Barstool Sports

CHICAGO – Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said Tuesday he believes this year’s defense is in ways superior to the Bears’ 2006 Super Bowl defense. “That’s a long time ago,” Urlacher said at a public appearance at Niketown Chicago. “I know we had a lot of takeaways back then as well. I’m not sure we got after the quarterback as we do now. We have a lot of guys front up who are getting after the quarterback. I don’t think we scored as much on defense back then as we do right now.” The Bears currently lead the NFL with 17 takeaways, are tied for the lead with 18 sacks, have allowed an average of 14.2 points a game and are the first team in league history to return five interceptions for touchdowns in the first five games of the season. On Sunday, the Bears scored two defensive touchdowns, recorded three sacks, intercepted three passes and recovered one fumble in their 41-3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Their defensive performance came one week after they scored two defensive touchdowns and intercepted five passes in a 34-18 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

In 2006, the Bears led the NFL with 44 takeaways and 24 interceptions, were second with 20 recovered fumbles, tied for eighth with 40 sacks, allowed an average of 15.9 points per game and scored three defensive touchdowns. In the playoffs, they recovered five fumbles, intercepted three passes and had seven sacks. Urlacher said this year’s defense has put itself in a different category than the past groups because of its big-play ability. “The big plays are really separating us apart on defenses I’ve been on before,” Urlacher said. “The touchdowns, the picks, the sacks, that’s the big thing. We’ll give up yards. That’s not a big deal to us. We want the takeaways and sacks, and we’re getting them, and the touchdowns as well.” Bears coach Lovie Smith said as good as his team’s defense has been he would like to see more forced fumbles.

Look. I know everyone is going to say the Bears haven’t played anyone yet but I don’t care. As currently constructed I would put the Bears D up against any other  D in  the league. And  they’re better than 06 in my opinion. This team can put so much more pressure on the quarterback than they could 6 years ago. In 06 they had 40 sacks on the year, through 5 games the Bears already have 18. They’re third in rushing yards against and the starting defense has scored more touchdowns than they’ve given up. Think about touchdowns and long drives by opponents in meaningful minutes this year. It basically hasn’t happened. Indy scored once and then a second touchdown in garbage time. Green Bay scored on a fake field goal and directly after a Cutler turnover in their own red zone. St. Louis had 2 field goals. Dallas didn’t score until garbage time and Jacksonville had 1 field goal.

So fuck anyone who wants to hate. Show me 1 Defense you would take over this Bears unit. And if you say San Fran then you have to point out the fact that they’ve also played “nobody” this year as well, which is a such a bullshit argument to begin with because besides maybe the Jags, Browns, Titans, and Chiefs every other team in this league is somewhat competitive week in and week out. And if I sound pissed off its because I am. I’m sick of the national media not even mentioning the Bears. They’re all sitting on their dicks pretending the Packers and Lions are going to be good this year. Fuck that. If you can’t see who the best team in the North is in then you’re either biased, or a complete and utter moron.

PS - I seriously think Lovie dreams exclusively about turnovers. Turnovers and wasted timeouts, no one can beat Lovie on either.