The Bears Offseason Thread

[Soriano12]

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.

 

 

I'm wondering if(more than we think) Athletes browse various message boards to read opinions?

 

Briggs has been mainly bashed by fans on MB's and Sports Radio.

[cubweiser03]

If Briggs wants to be the man like Brian, how bout he try this one on for size and take a page out of the Brian Urlacher how to handle the media book.

 

"If i have to talk, i'll talk. If I don't, i won't."

[Mark Priors Calves]

i've got to imagine angelo is getting pissed off by briggs flapping his gums.

[Magnetic Curses]

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.

 

which is why i'm not afraid of him holding out. the bears really have him over a barrel here. he's probably wondering if he can get the deal that the bears offered him last offseason.

 

next season, however, he can afford to hold out. they need to get a deal done before the season starts, but angelo seems disinterested.

[YearofDaCubs]

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.

 

which is why i'm not afraid of him holding out. the bears really have him over a barrel here. he's probably wondering if he can get the deal that the bears offered him last offseason.

 

next season, however, he can afford to hold out. they need to get a deal done before the season starts, but angelo seems disinterested.

I would be disinterested too if I was him. Briggs wants crazy money and he's not going to get it here. I would let him rot and not get a penny.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

In the back of everyones mind, they know that the weakside linebacker in Lovie's system will alway be free to make plays. Insert any solidly athletic linebacker at WLB, and his value will shoot up. Im not saying Briggs isnt a really good, borderline great player, but I know the Bears org. knows that they could insert someone like jamar williams(who looked really good in preseason), and they could possibly get 75 percent of the production of briggs. If that trade off in production means signing tommy harris and nathan vasher to long term deals. then fine. enjoy sitting briggs.

[Magnetic Curses]

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.

 

which is why i'm not afraid of him holding out. the bears really have him over a barrel here. he's probably wondering if he can get the deal that the bears offered him last offseason.

 

next season, however, he can afford to hold out. they need to get a deal done before the season starts, but angelo seems disinterested.

I would be disinterested too if I was him. Briggs wants crazy money and he's not going to get it here. I would let him rot and not get a penny.

 

the problem being is that he's probably entering his prime years while being viewed as the second coming of d. brooks.

[Magnetic Curses]

In the back of everyones mind, they know that the weakside linebacker in Lovie's system will alway be free to make plays. Insert any solidly athletic linebacker at WLB, and his value will shoot up. Im not saying Briggs isnt a really good, borderline great player, but I know the Bears org. knows that they could insert someone like jamar williams(who looked really good in preseason), and they could possibly get 75 percent of the production of briggs. If that trade off in production means signing tommy harris and nathan vasher to long term deals. then fine. enjoy sitting briggs.

 

i really don't see the fascination with vasher. he's good, but good players can be had in the draft. angelo has shown a fairly decent ability to get good players in the later rounds of the draft on a consistent basis.

 

players like briggs and harris aren't just good, they are top 3 at their respective positions in the NFL--they are perrenial all-pro players.

 

a good GM locks up his all-pro players and shuffles his good players in-and-out through the draft, letting them walk when they ask for all-pro-type money, which they clearly aren't worth.

 

briggs is probably worth what he's asking for. it's just a matter of whether or not he'll get it from anyone.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

In the back of everyones mind, they know that the weakside linebacker in Lovie's system will alway be free to make plays. Insert any solidly athletic linebacker at WLB, and his value will shoot up. Im not saying Briggs isnt a really good, borderline great player, but I know the Bears org. knows that they could insert someone like jamar williams(who looked really good in preseason), and they could possibly get 75 percent of the production of briggs. If that trade off in production means signing tommy harris and nathan vasher to long term deals. then fine. enjoy sitting briggs.

 

i really don't see the fascination with vasher. he's good, but good players can be had in the draft. angelo has shown a fairly decent ability to get good players in the later rounds of the draft on a consistent basis.

