The Bears Offseason Thread

[Chocolate Milk]

Since Hester was brought up, I figured I'd post this. I know, I know. Old wounds and such. Still...

 

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Why is it the Bears are not linked to any free agent? Not even the B, C, and D-tier guys? I don't understand. I know they were supposedly behind trying to get Lovie and Jerry's deals done, but to not even be mentioned with anyone looking for a new team?

 

I agree with not going out in free agency. This market is ridiculous. If I had a choice of signing some marginal player or saving money to resign vasher or t-harris, well I think that the latter would be better. This is a very simplistic argument but I still think its true.

[Soriano12]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6562918

"I am now prepared to sit out the year if the Bears don't trade me or release me," Briggs told FOXSports.com via cell phone Monday. "I've played my last snap for them. I'll never play another down for Chicago again."

 

:?

[Butterscup1679666578]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6562918

"I am now prepared to sit out the year if the Bears don't trade me or release me," Briggs told FOXSports.com via cell phone Monday. "I've played my last snap for them. I'll never play another down for Chicago again."

 

:?

 

I'm really starting to hate him.

[Mark Priors Calves]

shut up and play.

[Soriano12]

I love this quote by Briggs:

 

"I am now prepared to sit out the year if the Bears don't trade me or release me,"

 

Well guess what genious, had you voiced these gripes privately to Angelo, he might have been able to work a trade like he did for T.J, but now you have killed all the Bears leverage and they sure as hell are not gonna let you walk for nothing.

 

 

Idiot.

[Balsa]

I love this quote by Briggs:

 

"I am now prepared to sit out the year if the Bears don't trade me or release me,"

 

Well guess what genious, had you voiced these gripes privately to Angelo, he might have been able to work a trade like he did for T.J, but now you have killed all the Bears leverage and they sure as hell are not gonna let you walk for nothing.

 

 

Idiot.

In fairness, he probably already articulated these sentiments to Angelo, but he franchised Briggs anyway.

 

He's still a douche though.

[brinoch]

Right out the Rosenhaus playbook. I seriously don't like that guy. Were I Angelo, I'd let him hold out -- he doesn't get paid, and I'd fine him as much as I could. Then I'd slap the franchise tag on his again to punish him for being a complete ass and having Rosenhaus as an agent.

[Wilson A2000]

I hope he sits out and the Bears win the Super Bowl. He says it is about respect, but was offered 4 years and 33 million last offseason. That sounds like respect. He can't get Urlacher money cause he aint as good as Urlacher even though he is a Pro Bowl type player.

[Banedon]

This was the more telling quote for me:

 

During the phone call, another interesting reason for leaving arose. Briggs, who is extremely close with the Bears' star Brian Urlacher, wants to run his own show somewhere and knows it can't happen with No. 54 manning the middle.

 

"I've talked to Brian about it," said Briggs. "I'm a competitor and I want the same thing he has. I've learned a lot from Brian as a player and a leader and I eventually want to be 'the man' somewhere. I want to be like him and have everything put on me too. Obviously I'll never be able to do that there.

 

"Still, had the Bears made me a long-term offer that I found acceptable, I probably would have sacrificed this desire and stayed. I don't want to be somewhere I'm not wanted long-term."

 

Briggs is all about the glory and the spotlight.

[da bears]

This was the more telling quote for me:

 

During the phone call, another interesting reason for leaving arose. Briggs, who is extremely close with the Bears' star Brian Urlacher, wants to run his own show somewhere and knows it can't happen with No. 54 manning the middle.

 

"I've talked to Brian about it," said Briggs. "I'm a competitor and I want the same thing he has. I've learned a lot from Brian as a player and a leader and I eventually want to be 'the man' somewhere. I want to be like him and have everything put on me too. Obviously I'll never be able to do that there.

 

"Still, had the Bears made me a long-term offer that I found acceptable, I probably would have sacrificed this desire and stayed. I don't want to be somewhere I'm not wanted long-term."

 

Briggs is all about the glory and the spotlight.

 

That quote is dumb. Not sure why he would have said that.

[BigSlick]

Right out the Rosenhaus playbook. I seriously don't like that guy. Were I Angelo, I'd let him hold out -- he doesn't get paid, and I'd fine him as much as I could. Then I'd slap the franchise tag on his again to punish him for being a complete ass and having Rosenhaus as an agent.

 

The only problem with that is we take a pay cut whether or not he plays, so although he wont be paid his 7 million, it WILL be deducted from the salary cap.

[BigSlick]

I hope he sits out and the Bears win the Super Bowl. He says it is about respect, but was offered 4 years and 33 million last offseason. That sounds like respect. He can't get Urlacher money cause he aint as good as Urlacher even though he is a Pro Bowl type player.

 

The irony here is that he'd still probably get a Super Bowl ring.

[goonys evil twin]

Briggs sounds like such an idiot. I think we're in a situation where he realizes he's overplayed his hand and doesn't have many options, and is now just trying to get the longterm offer from Angelo.

 

I hope Jerry plays hardball as long as possible, there's really nothing to lose if Briggs misses all of training camp and preseason. And hopefully he ends up offering a longterm deal a little higher than the one Briggs turned down, so he can save face and come to terms. Lance should find a team that is willing to offer up the big money and make a good trade if he thinks he deserves more. The bottom line is the Bears haven't done anything wrong yet.

