I like the Chicago Bears. But one of the things the sports fan wrestles with almost daily is the idea that the players don't care as much about winning as we do. Lance Briggs, ladies and gentlemen, is not concerned withwinning.
Lance Briggs is never going to be remembered as one of the best linebackers to play the game. Never close. But Lance had the chance - by staying in Chicago for a boo-hoo-hoo 7.2 million dollars next year - to be part of a defense that could have lived forever in the history of a city and its team. He wouldn't have been Singletary. He would have been Wilson and Marshall combined. This team just left a Super Bowl and they'll be the conference favorite to get back there. Instead...
Mr. Briggs Goes to Washington and I don't wanna hear shit about respect from the organization or being "the man" on a team that just spent a fortune on London Fletcher. Briggs wants cash and he wants it now. And for that cash, he's more than willing to risk spending the next few years on one of the conferences five worst teams. He's more than willing to not sniff the playoffs or the Pro Bowl. He's than willing to lose as long as the Ferrari is parked out back.
So Lance, so long. Enjoy the money and - even more - enjoy the playoffs. You'll be able to purchase a 40 foot television for your new DC suburban mansion to watch the Bears play on. And you'll think to yourself, "Maybe I should have stayed in the city that loved me, with the team that drafted me..."
#2 Midway Monster said . . .you true, i guarantee i see lance in dupont circle with all the other botty boys
March 28, 2007
#3 Megan said . . .Amen Brother Jeff. Folks with priorities like this often fall on their own sword. There is much more to life than the almighty buck.
I am sure Danny-boy is willing to doll out the greenbacks. He has been for years. And it is getting him no where.
Briggs... don't let the door hit you on the way out.
--Midway--
(rehab)March 28, 2007
#4 AfroCelt said . . .Mr. Briggs:
Don't let the door hit cha where the good Lord split cha!
Here's yer hat (helmet) thar's the door!
Take a long walk off a short pier!
Have fun counting all your money, that's the only fun you're gonna have this upcoming season!!
(I feel better)
March 28, 2007
#5 jeff said . . .How solid is this? I'm searching for something semi-confirming.
It would be lovely if it was true....who fills his spot if he goes?
March 29, 2007
#6 WindyCityPackerFan said . . .it isn't too solid right now. apparently john clayton is reporting now that the bears are afraid of this because they feel they're being bullied. more to come. i think the deal gets done.
March 29, 2007
#7 jdawg said . . .Yes, the deal sounds like a good one....for Drew Rosen(penis)haus and Lance Briggs.
If you really want to make a point w/Briggs....let him sit.
If Drew Rosenhaus (who never wore a jockstrap in his life; probably was the kid you only hung around with because he had an air hockey table in his basement) is touting this as a brilliant move by the Bears, then it shouldn't be done.
So the Bears move up to #6 while giving up #31 and Lance Briggs. Angelo is bright enough to recognize the progress of a former top 10 pick (Benson) and see that trading a proven player and a pick for an unknown commodity is risky.
But hey, let the drama begin! We're not seeing much action in GB right now, this is entertainment for me!
March 29, 2007
#8 Alex said . . .Go read Don Pierson's Trib col. on this matter.
March 29, 2007
#9 thegreenmenace said . . .This article from the washington post today offers some interesting perspective from the Redskins' end:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/28/AR2006082800465.html
March 29, 2007
#10 thegreenmenace said . . .In my mind, it is not a question of whether the Bears will trade Lance to the Redskins, but a matter of whether we will we get ripped off again like we did with Jones?
March 29, 2007
#11 Pissed off said . . .Here is some perspective form the Chicago end:
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/318363,CST-SPT-bear29.articleMarch 29, 2007
#12 Phil from SATX said . . .Got back h0me on Tuesday, everything is fine, were learning as we go...future bears fan will be wearing his bears gear today, yes he already has several bears attire.
Coxy, I wont go soft on it, I swear. Sorry I havent had time to post, I will check again later but in a nutshell what have the Bears done since last weekend, we still have Briggs, we signed Tyrone Carter, is that about it?
