Bears Urlacher shows up
June 12, 2008 by James Edwards
Filed under Sports
NFL Football at its best. NFL Football at its craziest.
Brian Urlacher – who wouldn’t want a linebacker that looks like and plays like Urlacher!
Image details: Chicago Bears Mini-Camp served by picapp.com
Sometimes it is hard for us little people to understand contracts that go into the millions. As we live paycheck to paycheck, they just live and live it up. In fact it seems like most of the trouble that professional athletes get into is because they have two things you don’t, time and money.
Those of you that have seen John Salley on the Best Damn Sports Show may be interested in his feelings on the matter. John once said that it is all relative, that if another player is making more money or driving a better car, then your competitive instincts kick in and you want more money or a better car or maybe a better house.
John also said Dennis Rodman was the only real person in the league. All he wanted to do was play pinball and hang out. Dennis did not care who had what car or how many millions.
Brian Urlacher cares. He wants his contract reworked. Brian wants it enough to miss workouts.
Urlacher had attended mandatory three-day minicamp May 30-June 1 but had skipped voluntary drills and the team conditioning program due to dissatisfaction with his current $56 million contract.
The Bears have offered him a 1 year extension for 5 million bucks and another million a year depending on playing time through 2011. Your boss would offer the same thing if you ask him. Really, he would, but it would also be contingent on you playing pro football for the Bears!
At least Bears fans don’t have to think about Cedric Benson or Rex Grossman for a while.
Hey, why did Urlacher show up if he is so worried about his paltry 56 million dollar contract?
At last weekend’s fan convention, Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips said it helps a player to be at voluntary workouts if they want a new contract.
“You know, it’s not a written rule that we have, but I think to most teams — and we feel the same way — it makes sense,” Phillips said. “If you want us to engage in any kind of discussions, whether anything gets done or not, it makes sense that you’re here and showing your side of your obligation to the club.”
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