Lance for the No. 6?

Told you all about Drew Rosenhaus! Bitting the Bears right on the pockets like a pit bull! And he should shake until all of Lance's money falls out! It appears to me to be a problem that Stevie wonder could have seen coming. Bears could have let this man go and get his money a long time ago, or they could have given him his market value. They chose to challenge Drew Rosenhaus??? I don't understand what the Bears stand to gain but negative press?

Roman I am interested to hear if you guys believe the Bears anticipated this. If so, why? If not, why?

Roman responds: I'm sure they did. Rosenhaus isn't going to stop until he gets what he wants. The Bears have to decide whether Lance is worth it, and whether he'll follow through on the threats. It's like a poker game.

I am confused because dealing with Drew Rosenhaus is like playing poker with Phil Ivey. Bears should have folded.

Done deal...trade this loud-mouth baby...then trade down 10 spots to get more picks and the TE from Miamai, Greg Olsen.

I disagree completely. This trade would allow the bears to move up to pick an impact player. Pick an OLB in the 2nd round then. And get over the distraction. Who needs it? Urlacher is the Derrick Brooks in this defense. He makes Briggs better, and he can do that for someone else. I'll enjoy watching Briggs suffer in Washington for the next 5-6 years...

Looking at this from a Bear perspective, losing Briggs is huge. While Tank Johnson will be back for the start of the season, there is no way he will start the season in playing shape, although prison is the best gym so I hear. This whole situation is insane and the Bears should just pay Briggs to keep that fearful line backing core intact. The secondary is not what is has been and losing Briggs makes it all the more susceptible. Moving up in the draft is a monster gain though, so holding on to Briggs for this draft pick swap works out well, maybe they have a shot at Calvin Johnson, Brady Quinn, or LaRon Landry. Bears fan need to be more concerned about the fact that Grossman is not the answer and that you’re trusting your running game to Benson who has not shown he's capable of being a feature back.

TRADE BRIGGS..lets see him rot with the redskins.
Enjoy no prob bowls without mr urlacher (THE MAN)
I mean, heck I can roam around an make plays if the opposing O focuses on THE MAN (yes not you briggs)
I guarantee you Briggs does not make the pro bowl next year.
Take the #6 pick and move up to get WR Calvin Johnson...one of the few rookies that could help the Bears this year.

Brandon (Chicago)

Snyder and the Redskins are hoping that Angelo and the Bears are still suffering from the same dumbness that afflicted them when they "gave away"
Thomas Jones. Snyder wants to offer the 'Skins #6 pick in the first round for
the Bears' Briggs and their #31 pick in the first round. How generous of Snyder!!! Angelo ought to demand, and get both the Redskins #6 AND their 2nd round pick for Briggs and Briggs alone. If that doesn't fly, let Briggs sit out the '07 season or, perhaps, 10 games. If he wants to come back for the final 6 games, the Bears can find some reason to keep him off the field.

lets see, a player that sits for 10 games and plays the last 6...hmmm im sure many teams will be vying for your services...NOT!!!!! hasta la vista Briggs!

If Lance Briggs and Drew Rosenhaus feels this is the only alternative to playing for the Bears then by all means. Just make sure the player the Bears pick is not represented by Drew Rosenhaus.

I believe that trading Briggs now is the answer. BUT, I would NOT do it for a swap of 1st round picks. I just don't think there's equal value in swaping 1st roung picks and giving the Redskins a Pro Bowl linebacker. I'd take a swap of 1st round picks, and a 2nd or 3rd round pick as well (even if one of those is next year). The franchise tag states that if someone makes an offer to someone you've franchised, and the team refuses to match the offer, then they'd be compensated with two 1st rounders. I think that may be a little high, but there's no need to give him away to rid themselves of Briggs' situation. The Bears' have the upper hand here, and shouldn't give in to his whining. Trade him for market value, or let him sit out and receive nothing for being a stubborn brat.

While I'm excited to hear the Bears are trying to move up in the draft (having the 6th and 37th picks is much nicer than the 31st), I'm worried Angelo's just going to select yet another safety and completely waste the pick. As for whether or not it's enough compensation for Briggs--while no draft pick justifies the amount of production he's given the Bears, a top-10 pick comes pretty close. Why they couldn't have packaged this with the Adam Archuleta trade, we'll never know, but I'm not going to nitpick.

I hope this works out. Briggs will get his chance to be the man, and the Bears will get a good draft pick. NOW IF THEY WOULD JUST SIGN DAVID EFFING CARR...

Why not trade up to the #2 slot with Detroit? I know they are in the same division and might not want to swap but is Detroit really going to take Calvin Johnson knowing they tanked on so many drafted WRs. Wouldnt they take the our 1st rounder and Briggs who is already established instead of taking another chance? CJ will be an immediate impact offensive player which is what the Bears will need with Muhammed aging. He would be a great 3rd receiver for now..I couldnt imagine a Calvin Johnson Bernard Berrian tandum in a couple years. That would be an insane duo.

I think this whole mess is drew "greedy" rosheblah's fault. The bears did pony up and attempt to sign him long term, so get it staright Lance. It's about not over paying or a mid grade talent. Thats called cap managment. The way I see it let Lance not play Fine the hell out of him, when he comes back dont let him play, franchise him the next 2 years keep him off the field again, and then lets see how much he's worth after not touching a NFL field for 3 years, we need to get tough with these over paid babies, I mean come on he was given a fair deal. HE IS NOT, NOR will HE EVER BE Brian Urlacher. The system and Talent around him allow him to be a pro bowler not vice versa.

This trade would be a steal for the Skins. I agree, Chuck Johnson is an impact player - but the Bears will have no shot at him w/o giving up even more to trade up. The other impact player is Joe Thomas - who could eventually replace the most overrated Bear - John Tait. He'll be gone too. Briggs, is acting like a child, but he's also a key member of a team w/ a shrinking window at a Super Bowl. They should demand 2 picks (and not a swap!) for Briggs - who, btw, is the Derrick Brooks of this defense.

You could see this coming since the beginning of last season. It's 1986 all over again. Bears go to the Superbowl, 2nd best LB on the team covets the money and the limelight and he shuffles off to Washington, yet again. I understand that he should be compensated fairly(which I believe they have) but he's dreaming if he wants to be paid more than Urlacher. I say move him to Washington or any other team willing to pay an outrageous salary for a 'good' LB, take their trade up offer, include another pick or two & plan on Patrick Willis(Ole Miss)filling in admirably. Or take your high pick and use it on OT Joe Thomas(Wisconsin) or, if he falls, WR Calvin Johnson, with Jamar Williams filling Briggs' spot. Bears saw this coming. Congrats to them for being a step ahead. Now, just don't get hosed for his value like you did with Thomas Jones.

Take the trade and trade that #6 pick to Cleveland for the #3 pick and get Calvin Johnson... He is a can't miss and is a combo of R. Moss./TO/M. Harrison all in one. Calvin Johnson and Mush with Berrian in the slot is a good offense. Lance is replaceable, Calvin Johnson could be the best ever!!

The Bears have every right to protect their players, product, and feasibility they offered a long term contract before this season which Briggs declined;(fortunately Briggs wasn't injured)as both team(s) and players play at a great risk.
This entire situation seems reminiscent of the Wilbur Marshall era, except there was no franchise tags, it was simply an offer sheet that the Bears didn't match. Marshall was never the same in a Redskins uniform.
I am a die-hard Bears fan: Briggs stands to make 7 mil. this season, take the money - shut-up and work out a long term deal. My question is: Do the Bears have to play him for the remaining 6 games? What about the team? Team chemistry? A number 6 pick?? and what else do we get if he's trade?

Briggs for the sixth pick is awesome as long as we do not have to give up the 31st, two first round and a high second round makes the loss easy to swallow. Package the sixth and the second round to get a higher first round and pick Calvin Johnson, use the 31st on offensive lineman and we will be alright.

This is indeed a mess ! Briggs is a great player but so far all he and Rosenhaus have done is blow a lot of hot air. If they can present the Bears with a scenario as to what he is being offered by other teams then the BEARS would have a chance to "match" or as the tag goes let him walk for the two draft picks....The Bears should not cave in here ! I love Lance but $7.2 mil guaranteed for I year......s_it ! Where do I sign ! Lance get real, the team and the town love you and your production, tell the Bears what you want and be reasonable you just might get it $$$$$
I just hope Lovie does not allow his team to Blow up like Ditka did!

The opportunity to get rid of a giant headache and his weasel of an agent for the #6 overall pick in the draft sounds very attractive. There are many worthwhile players in the draft pool this year, as just about everyone has already pointed out. The Bears should get this deal done fast before Daniel Syner changes his mind. I would like to read something positive about the Bears this offseason (aside from Rex's structurally sound shoulder) and getting rid of Briggs would be a step in that direction.

At the 6 spot, they would have a shot at grabbing outside linebackers John Beason or safety Laron Landry. They are not going to be able to trade up to get one of the big 3...Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, or Adrian Peterson. And I highly doubt they'd consider Brady Quinn if we was to fall to them. So my next question is, will an unproven rookie or reserve linebacker be able to fill a huge hole at outside linebacker? Urlacher already covers up for alot of mistakes that Hunter Hillenmeyer makes, how will he be able to cover up the 100 plus tackles that Lance Briggs would give the Bears? I don't see this move improving the Bears.

This is indeed a mess ! Briggs is a great player but so far all he and Rosenhaus have done is blow a lot of hot air. If they can present the Bears with a scenario as to what he is being offered by other teams then the BEARS would have a chance to "match" or as the tag goes let him walk for the two draft picks....The Bears should not cave in here ! I love Lance but $7.2 mil guaranteed for I year......s_it ! Where do I sign ! Lance get real, the team and the town love you and your production, tell the Bears what you want and be reasonable you just might get it $$$$$
I just hope Lovie does not allow his team to Blow up like Ditka did!

Yes! Jump all over it. Briggs is almost completely useless to the Bears as a player on the field now. Get that high pick. Someone will want it to get "their" guy and will trade their 1st round pick plus another pick or two. Maybe even their 1st round pick next year. This is how you build a champion that has staying power. Do the deal now!

