http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/980245,CST-SPT-bearnt31.article
'Supposed to be here,' Urlacher's at camp
May 31, 2008
BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs at suntimes.com
What's the big deal?
That seemed to be Brian Urlacher's stance after Friday's mandatory minicamp practice ended and the six-time Pro Bowl linebacker had
covered the field sideline to sideline the way fans have been accustomed to him doing for eight seasons.
''I'm here, aren't I?'' he said when asked if there was any doubt he'd arrive.
Urlacher, 30, had cast plenty of doubt on that subject by making strong statements that he likely would boycott the minicamp, but he
arrived Thursday and seemed to enjoy being around his teammates again after passing on the voluntary offseason program to this point.
''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.''
He indicated his surgically repaired neck and arthritic back are feeling good and that he didn't have any limitations. The pressing issue
now is whether he will stick around Halas Hall for the next three weeks as the Bears wrap up voluntary organized team activities.
''Not sure,'' he said. ''Possibly. Maybe. Yes. No. Pick any one of those answers you want.''
The Bears have made a one-year, $18 million extension offer, and it's conceivable the sides could reach a compromise soon if he's here.
Team policy is not to negotiate with players who are missing.
In terms of grand returns, this one was rather anticlimactic, but that's probably the way the Bears preferred it.
''He's healthy,'' coach Lovie Smith declared. ''We are expecting him to have the best year he's had so far, and that's saying a lot. He
<looked good.''
NOTES: The signing of tight end Kellen Davis, a fifth-round pick, to a four-year contract early Friday set off a chain reaction for
negotiator Cliff Stein. By the end of the day, he had secured four-year deals for all five of the Bears' seventh-round picks: defensive
end Ervin Baldwin, guard Chester Adams, linebacker Joey LaRocque, offensive tackle Kirk Barton and wide receiver Marcus Monk.
• • Wide receiver Mark Bradley (right knee) remained sidelined.
• • Alex Brown was with the first unit at right defensive end.
• • The Bears list defensive lineman Israel Idonije at 297 pounds, up 22 to handle the move inside.