Urlacher angling for more money
Whether Brian Urlacher misses one or all of the Bears' voluntary off-season workouts probably doesn't matter much.
He has missed some off-season workouts before and has been excused from organized team activities previously to attend his football camps.
Lance Briggs missed the bulk of the voluntary off-season work each of the past two seasons but showed up in great shape at training camp and went on to play well enough to be voted to the Pro Bowl each season.
While most players attend the weightlifting and conditioning sessions that began Monday, there have always been players who preferred to work out where they live or with their own trainers.
The same can be expected of Urlacher, who has hinted that he might stay away until he receives a contract extension.
That's somewhat of a misnomer because his current deal runs through the 2011 season, by which time he would have played 13 seasons.
"Extension" is a euphemistic way of saying he wants the Bears to give him another signing bonus on top of the $13 million they gave him when he signed the nine-year $56.65 million deal before the 2003 season.
Urlacher has barely fulfilled half of that contract, and the face of the franchise failed to make the Pro Bowl last season for just the second time in his eight seasons.
He was unable to practice for much of the season because of an arthritic back condition that isn't expected to improve. He also underwent neck surgery following the season.
According to the NFL's collective-bargaining agreement with its players, the Bears cannot fine Urlacher for skipping the voluntary sessions.
But they can do other things.
In the past, players like running back Thomas Jones and Briggs were demoted from the starting lineup on the first day of training camp in a meaningless and futile gesture and quickly reinstated.
Urlacher's base salary last season and this season is $3.95 million, although the average yearly salary over the length of his current deal is $6.29 million.
If his $13 million signing bonus is prorated over the length of the contract, Urlacher's cap value last season and this season is $5.39 million, which pales in comparison to some of the top linebacker salaries in the NFL.
The average of the top five 2007 linebacker salaries was $8,065,000, headed by the Ravens' Ray Lewis at $9,428,571.
The average of the top 10 linebacker salaries was $7,335,000, including Lance Briggs' franchise number of $7,206,000, which was sixth highest in the league. Briggs' new contract with the Bears is for $36 million over six years.
Recently signed unrestricted free agent linebacker Calvin Pace got $42 million over six years from the Jets. Terrell Suggs was franchised by the Ravens at a cost of $8.065 million for 2008.
Top 10 Linebacker salaries in 2007
Ray Lewis, Ravens $9,428,571
Zach Thomas, Dolphins $7,987,000
Keith Brooking, Falcons $7692,226
Keith Bulluck, Titans $7,608,668
Nick Barnett, Packers $7,608,571
Lance Briggs, Bears $7,206,000
Daryl Smith, Jaguars $7,066,667
Roosevelt Colvin, Patriots $6,428,000
Julian Peterson, Seahawks $6,300,000
Marcus Washington, Redskins $6,020,416