First, if Briggs does sit out for ten games and plays six, he'll meet the obligations of the franchise tag. However, can the bears do something similar to what the eagles did to TO a couple of years ago and suspend him for up to four games? I'm not sure if this violates the terms of franchise tag, but if LB and DR want to play hardball, the bears should too.

Secondly, the trade doesn't make much sense to me if it is the 6th for Briggs and the 31st. If memory serves me correctly, the redskins have a tendency of trading next years picks. I think they only have few picks this year because they signed restricted free agents, but it shows they don't place alot of emphasis on draft picks. Why not the 6th and next years 1st or 2nd round pick for Briggs and the 31st? If I had to guess, the redskins will not be very good this year, making their next years' pick more valuable.

The only other thing to realize is that the 6th pick doesn't have as much value this year. There are five highly sought after players: Thomas, C. Johnson, Brady, Russell, and Peterson. after those five, the value drops off. If the Bears can trade down from the 6th, it makes more sense. Only Thomas and Johnson make sense to me for the Bears to take. From there, the 6th pick might be a difficult spot to trade out of without much demand for one of the top five players.

To Kuup-Mokena or others who keep comparing Briggs' situation to Wilber Marshall's. Marshall DID NOT leave the Bears after they won the superbowl in 1985. Marshall played two more seasons on the Bears after 1985 and left the Bears after the 1987 season. Now for Briggs, part of me says teach him a lesson and prove a point that some street walking agent can't dictate to the organization how they should operate. Call his bluff and let him sit out the first ten games. Because if he does he will only get paid for six games, which according to my calculation means he will make roughly 2.5 million next year. So if Briggs does that he will make about 4.5 million less than he would if he played the full season. Even a dimwit like Briggs could see the difference in that. So I say come on Briggs and Rosenhaus, be men for the first time in your lives and honor your words. You will only be doing the Bears a favor by saving them 4.5 million bucks in salary next year.

The trade would make a great deal of sense if the Bears manage to trade back down to get extra picks. At the 6th slot, they can easily accomplish this if someone like Quinn or Peterson is still available, and there may be a shot to trade down more than once.

The Bears top upgrade areas worthy of first-round consideration are (with or without Briggs) LB, OT, OG, DT, TE, WR.

At six, the top WR, OT and DT -- sure things, are gone. I don't support moving up.

Yet, players like Posluzny, Patrick Willis and Levi Brown -- all solid players who could likely step in immediately, could still be around in the early teens, especially the former.

One or two trades down, especially for Quinn or Peterson, could land possibly a No. 1 next year, if not multiple picks from the 2-5 range this year.

Given that I really do believe that Briggs will seriously sit out several games, this would make the most sense for this franchise.

ESPN also reported this. Bears offered 7.2 for one year, BUT Lance Briggs is worth 20 million guaranteed on the open market - with a long term contract. We all can do math right? I believe 20 is bigger than 7. Hypothetical - the Bears who have raised ticket prices - are asked by Chicago to take a 3rd of their income next year in order to accomodate the olympics. If the olympics dont work out, then they don't get anything. What do you think the Bears answer will be to that offer? Let me guess???

"Hello Mr. Rosenhaus...this is Jerry and Ted, yeah we have a real problem with Mayor Daley. He wants us to accept a 3rd of what we can get. Doesn't he know we just went to the Superbowl?"

I say call Rosenhaus' bluff and let the greedy jackass sit for 10 games, and rot on the bench for the remaining 6. Then hit him with the Franchise tag again and repeat the scenario in 2008. How much moeny would he stand to lose then? Who is going to sign a linebacker that hasn't played a down in 2 years for BIG money?

Just trade him but realistically they're not gonna trade him for a 1st and a 2nd round to washington. Maybe a 1st and 3rd would still be good. Calvin Johnson would be a big boost anyways. Did everyone forget about Jamarr Williams? The Bears drafted him to replace Briggs cause they knew this was gonna happen (Briggs leaving the Bears). Like Briggs, Williams was drafted in the 3rd round and was coveted a lot by the staff until his injury. Remember Warrick Holdman? Roosevelt Colvin? They were all products of what the opposing defense gives the Bears when they are too focused on Brian Urlacher. Maybe Briggs is too. Just think about that. Trade his spoiled butt.

1st - I would let Briggs sit and rot. If $7 MM isn't enough money - then let him collect nothing for the year. That is $7 MM he'll never get back. Think Al Harris & Todd Bell.

2nd - If they do trade him then Washington should come up with some more late round picks this year or picks next year say a 2 or a 3. He is a all pro and they would still be getting a #1.

3rd - if we did get the # 6 pick I would trade back down and start restocking the lines. D line is thin & O line getting old.

4th - With Archuletta in the Defensive back field. That is one area we don't have to address.

Who cares?!? As long as Grossman is the starter next season, it doesn't matter who the linebackers are, the Bears will not win anything.

First of all, The swapping of picks for Thomas Jones was not a waste. Yes, he ran for over 2500 yards in the past two seasons, but in the NFL, he was in not in the L. Tomlinson mold, untradeable. But as for Briggs, I was not a fan until this year. No, he is not better than Urlacher, because as I recall, teams gameplan to stop Urlacher first or, Tommie Harris first, not L. Briggs. He's a better player than me so I can't dis the man too much, but, the deal is not enough. We need to see a 3rd or 4th rounder as well, and give us one of their linebackers, or their backup R.B. and exchange out

I think you let Briggs stay at home. Why does he get to decide if he is going ot come back. Take a page from the Ottawa Senators of the NHL when Alexi Yahsin said he wasn't playing. The senators said stay home & be a baby then, He still had to play out the contract. Make him earn the money. These players who always want more. Keep him off the field and at home, see how good he does then. Further more this is just heightened by greedy agents like Drew Rosehouse. Look at what great things Terrell Owens did since the gunieness told him to stay at Home with Philly, Ownes isn't making near the money he would hae if he played the contract out that he signed. Just goes to show you Greed does NOT PAY

So, if the truth was a little hazy before, Briggs's situation should be crystal clear right about now. Lance Briggs only cares about Lance Briggs, not the Bears, not the fans, not winning, not even the Super Bowl. Ask yourself this: If he says he won't play 10 games just to make a point and so he can "avoid risking injury" (I believe that's an idle threat by the way, is he really retarded enough to throw away a guaranteed 4 million or so?), do you think he'll play in the playoffs, where there's no big money involved? Two words: Hell and no. I used to be a big fan of his, but now from a fan's point of view, he disgusts me. He's not a team player anymore. I can't root for him anymore.

Do this deal... do it ASAP before Snyder changes his mind. I don't care how good Briggs is. It doesn't do anything if he's not playing. For those of you that think the Bears wouldn't be getting enough... bear in mind that Briggs was an unrestricted free agent before the tag and will be next year too, so the Bears stand to gain absolutely nothing otherwise. I know the saying "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" but that doesn't apply when the bird is crapping in your hand.

The #6 pick can be used to draft an impact player (by the way stop the pipe dreams about CJ, the only way to be sure to get him is to have the 1st overall pick) and that'd greatly extend Briggs's value to the team (which he is voluntarily limiting). Or they can trade down a few picks and go for a guy like Willis, another LB with Urlacher-type speed. In my opinion the Bears have everything to gain and nothing to lose by pulling the trigger here.

/rant

I almost forgot to add that this trade would make no sense whatsoever for the Skins, as they are already stacked with LBs, but that's neither here nor there... common sense has never stood in the way of them before, so hurry up and pull the trigger before they realize how stupid it is!

Hey, Roman--congrats on getting moved to the top of the Blog list! Much love and respect.

Roman responds: Thank you. It's the proudest day of my life, even though I have no idea to what you're referring.

Ditka didn't blow up the 86 team and Lovie shouldn't be faulted if players get traded. Briggs is a good player. He's better than you guys want to give him credit for but Kris hit the nail in regard to Urlacher covering a lot of ground for HH and there's one thing that no one has mentioned yet: Urlacher isn't getting any younger. He's closing in on 30 pretty fast and he isn't the player he was a few years ago. I know those words are blasphme but it's gospel. Urlacher is already underpaid when you compare his salary with a lot of players that have signed recently. Just because the BEARS hold his contract up and say that this is the limit doesn't make it a fair market contract. Don't think for a minute that it is. He's been doing great money wise in regard to what's out there but he knows that we can't exactly repeat taking chances on things that have happened in the past with replacing players who got richer contracts than the BEARS care to match. Don't bring up Colvin and Holdman because at least we had a Briggs to take their place. I don't know what Jamar Williams has shown anyone to expect him to be a viable candidate because I must have missed those games that he was looking good with the first team. Don't let the BEARS sucker you into believing that they are better now than when the season ended. That remark about Jones not giving anyone faith before he got here is a load of bull. When Jones was a bust with others teams that made him an anomoly. At least he wasn't our bust like Benson may shape up being. Briggs isn't worth all the money his agent is insisting on. And the NFL need to gang up and make all Drew's clients off limit just to show him that they mean business. A guy like him is the worst cancer that a team can get. Stop giving in to his demands. He's not a sports fan. He's the reason that players act the way they do when it comes to these contracts. Stop pussyfooting around with guys like that and maybe players will curb that greed they have. NNNAAAWWWW!!! They will always be greedy. If the BEARS give him up for just a swap in draft picks you can forget about breaking even this year. You might as well give away every player whose contact is coming up. If the weather is good this weekend I might go to Swaparama on 130th. I wouldn't be surprised to see a a few BEARS players there dirt cheap.

