... Hillenmeyer now as Brian Urlacher’s replacement than the one who held the job when their perennial Pro Bowl middle linebacker suffered a series of injuries in 2004.

With Urlacher out for the season due to a dislocated wrist, Hillenmeyer is being counted on to man the middle. The Bears went 0-7 in 2004 without Urlacher. 

“We feel that Hunter has the best grasp of the entire defense, being in that role, and our team is comfortable with him playing, and again he played well last night,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said Monday at Halas Hall after announcing the end of Urlacher’s season.

To be sure, the Bears had options. There was the possibility of moving Lance Briggs from the weak side to the middle.<...

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