Champ, defensive player of the year?

[orangenblue]

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_3351472

[RhymesayersDU]

That would be sweet if he won it, but I think my boy Urlacher is taking it home.

[Play2win]

Urlacher disapears if he doesn't have top-notch (and BIG) DT's. Al Wilson is always there reguardless. I'll still (barely) take WILSON over Urlacher, because he doesn't require the DTs...

And I'll Definitely take CHAMP as Defensive POY over Urlacher. And MOST definitely Defensive MVP over Urlacher...

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Urlacher disapears if he doesn't have top-notch (and BIG) DT's. Al Wilson is always there reguardless. I'll still (barely) take WILSON over Urlacher, because he doesn't require the DTs...

And I'll Definitely take CHAMP as Defensive POY over Urlacher. And MOST definitely Defensive MVP over Urlacher...

Oh c'mon, the guy is an animal!

[Kaylore]

Most linebackers disappear if they don't have a D-line that is at least a little disruptive. That said, I still like Wilson in the middle. As for Bailey making defensive player of the year, we're so far under the raidar right now (surprising, considering our record and seed in the playoffs) that most teams have been ignoring us. We have the number one rush offense in the league and none of our O-line made the pro-bowl. East coast bias.

[Play2win]

Oh c'mon, the guy is an animal!
HE IS!!! I'm not saying he isn't. But years when he Doesn't have that Dominating DT or two, he just disappears...

There are rare talents that show up and make difference, even without the best DT's. I don't think Urlacher is one of those. I think you can Scheme him out fairly easily if you didn't have your hand completely full with highly talented DT's

There are certain MLB's you really just can't (or with Great difficulty) scheme against. I would put, ULP, Ray-Ray (getting up there in AGE) and I would put AL WILSON in that category. There are others out there too. Point being, you can take advantage of Urlacher in certain situations, and that is a weakness, and I'm not sure thats DPOY stuff.

The Bears' DLINE should be DPOY (or Players of the Year...), not Urlacher. I really think you could have put alot of MLB in that defense and they would've produced quite similar to Urlacher.

Urlacher is not what makes that defense TICK, its their DLINE (DUH!). CHAMP has alot to do as to what makes our D Tick. Pretty much what makes our Defense TICK is our LB's, our SPEED at LB and CHAMP BAILEY. Together that is a powerful combination. The rest of the team is built upon that foundation. I think our D is only going to get better, but thats our CORE...

[BigPlayShay]

I would love to see Champ get the award. That pick for a TD against the Chargers is evidence enough about the impact he can have on a game even when he is injured.

[OrangeShadow]

"That was one of the best plays I've ever seen," Lynch said. "Champ broke away from his guy 5 yards away to knock that ball out of Moss' hands. When I got back to the huddle, I told him that was sick. He just laughed.

that was a good part

great article

[ludo21]

Most linebackers disappear if they don't have a D-line that is at least a little disruptive. That said, I still like Wilson in the middle. As for Bailey making defensive player of the year, we're so far under the raidar right now (surprising, considering our record and seed in the playoffs) that most teams have been ignoring us. We have the number one rush offense in the league and none of our O-line made the pro-bowl. East coast bias.


Its a joke really. I saw a map of where all the NFL teams are located and i never really realized how MANY teams are east of the Mississippi. Its crazy that their are so many over there.

Champ deserves DPOY, he is an animal, and has played with an injury for most the year. ALso missed a couple games and still has the stats.

[Play2win]

Its a joke really. I saw a map of where all the NFL teams are located and i never really realized how MANY teams are east of the Mississippi. Its crazy that their are so many over there.

Champ deserves DPOY, he is an animal, and has played with an injury for most the year. ALso missed a couple games and still has the stats.
That game last week, CHAMP played one of the better games I think I have ever seen a CB play, and thats with watching years of Louie Wright... :crazy:

The thing about Louie Wright, though, was his absolute and unflappable CONSISTENCY, that set him apart from so many others that have ever played this game...

[Garcia Bronco]

Portis knocked Ulraker out of a game in 03.

[Bronco Vixen]

"That was one of the best plays I've ever seen," Lynch said. "Champ broke away from his guy 5 yards away to knock that ball out of Moss' hands. When I got back to the huddle, I told him that was sick. He just laughed.

that was a good part

great article

as much as i hate to have to agree with "how can i possibly get more face time on TV" john... that play to me was more incredible than any of his ITs this year...it was absoultely stunning.. i think i even literally gasped for breath!

i would love to see him honored as well but i concur with khan that the east coast bias will do him in...funny though, they seemed to be all over him last year when his numbers weren't as stellar... the fargeheads!!

[Gcver2ver3]

Urlacher disapears if he doesn't have top-notch (and BIG) DT's. Al Wilson is always there reguardless. I'll still (barely) take WILSON over Urlacher, because he doesn't require the DTs...

And I'll Definitely take CHAMP as Defensive POY over Urlacher. And MOST definitely Defensive MVP over Urlacher...


I think Al Wilson is the better LB....but what can I tell ya...I'm a Broncos fan so what am supposed to say?

I'm not gonna knock Urlacher though...he's been amazing this year...and he's gonna win it...

but i can say for a fact that Bailey deserves it...he SAVED OUR SEASON....that pick against S.D. changed everything for us...and the defense just turned it on from there....

When Bailey's on the field our entire D plays with a certain confidence that can't be explained....Bailey has been well worth the Portis trade...another GREAT move by Shanny....with or without Portis we run the ball well....but now we have the best defender in football....

regardless of votes...Bailey is MY MVP

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Portis knocked Ulraker out of a game in 03.

Portis is bad mofo!! Urlacher is 6'4", 260lbs and ran down Ron Mexico twice in that game. Has 100 tackles again and 6 sacks.