March 29, 2007
#13 Phil from SATX said . . .Must-read Sun-Times article today about Lovie and Tank. Lovie is a seriously special guy, and after reading this article, I believe that he can inspire loyalty like no one else. Enough has been said about Briggs, but I'll just add that Briggs' actions indicate that he doesn't value this head coach - which has to mean something doesn't work right inside him.
When and if Tank ever gets a chance to get back on the field, I think he will have a motor second to none, with much of it fueled by a motivation to pay back Lovie for his support. As much as Tank deserves to be where he is, I get kind of sick hearing about how the NFL may make an example out of him. PacMan Jones is out there bashing a stripper's head against a stage and getting people killed. Tank owned some guns that he wasn't supposed to have, guns that no one thinks he meant to use with any ill intent. 60 days in jail is quite enough for that crime.
This is not breaking news, but I, for one, am very very glad we have Lovie Smith as our head coach. Great things are going to happen with him in charge.
March 29, 2007
#14 Fred said . . .Missed your post, congrats again, PO'd, post some stats already! How big, how long, how's mama, you know the drill. Great news!
March 29, 2007
#15 Midway Monster said . . .I've had enough too.
See ya.
Tell me it's not about the money. Tell me how the Redskins (or whoever) respects you and that's why.
Whah.
You MIGHT get a big payday but you will pay for this decision the rest of your days. That is if winning means a thing at all.
We do know that your agent wants the most money he can get. Ol Drew is making you look like a turd to fill his own pocket.
Bottom line; the Bears winning the Super Bowl is not dependant on Lance Briggs being a Bear. So long.March 29, 2007
#16 showstopper said . . .Looks like the Bears are doig what every team has done. Hold out a tad longer till Danny boy opens that Redskin wallet a bit more. Skins are foolish not having a GM and letting Danny pour dough out like he does.
As for the Bears, the option of having Briggs sit in the dunce corner is still a card they can play.
Hope this saga ends soon & Briggs hits the road.
--Midway--
(still in rehab with Super Bowl flashbacks that cause night sweats)March 30, 2007
#17 Midway Monster said . . .remember colvin and holdman. how are they doing now? maybe he will fit in like arrington did. oh he didnt thats right. i would get alot of tackles to if i wasnt the center peace of the defence.
March 30, 2007
#18 Z said . . .Exactly 1 month till draft day! (now ask me if I can remember my wedding anniversary?)
--Midway--
(rehab)March 30, 2007
#19 Z said . . .Ah the Lance and Rosenfuck fiasco. While yes, I would want 20 Mil guaranteed over 7.2 Mil, we can't keep panicking and trading players (good, if whiny players who want to be the "man" right now and become even more rich than they already are just because they aren't getting it their way right now) for almost nothing.
Right now I would rate the off season as pretty good. Maybe B- Lose a few backups to big contracts after going to the SB (crappy but expected), trade TJ for what equates to a late 3rd rounder I think (very crappy, I have faith in CB but still stings we didn't get more), good if not very good trade for 1 AA and sign another AA (good, can't hurt anyway, he's quick, young, has some experience we'll see) and sign Ruben (very good), but we can't just keep swapping picks for very good players that are under contract. It is a carte blanche for every player with every kind of contract beef to mutiny against us. I am a fan of getting rid of selfish players that do not seem to care about their teammates, winning or the fans that help make them so rich even if they are talented (you need a team philosophy to win in football, you can't just buy an all-star team and get a super bowl), but I am not a fan of the impact caving in to players demands that are under contract and the pressure their slimy agents try to emit can have on a football team.
Unfortuantely image is very important in many parts of life and negotiating and business are two of them. We need to get some players and more picks for Lance or we are going to look like wishy washy doormats as an organization. I know you don't often know the character of a person until they are put in this situation, but we have to do what is best for the Bears this year and in the future. Fuck Briggs, his talent will be missed but I don't care if he ever plays another snap for us or for anyone else for that matter, but we have to get some serious value if we are going to create a hole at one of our defensive positions for a player that went to the Pro Bowl the last two years (even if he should be sending Urlacher thank you cards each of those years for that accomplishment every time it is mentioned).
