DMD Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Probably temporary but the situation is not getting any better.... Two Bears who missed workouts demotedBy Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com The move was probably a temporary one but, when the Chicago Bears began their mandatory three-day minicamp Friday, two starters who had bypassed most of the team's voluntary sessions in the offseason were demoted to second-team status. Tailback Thomas Jones, who rushed for a career-best 1,335 yards last season, was replaced by 2005 first-round draft choice Cedric Benson with the starting offense. On defense, Leon Joe worked at the weakside linebacker spot, supplanting Lance Briggs, who is coming off his first Pro Bowl campaign. While no one was diminishing the worthiness of Benson or Joe for first-team status, coach Lovie Smith all but acknowledged there was a not-too-subtle message in lineup tinkering. "To be at the top of the starting rotation," Smith said, "you have to be here." And neither Briggs nor Jones, two of the team's most outstanding players in 2005, when Chicago claimed its first division championship since 2001, has been around much in the offseason. The Bears apparently have had exemplary attendance at the voluntary workouts, but the absences of Jones and Briggs have been conspicuous. Smith, who despite entering just his third season with the Bears is suddenly the senior head coach in the NFC North, is a stickler for having everyone attend the offseason program. Neither player has offered an explanation for the absences, although both are said to have reported for physical exams in very good shape Thursday and seem to be diligently working out separately from their teammates. But their scant offseason attendance was likely prompted by contract matters. The Bears discussed a contract extension with Briggs, who is entering the final season of his original rookie deal in Chicago, and the two sides seemed close to an accord. But those negotiations broke off just before the draft and the talks have not resumed. Scheduled to earn a base salary of $721,6000 for 2006, Briggs will be eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring if an extension isn't completed, and the former University of Arizona star, a third-round pick in the 2003 draft, would command considerable interest in the market. Briggs, 25, is one of the top young outside linebackers in the NFL and has averaged 169 tackles over the past two seasons. Jones, 27, has two seasons remaining on his contract, at base salaries of $2.25 million each for 2006 and 2007, but left the voluntary workouts in early April and did not return until the mandatory minicamp began. The six-year veteran was the subject of trade rumors in the offseason, with the Indianapolis Colts said to have pursued him, and the Bears want to carve out more playing time for Benson, the fourth overall choice in the 2005, in the coming season. Said Smith in hammering home his point about the importance of the offseason program: "Everything starts over. I wish we didn't have to play anyone, and we could be NFC North champions this year. But they make us play [the games]. So all guys will have to re-establish themselves." The minicamp this weekend is essentially the last mandatory function for the Bears until they report for training camp on July 26. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billay Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 What's the word on Benson's recovery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Saw that yesterday on the news and today in the paper. He does look in great shape though! I never realized how big his guns really are!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 What's the word on Benson's recovery? 1497312[/snapback] Didn't read or hear any specifics. Bradley had No brace. Rex said he looks 90%, but not making his bursts yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Vatican Hitsquad Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Please. Like these guys won't be starting come August. Benson has a shot to prove he was not a waste of a #1 pick, but no way Briggs doesn't start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted June 3, 2006 Author Share Posted June 3, 2006 What's the word on Benson's recovery? 1497312[/snapback] He's fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goopster24 Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Things could get ugly fast.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted June 3, 2006 Author Share Posted June 3, 2006 Things could get ugly fast.... 1497450[/snapback] Could be. CHI showed Benson that they do not like to play games or give in to others and will make you pay the price if you try to force their hand. As a dynasty owner of both Jones and Benson, I definitely think they should trade Jones to another team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 I think trading Jones is not a smart move. Until proven otherwise: He's the better blocker He's a better reciever (Benson dropped 2 yesterday) He's a better runner He's in Lovie's dog house for now, we'll have to see how long that lasts. Benson was there 10 months ago. Don't forget Lovie put TJ at #1 AFTER he missed the voluntary minicamp. He came into this camp very fit. I'm not saying he won't be traded, but if they trade him, what do they get? More draft picks for2007?? The Bears seem to have most weaknesses covered for now barring injury. They have decent depth at most positions and if Bradley stays healthy and the '?' QB has a decent passing game w/ Mush as #2, I'd say we're in pretty good shape. Admittedly they have too much depth at RB/FB (9 last Icounted, 3 FB & 6 RB w/ 3 rooks....funny they list McKie as a FB in the DC, but RB in the roster.), so someone or two will be gone there. Besides why shouldn't they keep both TJ & Benson? That could make for an interesting season. Overall I like this team. JMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 As a dynasty owner of both Jones and Benson, I definitely think they should trade Jones to another team 1497454[/snapback] I couldn't have said that any better. I don't need this stress when I have other problems like Ahman Green and twenty of the Cleveland RB's to decide on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 I couldn't have said that any better. I don't need this stress when I have other problems like Ahman Green and twenty of the Cleveland RB's to decide on. 1497557[/snapback] ouch lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Could be. CHI showed Benson that they do not like to play games or give in to others and will make you pay the price if you try to force their hand. As a dynasty owner of both Jones and Benson, I definitely think they should trade Jones to another team 1497454[/snapback] .................Now I understand. I couldn't have said that any better. I don't need this stress when I have other problems like Ahman Green and twenty of the Cleveland RB's to decide on. 1497557[/snapback] Big roster or trying to lose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TecmoBeast Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 Jones decided to report. Looks like he wants to get his job back. This is going to be a very interesting training camp situation to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted June 4, 2006 Author Share Posted June 4, 2006 I think trading Jones is not a smart move. Until proven otherwise: He's the better blocker He's a better reciever (Benson dropped 2 yesterday) He's a better runner He's in Lovie's dog house for now, we'll have to see how long that lasts. Benson was there 10 months ago. Don't forget Lovie put TJ at #1 AFTER he missed the voluntary minicamp. He came into this camp very fit. I'm not saying he won't be traded, but if they trade him, what do they get? More draft picks for2007?? The Bears seem to have most weaknesses covered for now barring injury. They have decent depth at most positions and if Bradley stays healthy and the '?' QB has a decent passing game w/ Mush as #2, I'd say we're in pretty good shape. Admittedly they have too much depth at RB/FB (9 last Icounted, 3 FB & 6 RB w/ 3 rooks....funny they list McKie as a FB in the DC, but RB in the roster.), so someone or two will be gone there. Besides why shouldn't they keep both TJ & Benson? That could make for an interesting season. Overall I like this team. JMHO 1497535[/snapback] I agree that Jones is a better blocker and reciever (though CHI rarely throws to RB's anyway and Jones only had 143 recieving yards last year) but I am much less convinced that Jones is a better runner. Jones never had to start in CHI with 3 or 4 carries per game and in his first year he was not all that electric anyway. Even last year he had a number of games with average or worse yarage that was balanced by big games against DET, CLE, BAL and GB. That all said, I fully expect Jones to remain with CHI since they really want him there and really want both backs on the team. It is just that Jones is going to be pissed off all year being spelled by someone who makes twice as much cash as he does. Jones is under contract through next year, so it is not like he is in a contract year either. Unfortunately for Jones, it looks like all he can do is hurt his production this year and not improve his contract situation regardless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 Jones decided to report. Looks like he wants to get his job back. This is going to be a very interesting training camp situation to watch. 1497619[/snapback] I think they told him that they can't trade him if he doesn't report....so he reported... of course I may be short sighted here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TecmoBeast Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 he's got no place to go right now, no trades have been worked out. his best interests are to report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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