HowboutthemCowboys Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Determined to keep one of the NFL’s top defenses intact, the Bears on Friday designated Lance Briggs as their franchise player, guaranteeing him a one-year contract for $7.2 million, the average of the top five highest paid linebackers in the league bears.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhippens Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 excellent news. now let's work on that extension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 One down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitem0nkey Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 (edited) good move! but i hope does not mean its his last year as a bear Edited February 17, 2007 by whitem0nkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 (edited) excellent news. now let's work on that extension. Doesn't seem to happen too often after the tag because it usually indicates a long term deal would be too cap heavy for the immediate future. Alas, this was a no-brainer and a definite good decision. good move! but i hope does not mean its his last year as a bear Maybe Da bears tag him year after year until Urlacher retires and then sign a deal. Edited February 17, 2007 by bushwacked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitzkek Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Doesn't seem to happen too often after the tag because it usually indicates a long term deal would be too cap heavy for the immediate future. Alas, this was a no-brainer and a definite good decision. Maybe Da bears tag him year after year until Urlacher retires and then sign a deal. Just a thought. They Bears have an awful lot of money wrapped up by their linebackers now. I think it's a good move to keep him as there were 29 other francises that would have loved him, but w/Briggs and Urlacher eating up tons of cap space, will they be able to target other high profile potential free agents? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Well don't forget this is the year where every team gets a bump up in the cap. The only other FA I have read they were interested in was guard Steinbach from the Bengals. I'd REALLY like to see them sign him. I'd love it if they went after Nate Clements as well, but I doubt that. FA wise, they need depth but not starters. With Briggs tagged all 11 Defensive starters return, and I'd doubt they'd sign a QB. WR is a spot they certainly need help with as well. Keep in mind players don't usually like the tag because Brigss could make more this year if he signed a 5 year deal for instance. Also, Urlacher is only 28, so I doubt they franchise Briggs every year until Urlacher retires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Worth noting that Briggs just added a zero to his $720,000 salary. I think the Bears will get a deal done with him after 2007 season - unless they find a diamond in the draft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilthorp Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 The Bears need help on the offensive line and at tight end. I'm also concerned with their DE situation. It appears that teams can run right down Ogunleye's throat whenever they choose. Although tagging Briggs was a no brainer, they have a ton of work to do if they want to be the best team in the NFC next year. I think they're set at CB, DT, and LB. Outside of RB, I don't think there's one area they can't improve on the offense, with the exception of Kreutz and one of the guard's. Agree with PF about Steinbach...he's a local kid and would love to come back. I'd like to see them take a run at O'Hara from the Giants. TE wise, I think they simply scratched the surface as to what they can do out of that position with a mediocre player. If they can improve that position in a major way, that would be sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Swerski Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 they have a ton of work to do if they want to be the best team in the NFC next year. So, who in the NFC is better? Even with problems at QB and on the O-line, I'd say that the NFC is still theirs to lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 So, who in the NFC is better? Even with problems at QB and on the O-line, I'd say that the NFC is still theirs to lose. The pass rush is poor, though the return of Tommie will help no end. The way the Bears play defense, QB pressure is indispensable. I don't have much idea what they will do in the draft - probably OL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
URLACHERisGOD Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 excellent news. now let's work on that extension. Amen to that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitem0nkey Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 I would like for the bears to get a DB high in the draft. We will need one bye week 2 when mike brown goes down cause the water boy dumped into him. I cant wait till brown is out of town after next year. At least I hope they are not dumb enough to resign him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilthorp Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 So, who in the NFC is better? Even with problems at QB and on the O-line, I'd say that the NFC is still theirs to lose. I think Seattle and New Orleans were both teams that had a higher ceiling than the Bears did at the end of the year...so did the Cowboys. That's 3 teams that could challenge the Bears next year. SF is on the rise, NY/PHI are teams that might be as good--and CAR can bounce back big time next year. It's a crapshoot, but my point is this: In the NFL, you only get better or you get worse, you do not stay the same. The Bears have a lot of work to do if they want to stay on top of the Conference. This work is minimally on the offensive line, the defensive ends, and tight end....as a start. The biggest need IMO is at QB and that's simply one position they're not going to address in the offseason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowboutthemCowboys Posted February 19, 2007 Author Share Posted February 19, 2007 In the NFL, you only get better or you get worse, you do not stay the same. not true. Dallas has stayed mediocre for quite awhile now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilthorp Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 not true. Dallas has stayed mediocre for quite awhile now. That's a different thread, but they should be primed for a good 3 or 4 year run at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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