I am a die hard Bears fan myself. After seeing this situation unfold, I have to say that Briggs should be traded for the 6th pick. But I too believe they need to get further compensation for Briggs. Another draft pick say a 3rd rounder would be realistic. A 2nd rounder would be nice. Anyways, they should take the 6th pick and draft either LaRon Landry, or Calvin Johnson if he should fall to them. If these 2 players aren't available trade down for more picks and get a TE (Greg Olsen). Either way the Bears still win because Urlacher is the man in the middle. Last time I checked, teams game plan for him not Briggs. If all you get to do on Defense is run around without being blocked, (because the person who is supposed to be blocking you (Briggs) is triple teaming Urlacher), then of course you are great enough to not get the most tackles in the league. Your running freedom didn't produce more tackles than a guy is focused upon when offenses game plan. So trade him. Much like how the Ravens plug anyone into that defense and are still fearsome, the Bears can easliy replace Briggs. He is a SYSTEM LINEBACKER. He will be slightly above average anywhere else. If a team focuses on him, it will probably result in the downward spiraling of his career. But what would he care? He got paid anyways, and thats all he wants. So say good by to him, he is not as great as he thinks he is. If he was he would have been drafted higher. The Bears should draft either of the mentioned players with there new found pick or trade it for more picks. Teams want Landry badly. Heck trade the pick to Buffalo and move to 12, for the 6th pick and recoupe another draft pick from them so they could draft Adrian Peterson. Buffalo needs a back and the Bears could get plenty of steals in this draft to offset the major contracts they will be facing on defense in the next few years. Point is, is that Briggs will not determine the future of the team. The team will win without him. Just watch and see..............

I think the Bears are smart enough to hold out for more picks than another trade up. C'mon-look at another trade up as gambling-how many guys drafted in the second-third and forth rounds have out performed first rounders. The Bears give up two high performing players to pay out to a highly regarded college player that has yet to prove himself worthy of the NFL. We could be trading up for another bust-David Terrell-Curtis Enis-Mike Haynes-oh yeah and what was that QB-#8. I know a new regime is in place but we are gambling - and that's for losers in Green Bay and Detroit !!!

Triple teaming Urlacher? Are you serious? All they have to do is run a guard right at him and that's it. I've seen plenty of plays where he was blocked completely out of the play by a pulling guard. He's the best player on the team when the defensive tackles occupy more than one blocker but that's about it for the game-planning. Honestly ,I know Urlacher is a great player but he's not walking on water without good players around him. I know a lot of people think he's the only game in town but that's not true. Sideline to sideline he's the best but teams would be stupid to play to his strengths. He needs more than just a body beside him to be successful. HH is a "solid" player ,so I'm told. My definition with Urlacher around him is "lucky to be in the NFL". And can anyone please tell me about the first hand knowledge who teams are game-planning for. Every player in the NFL can be negated. Without enough talent on any team the best players usually end up looking rather average no matter who they are. Ravens have changed their personnel and watching their last game showed what happened without more talent. You guys keep thinking that this team can plug anyone in and we'll be good. You history buffs keep bringing up the past but reality will eventually trump all those "what was" and "remember whens" . They are selling you guys a bill of goods and you are actually feeding into it. One day you guys are gonna look up and all we'll have is "the best player available" like the 90s. I do remember those times very clearly. In the last 15 years,in the first round, all we've gotten with the best player available adage was Urlacher. How much longer will the Gladiator suit up? There is no addition with too much subtraction. Whoever comes cheaply is who they will take with any pick in the draft. Best Player Available.

Roman responds: Did someone say Urlacher needs to be triple-teamed? Did I miss that? Sometimes all you need to do is send the ballcarrier right at him and he'll miss, as the Colts did.

Awwww - don't be so humble, Roman! You had to have lobbied pretty hard to get top billing on the blog page. It may be alphabetical, but props nonetheless.

Drew Rosenhaus (sp?) is football's equivalent of Scott Boras. Players of both agents get more than they do with most agents but at a great expense. Odds are the publicity hits cost them more in endorsements than the difference in contracts.

The real question: Is Briggs a recipient of the attention on Urlacher or is Urlacher a recipient of the protection provided by Briggs? Fans will argue day and night on that issue, but the coaches should know the answer and that is what determines Briggs value compared to his demands. Of course, with us dissing Rivera we might not have anyone with the real answer left.

If Harris and Brown are healthy then will be less dependant on Briggs in either case, which also affects what he is worth to us in comparison to possible trade offers.

Last time I felt a great loss for the bears was the year after the first super bowl, when they decided not sign Wilbur Marshall
and he went on to play in other super bowls for those same Redskins that we want to trade Lance to, learn from history and sign this guy please, we all know that Drew is putting him up to all this Bull $#^%, don't let a good football player get away.
Lance is crying cheap on his way out does that sound familiar if not let me remind you Wilbur Cried Cheap on his way out and I believe Ditka said the same thing few times. Lets ask David Carr if bears are cheap or not, never mind he said yes.

Like I said Before, Wilber Marshall "WON" another Superbowl with?

The Washington Redskins! This is not going to be addition by subtraction...believe me.

Number six pick, OK, seems like a sure thing to you?

You are trading a sure thing on a defense that just took you to the Superbowl for a crap shoot or are you trying to get better at what position?

Outside of the top three or four picks there seems to be no one that you can't get in the later rounds that would probably be as safe as your sixth pick.

I will have pleasure seeing the Bears blow it again.

Oh Chicago.....How soon you forget. As far as anyone playing well besides Brian Urlacher and a Defense that got Worked in the Superbowl -That's why they stayed on the field soooo long by the way- He needs all the help he can get to lift the bears over the top.

First, Mike Brown go's down and the "D" loses it's true MVP.
(To bad he can't seem to stay healthy)
Then "Tank" and now Lance before you even have a chance to try again!

Good Luck...lol

By the way.....Don't you "How can he expect to make more money than Brian Urlacher" People understand that Brian signed his contract at the time he signed it and the market has went up remarkably since then for players of Lances caliber to make at least that!

He "IS" A "PROBOWL" Linebacker people! Only 27 years old!

The highest paid football players are not always the best. Especially now! The man took a big chance by Not signing the Bears offer....and by the numbers players of cashing in with Far less proven talent....HE WAS RIGHT!! They tried to lowball, they lose a "Pro Bowl" Player!

If you are soooo concerned with Brian Urlachers pay!
Ask the Bears front office to tear up his current deal and sign him to a more lucrative one! What if he decides to hold out?
For current market value?

Manny Ramirez makes more than Derrick Lee.....Prior and Wood make more than Big Z.....My lady made more than Me....So what, as long as you win baby!

But you guys owners seem to have you thinking in the dark ages.

This is ALL Lance Briggs and Rosenhaus' soing. They simply are greedy. Lance Briggs was given a fair market value offer last season. He turned it down. Lance will find out (just as Rosie Colvin and Warrick Holdman did) that he is NOT the MAN. He is simply a sidekick to Urlacher. When he is on a medicore defense, that doesn't have to block the middle linebacker with 2 or 3 guys, he will proove to be average.

Now, I previously felt the Bears should stick to their guns and make Briggs prove his sit out threat. However, the 6th pick in the draft would be awful sweet. And remember '85? Everyone thought the Bears D would have trouble when Al Harris and Todd Bell held out. Actually, the defense got better.

Let the babies (Briggs and Rosenhaus) have their bottles. The Bears will be just fine without Briggs.

I say dont give in to Briggs demands. What do you think is going to happen when Tommy Harris contract comes up. Another player, same old song with the same agent. When will player get it, Drew Rosenhaus is going to end a lot of careers before he is done and the player are going to look at themselves down the road and say... What happen... I was on top of the world.. and on a team I could have won a title with. Of course now a days its not about the Super Bowl Title.. its about money. Mark my words. Like the NBA... a cap is comming.

I think we need to get rid of Lance as soon as possible. We've all seen what Rosenhaus has done with T.O. year after year, we can't afford for that to happen to us. Look at the state they have left San Fran. and Philly in...we have waited too long to get to this close to a championship; can we really afford to go back to bottom or the middle of the pack? Let's ship Lance out while we can still get something from him, like the no.6 pick. I'd rather get something than nothing. If we take the F-tag off, Lance leaves us high and dry. We keep it on, we get nothing but Losses because he's stated he won't show until week 10. If that's the case, then we've already replaced him and still we get nothing because he won't be able to come in and help at week 10. So at least if we take the skins' deal we get a high pick to either trade down for more picks or a body to work with for the 07 season. Jerry, we can't win this one, let's just try to keep team morale up at least.

I would trade Briggs for the number six pick... why do we have to give up our first round draft pick... think about it if the redskins sign him then we get two first round draft picks... so either keep him (because he will play) or trade him straight up for the six pick... imagine Jerry Angelo with three picks in the top 37 WOW.....

NFL is NOTHING like the NBA which is more PLAYER friendly (couldn't find a better word). I am hearing a lot of negativity about Drew Rosenhaus, but the truth is - he is doing what a LAWYER is supposed to do - which is his very best. He has taken an oath to do that, and quite frankly, its refreshing to see someone make Management squirm. This is David and Golliath, but we refuse to see it. Bears are looking like the victim here, but they are the ones with ALL of the options. We live in AMERICA where its expected that a person goes for theirs, and I cannot believe that folks on this blog would not go for theirs and accept what Management says you are going to get - EVEN THOUGH there are others who WANT to pay you. Bears can release Briggs, Trade Briggs, Trade him for picks, OR DARE I SAY IT...PAY HIM! They have ALL of the options, and they chose to do the WORST conceivable thing they could to him? Why??? Briggs has done nothing but shut his mouth and play ball for 3 years, go to the pro bowl, and the superbowl - FOR PEANUTS (NFL Contex)! They released Thomas Jones who also behaved himself. I will tell you why they are doing this to Briggs....because he is a VALUABLE asset to the defense and a GREAT supporter of our MVP! What Drew Rosenhaus is simply saying...if he is so valuable - then PAY HIM!! If not, then let him go and get paid. I just don't understand why they would keep him from the American Dream. Bears don't want to give him the dream AND refuse to let someone else do it. Its disturbing. BEARS are the ones thinking ONLY of the BEARS, because they are certainly NOT thinking of LANCE. TELL ME HOW SOMEONE??? They could have given Lance that 7.2 all three years he was here, but they STUCK with the PEANUTS!!!! NBA does NOT do this to its players. NAME ONE instance.

I would make the trade under only one condition. Take the Redskins first round pick without surrending our 31st. Lance Briggs can inprove there defence the minute he steps on to the field. The Bears should be able to keep there primary first round pick. I think they would be giving up too much for a team who's defence was not a factor last year. They already gave up a player (Thomas Jones) and some to the Jets for practically nothing in return. I think they can wait this one out to see if other teams will come up with better offers.

Answer....John Konkak of the Atlanta Hawks

First NBA player "EVER" to earn a 2 million dollars a year contract!

