NFL Chicago Bears

With Nick Roach Gone, Chicago Bears Need Brian Urlacher More Than Ever

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By @ClydeASpeller

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Since the start of free agency, the Chicago Bears have made some much-needed additions to the offensive side of the ball. However, on defense, two of the players in their linebacking corps have signed with other teams.

First, reserve linebacker Geno Hayes inked a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it has been reported that linebacker Nick Roach just agreed to a contract with the Oakland Raiders.

Roach, an undrafted free agent in 2007, started a total of 59 games at both strong side linebacker and middle linebacker for the Bears, and was probably their most versatile linebacker on the team.

With two linebackers now taken away from Chicago’s depth chart, the importance of re-signing Brian Urlacher has been magnified. Although Urlacher is physically on a decline, the knowledge and familiarity that the 13-year veteran has of the Bears’ defensive scheme and personnel is priceless, and shouldn’t be lost.

The Bears’ new defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said that he would keep Chicago’s defensive game plan pretty much the same from when former head coach Lovie Smith was at the helm. In doing this, having Urlacher remain in the middle of the defense should help the Bears continue to be on of the most dominant defenses in the league.

Right now, it appears that Urlacher was in contact with the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings earlier this week. I’m not sure if this is a legitimate attempt to sign with another team, or just a ploy to get Bears management to get a deal going.

However, I do know that in order for Chicago to have a defense to complement their newly remodeled offense, Urlacher has to be in the picture.

Clyde A. Speller  is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClydeASpeller, or add him to your network on Google

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