Lance Briggs - Potential Free Agent

Isn't he built more for the Mike position?

that's what I thought, and that's what he played in college. I was always hoping he'd be a fletcher clone in a couple years.

On a side note, looking back at last year's draft, the front office certainly made the right picks. Landry and LB depth, hard to argue w/those decisions now.

Isn't he built more for the Mike position?

Yeah but he seems versatile enough to play outside too.

I would also prefer Karlos Dansby to Lance Briggs

Lance Briggs -> NO
Chad Johnson -> YES

I wouldn't panic at linebacker. I like our reserves. This is their opportunity to contribute.

FYI - The salary cap situation is such that cost will not be an issue on Lance Briggs. Even with a $20 million signing bonus.

I can understand the debate over adding a LB when other needs may be paramount, but if you're concerned on salary cap, you're incorrect.

Schneed, the two are one in the same w/regard to personel; priority & cap space. If you're saying that it's not only possible, but feasible to sign Briggs, I won't argue w/you, as I trust your cap analysis. However, the issue is w/regard to the salary & cap space that Briggs will command, 1) is he worth it?, and 2) is he a higher priority than DE, CB,WR, S, etc.?

My point is that we should not break the bank for the guy for a no. of reasons, but mainly because his deal would disproportionately affect our ability to address other needs.

If they are going to spend big free agent dollars there are much more needed players than Briggs. I would rather have Bob Sanders or Asante Samuel to name a couple...or I am just as good laying low and not spending big since we always seem to have a better team when we don't sign big free agents.

We could use another linebacker. Rocky has an injury history, MW has been nicked up quite a bit lately, and Fletch is no spring chicken. While Briggs could be a fine addition to this team, I'm sticking with my Karlos Dansby campaign.

Agreed, Dansby is a better player with a cheaper price tag. Not come off as a complete clone or anything, but the players to target (depending on $$, draft, etc. - and I'm not saying to get all of them) are Dansby, Justin Smith, Bernard Berrian, and maybe Trufant (but the dollars for Trufant will probably be way too high).

Schneed, the two are one in the same w/regard to personel; priority & cap space. If you're saying that it's not only possible, but feasible to sign Briggs, I won't argue w/you, as I trust your cap analysis. However, the issue is w/regard to the salary & cap space that Briggs will command, 1) is he worth it?, and 2) is he a higher priority than DE, CB,WR, S, etc.?

My point is that we should not break the bank for the guy for a no. of reasons, but mainly because his deal would disproportionately affect our ability to address other needs.

dead on balls accurate...

Schneed, the two are one in the same w/regard to personel; priority & cap space. If you're saying that it's not only possible, but feasible to sign Briggs, I won't argue w/you, as I trust your cap analysis. However, the issue is w/regard to the salary & cap space that Briggs will command, 1) is he worth it?, and 2) is he a higher priority than DE, CB,WR, S, etc.?

My point is that we should not break the bank for the guy for a no. of reasons, but mainly because his deal would disproportionately affect our ability to address other needs.

OK I'm on the same page with you.

I see the personnel decision tree going like so:

1) Can you fit the player under the cap? If yes, proceed to step 2. If no, STOP, do not sign the player.

2) Do you already have a plan to address higher priority areas of need? If yes, proceed to step 3. If no, STOP, do not sign the player until you have addressed more important needs.

3) Consider signing the player.

Ultimately we're saying the same thing. The cap figures into the decision, but so do overall team needs. My feeling is LB is a bigger need than most around here think. Godfrey is a nice backup, but he's older. Blades to me is a Mike, and I don't see him having the range to keep up with TEs and guys like Brian Westbrook in coverage like Briggs could. Rocky's not going to be right until 2009 at earliest. Washington is still good, but he's hurt more often these days.

I agree that we need a WR pretty darn bad. I've been saying that for some time. I'd put that at a higher priority than LB. I'd love Chad Johnson here, but get real people, there's no way he gets away from Cinci.

Here are Briggs stats for this year, he ranks 28th overall.

Lance Briggs (http://www.nfl.com/players/lancebriggs/profile?id=BRI150227)

I would sign him for a lot less than they were offering last year (1/2 price) otherwise no deal. The other free agent I would pursue would be Nnamdi Asomugha. His stats are not impressive which leads to believe that he would be more affordable than Samuels or Trufant, but he's a hell of a player and is 6'2".

Nnamdi Asomugha (http://www.nfl.com/players/nnamdiasomugha/profile?id=ASO415291)