He will get lit up as a Redskin and I will enjoy it as long as we hold out for Danny boy to cough up some more. If not I would rather bluff him sitting out and passing on 5 mill than get screwed on another trade.
March 30, 2007
#20 JHOV said . . .Wow that was really long, sorry. LB and DR really piss me off!! Fuck them both! Go Bears!
March 30, 2007
#21 Z said . . .Folks.....we must stop the hating.
I'll use a common analogy to prove my point.
If you're in your 1982 Datson car and some jerk drives by in a fancy Porsche and give you the finger, what do you do?If you have any self worth, you'll flick them off too---just to prove your point.
Now the Bears leadership team was that guy in the Porcsh, and Lance Briggs was (ok, not driving an '82 Datson, I know) that guy who deserved more. Lance was that upstanding man who knew he was worth more, so i gave the leadership the middle finga.
He walked. To a losing team, sure. But he wouldn't allow himself to be treated like that--not when others are making ridiculous amounts of cash.
and I don't hate him for it.
As a Bears fan, I would love for him to be around and it definitely hurts the D, but I don't hate him for being a man.
As Chris Rock said, "I can't say I'd do it, but I unda' staaaaand!"
Good luck Lance. Enjoy your $$$March 30, 2007
#22 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .It's more like a guy in a Bentley driving buy and flicking off a guy in an Escalade. It's hard to feel to bad for either one, just everyone get off your cell phone while your driving. Briggs should bitch at the Players Union that sold them out, kinda, on that rule.
March 30, 2007
#23 Phil from SATX said . . .Well when I 1st heard this ,I was like get this deal done like yesterday.But after sitting back an pondering."who replaces Briggs?"Leon Joe is the 2nd stringer.So is he the answer if Briggs left?.
Most sportswriters(hacks)reported that teams are trying to trade down(even the Skin's)So maybe this pick doesn't hold that much value.Go JA, fleece this team,An let the Skin's realize that they let a agent talk them into something that they didn't want in the 1st place.
Plan A Briggs plays angry this year an tackles anything moving.
Plan B he's doing sit ups in his driveway,An ponder how many burgers he has to flip to make 7 Mil dollarsMaybe the Bears hold onto Briggs until the trade deadline.I'm sure teams could get desperate if they lose a LB an need to fill a hole.
Does anybody know where Briggs agent lives so I can key his car, an leave a flaming bag of poo on his doorstep?
BearDown forever!March 30, 2007
#24 Coxy said . . .Okay, I'm started to get excited about the draft - someone had mentioned the possibility of using whatever we get from Briggs to move middle round and take Greg Olsen. I don't know anything about him, but he's the best tight end in the draft, so it stands to reason he would make an immediate impact on Rex, and him and the Des Dispenser together? fageddaboudit!
Now imagine that Jeff's fullback from Rutgers Brian Leonard is available at the 37 pick - double fageddaboudit! I believe that tight ends and fullbacks are much lower risks of being busts (or less effective than projected) than wide receivers - so you've got two instant producers whose presence likely makes the receivers we've got that much better - plus they are both targets that would skew the pass calling to lower risk, shorter plays - just what Rex needs to get to Pro Bowl and Super Bowl form.
Whattaya think?
March 30, 2007
#25 beardown1982 said . . .Briggs' recently shenanigans really show that we have something special in #54. That guy only cares about winning. His willingness to lower his contract in order to keep the defense in tact around him is unfathomable in this age of Briggs-like primadonnas.
Coming into this offseason, I had such respect for Briggs. A guy who quietly went out there and produced. A guy who did not get all the attention he may have deserved, but did not complain about it. Lets just say that respect is pretty much out the window. I would have never guessed that Lance Briggs was the next TO.