 

players like briggs and harris aren't just good, they are top 3 at their respective positions in the NFL--they are perrenial all-pro players.

 

a good GM locks up his all-pro players and shuffles his good players in-and-out through the draft, letting them walk when they ask for all-pro-type money, which they clearly aren't worth.

 

briggs is probably worth what he's asking for. it's just a matter of whether or not he'll get it from anyone.

 

But why is Briggs an all pro? I think he is more a product of the system. It doesnt mean he isnt a great player, but he is a great player because he is a Bear. Whether or not you think Vasher is good or great(none of us watch film so the only initial tangible measurement is interceptions), IMO he is probably harder to replace then Briggs.

[rawaction]

Briggs will not show up to camp, but he will come ready to play by the last preseason game. I know he wants a big pay day, but it doesn't make any since to give up $7.2M guaranteed, just because you are waiting for $25M or so, guaranteed, when you can just play and get both.

 

I don't think the Bears will sign him long-term. So, it's Briggs' choice. And he'd be stupid to pick 0 for this year and a long-term deal over 7.2M this year and a long-term deal.

[CubColtPacer]

In the back of everyones mind, they know that the weakside linebacker in Lovie's system will alway be free to make plays. Insert any solidly athletic linebacker at WLB, and his value will shoot up. Im not saying Briggs isnt a really good, borderline great player, but I know the Bears org. knows that they could insert someone like jamar williams(who looked really good in preseason), and they could possibly get 75 percent of the production of briggs. If that trade off in production means signing tommy harris and nathan vasher to long term deals. then fine. enjoy sitting briggs.

 

i really don't see the fascination with vasher. he's good, but good players can be had in the draft. angelo has shown a fairly decent ability to get good players in the later rounds of the draft on a consistent basis.

 

players like briggs and harris aren't just good, they are top 3 at their respective positions in the NFL--they are perrenial all-pro players.

 

a good GM locks up his all-pro players and shuffles his good players in-and-out through the draft, letting them walk when they ask for all-pro-type money, which they clearly aren't worth.

 

briggs is probably worth what he's asking for. it's just a matter of whether or not he'll get it from anyone.

 

I'm not sure Briggs really is that great. In that system, everything is supposed to be funneled to the WILL, and they get inflated stats because of it. If the rest of the Colts defense had been better this season, Cato June with his statistics would have been in the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row and would also be seen as a "perennial all-pro player", but the reality is that most good outside linebackers could do a great job as a WILL in that type of system. Briggs probably will be paid by somebody, but he is replaceable and probably not worth the money. I'm not saying Briggs isn't good-he is. However, just like June, Briggs benefits from being in the system he plays in which gives his position in particular the chance to pad their stats and make plays.

[Banedon]

I'm sure the goal here from a Briggs/Rosenhaus perspective, is to get public sympathy for Briggs being poorly treated by the Bears, but Briggs is getting terrible PR out of this. The more he talks, the more the public sides with the Bears. I think they've misplayed their hand terribly, and are really going to have to backpedal.

[Chocolate Milk]

In the back of everyones mind, they know that the weakside linebacker in Lovie's system will alway be free to make plays. Insert any solidly athletic linebacker at WLB, and his value will shoot up. Im not saying Briggs isnt a really good, borderline great player, but I know the Bears org. knows that they could insert someone like jamar williams(who looked really good in preseason), and they could possibly get 75 percent of the production of briggs. If that trade off in production means signing tommy harris and nathan vasher to long term deals. then fine. enjoy sitting briggs.

 

This is mostly true. Unfortunatly for Briggs, he plays the most easily replaced position in the defensive scheme. He's a very good player in the system but a lot of linebackers would look pretty good playing next to Urlacher and playing wil linebacker behind the Bears defensive line.

 

I don't think the drop off in production that would happen by losing Briggs is enough to justify spending the money on him. It looks like the Bears agree. I'd rather save the money for the plethora of players that will be requiring new contracts within the next two years.