Yes, Bird, Magic, Dr.J,and Moses Malone was in the league at that time!

You mean to tell me that the fall off from Brian Urlacher to Lance Briggs is that big?

Riiiight.

The Bears should make this trade happen but not give up there 31st pick, just trade Lance Briggs by himself. He's a proven Pro Bowler, saying that is good enough for the trade. The other reason to trade him is that he's a disgruntled player who doesn't fit well to be on a great team that is a couple of players from winning another trip to the Super Bowl and winning it. Just like Thomas Jones, he wasn't happy to be on the Bears, neither is Lance Briggs as well, and players like that are not going to help a great team succeed to a possible championship. My only advice is to trade Lance but keep the 31st pick, he's good enough for the Redskins 6th pick. Just think what you can get out of the 6th and 31st picks. At the least if you're going to give up picks, offer them a 3rd or 4th rounder not your 1st (31).

It actually makes me sick to my stomach to see todays athletes trading love for the game and TEAM comraderie for bulldog contract negotiations. True it's a business, but don't these players have enough resources to learn how to invest to assure themselves a strong future by exchanging a few dollars (by their standards) for some loyalty and team consistency. I'm torn between two major aspects in this. It's the Rosenhaus' of this world that help to flourish this profound "BLACK EYE" in todays sports, but the Snyders' and McCaskeys' (on opposite ends of the spectrum, of course) help feed this monster. The pitbull agent with the tightwad owner on one shoulder whispering "We're goin' back to the Super Bowl with or without him", and the flowing pockets owner on the other shoulder screaming "Just name the price, everyone else on my underachieving losers have". I say let the guy go. Washington will be his due punishment and I think Alan Branch is a MONSTER. Winning teams consist of a very good "D" and strong trenches on both sides. It's win/win.

The bears actually have no intention of trading Lance and actually want to sign him. They just needed to see what others were planing to offer him. Now that they know, they will sign him to a "fair market deal", that is back loaded, "use" him for 2 to 3 seasons and a return to the superbowl, and then trade him for a mid to late first rounder anyway!
Kreskin has spoken!
How about it Roman?

Well, we have a chance to change the team and I am not sure we can win the Super Bowl without doing it. Pick up Carr, trade Grossman and Briggs. I think Carr has a greater upside than Grossman. Use the 6th for Peterson and have a great running back who can make an instant impact. Maybe trade Benson for a pick? Add the offensive player with the 2nd, try another 3rd pick with a linebacker. We do have choices!!!!! We would have a great draft day!

Oily Drew and ‘making less than minimum’ Lance is trying to force the Bears into a ‘2-for-1’ deal with the Washington Redskins. This rumor, offer, or tactic is similar to what banks offer in subprime mortgages or Lair loans, which is why most Americans are forced in the street for taking what seem to be a ‘good deal’. If this deal goes down, the Redskin would acquire a definite pro bowler, and another possible pro bowler, if they do their homework in the draft. The bright side is the Redskins never do their homework in the draft, which is why they play heavily in the free agent market every year – grabbing and overplaying already proven talent. However, the CBA says franchise tagged players are worth two 1st round draft picks. So the Bears should get no less than a 1st and a 2nd round pick from any team.

When the Bears did a similar deal with the Jets it was to reward T. Jones for his services in a Bear uniform. And Jones is a running back that has reached his ceiling and soon should be on the decline. Briggs situation is very different, which is why the Bears shouldn’t fold to Oily Drew’s tactics.

I'd tell the Redskins to go to hell for asking for the 31st pick as well. What, Briggs is worth moving up only 25 spots in the draft? It seems to me like Rosenhaus and the Skins are trying to strong arm and cheat the Bears out of a pro bowl player. The Bears are getting conned, plain and simple. This "trade" isn't happening between two clubs, it's happening between Rosenhaus and the Redskins. DON'T GIVE IN BEARS!!!

Well, guess the redskins offer to briggs proves that the bears are lowballing briggs and holding him hostage with the franchise tags. You can call briggs greedy but he played really well for the bears and met the terms of his rookie contract. Now he's due to get paid, like lovie was due, like olin kruetz, like cedric benson, like urlacher, like adewale, so why not briggs?

If the bears can trade thomas jones for a few spots higher in the draft order, when he still was under contract for a year, why not do the same thing for briggs who is a free agent???

Mariotti is right, the sixth pick is better than nothing which is what the bears are headed for with angelo in charge. Angelo probably doesnt' want to move up in the draft, more pressure on him not to waste first round picks on players like haynes and grossman. Angelo would rather trade down and get players for cheaper contracts. Maybe Redskins should offer the bears a couple of second round picks for briggs, the bears would probably like that better.

Briggs won't play again for the bears, take the pick.

J A should make a counter offer and see what shakes out. Fans of other teams in our division wish their org. were run as soundly and fiscally as our club. We just made a Superbowl run. Do you think the Oaklands, and Detroits of the world wouldnt trade Davis or Millen 4 J A. These r normal offseason moves N E way, have people not seen the losses sustained by the Colts already every team faces changes from year 2 year. The goal is 2 have a solid nucleus of players and the Bears have a great core.

I really had to digest keith simpson's response. Economics and geographical differences make a huge difference in how we view the world. For a lot of folks who never had anything in their lives, the money that Briggs is fighting for is everything to him. Some people can figure out a few ways to get paid in America, but folks like Briggs have that one chance. For them, NOTHING, including the Superbowl means anything. That money means a lifetime a security for his family, and a cushion should injuries take its toll after playing days. This is literally Blood Money. Drew Rosenhaus and the Bears are insanely, filthy rich and will not endure an ounce of pain. (Maybe a papercut!) Us fans won't suffer, because the Bears can easily replace the man. Its simple, if you think the man did his job - pay him. If not - let someone else do it.

Swapping first round picks with Washington is not fair value for Briggs, but under the circumstances, if no one else wants him and he is going to sit out 10 games, then you gotta get something for him. It depends on how seriously you take his threats, and the Bears' supposed disinterest in signing him. Both sides know that alot of posing and posturing goes on during negotiations. The players know it, too. If he comes back and gets signed, everything will be fine. If he moves on, someone else will play the position and that's that. Do you think Lovie is going to let Briggs-angst stop him from getting his team ready to play and win? I have more respect for Lovie than that.
I'd say trade him, then trade down for more picks, even if they come in the 2nd round. Let Angelo take some shots at superior talent evaluation--he has had some success. Remember, the problem with having multiple superstars on your team is--how do you pay them, and how long does your team stay together? You have to rely on talent evaluation and get deals in the draft and trades--get guys that others devalue, but who do what you need them to do in your system.

Look ppl. This trade is good for both fronts. We're losing Briggs regardless after this year. IF he holds out 10 games, then we get him for 6 games and lose him anyhow. Talk about stubborn! If you want to make an example of him, fine - but smear him AFTER you trade him... and at least get something out of it! A move of 25 picks (31 to 6) is worth the same as the 16th pick overall. Fair value, considering two more things - a)Briggs was a 3rd rounder, and b) Remember Holdman and Colvin? Oh yeah. We survived them leaving too. We have Jamar in the wings, a chance to get a prime player in the draft (or if we trade down and get the bills or rams 1st rounder plus 2nd rounder -getting LB poluzski and another wr/te). Say buh-bye to Briggs and the headache. Don't be hard headed like Angelo and the McCaskeys!

Let me get this straight, the bears traded their starting running back who had a year left on his contract, for moving up a few spots in the second round. Now the bears dont want to move up to the 6'th pick in the first round for their free agent outside linebacker?? If the bears don't take the draft pick they'll get nothing for briggs but a year of bad news bears stories and Briggs still wont' play another down for the bears.

Getting the 6'th pick is better than nothing, its definitely better than the black eye the bears will get if they continue to badmouth one of their teams most popular players and a leader for their team.

Not that getting to move up in the draft is such a good deal, but the bears set the precedent with the jones deal that they could be fleeced. So it is just is more of the same.

What is the point of a collective bargaining agreement if it can be violated in this manner? What is the message being sent to other Bear players if Briggs is successful in his violation of that agreement? The franchise tag is not punishment. It is part of a contract every team and every player, through their union, agreed to. I don't know if the 6 year, 33 million dollar deal the Bears offered last year was market value. It probably was then, but is not now. So what? The Redskins offer the Bears a move up in the draft? So what? To me, if I'm the Bears I do three things right now: 1) I tell Briggs and Rosenhaus in absolute terms that we intend to follow the contract, and no amount of posturing by these two will accomplish their goal of breaking the contract; 2) we are willing to attempt to negotiate a long-term agreement with Briggs, in private;and 3) file tampering charges against the Redskins, asking for their 1st rd. pick for getting involved in this matter while Briggs is under contract with another team. I would also ask the league to make an example of them and fine them heavily. 10 million would be a good starting point. I believe in the sanctity of contract. The owners are stuck when they give huge bonuses and the player fails to perform. Sometimes players out perform their contracts. If things are to balance, shouldn't they be stuck too. And being stuck at 7.2 million, with a promise of absolute free agency in a year, is far from real pain.

Who is more important to the defense Lance Briggs or Tommie Harris?? Trade Lance and let him go. I don't want a player on the Bears that doesn't want to be a Bear. Get Tommie an extension this year because he is just as important to the Bears defense if not more than Urlacher. Just look how bad the defense faultered when Tommie went down and that was with the self proclaimed"I am the greatest linebacker of all time" Lance Briggs. Trade down somewhere in the middle of round 1 and get another second rounder with it. Draft TE Greg Olsen from Miami and with the first second rounder get a LB and with the next second rounder draft a offensive lineman. If they trade Briggs for the no. 6 pick and don't trade down then take either DE Gaines from Clemson or DT's Branch from Michigan or Okoye from Louisville.