March 30, 2007
#26 big rob said . . .In regard to the hatin' of Briggs, I understand why some do and others don't. Bottom line really, when it comes down to team loyalty...fans are really on their own. Most of the players want to win with the team they are on, but are hard pressed to sacrifice much to stay with any team if more green is on the horizon somewhere else. At the same time, it's not like the ownership is going to watch out for those same players once their numbers go down. As they all say, this is a business.
That said, I think Lance is acting childish for saying he feels disrespected. This is how the Bears operate, I don't see why he is surprised about the Tag. He will get 7 mil next season, but he is right, if he suffers a major injury, he is real screwed. At the same time, lets say the Bears signed him to the huge contract he wants...if he has a career ending injury in the first game next year, do you think lance would give back any of the guaranteed money? Hell no.
I hold no grudge with Lance. He is a great player. Do I feel sorry for him or his bank account right now? No, I don't. Please Lance, just take the tag like a man.
March 30, 2007
#27 Phil from SATX said . . .interesting article on NFL.com
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/10095969
March 30, 2007
#28 JB said . . .Enough about Briggs - he's in the past already - No Longer A Bear (at least in spirit). So no one is interested in the concept of getting the tandem of Greg Olsen and Brian Leonard? No nibbles whatsoever? C'mon people it's Friday! Time to wax rhapsodic about the future! Let's go!
March 30, 2007
#29 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .Okay Phil, Since I suggested Olsen, I certainly agree with that. I love the idea of the FB Leonard, but not with the 37th pick...lets see if we can trade down the 6th (if it happens) and pick up a late second/early third and use it on Leonard.
Although, I would say we have bigger needs than a fullback, it all depends on what we can squeeze out of this Briggs situation. If we can get some combination of the following, I'd be happy; TE Olsen or TE Zach Miller, OL Grubbs &/or OL Staley, WR Bowe or WR Jarrett, or, finally, OLB Timmons or Poslusky (sp?).
Clearly, that is a wish list, but you have to figure someone will fall lower than they should and if we play it right, we'll be getting some instant contributors (Olsen or a WR) and we can build for the future OL. That's my crystal ball.
March 30, 2007
#30 flo said . . .I'll take the bait.I think even though Olsen is the best"rated"TE in the draft.I don't think he's the best.I think he falls into the Heath Miller mode.(best rated TE in the draft)He hasen't shown much yet,but he learning.So most scouts haven't been saying he's a polished TE ready for the next level.Most percieve him of having the tools to succeed(project TE)An a high #6 or lower 31st pick for him might be high.the 37th pick might make more sense,with the cap investment.
We don't need another FB.We just drafted Runnell last season,An Mckie just got a new contract last year.I can't see any team carrying 3 FB.Most teams plug in a TE to fill in if the FB goes down.
I like your logic on making those moves though it has the potenial to improve a key area(TE)if Olsen falls into our laps.I got my fingers crossed that TE is a position that the Bears address in this year draft.(2 TE sets are all the rage now in the NFL)
March 30, 2007
#31 Midway Monster said . . .Couldn't have written it better.......cheers
March 31, 2007
#32 Megan said . . .Waiting for this Briggs deal to close is about as exciting as waiting for grass to grow.
Well... I am off to go watch the Masters on the release program from rehab. A few of us from here are going.
Megan - your cast off?
--Midway--
(Rehab)April 2, 2007
#33 craig said . . .Midway
Yes, I got it off last Friday. Thanks for asking!
Are you guys doing shots everytime Tiger does his signature arm thrust, or everytime Lefty's right man booby flops in the breeze?
Hope you are doing better and they bust you out of there soon.
