The Bears Offseason Thread

[Milli1306]

True-but what is being discussed here is a straight trade and what the Bears would accept for him. Nobody is going to sign Briggs as a franchise player and give up 2 1st rounders. That's only happened 1 time in the history of the league, and it worked out terribly for the team that did it-I don't see it being repeated anytime soon.

 

Who was the one guy that was signed as a franchise player?

 

The thing I never understood is why players get so pissed off at being franchised. The only people it hurts are those who are clearly the best in the league at their position. For a guy like, say, Asante Samuel, he'll be guaranteed almost $8M this year. Generally it's a good thing to be paid the average of the top 5 salaries at any given position.

 

Carolina signed Sean Gilbert as a franchise player from the Redskins about 10 years back-it was called "the worst move in franchise history."

 

Ouch... yeah, that was an awful move; Sean Gilbert was not the best at his position and Carolina was not a good team. They really shouldn't have been in the business of giving up two first round picks. Especially when those picks turned out to be top 5 picks - the first of which was traded for every single pick that New Orleans had in the '99 draft, plus their first and third rounders the next year. If I'm looking at this correctly, they used the Sean Gilbert trade to draft Champ Bailey, Lavar Arrington and Chris Samuels. Way to go Carolina.

 

Not that that did Washington any good to draft those 3.

[TruffleShuffle]

True-but what is being discussed here is a straight trade and what the Bears would accept for him. Nobody is going to sign Briggs as a franchise player and give up 2 1st rounders. That's only happened 1 time in the history of the league, and it worked out terribly for the team that did it-I don't see it being repeated anytime soon.

 

Who was the one guy that was signed as a franchise player?

 

The thing I never understood is why players get so pissed off at being franchised. The only people it hurts are those who are clearly the best in the league at their position. For a guy like, say, Asante Samuel, he'll be guaranteed almost $8M this year. Generally it's a good thing to be paid the average of the top 5 salaries at any given position.

 

Carolina signed Sean Gilbert as a franchise player from the Redskins about 10 years back-it was called "the worst move in franchise history."

 

Ouch... yeah, that was an awful move; Sean Gilbert was not the best at his position and Carolina was not a good team. They really shouldn't have been in the business of giving up two first round picks. Especially when those picks turned out to be top 5 picks - the first of which was traded for every single pick that New Orleans had in the '99 draft, plus their first and third rounders the next year. If I'm looking at this correctly, they used the Sean Gilbert trade to draft Champ Bailey, Lavar Arrington and Chris Samuels. Way to go Carolina.

 

Not that that did Washington any good to draft those 3.

 

well, except for the nine pro bowls that they made as members of the redskins

[Chocolate Milk]

The thing I never understood is why players get so pissed off at being franchised. The only people it hurts are those who are clearly the best in the league at their position. For a guy like, say, Asante Samuel, he'll be guaranteed almost $8M this year. Generally it's a good thing to be paid the average of the top 5 salaries at any given position.

 

I think it's a lack of security thing. For example, if Briggs were to tear up his knee this year, the Bears wouldn't franchise him again, and his open market value would probably take a big hit.

[TruffleShuffle]

The thing I never understood is why players get so pissed off at being franchised. The only people it hurts are those who are clearly the best in the league at their position. For a guy like, say, Asante Samuel, he'll be guaranteed almost $8M this year. Generally it's a good thing to be paid the average of the top 5 salaries at any given position.

 

I think it's a lack of security thing. For example, if Briggs were to tear up his knee this year, the Bears wouldn't franchise him again, and his open market value would probably take a big hit.

 

ah, good point. I guess when you get franchised multiple years in a row, like Walter Jones was doing for a while, you have to perform at a top level and stay healthy year after year.

[goonys evil twin]

The thing I never understood is why players get so pissed off at being franchised. The only people it hurts are those who are clearly the best in the league at their position. For a guy like, say, Asante Samuel, he'll be guaranteed almost $8M this year. Generally it's a good thing to be paid the average of the top 5 salaries at any given position.

 

I think it's a lack of security thing. For example, if Briggs were to tear up his knee this year, the Bears wouldn't franchise him again, and his open market value would probably take a big hit.

 

ah, good point. I guess when you get franchised multiple years in a row, like Walter Jones was doing for a while, you have to perform at a top level and stay healthy year after year.

 

The thing with Briggs is, he really rolled the dice the past two years, making fairly little (~$400,000). He passed up the opportunity to sign a fairly large longterm deal, clearly holding out for something that would give him a ~$15m signing bonus, which is twice what he's now guaranteed. I could see being pissed about getting only $7m and having to roll the dice again that he'll play a full healthy season.

[cubweiser03]

Steinbach to the Browns. 7 year deal.

Cross him off.

[Jon]

Bears ticket prices going up:

 

chicagosports.com[/url]"]Abut 73 percent of all seats will have a $5 increase for the 2007 season, the team said. The remaining non-club seats will have an increase of $8 or $9.

 

With the increases, the Bears' non-club ticket prices will range between $65 and $104.

 

Two of the three club seat categories will see increases of $5 or $20, while the third club seat group won't have an increase for 2007, according to the team.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Steinbach to the Browns. 7 year deal.

Cross him off.

:x

 

let's look to the draft for serious OL help.

[rawaction]

Kris Dielman is a decent available FA guard. Blocked for LT on the left side last year in San Diego. Very athletic as he was a TE and DE at IU. Just turned 26 a month ago. He likely won't be as expensive as the 2 guys that got huge money today.

[Guest]

Steinbach to the Browns. 7 year deal.

Cross him off.

