Lance Briggs has signed a one-year deal with the Bears, solidifying one of the league's finest defenses and continuing a tidal wave of good work by Jerry Angelo this off-season. He stuck to his guns on this one and it paid dividends.
The following is the story by Lenny P on ESPN.com:
Two-time Pro Bowl weakside linebacker Lance Briggs, who was unable this spring to reach a long-term deal with the Chicago Bears as a designated franchise player, on Wednesday agreed to sign the one-year qualifying offer of $7.206 million that accompanies the tag, and report to camp on Thursday.
Chicago will advance Briggs, who had earlier threatened to sit out until the 10th week of the season, $1 million of the $7.206 million. More important, the Bears have agreed that they will not use a franchise marker in 2008 on Briggs, to again limit his mobility, provided that he participates in 75 percent of the defensive snaps this season. Briggs, 26, has averaged nearly 90 percent of the defensive snaps the past three years.
So if Briggs remains healthy through the season, and reaches the same playing time levels that he has in recent seasons, Chicago will not be able to keep him off the unrestricted free agent market next spring.
"Lance decided it was in his best interests, and those of the Bears, to play football in 2007, and to be in camp on time preparing to do so," agent Drew Rosenhaus said Monday evening. "He wants to create the most positive atmosphere possible for himself, and he did not want this to be a distraction to the team. It's a good compromise for everyone involved."
A four-year veteran, Briggs has chafed much of the offseason at being designated as the Bears' franchise player. After rejecting a seven-year, $33 million contract extension last spring, Briggs had sought a long-term deal again in recent months. Bears officials, though, were steadfast in maintaining that they would not offer a multiple-year deal, and that Briggs' lone option was to sign the franchise tender.
Chicago balked at a long-term deal for Briggs, in part because the Bears' organization has already committed $6 million-$7 million per year to five-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. Although the Bears invested heavily to sign both starting cornerbacks, Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman to long-term deals within the past month, the club did not place a similar priority on the linebacker position.
The Bears' coaches also feel that a pair of young linebackers, second-year veteran Jamar Williams and rookie Michael Okwo, could soon be ready to move into the lineup. Both are projected as potential replacements for Briggs at weakside linebacker if he departs after the 2007 campaign.
Rosenhaus said that his client considered accepting the same arrangement from the Bears -- a one-year deal with the promise that the franchise tag wouldn't be used again in '08 -- earlier in the spring. But Briggs held out some hope that a trade could be consummated, and the Bears did negotiate with the Washington Redskins on a deal in March and April. The two sides were unable, though, to consummate a trade.
When he was in Chicago negotiating a contract for first-round tight end Greg Olsen three weeks ago, Rosenhaus re-opened dialogue with Chicago general manager Jerry Angelo about Briggs, and talks continued, finally resulting in Wednesday's accommodation.
"Once we got beyond the July 16 deadline [for franchise players to sign multi-year deals]," Rosenhaus said, "this was the best option. At that point, the Bears couldn't sign Lance to a long-term contract, and neither could any other team that acquired him in a trade. And so we tried to make this work, because, under that scenario, he wanted to remain with the Bears. And it's been my experience that players who hold out from camp tend to not play as well. This allows Lance to have another great season, and then we'll see what happens."
The agreement with Briggs means that just one of the original seven franchise players this year, New England cornerback Asante Samuel, does not have a contract.
Three of the players -- Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney (six years, $72 million), New Orleans defensive end Charles Grant (seven years, $63 million) and Detroit defensive tackle Cory Redding (seven years, $49 million), signed long-term contracts. In addition to Briggs, Cincinnati defensive end Justin Smith ($8.64 million) and Seattle kicker Josh Brown ($2.078 million) signed their one-year tenders. Neither Brown nor Smith elicited from their teams a stipulation precluding use of the franchise tag again in 2008.
Debate between the Bears and Briggs grew heated at times this spring, with the linebacker telling ESPN.com at one point that he would never play for the team again. He eventually softened that stance, but then adopted the position that he would not report until the 10th week, which would still permit him to gain a season toward the pension plan.
A former University of Arizona standout, Briggs was chosen by the Bears in the third round of the 2003 draft. He earned a starting job as a rookie, emerged by his third season as one of the NFL's top young weakside linebackers, and was chosen for the Pro Bowl in each of the past two seasons.