Good luck Lance , you have a chance to get away from this sorry mom and pop organization. The Bears are done. We've been here before with Wilber Marshall and what I can tell you is that he and his family are doing fine. The fact that it took the Bears 21 years to get back to the Super Bowl proves who needed who. The Bears will also pay a price as far as future talent coming here. This organization doesn't know a damn thing about loyality and when they show it its for all the wrong reasons, i.e. REX IS STILL OUR QUARTERBACK. Disrespect the other 52 players until MANAGEMENT realizes what people in China already know, GROSSMAN can't play in this league. The Bears do not play or know how to play their best players, their more concerned with not starting controversey's than winnning. All this will come true this season when the Bears go 5-11 and fall back into a 20 year sleeper, selling S.B. 41 tee shirts.
Thanks for your efforts Lance, but its time for you to join the ranks of a PROFFESSIONAL FOOTBALL ORGANIZATION and leave these HATTERS ALONE. PREDICTION- Urlacker will fake injuries until his contract is up to lengthen his career and get more money, he'll leave the Bears in search of a RING, CAN YOU BLAME HIM. BRIAN KNOWS ALL ABOUT REX, AS DOES KRUEZ AND MOHHAMED. SAD SAD SAD. GO CUBS, YEAH RIGHT!!!!

so ESPN.com is saying the Bears' response to the sit-down with the 'skins yields a "no way." whether or not this becomes their official stance is another thing entirely. i suppose it is too much to ask of the team to actually make a personnel move that could be good for them, but I'll still hold on to my hope.

A Dream:
1) Bears trade Briggs for the #6 pick
2) Raiders sign David Carr...
3) ...and draft Calvin Johnson
4) Lions draft Brady Quinn
5) Bears trade Rex and the #6 pick to Cleveland for #3...
6) ...Bears draft Jamarcus Russell

I would just let things be,and have him play out the contract he signed, and stop complaining. He is powerless, and if he wants to sit out, lets see what the market is for a linebacker with an attitude problem. Does he really think he can sit out the first ten games and just come back after that? What coach in his right mind would even play him. By then everyone will have forgotten him,then there would be no payday for him. He will play for the Bears next year, this will give us another year to develope Jamal Williams. The draft pick Washington is offering is no more than a switch in postions in the first round, that's no deal. Lance should remember what his mega idiot agent Rosenhaus did to another client of his just last year. ( Terell Owens inspite of himself ) cost him millions. Or better yet 'Lance' just ask Archuleta.

Keith S. (the other one) - I'm pretty sure the Bears are 100% aware of how massive Tommie Harris's contract is going to be, and they're prepared to give it to him with no squabbling... why do you suppose they don't want to bring back Briggs at the price he's demanding? Harris is the linchpin of the defense, maybe even more so than Urlacher as far as execution goes.

Take it...! Talk to the Falcons who covet LeRon Landry from LSU, they pick #8 and also have 3 picks in the 2nd round. Give me #8 and #44 for the #6 pick. Imagine having a high 1st round and 3 picks in the 2nd...!

At #8 is the DT from Louisville, a great fit on a DL that needs to be improved. An OLB will be there in the 2nd round, as well as a good OT/OG

Please Roman, help me educate these fans! Fuzzi in Phoenix says the Bears let Wilber Marshall go the year after they won the superbowl. Like I said earlier, Marshall played two more years with the Bears after they won the bowl. And they didn't get back to the superbowl even with the "great"(sarcism) Marshall on the team. Also, Fuzzi says Marshall went on to play in other "superbowls" with the Skins. Wrong! He played in ONE superbowl with the Skins, not more than one. Please people, if you are going to talk about this situation please get your facts straight and have an idea as to what you are talking about. The Bears should not trade Briggs and play extreme hardball to teach the agent and Briggs a lesson. They should also franchise tag him after next year to see if he still has the guts to hold out again. If I am Jerry Angelo my number one priority this off season is not to improve the team, but to screw over Briggs and his agent as badly as possible. This is about integrity and honor now.

Roman responds: Marshall played two more seasons with the Bears after the Super Bowl.

So Drew is saying that Lance will sit the first 10 games and then play the remaining 6? What about the playoffs? If Lance is there for playoff games, I say "Thank you very much" and let Lance sit for 10 games. I just paid 2.7 mil for a pro-bowl linebacker for the most important parts of the season. If the Bears are as good as we think they will be, they should be at least in contention after 10 games without Lance. With him there for the final 6, they should be able to get in.
Would they really care that Lance got an extendend off season? Not when they count the 4.5 mil they saved!

I wouldn't trade Briggs unless I could get an additional draft choice. Translated: a first and at least a sixth choice. This way the Bears could draft an extra need for offense or defense.

No offense to anyone but this guy was a third round draft pick. That is right a third round draft pick. Has he won a superbowl? no. Has he been the deffensive player of the year or rookie of the year, or do offenses scheme around lance briggs and what He can do on the field. No! So he and his big mouthed agent (who has feed him the line that he is the best linebacker ever)is out for a big pay day. The bears offered this guy a fair package last year that would have kept him here in order to win a title and he was more concerned with getting the money than winning a title. You dont wont immature players like that on your team, Trade him for the sixth pick. I still think that washington wasnt willing to trade down in the draft and that we can find a suitor, however we are talking about a Pro bowl Linebacker in his prime so I do think that Washington should sweeten the deal, and give us back the Sixth round pick they took from us in the Archuleta deal also.
Then we trade down many times leveraging the pick, and picking up needs along the way. Say for instance the vikings want brady quinn, and he could seriously fall to them if washington keeps that pick because no one else up that high wants him, We could swap picks for the right to swap our third rounder for their second rounder, and we only move down one slot, and can trade that pick again. Now suddenly that lance briggs deal seems to have helped us instead of set ud back because we may not get Olson, but we would get TE zach miller, and more just from trading down one slot so the other teams can get the guys they wanted in the draft. Now suddenly the intire draft has to go through chicago.

I would trade Lance Briggs I like they guy but I guess he can't live on 7.2 Million for one year, Sure he could get hurt like Jevon Walker, but he healed and still got traded and got his money. Trade and take LaRon Landry at 6 then take Rufus Allexander in the secound round he should be avalable and he is a tackling machine Landry would fix the Secoundary for years to come and Allexander can play the will spot fine, he's a perfect fit for it. This is whay tthey get for not taking a linebacker high last year. Besides if Briggs sits for 10 games the season is lost, do the deal and then move on to resigning Tommie Harris

In addition to the 6th pick I would demand another pick, possibly the 3rd rounder if the Dumbskins have that pick since your essentially trading a Pro Bowler and a 1st round pick for a 1st round pick. Even if they don't bite on that, make the deal as you'll get a better player (at least in theory) with the 6th pick and Briggs is as good as gone after this season anyway.

As for those who think the Bears are being manipulated by Rosenhaus, it seems all the players involved knew what was going to happen once Briggs turned down the Bears offer last season. If the deal falls through, I'd let Briggs sit out most of the year. It's money he won't get back and it's a commission Rosendope has to wait longer for. Briggs' might as well change his name to Sosa. It carries the same weight in this city now.

Lance is done in Chicago, may as well get something for the schmuck. The fans will hate this guy now, and if he stays around and sits out for 10 the Bears are silly to even go that route. Get rid of this "I am so disrepected" crybaby. Your time here is done Lance

I understand Briggs' point of view, and I would make the same decision if I had uncertainty, greed, and doubt whispering in my ear.

"What if you get hurt, Lance?"
"Think about all the money, Lance."
"What if your play on the field slips, Lance?"

Does anyone remember Alvin Mack? A linebacker has a wondow of opportunity, just like a team. Remember we're playing Futbol Americano, not soccer. Money and careers vanish.

We need to counteroffer the redskins with our 37th pick and Briggs for the 6th pick, then package our 6th and 31st pick for something guaranteeing us Calvin Johnson. Can you imagine our offense with Calvin Johnson? Please Jerry, some way some how, get Calvin Johnson. He is within our grasp. All we have to do is grab him and we'll have one scary offense.

That being said, I'm sure Jerry will do what's best as I have the utmost faith in his managerial skillz. Considering that Lance was a 3rd rounder with whom we have enjoyed pro-bowl seasons and a trip to the superbowl, I'd say that using him to get Calvin Johnson would just about maximize his value to our organization.

We can replace Lance with another mid-round, talented, hungry linebacker. Our D will still be nasty.

I think a whole lot of you guys are mistaken about Rosenhaus's record. T.O. got traded and he got his money (which is what he wanted). Now back to Lance... Rosenhaus is a genious because he also has Tommie Harris as a client. Now if you were Mr. Rosenhaus how would you treat this next round of negotiations? I would simply tell Tommie to start packing for Washington also. Bears are just so greedy. The ONLY PERSONS in their entire organization to get their money without "negotiations" is Urlacher and Angelo. And what angers me is that if they don't want to pay - they don't get OUT OF THE WAY AND LET SOMEONE ELSE!!! And so many on this blog are endorsing - lets make him suffer - since he won't take what they give him! I bet you there is NOT 1 person on this blog that is taking it for the team. I say THANK GOODNESS FOR DREW ROSENHAUS!!!! Owners could care less about the superbowl! Only that bottom line! Ditka knows and so do many others. Now the players (who have to bleed) want the most for their services and everyone wants them to think about the superbowl??? There is not one person here willing to place the company before their FAMILY's security. If there is, here's news - the company could care less! Lovie and Lance are two good company men, until they asked for compensation!

Hey Roman, you got my comment mixed up with Darryl M

Roman responds: The name of the poster is at the bottom.

When I read these posts, I have to chuckle... Lance Briggs is only doing what 99% of humans would do. TRY TO GET THE BEST DEAL POSSIBLE! Take the EMOTION out of the argument- I'm a Bears fan and been a Bears fan for a long time and the Bears have not been known for paying their players throughout their history. We fans have been made to endure inept management, bad coaching, horrific drafts, and now we have finally have some semblence of a team, and with 21 years in between S-Bowls and I feel the Bears should do everything in their power to keep this team strong.

Ok Briggs wants out- TRADE him. But don't get fleeced, remember now that ROSENHAUS is the agent for Tommie Harris & Nathan Vasho as well, so how acrimonious can you really get with this guy?

I think we, the fan. Believe that players owe us this loyalty, humility that we, as every day working Joe's have so ingrained in our very own Lives. I mean how many people do you know that have a Orange Ferrari? or have a house with 10 bedrooms? These players lead extrodinary lives, and some us just might slight tinge of ENVY.

