Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) tackles Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Bears beat the Vikings 28-10. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Recently, rumors have been running wild about the Vikings interest in signing free agent Linebacker Brian Urlacher.  The 34 year old former All-Pro Linebacker has also been linked to the Denver Broncos, but that report has been refuted by KCNC-TV’s Gary Miller.  This leaves the Vikings as the only known suitor out there for Urlacher.

Dec 23, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Erin Henderson (50) warms up against the Houston Texans before the game at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

If the Vikings signed him, it’s questionable as to what his role would be with the team.  His veteran leadership would be huge in helping develop their young Middle Linebackers.  The team recently moved Erin Henderson from Outside Linebacker to the inside and penciled him in as the starter.  Then, they drafted Michael Mauti in the seventh round of the draft this year to compete with Henderson.  They also feel good about the young Audie Cole to develop into a solid player.  Urlacher’s experience could be a major factor in why the Vikings would be interested.

October 6, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Michael Mauti (42) looks on during the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

But would the Vikings use Urlacher as a starter if they did sign him?  The team seems confident that Henderson is more than capable of filling the void left by Jasper Brinkley in the middle.  They also see a leader in Michael Mauti if he can heal in time to compete for the position.  Urlacher’s age, speed and injury history raise a lot of questions as to his ability going forward.  The team would most likely put him in the competition with Henderson and Mauti for the job.

Another major factor will be the Urlacher’s pay.  The Vikings are already strapped for cash after other big free agent signing like Greg Jennings, Phil Loadholt, and Jerome Felton.  The team also has yet to sign their 3 first round draft picks this year.

Do you think Urlacher is worth picking up?  If so, is he an immediate starter, or should he compete for the job?  And at this point of his career, is he still an effective player?

Dec. 25, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) walks off the field after the game with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-US PRESSWIRE

1. Brian Urlacher – Bears

As a Viking fan I’m probably biased toward 4-3 linebackers. That whole 3-4 thing is strange and scary to me. So that’s probably why I rank Urlacher and Briggs automatically above that guy from the Packers who I’ll talk about later. And when it comes to deciding between Briggs and Urlacher, two guys who are arguably dead-even at this point in their careers…I guess I’m just biased toward the guy in the middle, the hub around whom the whole wheel revolves.  Also, having watched various Viking MLBs struggle in drop-back coverage for years, I guess I just admire a guy like Urlacher who does that particular job so well. The dude’s just a smart, really good football player. He’s a Bear and I don’t even hate him. He gets a slight demerit for dating that wacko Jenny McCarthy.

2. Lance Briggs – Bears

It’s a coin flip between Briggs and Urlacher, the Tango & Cash of linebackers. Actually, statistically, it’s probably not a coin flip. Right now Briggs probably has the edge on Urlacher. The geek sites like Pro Football Focus rank him as one of the very best defensive playmakers in the game, right up there with your Patrick Willis and your D’Qwell Jackson and your Brian Cushing. 4-3 linebackers are sort of overlooked these days though, so Briggs maybe doesn’t get the pub. Thing that makes Briggs special is, he covers almost as well as he tracks down ball carriers. He’s sort of what you might call the perfect Cover-2 weak-side backer.

3. Clay Matthews – Packers

He may look like a girl but he plays like a man. True, the Packer defense is a steaming pile of horse poop, but that’s not Claymaker’s fault. It’s not his fault the secondary can’t tackle or that B.J. Raji is basically a useless turd. Claymaker’s still out there making clays, er, plays. When’s he gonna get that new contract by the way? $800,000? That’s a slap in the face. I know cause Percy Harvin told me.

4. Stephen Tulloch – Lions

The Lions finally caved and gave Stephen Tulloch the long-term deal they didn’t want to give him in 2011. Smart move since you could argue he’s the best 4-3 MLB in the league right now, with Urlacher on the downslope. The Lions have possibly the best front-seven in the league and Tulloch is a huge reason why. He’s also one of the few Lions who doesn’t tend to get arrested every other week, so that’s a plus.

Oct 9, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway (52) against the Arizona Cardinals at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Chad Greenway just makes tackles. He doesn’t make that many in the backfield but let’s not nit-pick. You get in Greenway’s vicinity and he’ll probably bring you down. He’s a solid workmanlike defensive player. Not a lot of interceptions or big plays but, let’s not be negative. Oh, and he’s a nice guy too.

Other Guys to Watch: Desmond Bishop (Packers), Nick Perry (Packers), Erin Henderson (Vikings)

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Dec. 25, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) walks off the field after the game with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-US PRESSWIRE

What’s going on with our division rivals? Let’s take a peek…

Bears GM Phil Emery says he’s not worried about Brandon Marshall’s off-field history. Matt Forte’s agent says it’s absurd to question his client’s durability. And Brian Urlacher says he might test free agency at the end of the season. Also, Dan Pompei speculates that the new look Bears offense could be very familiar to Viking fans. And why not with Mike Tice designing it?

In Detroit: Nick Fairley. Not again. (Insert Everson Griffen shot here)

And in Green Bay…not much Packer news, so enjoy this story about Zippin Pippin the roller coaster instead.

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