:x

 

let's look to the draft for serious OL help.

 

Don't worry about it....Steinbach is being paid Pro Bowl money.......even tho he's never been to the pro bowl. A loss, but not "upsetting".

[Chocolate Milk]

Unsubstantiated rumors from Pats' message boards is that the Pats are interested in Briggs. They have an extra first rounder this year, so it makes some sense.

 

Just thought I'd throw it out there.

[Magnetic Curses]

Unsubstantiated rumors from Pats' message boards is that the Pats are interested in Briggs. They have an extra first rounder this year, so it makes some sense.

 

Just thought I'd throw it out there.

 

i don't want to watch another of our former linebackers win multiple superbowls with the pats.

 

get him signed.

[CubColtPacer]

Unsubstantiated rumors from Pats' message boards is that the Pats are interested in Briggs. They have an extra first rounder this year, so it makes some sense.

 

Just thought I'd throw it out there.

 

I've heard that too the last few days-I've also heard it's almost certainly dead now though that the Pats have picked up Adalius Thomas. I do hear they may go after Randy Moss though (but that's not a huge issue for this thread I guess :D)

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Unsubstantiated rumors from Pats' message boards is that the Pats are interested in Briggs. They have an extra first rounder this year, so it makes some sense.

 

Just thought I'd throw it out there.

 

I've heard that too the last few days-I've also heard it's almost certainly dead now though that the Pats have picked up Adalius Thomas. I do hear they may go after Randy Moss though (but that's not a huge issue for this thread I guess :D)

 

It will be a disappointment for Charles Tillman. :D

[Soriano12]

Brigg's wants out of chicago

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2788148

 

Screw you Briggs. Aszwhipe.

[UMFan83]

^ How do we know what's going on behind the scenes. We knew he'd be pissed when we franchised him. He never in the past said he was going to leave the Bears, he just said he wanted to shop around and get full market value, which is certainly fair after the Bears couldn't extend him last year. He played his butt off, became a huge name, started a second consecutive Pro Bowl, and now he gets franchised and is going to lose millions.

 

I dunno, I'm just playing devils advocate though

Edited March 5, 2007 by UMFan83

[Soriano12]

He never said he was going to leave the Bears,

 

Did you read the artice?

 

But the Chicago Bears organization? I don't want to be there anymore. I won't play for them and I'll do everything in my power to keep from playing there."

[UMFan83]

He never said he was going to leave the Bears,

 

Did you read the artice?

 

But the Chicago Bears organization? I don't want to be there anymore. I won't play for them and I'll do everything in my power to keep from playing there."

 

Sorry, I meant in the past he didn't ask to leave.

[Soriano12]

Rufus Alexander...come on down!....You are the new WILL Linebacker for the Chicago Bears. Edited March 5, 2007 by Soriano12

[goonys evil twin]

He never said he was going to leave the Bears,

 

Did you read the artice?

 

But the Chicago Bears organization? I don't want to be there anymore. I won't play for them and I'll do everything in my power to keep from playing there."

 

Don't know what to make of that. Could just be negotiating tough talk. I see his point if the Bears refuse to discuss a longterm contract. And I'm a bit upset with the Bears if they truly are refusing to discuss longterm deals. However, the Bears have to do what is best for them, and franchising Briggs is clearly what's best. Rescinding it is not an option. If Briggs wants the Bears to trade him, it is probably up to him and his agent to find a deal. It doesn't really do the Bears much good to go out looking for a trade.

 

Given how inactive they look to be this free agent period, I'm for signing him longterm, and hopefully, that's exactly what they end up doing.

[Soriano12]

. I see his point if the Bears refuse to discuss a longterm contract.

 

The Bears tried, he was unreasonable.

[UMFan83]

He never said he was going to leave the Bears,

 

Did you read the artice?

 

But the Chicago Bears organization? I don't want to be there anymore. I won't play for them and I'll do everything in my power to keep from playing there."

 

Don't know what to make of that. Could just be negotiating tough talk. I see his point if the Bears refuse to discuss a longterm contract. And I'm a bit upset with the Bears if they truly are refusing to discuss longterm deals. However, the Bears have to do what is best for them, and franchising Briggs is clearly what's best. Rescinding it is not an option. If Briggs wants the Bears to trade him, it is probably up to him and his agent to find a deal. It doesn't really do the Bears much good to go out looking for a trade.

 

Given how inactive they look to be this free agent period, I'm for signing him longterm, and hopefully, that's exactly what they end up doing.

 

I still also think its a negotiating tactic. How many times did Scottie Pippen say something like that and end up playing for the Bulls time and time again.

[goonys evil twin]

. I see his point if the Bears refuse to discuss a longterm contract.

 

The Bears tried, he was unreasonable.

 

They were reportedly close last year. I'm talking about this year though. If the Bears tag him, and refuse to talk about anything other than a 1 year deal, then he has a legit beef.

[Soriano12]

Briggs was just on the score, said "It wasn't about the money".

 

 

LOL...riiiggght.

[goonys evil twin]

Briggs was just on the score, said "It wasn't about the money".

 

I can believe that. I think it's about whether or not the Bears offer a longterm deal. I think Briggs did a really brave thing in playing out his last contract to the fullest. He feels he did the Bears a favor by playing like a $5+ million player while getting paid a whole lot less. Compare that to somebody like John Abraham, who pretty much did the bare minimum so as to not risk injury before his big payday. Briggs probably could have eased off the gas pedal and been in a better financial situation now than he currrently is. The Bears may not have franchised him, but other teams would still show great interest, enough to garner him a very large contract.