Also remember when you pay $10 bucks for a beer, Lance Briggs didn't set those prices. IF Briggs would have accepted the $7 mil deal and got hurt next year.(bam) end of story. I don't see many folks upset at the Cheap Mc Caskey family, they have been making money hand over fist for YEARS!!! can anyone name the last year the BEARS didn't make a profit?

The Bears should use the draft and their picks judiciously, improve the team(AND EXCUSE ME WHILE I RANT) find a replacement for GROSSMAN!

Thought you might like to know that the Redskins have no 2nd, 3rd, or 4th round picks in this years draft. They've already traded them all away!!!

This deal is not quite sweet enough for the Bears to bite on. The first problem is the idea that this sets a precedent for every head case to demand huge salaries and market themselves before their contract is up. It makes it possible for it to happen again.

The second problem is that Washington is asking for our #31st pick and the player for the the number 6 pick. If the player is worth 20 mil guaranteed to the Redskins, why are the Bears giving them any of their picks at all? If anything, the sentiment is that Briggs is worth two picks at least. Not only are the Bears getting ripped by the player and his agent for being liars and cheats, the Redskins are rubbing a little salt in the wound by making the Bears give them one of their picks. The number 6 pick gives the Bears all sorts of salary cap trouble too. It would create another situation where the Bears would be almost forced to trade the pick away for later round picks.

It is now a game of high stakes poker between at least three parties here. All of the pressure is on the Bears too. In the end, the best thing would probably be for the Bears to sit the player down and continue to look for deals, even after the draft has come and gone if need be. If Washington sweetens the deal, then deal him. If not, than see what else comes their way. A number of other teams might want to make a deal for him. They have to see the bid and raise the ante.

It doesn't matter where you were picked in the draft to be worth something. Joe Montana was a 3rd round pick and he was better than any player that ever suited up with the BEARS as a QB. Some of you guys have no serious argument because you don't have a lot of facts. Holdman was the only one who benefitted from having Urlacher at his side. Colvin is still doing the things he was doing with the BEARS:rushing the passer. Got himself a Super bowl ring doing it too. Someone thought he was an integral part of a team and he's still playing. Another point like Jeff keep saying and no one seems to realize: Marshall hung around a couple more years with the BEARS and got a Super bowl ring AND the money WITHOUT the BEARS. Harris and Bell wanted free agency or to be compensated adequately. It's a shame that what happened 22 years ago is still occurring: the BEARS refuse to allow it's players to be free to negotiate a long term contract to protect their livelihood. Plain and simple they refuse to negotiate in good faith. Why would anyone want to keep putting off their big pay day so the BEARS can squeeze more playing time without committing to the player who is asked to risk his health with every snap of the ball. Fans get pretty testy and say that a guy is a piece of work when you guys throw players away with the same abandon like the owners do. "Trade him,dump him,sign this guy,get that guy" you make demands and don't care when players are hurt entertaining you. Where is the loyalty for someone like Mike Brown. Guy got hurt playing his heart out for you. Some of you want to dump him because he has been hurt. He's been hurt playing. He didn't slip in his drive way drunk or trip over his dog,DRUNK, like SOMEBODY we know. You guys chew these guys up and spit them out too. So why should they be any loyal than you've been. You guys want to allocate money wherever you want it to go like you're the owners. Saving 7 million or 4 million won't get you in the game cheaper. You won't be getting back cash rebates from the BEARS because you side with them to save THEM millions. The BEARS never go over the cap or come close to it. They still raise tickets because no matter what you guys will still show up. Vent if you must but please realize that as a fan you don't really run this team as much as you like. If you did you wouldn't have Rex under center. It's a shame that with the suggestion that the BEARS should screw over Briggs by letting him rot,you guys sound just as dirty and deceitful as they have been. WOW, you guys have really learned how to think like BEARS management. Way to go.

Why should the Bears trade Lance AND swap the picks. It seems to me that they should sit tight and wait for the Skins to up the ante...Briggs for the sixth pick end of story. that would give the Bears 4 of the top 40 players in the draft. This is a deep draft and Chicago could make out like bandits. Snyder and the Skins have proven to be less than savy in personel decisions. Sit tight Bears!

The Bears shouldn't even meet with Rosenhaus. If Briggs wants to sit the season out, he can play career russian-roulette and do that. He's not the first player to be franchise-tagged and the Bears shouldn't even tolerate Rosenhaus' "Meet my demands or I'll destroy your team" negotiation tactics. Trading him would set a dangerous precedent.

Maybe befoire Lance gets too full of himself he should consider a scenerio like this....... the Bears hold him to his franchise tag and he sits out the first 10 games and whom ever the Bears have played in that spot steps up and puts up stats equal to or yet even better than his.....now he suits up for games 11-16 but is not played because he's not needed...the Bears continue on through the play-offs and win the SB but Lance Briggs sits on the bench watching.....thinking about the 4.5 mil he lost by holding out and wondering how it is going to affect his free agency....trade and free agent talks start but Lance's phone isn't ringing now because he has been off the field for a season because of a bad attitude and poor advice from a greedy agent and no one wants him because of that.......what a pipe drem BUT stranger things have happened....maybe Lance should check the cards in his hand before doing something that could very well start his career downhill.

The Bears shouldn't trade Briggs unless Jerry can get the Redskins' 1st and 2nd round draft picks. Otherwise let the baby sit. Does anybody really think he'll be as good in the Redskins' system? Guess it doesn't matter as long as he's "THE MAN". Ask Jeremiah Trotter how the Redskins experience worked out for him.

The proposed trade is not a good one. The Bears should not give 31st pick. If they do, then a second or third rounder should be coming with the #6. If he is not traded, then let him sit out the first ten and get benched for the other six and continue to franchise him. In my opinion, the team has decided Briggs is not a long-term necessity and probably have no plans to keep him. Thus, it would make more sense to trade him but get more than the 'Skins are offering.

I would not pull on that trade at all. Drew Rosenhaus has several other players including Tommie Harris and other Bears players. Harris will be a free agent next year and da Bears need to have the cap room for him. They can't afford to give Briggs the long term deal right now because they are thinking about next year when they have so many free agents. I would actually get together with all NFL teams and "blackball" Drew Rosenhaus. I would not even discuss anything ever with any player that has Drew Rosenhaus as his agent. That would put a stop to this real fast. You can't give in to Rosenhaus now or you will never recover. Let Briggs sit if he says. He won't, he can't afford the pay loss. He would lose so much money that he would never make it up. He would get 7.5 million from the redskins. We are giving 7.206 million. The only thing is he wants a guaranteed long term deal. We can't do that now after we signed Rickey Manning Jr. and all the others last offseason. So, guess what Lance, we told you before the season, we would put the tag on you. Guess what? We weren't joking.

3 SIMPLE POINTS THAT SPELL T-R-A-D-E

1.) Anytime a player acts the way Lance Briggs currently is, it spells eventual failure for his current team so long as he is still on the roster. Whether Briggs is bluffing about the holdout or not makes no difference. The seeds for a season-long distraction as well as a steady erosion of morale and focus were sewn for the Bears the moment Briggs decided to go public with disparaging remarks about the organization. It's called a TEAM for a reason. A player commenting and acting the way in which Briggs has been undermines the fundamental makeup of a team. Nevermind any possible prideful "I'll show him" type games with Rosenhaus and/or Briggs. Get maximum value for the non-teammate Briggs because he's already proven he's not what is expected of a Bears player.

2.)...and with the sixth pick in the NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select....Alan Branch? Amobi Okoye? Levi Brown? Patrick Willis? (he's talented enough to move to outside & runs a 4.37 40-yard dash), LaRon Landry? Greg Olsen? even Adrian Peterson or Leon Hall? Perhaps a trade-down...Robert Meachem? Joe Staley? There's A LOT of quality talent that could contribute immediately. As to WHAT is selected. I, for one, actually DO trust the coaching staff to make a smart decision to draft what they feel they need most. Perhaps this is because I have the ironic luxury of being a long-distance Bears fan from Urlacher's home town of Lovington, New Mexico. Bears decision-makers just need to be sure not to let the thought of paying a 6th overall pick get in our way of taking the trade....particularly if we're not sure a trade-down option will come through. If a trade-down is worked out, great! If not, great! Lovie and his staff have shown an uncanny ability to develop young players...that's what they do.

3.) Remember when the likes of Warrick Holdman and Roosevelt Colvin were considered by most to be irreplaceable? Yeah, I do too. Not that any Joe Shmoe can be plugged into Briggs' slot right away. However, given the overall talent on the Bears defense and the coaching staff's ability to develop players, I would not be surprised to see Briggs' successor make the Pro Bowl a couple years down the line.

Why do you guys want the Bears to draft a WR? Football is won in the trenches, and the Bears will do what is right. That is sit on the skins offer for maybe up to a week, and see how bad they want him. I think it is worth a swap of firsts, and the skins also send their 4th pick in exchange for Briggs. That is fair market value.
Remember that the first round has not been all is well for Angelo. Urlacher (00), Harris (04) are only two good ones in his tenure. Maybe Grossman might be good. We dont know about Benson yet. Columbo, Haynes, Terrel are just awful picks. This isn't a knock on just Angelo. The top of the draft is tougher to call historically. Just look at how many great players get passed up every year.
But lets say they made the trade that is out there right now. Briggs for the swap only. Then that 6th pick could be a special player. I think that player should be a defensive lineman. A few scenarios:
1. Best case : Bears somehow trade 6 and move down to 13ish, and pick up an additional 5th round pick (remember Mark Anderson). They select either Branch, Okoye, or Carricker (is it with a K). All stout DL.
2. Bears trade way down the first round in a swap to with the 24th pick, and receive an additional 2nd rounder and a future 6th rounder. They select the best player available.
3. Bears keep 6, and select either Okoye, or Branch. I think Okoye has more upside, but I always wondered how someone would run on us with a "good" and "healthy" Kris Jenkins (which would be Branch) type of player along with T. Harris.

My point is that any other position in the draft at #6 is a bigger risk. A saftey has to learn coverages, a receiver should not be your star (just look at history), and RB have to learn to block in complicated schemes. DL just have the simplest job.......run foreward and hit anything that moves. They picked good last time with T. Harris.