[cubbyvirus00]

Briggs really needs to shut up and play. The best sports athletes, never whined or complained about money, but went out and played. These new age athletes are all babies, and it's all about the money.

 

If you work your ass off and play, you will be paid. Wether it's 10 million, or 5 million, that is plenty to pay your bills and feed your kids. It's amazing how spoiled these players have come to be, and we're partially to blame.

[Magnetic Curses]

In the back of everyones mind, they know that the weakside linebacker in Lovie's system will alway be free to make plays. Insert any solidly athletic linebacker at WLB, and his value will shoot up. Im not saying Briggs isnt a really good, borderline great player, but I know the Bears org. knows that they could insert someone like jamar williams(who looked really good in preseason), and they could possibly get 75 percent of the production of briggs. If that trade off in production means signing tommy harris and nathan vasher to long term deals. then fine. enjoy sitting briggs.

 

i really don't see the fascination with vasher. he's good, but good players can be had in the draft. angelo has shown a fairly decent ability to get good players in the later rounds of the draft on a consistent basis.

 

players like briggs and harris aren't just good, they are top 3 at their respective positions in the NFL--they are perrenial all-pro players.

 

a good GM locks up his all-pro players and shuffles his good players in-and-out through the draft, letting them walk when they ask for all-pro-type money, which they clearly aren't worth.

 

briggs is probably worth what he's asking for. it's just a matter of whether or not he'll get it from anyone.

 

But why is Briggs an all pro?

 

because he was an all-pro in 2005.

 

I think he is more a product of the system. It doesnt mean he isnt a great player, but he is a great player because he is a Bear. Whether or not you think Vasher is good or great(none of us watch film so the only initial tangible measurement is interceptions), IMO he is probably harder to replace then Briggs.

 

you're telling me that i can't tell that vasher isn't a great player because i don't watch films? i can tell that he does a good job by watching the games, but i can tell that he's not physical enough because he misses a lot of tackles. i can also tell you that he lacks agility and speed to be an elite player. i also have a lot of respect for guys like hub arkush, who thinks that vasher is a pretty good player, but not irreplaceable by any standard.

[rawaction]

In the back of everyones mind, they know that the weakside linebacker in Lovie's system will alway be free to make plays. Insert any solidly athletic linebacker at WLB, and his value will shoot up. Im not saying Briggs isnt a really good, borderline great player, but I know the Bears org. knows that they could insert someone like jamar williams(who looked really good in preseason), and they could possibly get 75 percent of the production of briggs. If that trade off in production means signing tommy harris and nathan vasher to long term deals. then fine. enjoy sitting briggs.

 

This is mostly true. Unfortunatly for Briggs, he plays the most easily replaced position in the defensive scheme. He's a very good player in the system but a lot of linebackers would look pretty good playing next to Urlacher and playing wil linebacker behind the Bears defensive line.

 

I don't think the drop off in production that would happen by losing Briggs is enough to justify spending the money on him. It looks like the Bears agree. I'd rather save the money for the plethora of players that will be requiring new contracts within the next two years.

 

I agree that Briggs has the easiest position to replace, but that doesn't mean you do it just for the heck of it. I'd rather pay Briggs big money and keep the unit together than gambling with someone else having that type of ability and work ethic.

[Magnetic Curses]

In the back of everyones mind, they know that the weakside linebacker in Lovie's system will alway be free to make plays. Insert any solidly athletic linebacker at WLB, and his value will shoot up. Im not saying Briggs isnt a really good, borderline great player, but I know the Bears org. knows that they could insert someone like jamar williams(who looked really good in preseason), and they could possibly get 75 percent of the production of briggs. If that trade off in production means signing tommy harris and nathan vasher to long term deals. then fine. enjoy sitting briggs.

 

i really don't see the fascination with vasher. he's good, but good players can be had in the draft. angelo has shown a fairly decent ability to get good players in the later rounds of the draft on a consistent basis.

