WHY THE BEARS NEED TO RESIGN BRIGGS

By: Zach Caskey

6/29/06

Lance Briggs, Lance Briggs, Lance Briggs. So far we haven't had a productive offseason with the budding OLB, he's decided to hold out on his last season of his rookie contract wanting more money than BRIAN URLACHER! Call the press this joker thinks he's better the the GREAT BRIAN URLACHER! I guess that problem child that was drafted from the third round is coming back to haunt us, WE HAVE A TERRELL OWNES ON OUR HANDS. Um no we don't and allow me to tell you why we don't.

Briggs doesn't think he's better than Urlacher, he was quoted after Urlacher won Defensive Player of the year saying the following: "He's the best linebacker in the NFL". What Briggs is comparing himself to is the rest of the NFL's OLB's or at least the very good to great one's, the person I will be using to compare to Briggs is Tampa Bay OLB Derrick Brooks, now remeber I will only count stats from Brooks first 3 seasons in the NFL which is how long Briggs has been in the NFL, also remeber they both have played in the Cover 2 defense for at least 2 of those 3 years respectivley.

Okay during Brooks first 3 season he averaged the following: 85.3 tackles, 8 deflected passes, and 1 interception. Now remember the OLB is used more for pass coverage in the flats and such which results in lesser tackles which is why you don't compare him to Urlacher at all due to the vast diffrence in the positions.

Now Briggs career averages (3 Seasons): 83.3 tackles, 7 deflected passes, and 1.33 interceptions. As you can tell these are very close numbers sure Briggs aren't as good but are close to the player that is regarded as one of the best OLB of our generation. And Briggs numbers match his nearly exactly for the first three seasons. I think but can't be sure but Brooks recived a HUGE contract extension after his third season in the NFL, Which is also what Briggs wants.

Okay i'm done with comparions now and this will now lead me to another point, who's Briggs backup if he holds? The answer is Joe Odom and rookie Jamar Williams. Williams is somewhat like Briggs was or at leasr that is what the Bears are hoping for thing is Williams is better @ weak side or LOLB and will be competing with Hillimeyer for the job. Now lets continue onto Joe Odom: in 48 games played he has only 36 tackles. And by what is coming out of Halas Hall he hasn't had a great Mini Camp or OTA's.

This only gives Briggs an even larger bargining chip. Sure alot of newer Bears fans/ NFL fans find his agent Drew "The Devil" Rosenhouse to be a reason on why not to re-sign him, thing is Drew has had many past clients that haven't hurt a frachise one example is MLB Zach Thomas. Antoher thing is Drew won't use Briggs the way he used Owens because Briggs isn't as high profiled of a player as Owens was who became a household name after the whole sharpie incident.

Another factiod I forgot to put in: Briggs was nominated for Defensive Player of the year and was the only LB outside of Urlacher to recive a vote. If the Bears don't give him an extension now he will end up still going to Training Camp at the last possible moment end up getting back his job from Odom and go on to have a excellent season, then he will be a free agent and he will see teams offer him more than he is asking for now, which will make it even harder for the Bears to sign him, because his relationship is begining to sour with the frachise.

Well i've put down all my points and evidence now it's up to the Bears to get him signed sealed and delivered back to his OLB position. One thing that I will rebut about that I will recive as a rebuttal is the Briggs is a good OLB made great by the defensive line. Thing is you can say the same about Urlacher in his first glory seasons he had Keith Taylor, and Ted Washington in front of him and then when they aged up and stunk Urlacher got blocked more and ended up hurting himself, same thing happened in 05 when Harris was still learning our defense, now with Harris, Tank, & co. he suddenly had a Hall Of Fame type of season! Would you be willing to risk losing a player to another team a player like Briggs who stats above competete with the best OLB of our current generation. You tell me that answer.

This entry will focus on the various positon battles the Bears will have going into camp and my predictions on who will win.

