Brian Urlacher said Thursday that he doesn’t think the Chicago Bears’ front office was being genuine when it said that it wanted him to re-sign with the team.
The Bears announced Wednesday that they were unable to come to a free-agent deal with Urlacher and were moving on without one of the greatest linebackers in franchise history.
Urlacher told ESPN Radio “the Bears kept saying, ‘We want to make Brian a Bear, retire a Bear. Blah, blah, blah.’ It was all lip service in my mind. They said that, but they never acted on it.”
RICHARDSON: MY BAD
Trent Richardson told The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer that he feels like it’s his fault that running backs will now be penalized for using the crown of their helmets to make forcible contact with a defender outside the tackle box.
A video of Richardson knocking off Eagles safety Kurt Coleman’s helmet was used as an example of plays the league wanted to penalize during the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix. The rule change passed, 31-1, with the Cincinnati Bengals the only team to vote against it.
“I feel like I made it bad for all the backs,” Richardson told the newspaper. “I feel like it’s my fault.”
He said people are starting to name the rule after him.
“People keep telling me it’s the T-Rich rule,” he said. “I guess I made history today.”
Steelers president Art Rooney used another Browns running back, Hall of Famer Jim Brown, to explain his reasoning to accept the change.
“Jim Brown never lowered his head,” Rooney said with a smile. “It can be done.”
EXTRA POINTS
Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mark Duper was released from jail, charged after police say he beat his 17-year-old son during a series of fights at their Jacksonville, Fla., home. … Free-agent defensive end Frostee Rucker agreed to a one-year contract with the Cardinals.. … The 49ers signed free-agent safety and special teams standout Darcel McBath, 27, to a one-year contract. … Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert signed his franchise tender and will make $9.828 million if he plays under the one-year contract. … The Giants re-signed QB David Carr to back up Eli Manning. … The Packers re-signed linebacker Brad Jones, who had a career highs in tackles (102) last season. … Bears fullback Evan Rodriguez, 24, was charged with disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer in Miami.
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