juggalo6772

Briggs would become an unrestricted free agent after the 2006 season and a hot commodity on the open market. He’s coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he had a career-high, 170 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and two sacks. Although the former third round pick has expressed his desire to stay in Chicago, he went on record to stay he didn’t want contract talks to drag into the season.
The Bears have a history with Jerry Angelo as general manager of locking up young players before their rookie contract expires. Brian Urlacher, Mike Brown and Alex Brown are all prime examples of his philosophy.

Now it seems to be Briggs’ turn for a pay raise. The six-foot-1, 240-pounder is a key part of the defense. At 25, Briggs is still considered a player on the rise and knowing he’ll be in Chicago long-term would also reshape the draft.

The Bears have been contemplating taking a linebacker with the 26th overall pick in the draft. Getting an extension done with Briggs would push the position down the list of needs.

The team also spent time with Carolina Panther CB Ricky Manning Jr. on Thursday, but signing the restricted free agent to an offer sheet is being put on hold for the time being. However, the Bears are still prepared to make him an offer before the April 21st deadline.

The Panthers have limited salary cap space to work with and the bulk of their space has been designated for their rookie pool. The Bears plan to structure the deal to make it difficult for Carolina to match an offer. The Panthers would have seven days to match or receive the Bears third round choice as compensation.

With cornerback and linebacker potentially solidified before the draft

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Professor

I didn't think that they were interested in a LB, but were def interested in a CB and a TE and WR, if they get manning, don't rule him being depth and just pushing the CB pick to the second round, for manning wasn't even starting over gamble last year. This could mean that they want Pope in the first.

juggalo6772

Hes on there team but he only has one year left and after that hes unrestricted.

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Professor

they have more pressing needs than to take someone in the first for someone that may not return, I would think that they re-sign him.

Professor

http://www.suntimes.com/output/bears...pt-bear15.html

Bears' talks with Briggs hit snag

April 15, 2006

BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter

Contract talks on a long-term extension for Lance Briggs broke down Friday with the Pro Bowl linebacker still seeking more money than reigning defensive player of the year Brian Urlacher.

The Bears were optimistic following a round of negotiations with agent Drew Rosenhaus on Thursday at Halas Hall that a deal was coming soon, but the tone was decidedly different Friday afternoon as Rosenhaus returned to Miami. The sides met earlier in the day, but Briggs' high salary demands brought the meeting to a halt and increased the possibility the club will select his replacement in the first round of the April 29 draft.

General manager Jerry Angelo has been careful to maintain a salary structure on the team and certainly isn't going to pay Briggs, who just went to his first Pro Bowl, more than Urlacher, who has been selected to five. Briggs is entering the final year of the four-year rookie deal he agreed to and is scheduled to make $721,600. He will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2006 season.

The Bears feel there is a value to them giving a player a new deal before his contract expires, and as a result they are unwilling to overpay one of their own players. As previously reported in the Sun-Times, the Bears have hosted Florida State linebacker Ernie Sims for a predraft visit to check out his history of concussions. A source said there are no medical red flags with Sims. The team is also believed to think highly of Alabama's DeMeco Ryans, another mobile outside linebacker.

But if the Bears could get Briggs on board long-term before the draft, it would give Angelo increased flexibility, especially in the early rounds. The team remains in pursuit of cornerback Ricky Manning Jr., the restricted free agent from the Carolina Panthers, and is expected to extend an offer sheet to him in the coming week before the Friday deadline.

Briggs and Manning would allow Angelo to be unpredictable with the No. 26 pick in the first round. He could upgrade the offense with a tight end, add depth in the secondary with another cornerback or even tab a linebacker as a potential replacement to Hunter Hillenmeyer. Briggs plays the key spot in coach Lovie Smith's Cover-2 scheme -- on the weak side. His 170 tackles last season ranked him just one behind Urlacher, the team leader.

MickeyG

the Bears need to bring Briggs back.

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juggalo6772

you said it mickey hes a hell of a linebacker, losing him whould seriously hurt there defense.

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bigboy

You do know they had a pro-bowl TE last year right? And this is the biggest group of TE's in recent history, they will surly wait until round 2 IMO.

They need to get Briggs though, IMO he is there best LBer.

Professor

i hear ya big, but word around chi town is that they ove pope, so don't be surprised if they take him.