Positon Battle #1

- The Battle For Starting RB

If you where to think that "What Jones gets the spot he had a great seson!" Think again, Jones is angered by his contract and is willing to be a team cancer due to his agent: Drew the Devil. Knowing Lovie he won't put up with as it was shown in mini camp where he had Jones working with the 2nd team and Benson with the 1st. Also you have to remeber that Jones is coming into his 7th season in the NFL so he's past the average life expectancy. Where as Benson is fresh off his rookie season that showed flashes of brilliance before he went down with a McGahee type of injury but it wasn't as serious as McGahee's. Overall I think Jones will keep the job if his off field issues don't get in the way but with Drew the Devil as your agent chances are they will. So i'm taking Benson to come out of spring trainning with the #1 everydown RB for the Chi - Town Bears.

Position Battle #2

- Rex Grossman vs. Brian Griese

Even though this doesn't seem like one as the front office has basically said the Griese is #2, I have some doubts. Don't get me wrong I think Rex is a great QB but his injuries are becoming a problem which is why the Bears shouldn't put their full trust into him, if we ddin't last season we wouldn't of had Orton as our starter. Griese also has had recent knee problems but expects a full recovery. It should be intresting to see how this pans out and which one Lovie would want more. My choice is barring any injuries Rex will come out of the pre - season with the job (It will still be up in the air after Summer Camp).

Position Battle #3

- Ricky Manning Jr. vs. Bears CB

The big question with Manning is where will he end up on the roster since we already have Tillman and Vasher, will he be a dime, nickle CB, or take a spot from the top two? My answer: He is fighting with Tillman for the 2nd spot as Vasher is our solidified #1 CB, Tillman on the other hand could be in a bit of hot water as pretty much blown the Carolina game, and lost us the game against the Browns earlier this season. Tilman can't seem to come through at the right moment even tohugh in the Detroit game last season he did but in the aspect he is 1 for 3. I expect Manning Jr. to take Tillman's spot pending Manning's recent problems with the law and the possibility he may be going to jail also. If he does go to jail or casues too many problems, Tillman will get the #2 spot and Devin Hester will play as Nickle and Dime CB.

Position Battle #4

- Who will line up next to Harris on the line?

With Tanks injuries and law problems we should begin to contemplate who will line up with Harris.

So far it is an open competiton between the following:

- Ian Scott

- Dusty Dvorachek

- Mark Anderson

Ian Scotts #'s are down from 04 in tackles and I feel he isn't the answer, I personally think it will be a platoon type thing between Anderson and Dvorachek, Where Anderson would play head to head (his strenght) and Dvorachek when the Bears play the gap defense (his strength). It again should be an intresting race.

These where the main battles going into camp that I have highlighted through, and predicted a winner.

So until next time,

Fanatic OUT!

Most people are looking at the Bears offseason as a total bust but I don't feel we lost more than we gained.

Key Losses:

- Jerry Azumah

Key Gaines:

- Ricky Manning Jr.

- Devin Hester

- Brian Griese

- Tim Day

Okay allow me to start with the losses:

Jerry Azumah: A great CB that really excelled @ Special Teams but had to leave the leauge due to nagging injuries he was a great nickle or dime CB that really complemeted as Kick Returner.

Okay now for the adds:

Ricky Manning Jr.: Yes he is in hot water right now with the law and could become a distraction but besides that he basically was the replacment of Azumah @ CB, he could compete with Tillman for the #2 CB spot as Vasher more than likely solidified his spot on top.

Devin Hester: A Dieon Sanders type of player can play as a nickle or dime type of CB and is pretty much our Special Teams player, can make anything happen when he gets the ball on special teams, he replaces Azumah in this aspect.

Brian Griese: The biggest add this offseason he gives the Bears a good 2nd string QB behind Grossman, I have a feeling Griese will beat out Gross for the spot just by sheer playing ability and such. Downside is he comes with recent injury problems.

Tim Day: Tim Day was proboly the largest un drafted pick we got in the post draft. He was slated to go in the 3rd round but fell of due to leg injuries in his later years with the Oregon Ducks. In 04 he caught 35 passes for 415 yards with 8 TD's, but had a down senior year due to the injuries but he is a HUGE improvement from Desmond Clark, expect him to be our starting TE in the opening Day Roster.