But it all doesn't really matter to me. In Lovie and Jerry I trust. They have done great so far, and I have all the confidence in the world that they will somehow make this ordeal a positive for the Bears.

Hey Jeff...Your a bigger Cowboys fan than I am....*smile*

Yeah Bears fan, throw away your season just to teach Lance how stupid you think he is, lol

Take the pick 6 gamble and move on....Problem is, the signing bonus for high picks go up every year, so your gonna pay, one way or the other, smart guy....lol

Glad Jerry Jones owns my favorite football franchise!

Also Jeff, Wilber Was the "Man" and the Bears had "Quarterback" issues for those two "Dominate" defensive years after the Superbowl... and By the way look up the games Wilber had durring his Washington run to another title.

See, I hate the Bears, I saw that damn 85 Bears defense Knock our damn QB unconcious, OK!

They dominated for the next couple of years while Doug Flutie and McMahon were squabling with Ditka over starter vs IR.
Sound familiar?

Lance, you are now just like your mega idiot sleaze bag of an agent. Just play or take a hike!

To Dallas Cowboys Fan, your ignorance about football is stunning. Wilber Marshall was one of the most overrated players I have ever seen. He was a pretty good player who was great at times, but was also bad at times. I specifically remember listening to George Michaels of the sports machine show telling Chet Coppock on Chet's radio show what a bust Marshall has been for the Skins and how surprised the Skins coaches were at just how ordinary a player Marshall was. BTW, Michaels was based out of Washington so he had first hand knowledge. Marshall should give half his NFL earnings to Dan Hampton, Richard Dent, and Steve McMichael because without them he wouldn't have been jack. As for the Bears present situation, I am not a win at all cost whore like some fans are. That's why I said the Bears should have cut Tank Johnson back in December. I have some integrity and I believe the Bears need to take a stand against a guy like Rosenhaus. Now as a Cowboy fan I am sure you have no idea what I am talking about. I'm sure back 10 or 12 years ago you were proudly cheering on all those criminals like Michael Irvin, Erik Williams and the rest who were on the Cowboys.

I think it's time to realize that Lance has only a short future in Chicago. The Redskins deal just isn't sweet enough, so here is the only win win situation that I can see.
Lance and 31st for Rocky Macintosh and 6th. Both teams win. The skins have a logjam at LB anyway>>> Marcus Washington, London Fletcher, Warrick Holdman, Macintosh, and then tyhey add Briggs. If this is unacceptable to Dan Snyder Then Throw in you second rounder. Too much for you, then keep your 20 Mil.
The Bears can't be bullied here or there future will be devestated, Not only will Rosenhaus own them,(he represent Tommie Harris too), but every agent and player will know that they can push them around. Only let him go if you get what you want.
Alright Jerry Lace 'em up and Buckle down!!!

It is very funny reading football analysis from individuals who have not played the game beyond highschool! Couple of things about this situation

1. Brian Urlachler is only as good as the people around him. Remember when he has studs in front of him, he is free to make plays because he is not being blocked by centers, guards, or doubled teamed. If Mr.Urlachler was as good as you guys think he is where are the sack numbers? Bears tried blitzing him; no results. Side line to side line he is great, up the middle, shedding blocks to make tackles, suspect!

2. Lance Briggs is a good as any OLB in the league. if you have ever noticed, great in pass coverage, decent on blitzes, can shed a block and make plays. His pass coverage allows another lb or ss to blitz. Who will replace him! This defense will suffer with out him!

3. As far as the draft goes, sixth is tricky; the last three players picked averaged 13mil in guaranteed money. Do you really think the Bears will pay this. There are no OLB worthy of picking in this position, no QB's, no corners!

Bottom line the Bears screwed themselves when they did not sin this guy last year. Same with Ron Rivera!

Lance, T.O was in the second year of a $49 million dollar contract with the Eagles when he started listening to Rosenhaus, now T.O's in the second year of a $25 million dollar contract with the Cowboys. (look it up) That's what happens with this Rosenhaus style of tactic's. Embarrasing the team and yourself will not work. The Bears will go on with or without you. You are where you are because of the team, not the other way around. Your money will come, but do yourself a favor and lose the agent.

Lance, T.O was in the second year of a $49 million dollar contract with the Eagles when he started listening to Rosenhaus, now T.O's in the second year of a $25 million dollar contract with the Cowboys. (look it up) That's what happens with this Rosenhaus style of tactic's. Embarrasing the team and yourself will not work. The Bears will go on with or without you. You are where you are because of the team, not the other way around. Your money will come, but do yourself a favor and lose the agent.

It is time to remove this potential cancer from the team. Briggs is a very good linebacker, one made better by such players as Urlacher and Tommie Harris. But the bottom line is that Briggs does not intercept passes, force fumbles, recover fumbles or sack QB's. We may get offered more, we may not, or the offer can be taken off the table.

I would like to see the Bears take the trade, trade down a few picks getting additional draft choices and go after the DT Okoye and Harris. I'd love to see Harris and Okoye on our line for the next 10 years. Add that way, we don't have to worry about our other potential cancer, Tank Johnson, who may not be available anyway. Losing alfonso Boone and Ian Scott hurts our DL depth. Harris coming off a major injury and Tanks future tells me we need to add more depth to our DL, than the Adams signing a few days ago.

I've read a few of the very hostile comments towards Lance Briggs and his agent. I agree $7.2 mill is a lot of money for one year. But why did the Bears reward Hunter H. with a nice contract for adequate play. Then chose not to reward a two-time Pro Bowler for his superior play. Everyone knows the Bears will not reward Briggs and to trash him in the media with claims of greed only shows how low down and cheap the Bears are. This man has risked everything playing under his rookie contract. And the Bears still chose to lowball him and rate him on the lower end of the linebacking corps level as Hunter H. with a below market value contract offer. And when Briggs is gone there will be two gaping holes on either side of Mr. Urlacher.

Well, I'm glad I have the Ravens to fall back on, now if we can just get rid of Brian Billick and his offensive offense, Baltimore will have another Super Bowl Champion.

Hey Bears, wanna trade coaches?

I would shop the offer a little and see if any other team is willing to match or up the ante. Send Briggs to Cleveland for the third pick and take Calvin Johnson. He could then sit at home in January in his comfy mansion watching playoff football on TV.

I think everyone is missing the point here. Lance Briggs actually wants to remain a Bear and we do need his services. Mr. Briggs has repeatedly mentioned that he would like a long term contract with a signing bonus. What’s wrong with that? There is still another way to salvage this whole situation and make everyone happy. Just offer Mr. Briggs a better deal. I don’t think he is worth what he believes, but I don’t see anything wrong with raising the offer that was made last year. Let’s not forget two things here: 1. Under normal circumstances (not involving contract negotiations) Lance Briggs is a great teammate who keeps his nose clean. 2. He is actually friends with his partner in crime – Brian Urlacher. How often do you hear that in today’s sports world? And he is the perfect complement to #54.

So why not offer a long-term deal to keep the two together a while longer? $5.25 million per year doesn’t sound so bad.

I don’t mind the Thomas Jones trade because I can’t stand players demanding contract re-negotiations

Hey Lance no ones willing to give up two 1st rounders for you, because of the franchise tag. I get it. Well, looks like no ones willing to give up any round in the draft for you. Swaps don't count.

Hey Lance no ones willing to give up two 1st rounders for you, because of the franchise tag. I get it. Well, looks like no ones willing to give up any round in the draft for you. Swaps don't count.

No way on earth will Angelo keep the number 6 pick. Too cheap. He even said so. You're not getting any studs because this team refuse to pay guys for being studs. Watch,next year we aren't keeping Tommie Harris. No matter who his agent is they won't give any player not named Urlacher adequate compensation. So,keep that pipe dream going for a quality player to be picked by the BEARS. Just their luck that whomever they pick will end up being represented by Rosenhaus. Cheap in the rear view mirror is syeksacCM.

I really like this trade. Personally I would try to get the linebacker Rocky McIntosh in the deal also. The Skins gave up 2 2nd round picks for him last year and he barely go on the field. Since JA is reportly is going over a counter-offer, this would make since. Put a 2nd year guy next to Urlacher and HH. You dont need a superstar to play next to the 2 guys we have now. So I would push for #6 and McIntosh for Briggs and the 31st pick.

The Bears seem 2 have no interest in WINNING. Trade a probowl LB 2 move up 25 slots in the draft? That's VERY dumb. Give the man market value or TRADE him.

Could we please stop talking about Calvin Johnson? He's a great athlete and a great wide receiver, but the Bears need a stable quarterack situation before any wide receiver will be able to put them over the hump.

/i like the idea of drafting okoye
//re-sign tommie harris now just to spite briggs
//just kidding.

You Bears fans are incredibly stupid and the Skins will fleece your team for Briggs a first round pick and possibly a third..Ha ha ha ha hhahahahaha...Cheap bastards

Enjoy you Grossman with a side of Moustache and beef sandwich you superbowl losers...

If the BEARS thought that Tank wasn't worth a try they should've tried signing Boone or Scott. Bottom line they wanted to save money. Even those guys either signed or will sign for more than what Tank is going to get in his current contract. They are just cheap skates with a bunch of blind fans acting like the BEARS are spreading money around fairly. Yeah,they will pay for a few people now and then,but it's like having a classical piano in the middle of a honky-tonk bar. Or wearing Voit tennis shoes with a tux. Eventually they will have to pay up or at least balance it out. The BEARS have a lot of fans who act like the BEARS are spending like a big city team spends. Look at the fans who actually know that the team shouldn't give a rookie at number 6 a 13 million dollar bonus. Isn't that the pick where most teams get playmakers? There is no such thing as "the best player available" at the 6 pick. But the BEARS always operate like that. Even their fans know it and are conditioned to think like BEARS management. I think it's scary and sad. Who would it hurt to have a player who came out with a pedigree? They might as well pull an anti-Ditka and trade their whole draft class for a team's 5-6 picks in the next 4 drafts since they usually get that part right. And please save the sanctimonious brow beating about fans who want to win at all cost. If winning didn't matter at all we'd still have Dave Wannestaedt as coach. Pick your poison,huh?

Hey Jeff..........You are right!

I cheered on my Hall of Famer and should be Hall of Famer! (Still Do)

When Tank has that kind of talent on the field....Then ask again your question of morality.

