Bears place franchise tag on Briggs

by beardown on Feb 16, 2007 4:27 PM CST

Well they have been talking about doing it so I don't think anyone is surprised.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-070216briggs,1,3048258.story?coll=c s-home-headlines

I still think we need to draft another linebacker in the early rounds to add depth to the position.

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Sweet....

hopefully Snyder or Jones don't go nuts and offer something so irrational that the Bears don't match it, but it would be incomprehensible for them give up 2 1st round picks just for Briggs and the $$$.

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by thecubreporter on Feb 16, 2007 5:13 PM CST reply actions

WHAT!

I hope Snyeder and Jones both go nuts and try to sign him. I'll take a teams next two #1 draft picks for anyone on our team other than Urlacher. I can live with Leon Joe for a year.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Feb 16, 2007 5:50 PM CST up reply actions

well, w/ 2 #1 picks

we damn well better not have to rely on leon joe. we can draft a LB in the 1st round to replace briggs. i still hope we work out a long term deal w/ him, but yeah, if someone wants to sign him, i definitely wouldn't mind angelo getting 2 more #1 picks. and honestly, i wouldn't be shocked if he gets a contract offer elsewhere. the defensive market is dry, and briggs is one hell of a LB.

by guy incognito on Feb 16, 2007 10:59 PM CST up reply actions

Franchise tag...

Has any team ever signed a franchised player? I don't think so. I can't say for sure but I will bet any one a six pack of beer that they have never done that.

Speaking of franchise players anyone remember before the 2000 season when we tried to get Simeon Rice (my favorite non-Bear in the NFL. side note - went to U of I with him for 4 years and had half of my classes with him as we had the same major) then Arizona franchised him and then we looked at Tony Brackens and Jax tagged him so we settled for Phillip Daniels. Talk about a booby prize. His only claim to fame was when he deflected the Tim Couch pass that Mike Brown picked and brought to the house in the most awesome back to back OT victories in Bears' history. </rant>

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Feb 17, 2007 1:28 AM CST up reply actions

Do you know...

which 1st round picks we get? Do we get this year's and next year's 1st rounders or next year's and 2009's 1st round picks?

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Feb 17, 2007 12:16 PM CST up reply actions

My Guess...

Is next year and the year after. What if they sign him after the draft? Or would they have to sign him before the draft. Anyway.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Feb 17, 2007 4:46 PM CST up reply actions

if anything

If anything, this means the Bears will get something instead of nothing in case Lance signs elsewhere. Good move by the Bears brass; now give Lovie his extension.

Unleash your inner Grabowski.

by jrm78 on Feb 16, 2007 5:30 PM CST reply actions

Seems to spoil players on their teams...

Or something. I have no idea what Briggs is thinking, of course, but I know a lot of players see it as an insult to be franchised. Briggs was set to cash in. Now, an injury this year will screw him out of a TON of money. He was likely looking at AT LEAST $10-$12 million dollars guaranteed for next year, and another $10-$20 in a contract. Now, it can all still happen if he stays healthy and hits FA next year.

Anyway, I remember the team being big on Jamar Williams before he got hurt. I think they expect Briggs to leave after next year and are hoping that Williams will at least show himself capable for 2008.

Obviously, I have no idea if the team is even in contact with Briggs right now regarding the situation or what their intentions are, and I really don't know the in's and out's of salaries and free agency in the NFL, but to me, this seems the most logical.

by tyger1147 on Feb 17, 2007 12:02 PM CST reply actions