Lance Briggs Wants Out of Chicago

I think this guy is a great LB but he also is a whinning little byotch! I don't want him here in DC with that kind of attitude and he certainly isn't worth more than $7mill a year he will get as a franchised player in 07.

I saw him crying like a little bitch on NFL Network yesterday. What a freaking baby. So his dumb ass is going to turn down a raise from 700k to 7 mill? Do some of these guys realize that these are the rules? If they don't like it do something else. I understand he wants a long term deal and he's frustrated but why take it to the media? He needs some diapers and a pass a fire.

Just to play devil's advocate for a moment. When the Bears decided to franchise Briggs, they made it about money as do so many other teams when they franchise their players.

While it seems like he's crying over $7MM, he's really asking for what he believes he's worth. Furthermore, I think the thing that has rubbed Briggs the wrong way is the culture that exists within the front office of the Bears.

Then he can go do something else with his life. These are the rules of the NFL. No one is forcing him to play football. Leave the 7 mil on the table and retire.

To be honest, I don't blame Briggs. I know a lot of people say that he shouldn't complain about getting a $7M salary when the average household income is $40,000, but that argument doesn't fly with me. The simple fact is that people try to get paid what they think they are worth, whether they are currently earning $15,000 per year, $150,000 per year, $1.5M per year, etc. I haven't met a single guy yet who has turned down a high paying job because they said, "ya know, I'm making a lot of money, but I'm not going to seek what I am worth because some households make a lot less than me."

Would Briggs be happy to get paid $7M per year? Of course. But he understandably doesn't want to sign a $7M 1-year deal, suffer a career-ending injury, and never play another down when the market suggests that he should be entitled to about a $15M SB on a 7-year deal worth $45M.

To be honest, I don't blame Briggs. I know a lot of people say that he shouldn't complain about getting a $7M salary when the average household income is $40,000, but that argument doesn't fly with me. The simple fact is that people try to get paid what they think they are worth, whether they are currently earning $15,000 per year, $150,000 per year, $1.5M per year, etc. I haven't met a single guy yet who has turned down a high paying job because they said, "ya know, I'm making a lot of money, but I'm not going to seek what I am worth because some households make a lot less than me."

Would Briggs be happy to get paid $7M per year? Of course. But he understandably doesn't want to sign a $7M 1-year deal, suffer a career-ending injury, and never play another down when the market suggests that he should be entitled to about a $15M SB on a 7-year deal worth $45M.

I agree with you 100%. But these are the rules of the NFL. Teams have a right to tag you. You don't see Asante Samuel crying to the media do you? Players need to realize this and not take it personal. The worst thing to do is go cry to every media outlet about making 7mil. That is what probably pisses off the fans that pay his salary. These are everyday working people who would love the chance to make 7 mil. It doesn't mean a long term deal can't be worked out. It's only March. They have several more months to get something done before the season starts.

To be honest, I don't blame Briggs. I know a lot of people say that he shouldn't complain about getting a $7M salary when the average household income is $40,000, but that argument doesn't fly with me. The simple fact is that people try to get paid what they think they are worth, whether they are currently earning $15,000 per year, $150,000 per year, $1.5M per year, etc. I haven't met a single guy yet who has turned down a high paying job because they said, "ya know, I'm making a lot of money, but I'm not going to seek what I am worth because some households make a lot less than me."

Would Briggs be happy to get paid $7M per year? Of course. But he understandably doesn't want to sign a $7M 1-year deal, suffer a career-ending injury, and never play another down when the market suggests that he should be entitled to about a $15M SB on a 7-year deal worth $45M.

This is what I'm saying here. If you remove said dollar amount frm the equation, it takes on a different light. Everyone is looking at the amount and justifying their argument based solely on that.

The Bears were at the table with this guy a year ago and things broke down on both sides. They knew the following year that the franchise tag was an option. In essence, they've used the rules to work in their favor. So one could possibly say, well, they stalemated talks with the intent of franchising the guy from jump street.

I agree with you 100%. But these are the rules of the NFL. Teams have a right to tag you. You don't see Asante Samuel crying to the media do you? Players need to realize this and not take it personal. The worst thing to do is go cry to every media outlet about making 7mil. That is what probably pisses off the fans that pay his salary. These are everyday working people who would love the chance to make 7 mil. It doesn't mean a long term deal can't be worked out. It's only March. They have several more months to get something done before the season starts.

I definately agree that Briggs isn't helping his stock in the eyes of other teams. But, he is certainly improving the chances of a trade. I don't agree with his public whining, but I can understand why he wants to get paid.

I definately agree that Briggs isn't helping his stock in the eyes of other teams. But, he is certainly improving the chances of a trade. I don't agree with his public whining, but I can understand why he wants to get paid.


As far as his public whining goes, he's just using the same public medium the NFL uses to market and make millions off these athletes.

Here's my thing about that. Sure, I wouldn't turn down $70,000 to go to another job, but if I'm already making enough money to live on the rest of my life, my loyalties and attitude are going to be a bit different. When it's the difference between comfortably living life or living life in luxury, I'm going to remember where I came from and sacrifice some of that money to charity and help to better this world.

you just used the key word that is missing in todays sports, loyalty. no one has it anymore. it is always about the money

Here's my thing about that. Sure, I wouldn't turn down $70,000 to go to another job, but if I'm already making enough money to live on the rest of my life, my loyalties and attitude are going to be a bit different. When it's the difference between comfortably living life or living life in luxury, I'm going to remember where I came from and sacrifice some of that money to charity and help to better this world.


You're right, TMC. I agree with you, but...the culture of the NFL is very unique and different from ours. And in fact, it's a money and greed driven culture that exists because of the owners.

If the Dan Snyders or Jerry Jones aren't turning away dollars or opportunities to pack stadiums to generate more revenue, I think it's unfair to ask the players, who are in fact the product, to turn away their portion of that revenue too.