[Banedon]

Briggs sounds like such an idiot. I think we're in a situation where he realizes he's overplayed his hand and doesn't have many options, and is now just trying to get the longterm offer from Angelo.

 

I think you're right, because on Comcast this morning they played part of an interview from the Score last night, and apparently he said something to the effect of "Best case scenario? That the Bears give me a long term deal at market value."

 

That doesn't sound like a guy that's played his last snap with the Bears.

[Soul]

Briggs sounds like such an idiot. I think we're in a situation where he realizes he's overplayed his hand and doesn't have many options, and is now just trying to get the longterm offer from Angelo.

 

I think you're right, because on Comcast this morning they played part of an interview from the Score last night, and apparently he said something to the effect of "Best case scenario? That the Bears give me a long term deal at market value."

 

That doesn't sound like a guy that's played his last snap with the Bears.

 

Sounds like a guy who is giving calculated interviews based on conversations with his agent, but isn't able to avoid letting his true feelings slip every once in awhile...

 

Ahhhh, Rosenhaus. Keep burnin' those bridges buddy.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

So, Bears fans...what do you see as the likely resolution with Briggs?

[UMFan83]

This was the more telling quote for me:

 

During the phone call, another interesting reason for leaving arose. Briggs, who is extremely close with the Bears' star Brian Urlacher, wants to run his own show somewhere and knows it can't happen with No. 54 manning the middle.

 

"I've talked to Brian about it," said Briggs. "I'm a competitor and I want the same thing he has. I've learned a lot from Brian as a player and a leader and I eventually want to be 'the man' somewhere. I want to be like him and have everything put on me too. Obviously I'll never be able to do that there.

 

"Still, had the Bears made me a long-term offer that I found acceptable, I probably would have sacrificed this desire and stayed. I don't want to be somewhere I'm not wanted long-term."

 

Briggs is all about the glory and the spotlight.

 

No, its Urlacher's fault for being a leader and 'the man'. Damn you Brian!

[Banedon]

So, Bears fans...what do you see as the likely resolution with Briggs?

 

I think he'll play for the Bears. He's done the Bears no favors as far as helping with trade value, so I think the Bears will call his bluff.

[goonys evil twin]

So, Bears fans...what do you see as the likely resolution with Briggs?

 

I think he'll play for the Bears. He's done the Bears no favors as far as helping with trade value, so I think the Bears will call his bluff.

 

I think he'll sign a longterm deal. The Bears have made offers in the past. They can afford him. Barring some white knight team coming in and knocking his socks off, and giving something to the Bears, I think Briggs will be signed longterm by the deadline. He sounds pretty desperate with all his ranting and ravings, but the fact is he hasn't much a ton of money as a pro athlete yet, and I'm guessing he's itching to sign something with high guarantees.

[Soul]

So, Bears fans...what do you see as the likely resolution with Briggs?

 

I think he'll play for the Bears. He's done the Bears no favors as far as helping with trade value, so I think the Bears will call his bluff.

 

Not sure about the ultimate resolution, but yeah I see no reason Angelo won't simply keep the franchise tag on him and just let him rot for awhile.

 

In the meantime, I wouldn't be suprised to see the Bears draft OLB fairly high, perhaps with the #37.

 

I've never seen Angelo back down easily on a player's demands. If Briggs/Drew are thinking Jerry wouldn't dare let him sit out, I would highly suggest they reconsider.

[Banedon]

So, Bears fans...what do you see as the likely resolution with Briggs?

 

I think he'll play for the Bears. He's done the Bears no favors as far as helping with trade value, so I think the Bears will call his bluff.

 

I think he'll sign a longterm deal. The Bears have made offers in the past. They can afford him. Barring some white knight team coming in and knocking his socks off, and giving something to the Bears, I think Briggs will be signed longterm by the deadline. He sounds pretty desperate with all his ranting and ravings, but the fact is he hasn't much a ton of money as a pro athlete yet, and I'm guessing he's itching to sign something with high guarantees.

 

Yeah, I could see this happening too. Either way, I don't think he's "played his last snap for the Bears".

[CDBears1259]

Ahhhh, Rosenhaus. Keep burnin' those bridges buddy.

 

How Ro$enhau$ has any clients and why GMs continue to do business with this guy will forever escape me, but he somehow continues to succeed at what he does. What a snake!!! He must have some extremely incriminating pictures of GMs or owners throughout the league. On one hand, I hate that guy, but on the other would love to do what he does. Hopefully with a little more tact and ethics though.

[Soriano12]

Ahhhh, Rosenhaus. Keep burnin' those bridges buddy.

 

How Ro$enhau$ has any clients and why GMs continue to do business with this guy will forever escape me, but he somehow continues to succeed at what he does. .

 

Which is why he has alot of clients.

[RichHillIsABeast]

If Briggs wants to blame someone, blame the players association for agreeing to the franchise tag.

 

Supposedly Briggs is made at Bears fans now b/c of their negativity. What a dink. You made the decision to run your mouth and now you get to enjoy the consequences.

 

You want to be the man? First you have to be a man.