Former Lobo Urlacher a step closer to NFL Hall of Fame
Bears great one of 27 semifinalists for honor
CANTON, Ohio — Brian Urlacher, the Chicago Bears great who began his football career in New Mexico, is one of 27 semifinalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Urlacher, a Lovington graduate who played for the UNM Lobos, was drafted by the Bears in the first round of the 2000 NFL draft. He was the ninth overall pick.
The linebacker was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and was NFL rookie of the year in 2000 and league defensive player of the year in 2005. He was named to the league’s all-decade team of the 2000s.
Urlacher has already been voted into the College Football Hall of Fame and will be inducted on Dec. 5 in New York City.
He spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Bears. He started 180 of 182 games with Chicago, finishing with
a team-record 1,779 tackles, 41½ sacks, 22 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries and 11 forced fumbles.
Other first-year eligibles include Ray Lewis, Randy Moss, Richard Seymour, Steve Hutchinson and Ronde Barber.
Four previously eligible players made the semifinals for the first time: LeRoy Butler, Leslie O’Neal, Simeon Rice and Everson Walls. All others on the 2018 list have reached the semifinals in previous years.
Already chosen as finalists are Bobby Beathard as a contributor, and Robert Brazile and Jerry Kramer as senior candidates.
The other semifinalists are Steve Atwater, Tony Boselli, Isaac Bruce, Don Coryell, Roger Craig, Brian Dawkins, Alan Faneca, Torry Holt, Joe Jacoby, Edgerrin James, Jimmy Johnson, Ty Law, John Lynch, Kevin Mawae, Karl Mecklenburg, Terrell Owens and Hines Ward.
In January, the list will be reduced to 15 finalists. The election for the class of 2018 will be held Feb. 3, the day before the Super Bowl, in Minneapolis. Induction ceremonies in Canton, Ohio, will be in August.
Two coaches, Coryell and Johnson, made the cut. In all, there are 12 offensive players (five linemen, five receivers, two running backs) and 13 on defense (seven backs, three linebackers, three linemen).
COWBOYS: Dak Prescott points to a poor throw here or a bad decision there while trying to explain possibly his worst game as a pro in a season quickly going south.
There’s one direction the star quarterback won’t look in seeking to understand the missing magic of a year ago — the absence of running back Ezekiel Elliott, his co-creator of a remarkable rookie season that helped carry the Cowboys to the best record in the NFC.
Prescott’s first threeinterception dud in three years — the previous one was during his junior year at Mississippi State — came in the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year’s second game without Elliott, both lopsided losses. The 2016 league rushing leader is on a six-game suspension over alleged domestic violence.
A year after winning a franchise-record 11 straight games, the Cowboys (5-5) are all but eliminated in the NFC East and just trying to stay in playoff contention going into their annual Thanksgiving game, a visit from the Los Angeles Chargers (4-6).
“For me it’s just about being the same whether it’s winning or losing,” Prescott said. “It’s about being the same and never wavering, never showing lack of confidence in myself and my teammates.”
And that means rejecting any notion that Elliott’s absence is making it harder on the passing game.
“No, can’t say they have,” Prescott said when asked if defenses looked different without Elliott.
“It has nothing to do with people being absent or not. It’s just about me being aggressive.” BRONCOS: It’s time to see conclusively if quarterback Paxton Lynch is a bust or just a late bloomer.
Denver’s former firstround draft pick will make his first start this weekend at Oakland.
General manager John Elway moved up in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft to select Lynch with the 26th overall pick, but the former Memphis QB proved to be a project.
RAIDERS: Oakland fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. on Tuesday in a staff shake-up during a disappointing season.
Coach Jack Del Rio called the move a difficult decision and said that assistant head coach for defense John Pagano will take over as coordinator leading into this week’s home game against the Broncos. SEAHAWKS: Seattle made an unexpected roster move, waiving veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney just four games after signing him to help boost their pass rush.