BULLITT

NFL NAILS NINERS FOR TAMPERING
Posted by Mike Florio on March 24, 2008, 6:39 p.m.

In what is believed (by us) to be the first finding of tampering against an NFL franchise since the Miami Dolphins lost
a first-round pick in connection with its hiring of coach Don Shula,
the league office has announced a finding that the San Francisco 49ers tampered with Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs during the 2007 regular season.

Specifically, the NFL found that the 49ers contacted Briggs’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, without permission from the Bears.

As a penalty for its conduct, the Niners have been stripped of a fifth-round pick,
and the Niners and the Bears will flip-flop third-round selections, upgrading the Bears from No. 12 overall in round three to No. 7,
and dropping the 49ers to No. 12 from No. 7.

BULLITT

San Francisco lose pick for tampering with Bears' Briggs
By Vaughn McClure
Tribune staff reporter

March 24, 2008, 10:31 PM CDT

NEW YORK -- Lance Briggs envisioned suiting up for the San Francisco 49ers. He never imagined they would lose a draft pick over him.

The NFL found the 49ers guilty of tampering with the Bears linebacker last season and punished the NFC West team Monday by taking away its fifth-round selection in the April 26-27 draft. San Francisco violated the league's anti-tampering policy by contacting Briggs' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, last season without the Bears' permission.

Briggs was on a one-year tender as the team's franchise player. He declined to comment when reached by phone Monday. Rosenhaus did not return a message.

More importantly for the Bears, the 49ers also were forced to switch third-round picks with them. So instead of having the 12th selection of the third round, the Bears have the seventh.

Moving up five spots could have a significant impact, considering a solid quarterback, running back or receiver could be on the board early in the round.

Commissioner Roger Goodell came to a final decision Monday regarding Briggs, who re-signed with the Bears for $36 million over six years.

"We are appreciative of the efforts of the league," Bears President Ted Phillips said in a statement.

Scot McCloughan, general manager for the 49ers, wasn't as complimentary.

"We believe that our intent was within the NFL guidelines," he said.

BU54

Hopefully we can get some good players with all these picks this year...and keep them.

__________________
Bears always have and always will need a quarterback!! But not a MLB.


10-7-07 Bears 27,Packers 20
12-23-07 Bears 35, Packers 7
Then Brett Favre Retired...

Professor

the third rounder is only 5 picks up and 5th rounders get cut all the time, this really isn't that big of a deal. There is nothing that says they couldn't get the same guy 5 picks later in the third round that they would have originally targeted.

__________________

BU54

Bears management will cut the "good" players and keep the "lousy" ones.
Like they just did when they cut Griese and signed Wrex.

__________________
Bears always have and always will need a quarterback!! But not a MLB.


10-7-07 Bears 27,Packers 20
12-23-07 Bears 35, Packers 7
Then Brett Favre Retired...