lobo, Brian Urlacher, turned into one of the finest football players in the nation, by his junior year at UNM. Brian would end up being a 4-year letterman and a 2-year starter on defense for the Lobos. His first two years at UNM, Brian played linebacker. His last two seasons were spent playing the free safety/rover position. UNM coaches and fans feel that Brian may be the greatest player to ever wear the Lobo uniform. Brian Urlacher was nominated for the 1999 Jim Thorpe Award, which recognizes the nation's best defensive back. A first team preseason All-America selection by The Sporting News and Preview Sports A second team preseason All-America selection by Football News. Named by The Sporting News as the nation's top strong safety heading into the season and was tabbed as the Mountain West Conferences preseason Most Valuable Player by Lindys. Also named the nation's fourth-best safety by Lindys. Honorable mention All-America selection by Street & Smith's Preseason first team all-Mountain West Conference selection at defensive back in the media and coaches poll. Led the nation in 1998 with 178 tackles, a single-season New Mexico record A first team All-America selection at defensive back by The Sports Network in 1998. First team all-WAC Pacific Division in 98. Led team in tackles in 11-of-12 games last year. Had 14 or more tackles in eight games in 1998 Has seen action at safety, wide receiver and on special teams his senior year. Mountain West Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Week (9/6/99). In 1998, Brian's 178 tackles led the nation and surpassed Dave Thompson's 176 tackles, for a new school record. Brian also led the team in tackles in 11 of the Lobos 12 games. Against New Mexico State that year, Brian played in a team-high, 81 plays. In 1999, Brian led the nation in tackles for the second year in a row, by collecting 154 stops. Brian was also selected Most Valuable Defensive Player for the South team in the 2000 senior bowl, thus proving his ability to play against top division-I talent. His five tackles in the senior bowl led the team, and he did this while playing the inside linebacker spot. In his Nov. 5 list of Top 50 NFL prospects, Mel Kiper Jr., ranked Brian Urlacher as the No. 7 pick overall, and the 5th-best senior. Strengths ATHLETICISM: Brian Urlacher is a phenomenal athlete. From having the ability to play football, basketball, and track in high school, to having the ability to play offense and defense in college. Brian not only played safety and linebacker in college, but had the skills necessary to play offense (7 rec. 61 yards, 6 touchdowns) and return punts and kicks. SPEED & STRENGTH: Despite Brian's 4.59 40-yard time at the NFL Combine, it is reported that Brian's forty-time has been below 4.5 on several occasions. Bears quarterback, Clint Dolezel, told dabearsshrine.com that Brian was stride for stride with Frank Murphy (who posted a 4.3 40-time at the combine) and was able to knock the pass down. Brian is lightning quick for a man his size and should make an instant impact at not only his linebacker spot but improving team speed as well. Brian's freakish ability to move laterally at top speed will also add problems for runnigbacks planning on catching a screen pass. At the combine, Brian's speed was ninth best among safeties. Can you imagine how he ranked among linebackers? Brian Urlacher is unbelievably strong. He holds the University of New Mexico's weight room record with a 380-pound power clean lift, while his best squat is 570 pounds. Brian's size and strength will allow him to move through traffic to make plays anywhere on the field. His strength allows him to make plays inside or outside. At the combine, Brian did 27 reps of 225 pounds. INTELLIGENCE: Brian is very intelligent. He seldom makes a bad read and never seems to get sucked inside on screens. Brian is able to utilize the space he is allotted to help make plays on every snap. EXPLOSIVENESS: Brian Urlacher has an unbelievable tackling burst, that could almost be felt at home while watching the Senior Bowl. His intensity on the field is evident because he never stops going at full-speed. Brian has a great burst off the line that may turn heads when planning a linebacker pass rush. His natural instincts are so good that he takes few false steps and his roaming history shows that he has phenomenal ability to find the ball and make excellent plays at the point-of-attack. Brian has the skills necessary to become an exploding pass rusher at the pro level as well. Brian has excellent control of his body and demonstrates with every tackle that he has natural instincts to lower his shoulder at the moment of impact, which makes his initial contact blows that much harder. COVERAGE: Brian's athleticism coupled with his experience playing safety increases his ability in coverage. Bears quarterback, Clint Dolezel, told dabearsshrine.com that Brian is able to run stride for stride down the middle of the field with wideouts. This is impressive because it allows the defense to do many more things that we weren't able to do last season. Brian is also an excellent space player, so you don't have to help babysit his area of the field. Weaknesses SHEDDING BLOCKS: Before anyone says that Brian cannot shed blocks, please understand that although this is a weakpoint of Brian's game, it is not that weak. Brian will just need some time adjusting to the speed of NFL offensive linemen and NFL runningbacks, when they are blocking. It's good to know however, that he will be tested by one of the NFL's best blocking running backs, Anthony Thomas. So he should be quite improved in this category by the end of training camp. STAYING PUT: Because Brian has so many qualities in his playing he has never been locked into just one position. How he is able to handle staying in one position will determine just how great Brian can become at the NFL level. Future Possibilities Brian will be an immediate impact player in the NFL. The Bears decision to put Brian out strong-side is because it is the easiest of all linebacker positions to come in and learn first. Brian is already listed as the opening day starter and can quickly become one of the best linebackers in the NFC Central. He is projected to eventually be moved to middle linebacker, but plans can change so don't bank on it if he demonstrates an amazing ability to rush the quarterback. High School Info 1996 graduate of Lovington (N.M.) H.S. Helped Lovington to 14-0 season and the 1995 New Mexico Class 3A championship. First-team all-state receiver and strong safety. Brian Urlacher broke his wrist in high school and when the doctor looked at his bone plates he told Brian that he could grow as big as 6'7". Afterall, in his sophomore year of high school, Brian was a 5'9" 160-pound wide receiver. Did you know? Buffalo Bills General Manager, John Butler, said this of Brian's combine workout: "I've never graded anyone like this. He plays all-out all the time. Does anybody have any problems with him? If they do they're looking at something different than I am." Brian didn't start in 1997, yet still managed 102 tackles from the outside linebacker position. Personal Brian's full name is, Brian Keith Urlacher. He was born to Troy and Lavoyda Lenard on May 25, 1978. Brian weighed over 12 pounds when he was born, which should have been a foreshadowing of things to come. |
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