Urlacher in good shape as he joins practice
Brian Urlacher calmed the commotion that his absence from voluntary off-season activities has caused by showing up Friday at Halas Hall and fully participating in the first of three mandatory minicamp practices this weekend.
"All that matters is I'm here with my teammates," he said. "It's a mandatory team drill. Everyone's here that's supposed to be here. When it says mandatory, you're supposed to be at those things, so that's why I'm here."
Urlacher had hinted earlier he would be a no-show this weekend in protest over the Bears' reluctance to fast track and sweeten the contract extension he's seeking with four years left on his nine-year, $56.65 million deal. The Bears have offered an $18 million package, including $5 million up front, an extra $1 million for each of the four years on his current deal and an additional year at $9 million.
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The six-time Pro Bowl pick wants more.
Urlacher wouldn't say whether he had changed his mind or if he ever seriously considered extending his boycott to the mandatory phase of the off-season, which would have resulted in a fine of $8,165.
Urlacher did all the individual drills with the linebackers and lined up with the first-team defense in 11-on-11 drills.
By attending this weekend's activities, Urlacher increases his chances for an agreement by showing good faith.
But, even though he led the team with 158 tackles last season and seemed to move without restrictions during Friday's unpadded workout, the Bears still aren't expected to add much to their latest offer. Urlacher battled through an arthritic back last season, was not voted to the Pro Bowl for just the second time in his eight-year career and then had postseason neck surgery, although he said he was fine physically. He wouldn't confirm that there was any ulterior motive to his presence.
"I'm supposed to be here," he said. "I'm not trying to send any message. It's a mandatory team function and we're supposed to be here. I came here to practice just the same as any year in the past. I wasn't here for the first couple OTAs, but I'm here for the main practices that I'm supposed to be here for."
Asked if stalled negotiations had been rekindled, Urlacher said: "Next question, please."
While the off-season weightlifting program, which began April 7, and the 13 organized team activities, which began early in May and continue periodically through June 19 are not mandatory, attendance is close to 100 percent. Urlacher indicated he would be at practice today and Sunday but was noncommittal about his attendance at the remaining OTAs.
"Not sure," he said with a smile. "Possibly. Maybe. Yes. No. Pick any one of those answers you want."
Urlacher did have a definitive answer regarding his health, which curtailed his practice time last season,
"I feel great," he said. "It really hasn't been an issue. I did the rehab. I think it was six weeks. I did it in Arizona with, obviously, direction from our team. But I feel good, really good."
Bears coach Lovie Smith was happy to see Urlacher on the practice field for the first time in five months and said the middle linebacker seemed like his old self, which didn't come as a surprise.
"It's not like Brian has been out of the country or anything," Smith said. "We've communicated with him throughout. He's always stayed in great shape. He's a freak of nature as far as his athletic ability is concerned. It was still good because this is the first time we have actually seen him on the field. We saw the old Brian Urlacher."