XXOO
MeganApril 2, 2007
#34 craig said . . .Thought other folks in our little community here might want to check this site out: http://ballhype.com/nfl/chicago_bears/
April 2, 2007
#35 Pissed off said . . .update, a description of their site: "Take the community submitted news engine of Digg or Slashdot, the fanaticism of sports followers from SportsBlogs Nation, sprinkle in Google-like spidering of more than 1,600 sports blogs, and you have what just may be the perfect recipe for a breakthrough destination sports site."
if anyone finds their way over there, i created a group for Bears fans, so we'd have a place to call home. http://ballhype.com/group/chicago_bears_fans/
April 2, 2007
#36 craig said . . .We're kind of in the Bears abyss right now, sports in general is getting exciting, opening day for baseball, NCAA natn'l championship tonight. Lets move on from this Briggs shit already, I was hoping a trade would get done but it looks like the Bears and Briggs/Rosenhaus are in a stare down and we may have to wait a few months yet before we see who blinks. I dont really give a shit right now.
Alright stats on my kid.....name Cade Jordan, weight at birth 6 pounds 0 ounces (little guy, and no he's not a premie) 19" long. Mom is fine, though I saw some things I will never forget. Born March 25th at 9:52 AM. All done without drugs....she was beggin for em but because we went in at 2:30 AM by the time the anesthesiologist got there it was too late. Very tough to see your wife screaming and crying in pain for hours. It may be my only kid because of that, but at least its a boy!
April 2, 2007
#37 Al in WI said . . .Congrats!
April 2, 2007
#38 Max said . . .Update from fan convention: A couple of interesting news stories to come out of the Fan Convention this weekend.
1. The Bears are weighing the Redskins trade offer and will get back to them this week with a counter offer that could ask for Rocky Micintosh (I can't spell) as well as they're #1.
2. Mike Brown will be a starter at one of the safety positions.
3. They will use the shotgun more as part of the offense from start to finish.
Thought that was intersting.April 2, 2007
#39 Pissed off said . . .HEY CONRATS PO'ed. Good to hear all are doing well
April 2, 2007
#40 thegreenmenace said . . .Thanks for all the good wishes and congratulations! Thanks for the update as well Al. Pretty obvious that MB will be a starter, as long as he completely rehabbed by opening day. Wouldnt it be sweet if we got that deal done with the Redskins? It would give us all some major excitement on draft day? If we can get the #6 pick and a player like Mcintosh for Briggs, I'm all for it. And if we can use the shotgun a bit more (I mean "a bit" since we didnt use it at all) that would be great, Rex's happy feet would calm down. Hey has David Carr been picked up yet? Wasnt he released and wasnt Domanick Davis too?
April 2, 2007
#41 Midway Monster said . . .More on Rex and shotgun formation.
Shotgun part of plan to aid Grossman's development
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?STORY_ID=3242April 2, 2007
#42 Midway Monster said . . .Hey POed, glad to see another Bear fan has entered into this world. With the proper guidance and mentoring, I am sure Little POed will be typin' on this site in no time.
C O N G R A T Z
--Midway--
(rehab)April 3, 2007
#43 Megan said . . .Megan, glad to hear the cast is off. Now we need to hunt down that F&^%ing Packer fan that did that to you!
--Midway--
(rehab)April 3, 2007
#44 Pissed off said . . .PO'd Cudos to that wife of yours. I wish you and yours health, happiness and.. sleep very very soon. Hang in there!
Midway, talk like that won't get you outta rehab any time soon!! Inside voice, buddy!
April 3, 2007
#45 big rob said . . .I hate this stalemate shit, lets get some news on something. Its boring right now but it's gotta heat up. Maybe we'll make some sort of draft day trade including Briggs.....some big name will fall and we'll deal Briggs to get the guy we want.
April 3, 2007
#46 Al in WI said . . .love the optimism... need some action....
April 3, 2007
#47 Al in WI said . . .NFL Network says the deal has hit a snag as the Bears are asking for a player to be included in deal for Briggs. According to them it's Lamar Marshal, not Micintosh.
One of the Bears concerns is that most people feel the only players worth that kind of $$ are the top 5 and no one wants the #6.April 3, 2007
#48 Big T said . . .Another Tidbit from the Fan Convention is that Turner said he felt the Bears O-Needs are Speed/big play Wr, youth for O-Line, and Recieving TE in that order.