 

players like briggs and harris aren't just good, they are top 3 at their respective positions in the NFL--they are perrenial all-pro players.

 

a good GM locks up his all-pro players and shuffles his good players in-and-out through the draft, letting them walk when they ask for all-pro-type money, which they clearly aren't worth.

 

briggs is probably worth what he's asking for. it's just a matter of whether or not he'll get it from anyone.

 

I'm not sure Briggs really is that great. In that system, everything is supposed to be funneled to the WILL, and they get inflated stats because of it. If the rest of the Colts defense had been better this season, Cato June with his statistics would have been in the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row and would also be seen as a "perennial all-pro player", but the reality is that most good outside linebackers could do a great job as a WILL in that type of system. Briggs probably will be paid by somebody, but he is replaceable and probably not worth the money. I'm not saying Briggs isn't good-he is. However, just like June, Briggs benefits from being in the system he plays in which gives his position in particular the chance to pad their stats and make plays.

 

you're talking to me like a bears fan could have no idea how the tampa-2 works. i think i know a little about football so let's just move on from breaking down the inner-workings of the bears defensive scheme.

 

briggs's stats aren't the reason he's an all-pro player.

[rawaction]

Briggs really needs to shut up and play. The best sports athletes, never whined or complained about money, but went out and played. These new age athletes are all babies, and it's all about the money.

 

If you work your ass off and play, you will be paid. Wether it's 10 million, or 5 million, that is plenty to pay your bills and feed your kids. It's amazing how spoiled these players have come to be, and we're partially to blame.

 

Nothing personal, but I hate this type of thinking. If you are a paperboy and you are getting 40,000 and can feed your family just fine, but other paperboys are getting 100,000 for doing the same amount of work, then you are gonna want 100,000, because that's what you're worth.

It's not about having "enough" money, it's about having what you deserve. Briggs is one of the top 2-3 OLBs in the game. Top players around the league have long-term guaranteed contracts, in which they are paid market value. Briggs doesn't have that. I don't blame him for being upset.

[Chocolate Milk]

In the back of everyones mind, they know that the weakside linebacker in Lovie's system will alway be free to make plays. Insert any solidly athletic linebacker at WLB, and his value will shoot up. Im not saying Briggs isnt a really good, borderline great player, but I know the Bears org. knows that they could insert someone like jamar williams(who looked really good in preseason), and they could possibly get 75 percent of the production of briggs. If that trade off in production means signing tommy harris and nathan vasher to long term deals. then fine. enjoy sitting briggs.

 

This is mostly true. Unfortunatly for Briggs, he plays the most easily replaced position in the defensive scheme. He's a very good player in the system but a lot of linebackers would look pretty good playing next to Urlacher and playing wil linebacker behind the Bears defensive line.

 

I don't think the drop off in production that would happen by losing Briggs is enough to justify spending the money on him. It looks like the Bears agree. I'd rather save the money for the plethora of players that will be requiring new contracts within the next two years.

 

I agree that Briggs has the easiest position to replace, but that doesn't mean you do it just for the heck of it. I'd rather pay Briggs big money and keep the unit together than gambling with someone else having that type of ability and work ethic.

 

Well, obviously the Bears aren't doing it for the heck of it. They think the resources required to extend Briggs are better spent elsewhere. I agree.

[Magnetic Curses]

Briggs really needs to shut up and play. The best sports athletes, never whined or complained about money, but went out and played. These new age athletes are all babies, and it's all about the money.

 

If you work your ass off and play, you will be paid. Wether it's 10 million, or 5 million, that is plenty to pay your bills and feed your kids. It's amazing how spoiled these players have come to be, and we're partially to blame.

 

Nothing personal, but I hate this type of thinking. If you are a paperboy and you are getting 40,000 and can feed your family just fine, but other paperboys are getting 100,000 for doing the same amount of work, then you are gonna want 100,000, because that's what you're worth.

