February 16, 200719 yr http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2768650 The Bears ended the first big question about keeping their players by placing the franchise tag on linebacker Lance Briggs, their top priority to re-sign this offseason. General manager Jerry Angelo informed Briggs he would be their franchise player. He was given a one-year tender at $7.206 million. For a team to acquire Briggs, it would have to potentially forfeit two first-round draft choices. Plus, the Bears would have seven days to match the offer. The Bears have until the middle of March to try to sign Briggs to a long-term contract. Briggs has Derrick Brooks-type speed and skills in the Bears' cover two defense, which makes him a franchise-type player. He would like to be paid as much as teammate Brian Urlacher, who has a nine-year, $54 million contract, but that might be tough for the Bears to do. Briggs becomes the second player to be tagged with a franchise label. The Bengals franchised defensive end Justin Smith on Thursdsay.
February 16, 200719 yr Wait. He wants to be paid like Urlacher. Urlacher makes 9yr (non-guaranteed) 54 mil. That's 6 mil per...correct? So he settles for 7 mil? I'm guessing that signing bonuses etc are probably what Briggs wants. Edited February 16, 200719 yr by knightni
February 16, 200719 yr The deal they offered him last year was for around $5.5 million per year, so not quite Urlacher money. You kind of see him being greedy, but then gotta realize in the NFL one play can ruin your career and the money is not guarenteed. This is potentially the only time in his career where he will be able to make this kind of money, his value is at an all-time high, can't blame the guy for wanting to get paid.
February 17, 200719 yr briggs is as good as urlacher and he should get paid accordingly Edited February 17, 200719 yr by lord chas
February 17, 200719 yr QUOTE(lord chas @ Feb 16, 2007 -> 10:47 PM) briggs is as good as urlacher and he should get paid accordingly False.
February 17, 200719 yr QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Feb 16, 2007 -> 10:52 PM) False. youre right briggs is better. briggs had more solo tackles and made more big plays. the super bowl definitely and even the divisional round exposed urlacher for not being able to take on blockers and stop anyone from running right up his ass.
February 17, 200719 yr QUOTE(lord chas @ Feb 17, 2007 -> 05:18 AM) youre right briggs is better. briggs had more solo tackles and made more big plays. the super bowl definitely and even the divisional round exposed urlacher for not being able to take on blockers and stop anyone from running right up his ass. You have no idea what your talking about
February 17, 200719 yr QUOTE(lord chas @ Feb 16, 2007 -> 11:18 PM) youre right briggs is better. briggs had more solo tackles and made more big plays. the super bowl definitely and even the divisional round exposed urlacher for not being able to take on blockers and stop anyone from running right up his ass. If you new anything about defense you would know that Briggs benefited greatly from their system.He is a good linebacker but his level of play would drop off on any other team.Not like a Warrick Holdman but there would be a drop off.Heck even Rosy Colvin was a disappointment when he left.Urlacher makes it a hell of alot easier on his teamates.
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