In 64 games, Briggs, one of the game's best all-around weakside 'backers, has 441 tackles, 3 ½ sacks, six interceptions, 29 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and three recoveries.
#2 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .Yep, this is great news that it is official. Now we've also signed our last pick, and will have everyone in camp tomorrow.
July 25, 2007
#3 Midway Monster said . . .I Put away all my SB bad feeling.An now I'm charge up an ready for this season to get started.
NFC here comes the Bears for the title!Come an try to take it.July 26, 2007
#4 Pissed off said . . .I don't know guys... to me we are missing one small added spice to the pot. We need a "character". You know, like someone who the other team fears and who would claim the game ball for himself even though out voted (a.k.a. Mr Butkus), or some one to wear "Pluto" on a white head band, or someone who the coach calls "that big tub of gooh". wdyt? I say we are still missing a classic "nut job".
--Midway--
July 26, 2007
#5 beardown1982 said . . .I dont know the team that well, I dont hang out with them in the locker room but I'm guessing we have that guy in Olin Kreutz. I've read some stories about the stuff this guy does and he's probably the nut job. Just look at his wide open eyes, he's like Singletary. I love that guy, he doesnt take crap from anyone, stands up for his teammates and he's the starting NFC pro bowler every year.
Regarding Briggs, this will be a nice farewell season for Briggs. And thats OK because by next year we will have Okwo or Williams ready to go, heck I thought they were ready to go this year. This is our super bowl season this year anyway. Its now or never. Everything has fallen into place so nicely its scary. When was the last time the entire team was at camp opening day? Rookies and all.
I bet Straw is cursing the day because of all this positivity. He's probably contemplating ending it all because things are so positive right now.
July 26, 2007
#6 Midway Monster said . . .Alright, it's official...Lance will be here this season.
Now, it's time to put in work.
No knockin' on the door this year fellas...it's time to knock the damn door down!!!July 26, 2007
#7 mikebdot said . . .BearDown1982:
Actually, it's time to hit the 7 man sled :)
--Midway--
July 26, 2007
#8 Rancid said . . .PO'd: That bit about Straw was brilliant.
July 26, 2007
#9 Midway Monster said . . .This is great. I see no issues heading into camp. PO'd, about the girl in college, what happened with me is that during one of her stints while she was gone, I met someone else (ended up marrying her). That's exactly what will happen with Briggs. He'll leave after this year, and we'll be fine at weakside. But it will be a great goodbye season. As far as the Straw goes, he'll always just be the Crotch as far as I'm concerned.
July 26, 2007
#10 Pissed off said . . .Rancid: As the poem goes:
If you love her let her go.
If she comes back she will be yours forever.
If not...
... The F it man, the season is about to start! whoooHooooo!--Midway--
July 26, 2007
#11 JB said . . .Okay I'm officially bored. I need to do something football related, maybe I'll do my own fantasy mock draft with myself. Oh God, that cant be fun. I need something...NOW!
Here's my predictions, positive style....not like Crotch.......
1. Rex has a fantastic contract year, makes the pro-bowl, throws 3oTDs and 4000 yards. (Did you know Rex threw 23 last year, 7th best in the league only to Manning, Palmer, Brees, Brady, E. Manning and Bulger? Not bad company huh Crotch?)
2. Wale does what we paid him to do, leads the league again in sacks with 18. Pro-Bowl
3. Urlacher leads the league in tackles with 170, Briggs comes in Second with 160. Both all pro..again
4. Benson has a breakout year, rushing for 1400 yards and 12 TDs.
5. Our Big four WRs combine for 3000 yards and 10 scores.
Ok its all a little over exaggerated but hey I'm drinking the Kool-Aid now before the season starts. I'll come back to reality after our first game.
July 26, 2007
#12 Pissed off said . . .So I'm doing the math PO'd...30 TD's for Rex...okay, I'm down with that...the top 4 WR's only get 10 of those scores though?
I'm trying to come up with where the other 20 are going? Here is my guess of what you were thinking for Rex's other 20 TD passes:
8 to Greg Olsen because he's awesome
4 to Devin Hester because he's awesome
2 to Garret Wolff...reggie bush lite
2 to Desmond Clark...couple goal line bunnies when GO has triple coverage
3 to Ced & AP; one on a screen play broken the distance, the other two on dump offs in the red zone
1 to himself...er, I don't really know how to explain this one...but if anyone can do it, Rex could totally thrown himself a TD pass.July 26, 2007
#13 Midway Monster said . . .Umm....yeah, thats what I was figuring. Way to nail it down but I think I had Rex throwing 2 to himelf?.?!
