Lance Briggs Wants Out of Chicago

Ever notice how the Franchise Tag is always "slapped" on a player? It's never placed, tapped, set, or designated.

Always slapped.

Interesting.I think most people who say it's "slapped" are generally against it where as people who say it's "given" or "placed on" aren't as opinonated with it.

I just say slapped because it roles off the tounge better.

Good point though.

Briggs doesn't owe the McCaskey's (owners of the Bears) anything. He certainly does owe Lovie Smith and 52 other guys in that locker room his football ability as they try to defend their NFC title.

Briggs is trying to claim theres a seperation between the two. There isn't. He's been offered numerous long term extentions and has declined. There's a difference between future financial security, which the Bears have offered him, and greed which is what is causing him to turn down their offers. Sure, players inferrior to him are getting the big bucks. But because the Bears slapped the tag on him, he is responsible to play his next season in Chicago. He has a right to not play anywhere, but he's letting his team down if he does so.

Bottom line is that if another team had chosen him, he might have ended up buried somewhere on a depth chart. So I would expect him to play for my team if I'm Lovie Smith.

Well, actually Briggs has stated in no uncertain terms that he has a strong affinity for the team, the locker room and coach Lovie Smith himself. His divide starts and ends with the front office. So in the world of the National Football League there is absolutely a seperation of the two.

We as fans and consumers would love to think and believe otherwise, but that's not the case.

As far as Briggs being responsible to play because of the franchise tag, well again, if Briggs blows out his knee all in the name of loyalty and team spirit, he's left holding the bag. Ask Javon Walker.

True, true. I don't know, GT. Briggs' ego aside, my thing is the owners have essentially created this market and the cut-throat culture that exists. Owners and GMs hack players left and right like it's nobody's business. In ten years no one will hardly remember who Lance Briggs was, but that same owner will still be raking in even more in the millions.

The whole honor your word and be a man thing is a two way street as far as I'm concerned.

If you want me to honor my word when it's convenient for your business, then honor yours when I blow out my ACL.

The owners will always have the upper hand becasue they own the team. I would like to see if briggs sits out and turns down 7 mill.

Well, actually Briggs has stated in no uncertain terms that he has a strong affinity for the team, the locker room and coach Lovie Smith himself. His divide starts and ends with the front office. So in the world of the National Football League there is absolutely a seperation of the two.

We as fans and consumers would love to think and believe otherwise, but that's not the case.

As far as Briggs being responsible to play because of the franchise tag, well again, if Briggs blows out his knee all in the name of loyalty and team spirit, he's left holding the bag. Ask Javon Walker.

Javon Walker had one good year and then wanted a new deal. BIG DIFFERENCE. I wouldn't have paid Javon Walker either.

Ever notice how the Franchise Tag is always "slapped" on a player? It's never placed, tapped, set, or designated.

Always slapped.

Interesting.

I wish someone would slap me with 7 mill. I'll take all the slaps I can get.

To there is just no question it's about greed with this guy. I don't think it has anything to do with the whole "what if I take a 1 year, $7+M deal and suffer a horrible injury?" He turned down a $33M deal last year and came back and played for small potatoes this season. What if he suffered a career ending injury this season?? Even if he plays this year for the $7M and loses a leg, he still has SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS to fall back on for the rest of his life!!! In my opinion he is what's wrong with professional sports today. He's f-ing pathetic and the more I think about it the angrier it makes me. Ohhhh, poor Briggs. The team is SOOOO disrespectful to me that they name me their franchise player and offer me over $7M to play 16 football games. Cry me a river you dick.

To there is just no question it's about greed with this guy. I don't think it has anything to do with the whole "what if I take a 1 year, $7+M deal and suffer a horrible injury?" He turned down a $33M deal last year and came back and played for small potatoes this season. What if he suffered a career ending injury this season?? Even if he plays this year for the $7M and loses a leg, he still has SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS to fall back on for the rest of his life!!! In my opinion he is what's wrong with professional sports today. He's f-ing pathetic and the more I think about it the angrier it makes me. Ohhhh, poor Briggs. The team is SOOOO disrespectful to me that they name me their franchise player and offer me over $7M to play 16 football games. Cry me a river you dick.

That is $437,500 per week gross for 16 weeks. Assuming taxes and other union fees and dues at 40% (high side) that would be $262,500 per week take home pay. That is just insane. It takes the average american almost 5 years to make that kind of money this asshole makes in a WEEK!

I really think if people ignored the amount of money involved here more would understand Briggs' side of this. To me ignoring the amount of money helps boil it down to the fundamental issue. Including the money muddles the discussion.

How many of you would want to stay at a job where they could give you a one year contract for a good amount of money but by doing that you have no opportunity to explore a market where peers of equal or lesser perceived ability are getting similar amounts of money or greater over a longer period of time?

None of you I would imagine. To me the amount is pointless. If you wouldn't want to be tied into one year contracts and limiting your overall gain over a period time then you can understand why Briggs is upset and why so many others who get tagged are upset.

That is $437,500 per week gross for 16 weeks. Assuming taxes and other union fees and dues at 40% (high side) that would be $262,500 per week take home pay. That is just insane. It takes the average american almost 5 years to make that kind of money this asshole makes in a WEEK!

of course, he's much more likey to drop dead at 58.

That is $437,500 per week gross for 16 weeks. Assuming taxes and other union fees and dues at 40% (high side) that would be $262,500 per week take home pay. That is just insane. It takes the average american almost 5 years to make that kind of money this asshole makes in a WEEK!

Thank you for the reinforcement jbcjr. I'd like to smack Briggs in that greedy mouth of his (then I'd turn around and run away REALLY FAST!!)