Bears (including Briggs) like Williams

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on May 23, 2007 11:12 AM CDT

David Haugh (the best Bears writer, IMO) had a nice piece on Jamar Williams earlier this week. He opened with an interesting note that Briggs called Williams, asking him to take his job. The insinuation is that its good for Lance's buddies still with the Bears and will allow the Bears more leverage and flexibility in dealing him.

There was also talk of support from teammates, with this interesting lack of doubt:

In contrast, a year ago during Briggs' mini-camp holdout, replacement Leon Joe was nicknamed "Not Briggs" by a couple irreverent teammates who couldn't envision Joe ever starting in the Bears' defense. There were no such signs of disrespect for Williams, a former fourth-round pick.

So i guess that makes Jamar "Not Not Briggs," which is a good thing. If the team isn't just blowing sunshine up Haugh's ass (and i trust him enough to catch on to that sort of thing), the Bears could end up with a win-win situation. Either they trade Briggs and get proper value in return or they call his bluff and if he comes back they'll have great depth at LB. The only way they lose is if Williams tanks it (or gets hurt again), Briggs holds out the whole year, Okwo doesn't pan out, and the team can't find good value for Briggs in trade. I like our chances.

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I do, too.

As I said earlier, Williams' injury might be a blessing in disguise. (I'm not saying it's going to be, or even that I think it will be, just that it might be.) Had he played all year and shown he could step in, the team doesn't franchise Briggs and gets a supplemental pick next year. As it is, they'll get at least a 2. And if Williams is adequate, they can take 85 cents on the dollar in a Briggs trade and still consider it a "win."

by tyger1147 on May 23, 2007 3:39 PM CDT reply actions

Supplemental Draft

How does the replacement pick work? Is there a website which explains it? Thanks.

by IrishGush on May 26, 2007 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions

"Compensatory Picks"

Linked here

In addition to the 32 picks in each round, there are a total of up to 32 picks dispersed at the ends of Rounds 3 through 7. These picks, known as "compensatory picks," are awarded to teams that have lost more qualifying free agents than they gained the previous year in free agency. Teams that gain and lose the same number of players but lose higher-valued players than they gain also can be awarded a pick, but only in the seventh round, after the other compensatory picks. Compensatory picks cannot be traded, and the placement of the picks is determined by a proprietary formula based on the player's salary, playing time and postseason honors with his new team, with salary being the primary factor. So, for example, a team that lost a linebacker who signed for $2.5 million per year in free agency might get a sixth-round compensatory pick, while a team that lost a wide receiver who signed for $5 million per year might receive a fourth-round pick.

If fewer than 32 such picks are awarded, the remaining picks are awarded in the order in which teams would pick in a hypothetical eighth round of the draft.

Info on the supplemental draft in mid-summer.

This one is mostly for "problem" players.

by tyger1147 on May 27, 2007 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions

They can't start until after the 3rd round

That's why the there can be more than 100 picks on the first day (3 x 32 = 96). My guess is that as the Bears get more players to fit its system, they might command too high of a price like Briggs, and the Bears will replace them with youngsters. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bears get an extra 5th/6th round pick in this manner.

by tyger1147 on May 27, 2007 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions