The Wolf Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 (edited) ...does the team make a run at bringing Tank Johnson back into the fold? That D has taken an awful lot of hits... EDIT: Tank Johnson, not Tank Williams. Doofus...! Edited July 17, 2007 by The Wolf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSULions Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 They can't. They need to make a statement to the players that their behavior impacts not only themselves, but also the organization and they made the decision as an organization and they have cut bait with Tank. Someone else may give him a chance, but I would be stunned if the Bears did. JMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 (edited) Tankwas important last year due to the health of Tommie Harris. With a healthy Harris to start, I could care less about that bum OR Briggs because I see more important players to the D are returning. Honestly, and I'm not trying to spin: I think non-homers overrate both Briggs and Tank. The stars of the DL are Harris, last year's rookie Anderson and the pairing of OGun/A Brown. If one of our DEs goes down I'm more worried. The speed and threat coming from our edge rushers play a large part in our DTs being effective. Drop a monster like Tommie Harris in there and it's explosive. Tank by himself is adequate: solid but not spectacular. Idonje, Adams and Dvorcek provide solid depth (as long as Harris stays healthy) IMO. Frankly, with the depth behind Harris I'd rather see Tank go than Alex Brown who may or may not be with the team when camp breaks. And Briggs is another in a line of guys who play better by paying next to Brian Urlacher. It's easier to do well when no one is targeting you, but your teammate leaving you against the 3rd or 4th blocker. Also, the secondary will start the year flat out sick and stays that way as long as Mike Brown is healthy. They need to find his replacement this year because he's not getting younger. Locked up Vasher, closing in on Tillman, both Mannings were effective and Lovie will look to restart Archuleta's achievements. Edited July 17, 2007 by Pope Flick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmarc117 Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 i think they had a feeling that briggs wasnt going to sign when they cut tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 i think they had a feeling that briggs wasnt going to sign when they cut tank. Judging by Rosenhuas' and their comments a long term deal wasn't in the works after he turned down l;ast years offer He should have signd that deal. It didn't sound like they wanted him long term and think he can be replaced for less money. I'm just going by public comments from both sides. They may feel Williams or even Okwo will do fine. Tommy Harris is better than Tank anyway. I think he's the one(his recovery) to consider more than Briggs'. They msut feel good about his return. Note how much he was missed late last season. I'm not a homer but try and stay on top of the Pack's rivals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 Tank Williams Tank Williams Johnson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 If I was a bear fan, I'd be real worried. There is still a question as to what will happen with a disgruntled Alex Brown. Tank isn't as good as Harris, but few are. He is still one of the better interior linemen in the league, with incredible speed for such a big man. While Urlacher is great, if he has a weakness, it at the point of attack. He's a side line to sideline player but can be over powered when it is coming right at him. If you don't think Briggs will be missed, the you are mistaken. If I was a bear fan, I'd be pretty concerned about teams just running it up the middle on them all game long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolf Posted July 17, 2007 Author Share Posted July 17, 2007 Johnson. Wow...brain fart by me. Thanks Ursa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheShiznit Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 If I was a bear fan, I'd be real worried. There is still a question as to what will happen with a disgruntled Alex Brown. Tank isn't as good as Harris, but few are. He is still one of the better interior linemen in the league, with incredible speed for such a big man. While Urlacher is great, if he has a weakness, it at the point of attack. He's a side line to sideline player but can be over powered when it is coming right at him. If you don't think Briggs will be missed, the you are mistaken. If I was a bear fan, I'd be pretty concerned about teams just running it up the middle on them all game long. Believe me when I say this....we Chicago homers love Lance Briggs.....but in the Tampa two....Williams will do just fine. I think everyone forgets who Dusty Dvorcek is....he was Tommie Harris' teammate in college. He is a beast. Strong SOB. He is another Mongo...so tank no tank...who cares...in Dusty we trust. The true loss was Ian Scott....provided good depth and quickness....good run stopper. With Williams, Okwo, and Joe....Briggs is definitely replaceable. Look what Crowell did in Buffalo replacing Takeo a couple of years ago....I have no worries about this team at all...on either side of the ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Believe me when I say this....we Chicago homers love Lance Briggs.....but in the Tampa two....Williams will do just fine. I think everyone forgets who Dusty Dvorcek is....he was Tommie Harris' teammate in college. He is a beast. Strong SOB. He is another Mongo...so tank no tank...who cares...in Dusty we trust. The true loss was Ian Scott....provided good depth and quickness....good run stopper. With Williams, Okwo, and Joe....Briggs is definitely replaceable. Look what Crowell did in Buffalo replacing Takeo a couple of years ago....I have no worries about this team at all...on either side of the ball. You still haver Urlacher. You'll be fine. I'm wondering if Lovie can get Archulatta to play like he did under him in St Louis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Believe me when I say this....we Chicago homers love Lance Briggs.....but in the Tampa two....Williams will do just fine. I think everyone forgets who Dusty Dvorcek is....he was Tommie Harris' teammate in college. He is a beast. Strong SOB. He is another Mongo...so tank no tank...who cares...in Dusty we trust. The true loss was Ian Scott....provided good depth and quickness....good run stopper. With Williams, Okwo, and Joe....Briggs is definitely replaceable. Look what Crowell did in Buffalo replacing Takeo a couple of years ago....I have no worries about this team at all...on either side of the ball. Ian Scott definitely. Adams was a nice pickup for this season tough. Losing Alex Brown would hurt more than losing both Briggs and Tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungBob Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Believe me when I say this....we Chicago homers love Lance Briggs... I'm a Chicago homer and I wouldn't rush to that judgement. Briggs is a nice player but, as you mentioned, may be the product of the system. The right guy at the right time. He didn't get many picks or sacks. The Bears seem to have a number of potential replacements though I realize quantity does not equal quality. I still wouldn't rule out Briggs return before the season starts...too much money on the table for Lance Briggs, Inc. to leave behind. If he does...great. If not...I believe the Bears LB corps will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheShiznit Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 I'm a Chicago homer and I wouldn't rush to that judgement. Briggs is a nice player but, as you mentioned, may be the product of the system. The right guy at the right time. He didn't get many picks or sacks. The Bears seem to have a number of potential replacements though I realize quantity does not equal quality. I still wouldn't rule out Briggs return before the season starts...too much money on the table for Lance Briggs, Inc. to leave behind. If he does...great. If not...I believe the Bears LB corps will be fine. You are right. It will be just fine. I guess a good precursor would be to go back a couple of years when Urlacher hurt his calf and see what Briggs actually did then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 I'm a Chicago homer and I wouldn't rush to that judgement. Briggs is a nice player but, as you mentioned, may be the product of the system. The right guy at the right time. He didn't get many picks or sacks. The Bears seem to have a number of potential replacements though I realize quantity does not equal quality. I still wouldn't rule out Briggs return before the season starts...too much money on the table for Lance Briggs, Inc. to leave behind. If he does...great. If not...I believe the Bears LB corps will be fine. His stats are very comparable to Urlacher's, and most Bears fans seem to think Urlacher is God.. To me he statistically he actually looks better than Urlacher. Assists are the only real place Urlacher jumps ahead of him, and that is probably the most subjective stat there is on defense. Solo / Assist / Sack / INT Briggs 109 / 21 / 1 / 2 Urlacher 92 / 49 / 0 / 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 His stats are very comparable to Urlacher's, and most Bears fans seem to think Urlacher is God.. To me he statistically he actually looks better than Urlacher. Assists are the only real place Urlacher jumps ahead of him, and that is probably the most subjective stat there is on defense. Solo / Assist / Sack / INT Briggs 109 / 21 / 1 / 2 Urlacher 92 / 49 / 0 / 3 You're not saying (I hope) that Briggs could as well as Urlacher in the middle are you? His stats are more a product of teams conecntrating on Urlacher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 His stats are very comparable to Urlacher's, and most Bears fans seem to think Urlacher is God.. To me he statistically he actually looks better than Urlacher. Assists are the only real place Urlacher jumps ahead of him, and that is probably the most subjective stat there is on defense. Solo / Assist / Sack / INT Briggs 109 / 21 / 1 / 2 Urlacher 92 / 49 / 0 / 3 Urlacher does that as the focus of the opposing offense trying to take him out of every play. Briggs does that as the beneficiary of not being the focus of ANY play. Warrick Holmdan looked the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 You're not saying (I hope) that Briggs could as well as Urlacher in the middle are you? His stats are more a product of teams conecntrating on Urlacher. No I'm not. Briggs is a much better OLB than a MLB. That being said on most teams the MLB has more tackles than and OLB. At any rate I don't have a dog in this hunt. I just think that some of the Bear homers are downplaying Briggs' contributions, and the impact that his possible absence will have, and that it will be magnified even more due to Tank being released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 No I'm not. Briggs is a much better OLB than a MLB. That being said on most teams the MLB has more tackles than and OLB. At any rate I don't have a dog in this hunt. I just think that some of the Bear homers are downplaying Briggs' contributions, and the impact that his possible absence will have, and that it will be magnified even more due to Tank being released. That's true. He is a very good LB but in this day and age I don't think you can pay 2 LB'ers Urlacher money so you have to save where you can. That is my take on it. Losing Tank will hurt some too but in their division I think they'll be OK. He'll probably play for the tender ($425,000 is a lot to give up) and next year they can put Williams or Okwo in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilthorp Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 Perch, I wouldn't worry about Alex Brown...he was dippin his toe in the water and saw all the sharks. He'll play with a big smile on his face this year. That won't make him anymore than just average...but he'll play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheShiznit Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 No I'm not. Briggs is a much better OLB than a MLB. That being said on most teams the MLB has more tackles than and OLB. At any rate I don't have a dog in this hunt. I just think that some of the Bear homers are downplaying Briggs' contributions, and the impact that his possible absence will have, and that it will be magnified even more due to Tank being released. Most middle linebackers don't play in the tampa two scheme. You could put me in at middle linebacker in Tampa Bay and Derrick Brooks would still clean up. In the Tampa Two, the MLB is not supposed to get alot of tackles.....the WLB is fed all the plays....it is the way the defense is schemed. So, the fact Urlacher scores as many tackles as he does is a testament to how much of an outstanding freakish talent he is. Briggs is very replacable.....don't get me wrong...I would rather have him....but he is replacable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
URLACHERisGOD Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 You still haver Urlacher. You'll be fine. So you do understand... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jester9 Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 I'm a Chicago homer and I wouldn't rush to that judgement. Briggs is a nice player but, as you mentioned, may be the product of the system. The right guy at the right time. He didn't get many picks or sacks. The Bears seem to have a number of potential replacements though I realize quantity does not equal quality. I still wouldn't rule out Briggs return before the season starts...too much money on the table for Lance Briggs, Inc. to leave behind. If he does...great. If not...I believe the Bears LB corps will be fine. I'm a Bears homer, and given the choice I'd love to see Briggs in the line up. Problem is that the Bears have a number of players ot sign. They already signed Vasher. They will have Harris to sign. I think the money is better spent on these guys than it was on Briggs. They will not resign Tank. If you notice there hasn't been a mad dash to secure his services from anyone else either. So that might lead you to believe that the rest of the NFL is not exactly enamored with what he brings to the table either. If Tank was a superior player some team would have already made an effort to go after him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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