A few days after egregiously screwing up one of the worst blown blocking assignments we’ve ever seen, Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley is back running his mouth again. This time, his target isn’t the often-discussed Aaron Rodgers, but Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.
Finley, although probably unintentionally (you know, because he’s dumb), totally dissed Urlacher in comments to Fox Sports Wisconsin.
“Urlacher is at the end of his career right now; he’s playing a little slow out there,” Finley told Fox Sports Wisconsin on Wednesday. “I don’t think they’re losing too much if he’s out. Putting another guy in might help them a little.”
Urlacher will miss Sunday’s game and possibly the rest of the season with a hamstring injury. He also had knee surgery during training camp.
Is he a step slower this season? Probably, but that’s not really for Finley to say. Of course, we’re not surprised Finley DID say it.
So, to the real question — are the Bears better off without Urlacher?
His tackles are down slightly, but he’s defended as many passes (seven) in 12 games this season as he did in all of 2011. He also has two more forced fumbles and a touchdown, although his interceptions are down from three to one.
With Urlacher out, the Bears will start outside linebacker Nick Roach in the middle and Geno Hayes in Roach’s spot.
Roach had nine tackles last week and has 44 on the season to go along with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
One thing we do know is this…