Free Agency Grade: C+: Got two upgrades in Griese and Manning Jr. but could've gotten alot more.

Draft Review:

Okay the draft if you think about it wasn't as bad as many think it is. I disagree with the trading of our first round pick as I felt we should've grabbed either Moss or Pope with that.

Round Two: Danillle Manning

- The Bears in recent years have been sucsseful when getting DB from the colleges down south to examples are: Tillman, and Vasher. He Manning will most likely be used as a depth in the saftey area as we already have Manning Jr. and Hestner to backup Vasher and Tillman @ CB. Manning can also be used as a special teamer if Hestner goes down or ends up having to start.

Round Two: Devin Hestner

- Already talked about him above.

Round Three: Dusty Dvorachek

- Will more than likely take over for Tank and lineup beside Harris. Has a little bit of a character issue and has been in trouble with the law alot also. Is best as a gap lineman and tries his hardest when he's on the field.

Round Four: Jamar Williams OLB

- Can make a good backup OLB may end up taking job from Hillinmeyer but that is very unlikely. Will make a good Nickle linebacker.

Round Five: Mark Anderson DE

- Very much a steal here was a All Confrence player last season and was projected to go in the 2nd round. Can be used as a DE or a gap lineman will be a #3 DE this season and may be platooned with Dvorachek on the DL. (Was also a starter in the Senior Bowl at DE)

Round Six: J.D Runnels FB

- More of an athletic FB would be used more for FB passing plays than running, usually didn't finish off blocks and will more than likely be used as a backup to McKie for this season.

Round Six: Tyler Reed OG

- More than likely will be used as a backup OL and be built up through the years to become a starter as our OL is a little up their in age.

The Bears came into the draft with the following needs:

TE

OLB

DT

CB

They hit all of them pretty well maybey not as well as expected with OLB and TE. But Day will be good. The Bears in the past got a good OLB in the same round as the did Jamar this seaon and his name is Lance Briggs.

Overall Draft Grade: B -

Now i'm going to hit some issues that have been argued about by Bears fans over this offseason.

Issue 1: WHY DIDN'T WE DRAFT A WR!!!

- We honestly don't need one. The reason for the low numbers are because Orton could'nt pass all that great. Berrian and Bradley are amazing talents that can be a deep threat with a QB that has the arm and accuracy to throw it long which we have in Gross and Griese but didn't have it in Orton. When Gross was in Berrian looked like the second coming of Jerry Rice. Bradley was hindered to a knee injurie from the darn turf but is still a good talent. Muhammed even though he dropped alot he also trained in the camp with Grossman and not Orton. Expect him to trian with both Gross and Griese. We also have Gage who can be threat in the middle of the field with his size and has shown flashes of brilliance here and there. Add in track star Currie who was out with injuries and we have a dynamic reciving corp. All we needed was the QB which we now have.

Issue 2: WHY SHOULD WE DEAL WITH BRIGGS!

- Why not? Yes he wants he wants more cash than Urlacher but I personally belive he is better than Urlacher. Briggs is the premier OLB in the NFL right now and the Bears need to wise up and pay him before his contract is up after he has a great season this year and gets offers bigger than the one he wants now. In this aspect Urlacher is overrated after watchin games and only focusing on those two Briggs seems to have more of the "natural" talent that you just can't teach someone. Yes Urlacher is good but Briggs essentially is better. Just re - sign him.

Issue 3: What's up with Thomas Jones and holdout?

- Jones feels that after his amazing season that he had last season he deserves to be assured the starting spot and more cash than he is already making. Hate to rain on your party dude but your going into your 7th season the average life expectancy of a RB is 6 seasons. Your not going to get the cash and if you hold out we will just put in Benson, so you holding out won't hurt us as much as you may think it will you get alot of offers in free agency either because of your age.

Overall this offseason I give the Bears a pre training camp grade of: A -