February 16, 2009
Bears should offer Brian Urlacher for Cardinals' Anquan Boldin
Offering the iconic linebacker for receiver makes sense for Bears
Unless my spam filter is on the fritz, I did not receive the e-mail that agent Drew Rosenhaus is said to have sent all 32 NFL teams urging them to trade for wide receiver clients Anquan Boldin, Chad Johnson and Plaxico Burress.
But if I had, this would be my reply in regard to Boldin specifically — with the Bears' best interests in mind, of course, even if that means using Brian Urlacher as trade bait.
Drew,
So you're looking for a taker for Anquan Boldin?
Next question. (I've always wanted to say that to you on behalf of all the reporters and fans you have cut off midsentence.)
Truth is, it's a timely question to ask here in Chicago. The Bulls aren't the only team in town that would love to stumble on a superstar in the desert.
But you already know that, Drew, because you understand the Bears better than most agents. You do so much contract business in Chicago that I almost expected your name to pop up in the Blagojevich investigation. You have eight clients on the payroll—the Bears', not Blago's.
Thus you realize how badly the Bears need a playmaker such as Boldin, however unattainable and unrealistic that notion may be.
You probably also know a team that covets its high draft picks the way the Bears do has no shot at trading for Boldin unless they would consider including a star in the deal. A star such as, say, Brian Urlacher.
Yep, Brian Urlacher.
Clean up the double-foam latte you just spat out and keep reading. It's not as farfetched a concept as it would have been five years ago—or even five months ago.
Though Urlacher may have reached the point where his value to the Bears is higher than it would be in a trade, it can't hurt to ask whether Urlacher is still untouchable. My sense is that question would not inspire a unanimous answer at Halas Hall.
When Urlacher's agents broached the idea of trading the Bears' franchise player last winter, it was a negotiating ploy. But a year later, restarting that tricky conversation could result in making the Bears and Cardinals happy.
Trading Urlacher always has been a taboo topic around Chicago. If he were any bigger a part of the city's sports landscape, he might be sketched into the 2016 Olympic logo.
But even if the Bears won't say so publicly, there were football people disappointed in Urlacher's play in 2008. Whether it was age, his aching back or apathy, nobody knows for sure.
Something about No. 54 just didn't look the same. More was expected after he coaxed the Bears into giving him an $18 million contract extension last year.
Urlacher still can be dominant in spurts, but consistency was lacking, and so were the big plays. He might even admit that in a relaxed, reflective moment.
He also might acknowledge that a change of scenery wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for him at this stage of his life and his football career. His kids, after all, live in Arizona, a short drive from the Cardinals' home stadium.
Chicago just doesn't fit Urlacher as comfortably as it once did, and neither does the Bears' single-gap, Cover-2 scheme that fails to protect him the way thirtysomething linebackers need protection.
Put Urlacher in a new defense in a new uniform and chances are he will resemble the linebacker of old for a few inspired seasons. If the Cardinals have any doubts, remind them that general manager Jerry Angelo said Urlacher "still has enough to make a Pro Bowl" at his postseason news conference.
The Bears would miss the middle linebacker's presence in the locker room probably more than on the field. With or without Urlacher, the defense should improve anyway with coach Lovie Smith calling the signals. They could always move your guy Lance Briggs to the middle and slide in underrated sub Jamar Williams or draft a replacement candidate.
Heck, their defense finished 28th and 21st the last two years with Urlacher. How much worse could it be without him?
Meanwhile, Boldin would make the Bears' defense better simply by giving the offense more ways to stay on the field or score. Angelo says it's all about the quarterback, but give Kyle Orton a guy like Boldin to throw to and then watch how quickly the complaints about the quarterback subside.
As feasible as an offer of Urlacher, a third-round pick and perhaps a third-rounder in 2010 might sound for a player of Boldin's caliber, we both know the Cardinals have no reason to buckle to your demands.
We both know the Cardinals are unlikely to accept any trade offer for a Pro Bowl receiver with two years left on his contract even if getting Urlacher in return would create significant desert heat. They have no reason.
They also remember that you had Chad Johnson sounding just as resolute about leaving the Bengals as Boldin sounded last week about leaving the Cardinals.
This may hurt, Drew, but most people just roll their eyes when either you or your clients talk. Many will roll their eyes at the suggestion of exploring the parameters of a trade involving Boldin-for-Urlacher and draft picks.
Explore it anyway.
dhaugh@tribune.com
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