It's not about having "enough" money, it's about having what you deserve. Briggs is one of the top 2-3 OLBs in the game. Top players around the league have long-term guaranteed contracts, in which they are paid market value. Briggs doesn't have that. I don't blame him for being upset.

 

neither do i. he's trapped right now because of the franchise tag, which he and rosenhaus wagered that they wouldn't use. the bears used it and now he HAS to play for them or sit out and look for an apartment.

 

he's in a pretty bad position and he's frustrated, which he should be. however, it's not the bears fault either. i'd think you can't blame either side for the predicament, both are protecting their own interests.

[rawaction]

In the back of everyones mind, they know that the weakside linebacker in Lovie's system will alway be free to make plays. Insert any solidly athletic linebacker at WLB, and his value will shoot up. Im not saying Briggs isnt a really good, borderline great player, but I know the Bears org. knows that they could insert someone like jamar williams(who looked really good in preseason), and they could possibly get 75 percent of the production of briggs. If that trade off in production means signing tommy harris and nathan vasher to long term deals. then fine. enjoy sitting briggs.

 

This is mostly true. Unfortunatly for Briggs, he plays the most easily replaced position in the defensive scheme. He's a very good player in the system but a lot of linebackers would look pretty good playing next to Urlacher and playing wil linebacker behind the Bears defensive line.

 

I don't think the drop off in production that would happen by losing Briggs is enough to justify spending the money on him. It looks like the Bears agree. I'd rather save the money for the plethora of players that will be requiring new contracts within the next two years.

 

I agree that Briggs has the easiest position to replace, but that doesn't mean you do it just for the heck of it. I'd rather pay Briggs big money and keep the unit together than gambling with someone else having that type of ability and work ethic.

 

Well, obviously the Bears aren't doing it for the heck of it. They think the resources required to extend Briggs are better spent elsewhere. I agree.

 

I know the Bears aren't. But it seems like people around here would if they were in the Bears position.

[CubColtPacer]

In the back of everyones mind, they know that the weakside linebacker in Lovie's system will alway be free to make plays. Insert any solidly athletic linebacker at WLB, and his value will shoot up. Im not saying Briggs isnt a really good, borderline great player, but I know the Bears org. knows that they could insert someone like jamar williams(who looked really good in preseason), and they could possibly get 75 percent of the production of briggs. If that trade off in production means signing tommy harris and nathan vasher to long term deals. then fine. enjoy sitting briggs.

 

i really don't see the fascination with vasher. he's good, but good players can be had in the draft. angelo has shown a fairly decent ability to get good players in the later rounds of the draft on a consistent basis.

 

players like briggs and harris aren't just good, they are top 3 at their respective positions in the NFL--they are perrenial all-pro players.

 

a good GM locks up his all-pro players and shuffles his good players in-and-out through the draft, letting them walk when they ask for all-pro-type money, which they clearly aren't worth.

 

briggs is probably worth what he's asking for. it's just a matter of whether or not he'll get it from anyone.

 

I'm not sure Briggs really is that great. In that system, everything is supposed to be funneled to the WILL, and they get inflated stats because of it. If the rest of the Colts defense had been better this season, Cato June with his statistics would have been in the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row and would also be seen as a "perennial all-pro player", but the reality is that most good outside linebackers could do a great job as a WILL in that type of system. Briggs probably will be paid by somebody, but he is replaceable and probably not worth the money. I'm not saying Briggs isn't good-he is. However, just like June, Briggs benefits from being in the system he plays in which gives his position in particular the chance to pad their stats and make plays.

 

you're talking to me like a bears fan could have no idea how the tampa-2 works. i think i know a little about football so let's just move on from breaking down the inner-workings of the bears defensive scheme.

 

briggs's stats aren't the reason he's an all-pro player.

 

I don't know then why you would want them to sign Briggs for all that money. The Bears could find several other people at that position to give them similar production at much less cost. If Briggs really is that good, then Chicago is wasting his talent by using that system with him at that position-any good linebacker could play that position very ,very well, and there's no reason to pay anybody a great amount of money to do so.