Speaking of Morality, you mean to tell me that Dexter Manley deserves the "Other" half of Wilber Marshalls check because he obviously had to carry Wilber to the "Other" Superbowl win.
(Wilber Two, Bears One)

Now your telling me your a diehard Redskins fan, so we will not be getting along smart guy!

Bears have not won another Superbowl with all the greatness you mentioned and my morality challenged rehablitated squad wins three of four......By the way, where does Lance fit in this conversation Jeff? Is he a Druggy? Has a court case pending? Why not pay a good player what he has earned?

Glad Jerry Jones Owns My Favorite Franchise!

ps.Since your bringing back the ghost of Chet Coppock , How about reading NFL.coms Pat Kirwin on the topic.

Do te Bears EVER have trouble signing their WHITE players? Just curious.....

Roman responds: The contract negotiations with Dick Jauron were very contentious. And there just aren't many white players on the Bears, at least none you'd care about signing a contract, including Grossman.

Quick question: if you could pick a team owner between the BEARS or The Redskins who would it be? With better talent evaluation you know you would pick the 'skins. They own their stadium and there concessions. Which mean they make good money and can pay for talent. The city of Chicago own Soldier's field and still someone else provide concessions. That's what make the BEARS a mom and pop organization. They take whatever money they make off the fans and have to share it with the players. Not to mention,they also have about 13 McCaskeys who don't have jobs with their hands out. If they were really shrewd business men they would own every brick and mortar and package of catsup and put their logo on it. Since they refused to play hardball with the city they're the ones suffering. Just about every other organization own everything that there team is provided or supplied. Has anyone seen the BEARS salaries from the past 10 years and know whether or not they've hit the cap number? I have a ton of respect for Angelo because he seems to do well with his hands tied behind his back by this organization. He just doesn't hit the home run on his first round picks.

Tom Vaitys- Lance Briggs is a greedy cancer upon the Chicago Bears. Drew Rosenhaus has essentially kidnapped the established process. Slap the franchise tag on Briggs and keep it there and let him borrow money- all he wants- let's see how Drew Rosenhaus gets paid then. Heck do it for the next two or three years if you have to and see how Briggs likes bagging groceries at the grocery store.

If the bears knew how greedy figgs was earlier they could have signed joey porter. at least porter actally gets to the quarterback when a blitz is called. Now I take that number six package it into a number three and get Briggs the dirt bag outta here.

Hey Paul, doesn't sound like your from INDY, or you would would have shot off your Big mouth about that... the Bears made it to the Super Bowl, where did your team finish....

A few weeks ago, I would have taken this deal. After loosing guys like Holdman and Colvin for nothing makes you want something in return. After giving T.Jones up to move up in the second round, and then watching the Patriots give up a 2nd and a 7th for Wes Freakin Welker, the Bears have to hold out for more than another move up. They at least need to pull in extra draft picks. If Welker is worth 2 picks, Briggs is certainly worth more than moving up in the first round. If all else fails, trade him to Oakland and let them give him 20 million guaranteed while the team goes 3-13, then let Lance say it's not about the money.

Let Briggs sit if he chooses to , wearing a number in the twenties. If he wants to wait 10 games make sure that he is aware that in those last six he will be put at ANY position they deem necesary to help the team . Numbers are givin by the team and in no way does he own his. For game 11 he should have the expectations of playing all special teams and any place they want on defense. If the Bears are out of the running for the playoffs he should be a slot reciever on offense also. Refusing any of this would lead to his 7.2 being sued away from him. Not playing either voluntarily or due to injury because of so much playing time would leave him short of games played and he can be franchised again. Playing those positions would expose him as an idiot and would generate all kinds of attention from the media.
Surely he will blow up and become a media circus if this were to occur, his value would drop, 20 mil would not even be considered by any team in gaurenteed money. Put this up front to his agent , ask if this is the road they would like to go down. How many other clients of Drew would want this to happen to them? How many teams would follow this lead with their head cases? Legal recourse for dogging his performance at any position will consume all of his salary.
My vote is for number 22. Stick it to him and make a statement. The franchise will gain respect and he will either shut up and get paid or turn into a side show freak that will never earn a long term deal with any team.
The Bears still have the upper hand and should lay it out for them. They wanted to make it ugly, how ugly is #22 for ya ?

I enjoyed listening to Steve McMichael (85 Bear) on ESPN with Chet Coppock Friday. He made it all simple. He said Briggs, an all-pro linebacker is worth the 4-5million contract with a 20million dollar signing bonus. Chet of course, agreed with the Bears organization, but McMichael said this was a no-brainer, and that Briggs was a good guy who has earned what he is asking for, Drew Rosenhaus or no Drew Rosenhaus. I really don't understand why being a good player is not being rewarded.

Fat Tony: I love your plan--and I'd raise you by franchising Briggs again next year, and put him back at linebacker if he shows up for all workouts and plays every game.

Keith: $33 Million divided by 6 years equals about $5.5 Million. Lance obviously doesn't want a long-term deal; he wants a long-term deal with an obnoxious signing bonus. I suppose if I were Angelo, I'd have knocked a year and $6 Million off the contract and put that toward a signing bonus, but we all know Briggs would have nixed that anyway, because he wants big guaranteed money.

*shrug*

The Dawn: Well, a few years ago Tait took what was basically the offer the team presented to Briggs, so I'd say no, the Bears don't have any problems signing their white players. But we've beaten the race horse to death (unintentional double-pun). Roman's response pretty much covers it, anyway.

To Dallas Cowboys Fan, you are obviously a person of very low morality if you could cheer for that prison team from Dallas back in the 90's. To Fat Tony, you are obviously a very intelligent young man. Although I would turn it up a notch higher by ordering Briggs and his 240 lb. body to play some defensive tackle. Where the odds of him suffering a serious injury would go up. Although I doubt Smith would do this.

Darryl, so that pretty much makes any franchise that signed a player to a 20mil signing bonus - stupid? Every pro-bowl type player should just be getting...5 mil a season? Because, I do believe, Mr. Porter has his 20mil. in the bank??? Mr. McMichael said that was the going rate and so did ESPN media? I just don't get it. Is Lance asking for something unprecedented?

Keith - "so that pretty much makes any franchise that signed a player to a 20mil signing bonus - stupid?"

Haha--well, that's being far more hyperbolic than I've ever been. I said nothing of the the sort--I simply said that Briggs's desire for guaranteed money includes an "obnoxious" signing bonus--"obnoxious" in this case meaning both "more than can be expected of a team wishing to retain other high-paid players and still maintain the pretense of frugality" and "of debatable necessity." Is Briggs asking for something unprecedented? Relative to the league in general, no..although he is asking for something the Bears won't give him, knowing they're not going to do it, and banking on the political clout of his agent to force the team to cater to what he wants, rather than simply working withing the constraints of a system agreed upon by the players' Union. (Roman, is that a run-on sentence?) He chose not to sign a long-term deal last year, and instead received a short-term deal for a pretty good chunk o' change. Regardless of what he deserves, it's what he's going to get.

As for what he deserves? Let me see--the average annual salary of the five highest-paid linebackers (of which not even Urlacher, a--what is it now--five time Pro-Bowler?, is a member) is $7.2 mil. He's offered a contract that would pay him $1.2 million less than that per year; whether or not you consider this lowballing depends on your perpective. Briggs says he wants more than Urlacher; the Bears are simply saying the best he can get is second-best. Briggs is well within his rights to not want to play--likewise, the Bears are well within their rights to pay him seven million dollars to play this season.

All I'm saying is Briggs was offered a pretty nice contract. He doesn't want to take it, fine--but expecting the Bears to completely change the team paradigm to fit him is idiotic. But, since Angelo would rather get nothing for Briggs than something, none of this will matter by this time next year.

Darryl I certainly enjoyed reading your response! I would like to ask you another question; why not simply trade this guy or just release him???

Bears (as you say) refuse to release him, and he is asking for crazy money noone else will pay him right? Then let him go? And find out how cold it is out there in the league like Mr. Porter did.

This is my first comment on this issue because I can't believe how selfish Briggs has become. I mean I understand him wanting to be paid fair market, but dude the Bears offered you a contract that would pay you 6mil a year plus a 12million signing bonus. Who cares if its slightly less than B-lac. I mean its the stupidist thing I've ever seen. Then on top of that, Briggs isn't as good as people say he is. Now don't get me wrong, he has become a good young linebacker. However, I've seen him whiff on a ton of tackles the past couple of years. Then on top of that, how many sacks has he gotten, compared to how many times the bears blitzed him. It seems everytime the bears blitzed Lance briggs, he runs right into the blocker. Every time! Let him sit out ten games if he wants..then cut him after that. Let some other team deal with his selfish butt.

Enough with the criticism (Mariotti,Couch-4/26, National media) of the Bears (I.E., Jerry Angelo)on the Lance Briggs situation. As a longtime (1968 - present) Chicago Sports fan, he may be the best GM any Chi. team has ever had. These sportswriters, etc. are quick to spend money (That is not their own) without thinking of the long term consequences. What I haven't seen mentioned is the following: Brian Urlacher (sometime back) had mentioned his contract could be re-done to help Lance Briggs. Why no follow-up on that? Muhsin M. contract is large. 3 of the Offensive linemen have huge contracts. Why aren't all these "wonderful teammates" helping the Bears by taking less, or re-doing their deals? I think the Bears have kept their cool (Not filed tampering charges vs Washington), and the only thing I could possibly fault them for is not attempting to re-sign him (to a long-term deal)during his 2nd or 3rd year. However, that's a "crap shoot". If he didn't pan out, you're stuck with a bad long-term deal. Our Linebackers (in general) are poor blitzers of the QB - THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED. Have faith, Angelo will find players (This draft), and if necessary, make a good deal (Trade For the Bears).

Look for the Bears to deal Lance Briggs and their #1 (31) to Tampa Bay for their (2) 2nd rounders (35,64), third round pick (68), and future 4th round pick.

The trade makes a lot of sense as: Tampa gets the successor to Derrick Brooks, likely to play his last year in 2007...and, the picks the Bears would get in return, along with their own 2nd rounder, would be more valauble and help add to team depth