July 26, 2007
#14 Scott said . . .I see Urlacher taking a certian Green Bay QB to the mat as a final signature on said QB's career as my only prediction.
--Midway--
(again, it's all about the D fellas, when you gonna get on the Midway train?)July 26, 2007
#15 Midway Monster said . . .I agree it's all about the D, Midway. The O has little to do other than not give the ball up. As long as offense is somewhere between good and great we'll be in good shape. Game on.
July 26, 2007
#16 Megan said . . .So Vick says he is Not Guilty. Interesting. Maybe this is like the Tank situation and he didn't do it.
--Midway--
July 27, 2007
#17 Midway Monster said . . .I hope you are all proud of me...
I had a layover in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Guess what I wore??
Tee hee!
BEAR DOWN!July 27, 2007
#18 Pissed off said . . .Megan: I am guessing a bikini?
--Midway--
July 27, 2007
#19 Rancid said . . .Whad didnt Tank do? Cuz he did get arrested, he did break the no-tolerance policy, he was out drinking late at night, he did have guns and pot.
July 27, 2007
#20 Megan said . . .No more Tank. Tank gone. I know no Tank. Dusty I know.
July 27, 2007
#21 Midway Monster said . . .Midway,
My URLACHER JERSEY! Through the Minnieappleous airport!
Sheesh, dirty old man...
July 27, 2007
#22 Al in WI said . . .Megan:
he he he he he he he... sorry- I aint here to cause no trouble...
--Midway--
July 27, 2007
#23 Megan said . . .Excitement is in the air! Olin has had shirts made with "Unfinished," on them and the date of Super Bowl XLII.
Reports have it that the offense will use more no huddle in addition to the shotgun formation, and the ability to audible more!!! This is great; I can't even wait the two weeks for preseason to start.
July 27, 2007
#24 mikebdot said . . .Shotgun. I can't WAIT to see a shotgun in the Bears offense. Oh, that would ROCK!
Car Ride, Gas, Hotel to Chicago: $400.00
Two tickets to see a Chicago Bears Football game via a ticket broker: $600.00
Olin K's Super Bowl XLII shirt with "Unfinished" printed on it : Priceless!July 27, 2007
#25 Stuck in MN said . . .I've been waiting for some shotgun formation for so long. Oh my god. I've been asking for this and couldn't fathom why we didn't implement it last season at some point. The shotgun formation is a necessity in third and long situations, especially with two burners on the field, and a damn fast tight end in the middle of it. Get downfield, catch the ball, move the chains. 'nuff said.
I predict the opposing team blitzes like crazy when we go into shotgun and likewise, predict many balls being batted down, at least, the first few games, but hopefully Grossman can figure out how to pump fake, like the current quality QBs do (Manning, Brady, Brees) and get those bastards in the air, step to the side and deliver a perfect strike.
I'm literally salivating thinking about this. I'm a sick man.
July 27, 2007
#26 Max said . . .I am a bears fan living outside of Minneapolis...raised in Chi-town, bearing down in MN. I cannot wait for this year to crush the lousy team up here. I was at the game last year when Grossman hit Davis for a late TD. I mocked and ridiculed as many Vikes fans as possible on the way out of the rollerdome. I looked on a local website today, 58% of the MN fans polled thought they will win the division. I have never seen a fan base so far out of reality...anyway, lets get em this year!
July 27, 2007
#27 AreYouReadyForSomeFootball said . . .Yeah, how foolish of them. They should just accept the inevitable that the Bears are winning the division every year for the rest of my life. Jeez, all those viking fans need to get a grip on reality already.
RASHIED
July 27, 2007
#28 AreYouReadyForSomeFootball said . . .This is the year all rules, stats and standards will be broken!
These Bears are hungry!
Lovie and company have one goal! Superbowl Champs!
This is the year the offense will keep up with the defense!
Devin Hester, (enough said...give him the ball) Bernard Berrian, and yes...Rex Grossman too.
The defense won't have Ron (afraid of blitzing Peyton Manning) Rivera back this year. Lovie will run the defense!Exciting year....can't wait.
July 27, 2007
Megan
I am proud of you!
The Minesota crowd can be tough...except when playing Chicago!Happy travels
July 27, 2007
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