[rawaction]

Briggs really needs to shut up and play. The best sports athletes, never whined or complained about money, but went out and played. These new age athletes are all babies, and it's all about the money.

 

If you work your ass off and play, you will be paid. Wether it's 10 million, or 5 million, that is plenty to pay your bills and feed your kids. It's amazing how spoiled these players have come to be, and we're partially to blame.

 

Nothing personal, but I hate this type of thinking. If you are a paperboy and you are getting 40,000 and can feed your family just fine, but other paperboys are getting 100,000 for doing the same amount of work, then you are gonna want 100,000, because that's what you're worth.

It's not about having "enough" money, it's about having what you deserve. Briggs is one of the top 2-3 OLBs in the game. Top players around the league have long-term guaranteed contracts, in which they are paid market value. Briggs doesn't have that. I don't blame him for being upset.

 

neither do i. he's trapped right now because of the franchise tag, which he and rosenhaus wagered that they wouldn't use. the bears used it and now he HAS to play for them or sit out and look for an apartment.

 

he's in a pretty bad position and he's frustrated, which he should be. however, it's not the bears fault either. i'd think you can't blame either side for the predicament, both are protecting their own interests.

 

Exactly. This is actually, exactly what I expected to happen this offseason. Neither side is wrong. Both sides are playing hardball.

[Banedon]

Nothing personal, but I hate this type of thinking. If you are a paperboy and you are getting 40,000 and can feed your family just fine, but other paperboys are getting 100,000 for doing the same amount of work, then you are gonna want 100,000, because that's what you're worth. It's not about having "enough" money, it's about having what you deserve. Briggs is one of the top 2-3 OLBs in the game. Top players around the league have long-term guaranteed contracts, in which they are paid market value. Briggs doesn't have that. I don't blame him for being upset.

 

I agree to an extent. I don't mind him not being thrilled at the situation, but to throw a temper tantrum of this extent is just ridiculous. It reminds me of a scene in A Few Good Men...

 

ROSS - In your professional opinion, was

Willy Santiago poisoned?

 

JO - Your Honor, we re-new our objection to Commander

Stone's testimony, and ask that it be stricken from the

record. And we further ask that the Court instruct the jury

to lend no weight to this witness's testimony.

 

JUDGE - The objection's overruled, counsel.

 

JO - Sir, the defense strenuously objects and requests a meeting

in chambers so that his honor might have an opportunity to

hear discussion before ruling on the objection.

 

JUDGE - The objection of the defense has been heard and overruled.

 

JO - Exception.

 

JUDGE - Noted. The witness is an expert and the court will hear his opinion.

 

 

SAM - I strenuously object? Is that how it works? Objection.

Overruled. No, no, no, no, I strenuously object. Oh, well if

you strenuously object, let me take a moment to reconsider.

 

JO - I got it on the record.

 

SAM - You also got it in the jury's head that we're afraid of the

doctor. You object once so they can hear you say he's not a

criminologist. You keep after it and it looks like this great

cross we did was just a bunch of fancy lawyer tricks. It's

the difference between paper law and trial ?

 

KAFFEE - Sam ?

 

SAM - Christ, you even had the Judge saying Stone was an expert!

 

This is the same thing to me. Briggs complaining isn't a problem. If he had just come out, said he was unhappy, and preferred to be traded...fine. But beating us over the head with it is actually having the opposite effect than what he's intending.

[Chocolate Milk]

So, if he sits out the whole season, he gives up all that cash. I can;t imagine this would garner him more money in the long run. Unless he get's moved, he'll give up a year in the absolute prime of his career, over 7 million dollars, and he'll have the "malcontent" label which would likely cost him money in his future contract.

 

I have to beleive he's trying his hardest to force a trade right now and if that doesn't happen, he's going to play. I think he may have gone a little too far as it might be difficult to come back after all this "I'll never play another snap for the Bears again!" stuff.