Leadership, diversity personified
Just like the 53-man roster, the Bears' team leaders represent a cross section of young and old, vocal and quiet players who have spent their entire professional careers in Chicago and relative newcomers.
More likely than not, they will determine the Bears' postseason success by their own performance and by the way they lead their teammates.
Urlacher: Face of the franchise
Almost since the day he was selected with the Bears' ninth overall pick in the 2000 draft, Brian Urlacher has been the face of the franchise. He was a Pro Bowl pick in six of his first seven seasons, and he made it a lucky seven this season after a three-year absence.
He plays middle linebacker, the position that is most closely associated with Bears football excellence — following in the footsteps of Hall of Famers Bill George, Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary.
Urlacher suffered a dislocated wrist in the first half of the season opener last year, and the Bears suffered without him. His return has been a key to the Bears' improvement from 7-9 to 11-5.
“It's meant the world to us,” coach Lovie Smith said. “Everything starts with him. He's been the man around here for a long time.”
Kreutz: A symbol of toughness
If Urlacher has been the man forever, then six-time Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz has been the man forever-and-a-day. He became a Bear two years before Urlacher, as a third-round pick out of Washington.
There is no better symbol of toughness and work ethic. Kreutz hasn't missed a game in eight seasons. He's missed just one in the last 10 years, and that was seven days after an appendectomy.
“Olin is our team leader,” Smith said. “Unchallenged. Everyone knows that. He set the tempo this week by being the first guy in, like he normally does. That's what you can show the young players, just what a veteran does to get ready for a game like this.”
Unchallenged? Former Bears offensive tackle Fred Miller challenged Kreutz in 2005 at a team outing and wound up with a broken jaw. Kreutz took a barbell to the head and 13 stitches. He played that week.
On the field, the 6-foot-2, 292-pound Kreutz is large and in charge, calling blocking assignments and dealing with any disruptions up front.
“We have one leader and that's who we follow,” said guard Roberto Garza, who has played alongside Kreutz for six years. “He does a great job of putting us in the right place and letting us know what we need to do to win football games. He leads by example, he leads by doing, he leads by everything he does. If we follow him, we'll be doing the right thing.”
Cutler: The youngest captain
Just by the job description of quarterback, Jay Cutler is in a leadership position, but his teammates voted him as one of the five captains last season in his first year on the team. He was by far the youngest captain at 26.
“Jay's doing a great job of keeping the offense moving, keeping the offense positive, keeping everybody just doing their job,” Garza said. “That's the main thing, executing our plays and making sure guys aren't trying to do too much, just doing what's asked of you.”
Last year, Cutler struggled along with a young group of wide receivers, but he never blamed anyone but himself for the problems on offense.
This year he was sacked more times than anyone in the league, but he never questioned his lack of protection.
“It takes time of course when your quarterback is running a new offense,” Smith said, aware that Cutler has had to learn a new offense in each of his two seasons here. “But Jay has picked it up, he's done everything we've asked him to do. I'm excited for him to be in the playoffs (for the first time). We're just excited that he's our leader. He's everything you're looking for in a quarterback, and for what we stand for — the Chicago Bears, Monsters of the Midway — a tough guy at the quarterback position.”
Peppers: Leading by example
Like Cutler, defensive end Julius Peppers was named a captain in his first year with the team. His leadership is more by example and by reputation. This season was his sixth selection to the Pro Bowl.
His work ethic and rare athleticism impressed Urlacher from the beginning of training camp, and he continues to be impressed. He's more than just one of the NFL's elite pass rushers.
“He's our best run defender,” Urlacher said. “If they run to his side, he's probably going to make the play if you don't double-team him, just like in the pass rush. If they don't double-team him or throw the ball quick, he's going to get to the quarterback.
“He's just an all-around great football player. He's been everything we wanted him to be and then some. Works his tail off every day in practice, never says a word, just goes out there and does his job. Doesn't stretch, doesn't do anything, just shows up.”
Briggs: He brings it every game
Outside linebacker Lance Briggs came along three years after Urlacher and was overshadowed for a while by the superstar playing next to him. But Briggs was voted to the Pro Bowl this season for the sixth straight year, something even Urlacher hasn't accomplished.
When Urlacher set the Bears career record for tackles earlier in the season, he was asked what it meant to him.
“It means,” Urlacher said, “that Lance will probably break my record in a couple more years.”
In the 23-20 Week 6 loss to the Seahawks, in which they allowed 353 total yards, the Bears were without Briggs on the weak side because of a knee injury. His presence Sunday will help.
“Lance is one of the best players in the league,” Smith said. “So to miss him, any team isn't as good. That was definitely the case with us.”
Briggs also missed almost all of the Washington game the next week, but he still was second on the team with 121 tackles and 7 tackles for loss.
“It's an honor to play with one of the best outside linebackers in the business,” Bears cornerback Charles Tillman said. “Here's a guy who brings it every game with everything he has. With the energy he brings, and his character and leadership as a player, he gets us going.
“When he's not out there, you miss him. You can't replace Lance, he's irreplaceable.”
Ÿ Follow Bob LeGere's Bears reports via Twitter@BobLeGere. Check out his blog, Bear Essentials, at dailyherald.com.