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Bears linebacker Lance Briggs finally spoke with the media yesterday, after being compelled to do so by the NFL. Since training camp began in late July, his three-minute statement to the press after wrecking his Lamborghini was the only time he’d talked.
While forced to talk with reporters, he didn't settle for canned cliches or vague statements -- there was real news contained in his words.
We all remember, during the off-season, when Briggs felt dissed when the team placed the "franchise" tag on him and he claimed he'd never again play for the Bears. Briggs threatened to hold out the entire 2007 season if need be. Ultimately, the lure of $7.2 million and a promise not to "franchise" him again got Briggs to sign and suit up.
So the 2007 season was Briggs' last hurrah in a Bears uni -- right? Not so fast! In yesterday's media session he left the door open to a return to the team, "No matter what was said in the offseason, when you go out and you play and you prove to them that regardless of what happened ... you're here proving that you want to be here.'' That's what he meant, right? When asked directly if he'd return if given a long-term deal, he replied, "Absolutely."
With his performance on the field -- he's only 4 tackles behind Brian Urlacher despite missing a game with an injury -- he's making it awfully hard for the Bears to justify not including him in their long-term plans. He'll be costly, for sure. But can they afford to let him walk?
Photo by AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
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There's a very simple explanation for Briggs breaking his silence.
Drew Rosenhaus realized that Rex Grossman isn't going to be back with the Bears next year, and he would have signed a $40-50 million contract.
Now that cash is free and the Bears can work something out for Briggs instead.
Maybe that's the case... unless the Bears choose to spend that money on another free agent QB like Donavan McNabb.
I don't really understand how NFL contracts work so maybe I'm misguided here but...why would the Bears spend money on McNabb when they have Griese locked up? Trust me, i'd rather have McNabb but are we able to get rid of Griese?
Griese is only a temporary solution at QB -- the the QB for the next 5 years. They'd likely keep him as a backup if they signed a new starting QB. On the other hand, NFL contracts are not guaranteed, so they Bears could cut him if they needed to free up cap room.
Good to know. It's weird that the Bears have never had a Favre-like QB who starts for 10 years or something. But on the other hand, look at Brady and Romo, probably two of the best QBs right now. One was drafted in the 6th round and the other wasn't even drafted. So sometimes it just seems like luck-of-the-draw. Look at all the QBs in the psat who were taken very high in the draft and never amounted to anything. Heath Shuler anyone? Rick Mirer? Tim Couch, Ryan Leaf...it's all a crapshoot.