How many times has a CB ever been defensive player of the year.

[Gcver2ver3]

How many times has a CB ever been defensive player of the year.


i think never right?

i'm not sure

[ludo21]

Portis is bad mofo!! Urlacher is 6'4", 260lbs and ran down Ron Mexico twice in that game. Has 100 tackles again and 6 sacks.

How many times has a CB ever been defensive player of the year.


if ever???


Champ is more than worthy of DPOY. Multiple Td's, all of them game changing!

[-Slap-]

Portis knocked Ulraker out of a game in 03.
For a couple plays. Then Urlacher came back in and the Broncos offense continued to get shut down at home, Portis included, in a 21-10 defeat.

Every high profile MLB had good linemen in front of him. Lambert had Green, Greenwood, White and Fats Holmes. Lewis had McCrary, Burnett and the twin tubs of goo. Singletary had Dent, Danimal, Mongo and Fridge. Butkus had Doug Atkins and Joe Schmidt had Alex Karras.

# 54 Brian Urlacher
Year Team G Total Tckl Ast Sacks Int Yds Avg Lg TD Pass Def
2000 Chicago Bears 16 124 98.0 26 8 2 19 9.5 19 0 3
2001 Chicago Bears 16 116 89.0 27 6 3 60 20.0 41 0 5
2002 Chicago Bears 16 151 115.0 36 4.5 1 0 0.0 0 0 6
2003 Chicago Bears 16 116 87.0 29 2.5 0 0 0.0 0 0 4
2004 Chicago Bears 9 70 52.0 18 5.5 1 42 42.0 42 0 6
2005 Chicago Bears 15 121 97.0 24 6 0 0 0.0 0 0 5
TOTAL 88 698 538.0 160 32.5 7 121 17.3 42 0 29

So, except for slightly diminished production in 2003 and 2004, which was partially due to injuries, when exactly was Brian Urlacher disappearing anyway?

This is the first season in Brian Urlacher's career that the Bears have sent any defensive linemen to the Pro Bowl.

Was Urlacher more effective when he had a couple leviathans like Tractor Traylor and Ted Washington lining up in front of him? Obviously. As would be the case with every other MLB who ever strapped on pads.

Urlacher is a great linebacker who took his game up another level this year.

[Doufer]

check this quote out

There is no clear-cut statistic hog. Cincinnati cornerback and former Denver first-round pick Deltha O'Neal leads the NFL with 10 interceptions, but he is not considered a well-rounded player, and the Bengals' defense has struggled.

[-Slap-]

Might be a polite way of stating Deltha's not very bright.

[Kaylore]

Might be a polite way of stating Deltha's not very bright. This would be funnier if it wasn't true. Knowing scheme and how play within that scheme is WAY more important than raw talent and "a nose for the ball." You can attack opportunistic corners that don't play sound football - ballhawk or not. I think that's the biggest reason that DWil and Foxworth (Not Foxy. What an effeminate and stupid nickname!) have had success. They are bright players that understand scheme and study film.

[Mediator12]

Might be a polite way of stating Deltha's not very bright.

Or, that his definition of run support entails yelling Oskie after he Intercepts Brett Favre for the third time.

[-Slap-]

We actually could have drafted Urlacher the year Deltha came out. We had the 10th pick and Urlacher went 9th to the Bears. I was begging Shanahan top trade up with AZ for the 7th spot.

Just as well, in retrospect. Al Wilson is a great MLB and he's not nearly as expensive.

[Willynowei]

Urlacher is an incredible athlete but he isn't even the MVP of his Defense. A guy by the name of Tommie Harris is.

[Rock Chalk]

Urlacher is an incredible athlete but he isn't even the MVP of his Defense. A guy by the name of Tommie Harris is.
I think you could make a case for Urlacher, Harris and Vasher over there in Chi-town.

[-Slap-]

In terms of importance to the defense, I would rate them: Urlacher, Mike Brown, Harris, Vasher.

[Mediator12]

This is another tough argument. MLB's with good DL's make huge tackle numbers in CHI's scheme. Add on, that CHI has taken 100 more running snaps and spends more time on the field than DEN and it becomes less of a statistical argument versus playmaking value IMHO.

As for Urlacher having down years, I would propose that he Still made tackles just further down the field and with less impact than this year. With out help, he was less of a playmaker. Playmaking is just not something that shows up like tackles. Look at the variance in his tackles in those down years versus the overall quality of the defense. He still got his because their offense has given him plenty of opportunity.

CHI definitely has been defensive oriented like BAL who has the previous two DPY recipients. Urlacher has that in his favor. Denver is really more balanced and most will vote for the better player on the best Defense versus the player that provides the most impact. Plus, While Champ has been stellar for the most part, Denver's Passing defense has been crap statistically. In fact, on paper this defense is pretty porous except for points per game.

All in all, both are good candidates. At least, both are excellent all around players at their positions and are the best tacklers at their respective positions. If Champ did not have as many INT's, he would never even have been considered though. I think Urlacher wins personally.

[footstepsfrom#27]

When's the last time a Bronco was considered for defensive MVP? He's worthy but I doubt he gets much consideration.

[Play2win]

Well, ED REED won it, with (1) more Interception and alittle bit more return yards and tackles IN 3 MORE GAMES (so far)...

[FADERPROOF]

Patrick Surtain is better than Champ Bailey...and pulling away.

[Mediator12]

Patrick Surtain is better than Champ Bailey...and pulling away.

Pulling away WITHOUT the ball for an INT maybe ;D

[Bronco Vixen]

Or, that his definition of run support entails yelling Oskie after he Intercepts Brett Favre for the third time.
rofl