I'm kinda excited about that, he specifically mentioned that they need someone on the other side of Berrian to make D's pay for doubling him. That's a indictment of Moose, and a signal that they're going to look at wr.
This story is on the website under Chalk Talk.April 3, 2007
#49 Ted in IA said . . .Looks like a stalemate at the moment
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6640430?MSNHPHMA
April 3, 2007
#50 Coxy said . . .Thank GAWD Jerry A didn't fall for the Redskin "deal". Now let Mr Briggs sit on the sidelines (as long as he can), and turn down half a million a week.
Would have been very hard to respect the Bears brain trust if they had caved in to this crappy draft swap. Anyone care to get into a pool as to how long Lance will sit out ?
April 3, 2007
#51 Midway Monster said . . .I like this too.
1. It shows they are not giving into a T.O. like player who isn't willing to follow a rule that the players union agreed to.
2. Lance will play next year all games he can. He cant turn down that money. He hasn't made enough yet, and also, his future pension would take a beating to. If he does turn it down, I hope he slips on ice and breaks a hip for being greedy.
3.Maybe the Skins will come back and offer us Rocky McIntosh - a skilled, raw OLB who played at Miami.
4. They dont have to pay the ridiculous bonus that the top rounders demand. If the Bears can get the same production from this years draft picks as they did last year, than Moneyball II should be written about them. They showed last year what you can do with the late round picks.
April 3, 2007
#52 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .Daniel Snyder is money bags. He loves to spend, spend, spend (and gets nothing in return). Seems to me the Bears are playing this just about right. It's a lot like catching a Marlin. You need to let line out at just the right time, and pull er' in at just the right time.
--Midway--
(rehab)April 3, 2007
#53 Big T said . . .Hey,Just to bring something else to talk about
What if Briggs changes his mind an decides to stay in Chicago,An sign the 6 yr contract offer?Would you still cheer for him?I'd be an idiot an say yes.An hope his play make me forget this off season fiasco.
Congradulation again to your expanding new family PO'd
April 4, 2007
#54 jdawg said . . .I've thought about that as well. Has Briggs burned all of his bridges in Chicago? Would the fans have a change of heart and cheer him next year if he decided to stay and play? It's tough to say. I know that a Superbowl win would change a lot of minds but I get the feeling that a lot of people (my self included) aren't going to forget easilly and would rather see him on the bench all year (or for the last 6 games if he sits out the first 10).
April 4, 2007
#55 Pissed off said . . .the fans would forgive him the second he makes his first big play.
You know, the thing I never could figure out is that if Lance took a little less than he could have gotten on the open market and stated publicly he did so because he loves Chicago and the fans, his endorsement deals would fly through the roof.
April 4, 2007
#56 Jimmy Roberts said . . .I disagree, Briggs would be booed profusely when he's introduced and when his name is called for a tackle or whatever. He would be forgiven but not till about the middle of the season or 4th home game. As the playoffs neared he would be liked again.
April 4, 2007
#57 milking cows said . . .Free agency has killed pro football. It looks like pro wrestling and tennis combined. What a shame for a once great league Pete Rozelle created.
September 2, 2007
#58 Intamnwak said . . .Her whole family is preditory. That father of hers complaining HARD about his $150,000/year salary.
Now we all know where she gets it.
Should be automated anyways. You let the blacks in New Orleans off. An advanced topic. You should focus on the basics first.
Barely skilled labor.
Reincarnated as milking cows, ironically.
The enemy within.
You don't understand how unions hurt people's relationship with the Gods. But this is too is advanced.October 4, 2009
#59 Gourmet Blogger said . . .Todd Cowle Municipal Bond Credit Report synthesizes, analyzes and presents aggregate credit information and trends in the municipal bond market. The report includes municipal bond rating information from the three major rating agencies – Moody’s Investor Services, Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings.
March 16, 2010
Whassup everyone, I’m a noob to your site, but I’ve been looking at it for a while, and the info is awesome. Thanks alot!
November 17, 2010
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.