Rethinking Briggs

[BeastsoftheNFCeast]

I used to think that this would be the worst trade for us, but then today i really analyzed it and I came to a different conclusion. I used to think that signing Briggs would put us in cap trouble, that DE and DT are far more needed and by signing Briggs we wouldnt be able to fill our need (I was thinking draft a DT at the 6th pick).

But then I analyzed it some more and signing Briggs to that rediculous 7.5mil a year contract wouldnt be as bad on the cap as I thought. We would probably cut Washington, which would not impact this years cap and will save over 12 mil over the next two seasons. Also by trading draft picks, our 1st rounder will make significantly less money than if we were to pick at number 6, so that will save alot of money there.

By having Briggs, our run defense should be significantly bolstered (he had 160 tackles or some ridiculous number like that last year) so we dont have to worry about DT as much. And the DE class this year is ridiculously deep, so we should definately be able to find someone at the 31 spot.

I am concerned about how this deal will impact us many years away, but I dont think it will be that bad because the cap is always getting raised, and our 1st rounder should save us money that far in the future by not being a number 6 pick.

I want the Briggs trade to happen, but i dont think it will because the Bears are getting better offers, and for us to get it I think we will have to part with some players that we dont want to. Personally I wouldnt mind parting with a 6th rounder but I dont think that will sweeten the pot enough.

Oh, I just remembered that we traded Arch to the Bears, and they paid practically nothing for a player that they really wanted. They might be more inclined to trade with us because of the Arch deal. So maybe it will happen.

[LMsexyAO]

Is another Briggs thread really necessary?

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by LMsexyAO

Is another Briggs thread really necessary?

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh no

[BeastsoftheNFCeast]

I think so, I believe that most people do not want this trade, like I used to not want it. I think if I posted in an old briggs thread no one would read it, and I feel it is important for others to truely rethink getting Briggs, and anlayze all the factors because I believe that alot of people will change their minds if they do this like I have.

[Meks]

cut washington? ... no.

[Twilbert07]

We don't need a malcontent. Why would we bring in someone who's whining?

[omeletpants]

I'm a Bears fan and have seen every game he has played:

-He has never been a whiner before and is a very good team guy and clubhouse leader. I guess Drew Rosenwhore can do that to you.

-He does make a ridiculous amount of tackles, but is that the Bear's defensive system or him? Playing next to Urlacher does wonders for you.

-He's young enough at 26 to be around when the Skins start contending.

-The Bears have little need for the 6th pick as any position they need (G, TE, WR LB) is a reach there. They want Greg Olsen and Buffalo's pick at 15 works better.

-Gerry Angelo is a stubborn guy and they hate having Rosenhaus set terms and broker deals. Looks better for Buffalo.

[RobH4413]

Originally Posted by omeletpants

I'm a Bears fan and have seen every game he has played:

-He has never been a whiner before and is a very good team guy and clubhouse leader. I guess Drew Rosenwhore can do that to you.

-He does make a ridiculous amount of tackles, but is that the Bear's defensive system or him? Playing next to Urlacher does wonders for you.

-He's young enough at 26 to be around when the Skins start contending.

-The Bears have little need for the 6th pick as any position they need (G, TE, WR LB) is a reach there. They want Greg Olsen and Buffalo's pick at 15 works better.

-Gerry Angelo is a stubborn guy and they hate having Rosenhaus set terms and broker deals. Looks better for Buffalo.

Could you not use out 6th pick to trade down and get a couple impact guys? Just a thought....




There is like 6 other Briggs threads floating around, and while I understand it's the off season, chill the hell out.

[omeletpants]

Originally Posted by RobH4413

Could you not use out 6th pick to trade down and get a couple impact guys? Just a thought....

But that's what the Skins have already investigated and it's not looking promising. The trade makes sense for no one.

But lets say the Bear's took the deal then traded down 5-6 places and pick up an extra 4th rounder and take Patrick Willis to replace Briggs. So, it's Briggs and the 31st pick for Willis and a 4th rounder. That's a horrible trade for the Bears

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by omeletpants

But lets say the Bear's took the deal then traded down 5-6 places and pick up an extra 4th rounder and take Patrick Willis to replace Briggs. So, it's Briggs and the 31st pick for Willis and a 4th rounder. That's a horrible trade for the Bears

Trading down 5-6 places from No. 6 would net the Bears at least a 2nd rounder, and probably a 4th in addition.

But I think your analysis still stands. A 2nd plus a 4th and Willis for Briggs and the 31st? It's hard to see the Bears coming out on top on this trade. Willis could be every bit as good as Briggs and could move into the middle once Urlacher hangs it up, but as far as the next season or two goes, the Bears would be starting a very inexperienced player at LB and you have to wonder if this may force Hunter Hillenmeyer to take an increase responsibility in the defense that he doesn't have the skill to fill.

I honestly think the Bears play this one slow and get Briggs to sign his franchise tender by agreeing to not use the tag on him next year. Briggs has no leverage in this. He simply can't afford to sit out ten games because if he does, he may never get the pay day he's looking at.

[omeletpants]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I honestly think the Bears play this one slow and get Briggs to sign his franchise tender by agreeing to not use the tag on him next year. Briggs has no leverage in this. He simply can't afford to sit out ten games because if he does, he may never get the pay day he's looking at.

You are right on target. Everyone in Chicago is panicing saying he will sit out the season. No player in the history of the Franchise Tag has ever missed a season or even one game. If anyone thinks Briggs is sitting out 10 games and losing $4.5M they are crazy. He can't tank it because he is looking for a massive payout. The funny thing is that on radio interviews he has said he would come back for a big contract. Draft choices are great, but give me a 2 time pro-bowl player that's 26 with no injury history

[GusFrerotte]

At this point I just want something to happen before the draft so the FO can make up a definitive plan on what to do and who to get. Tired of us wasting most of our drafts.

[Skins fan 44]

April fools, right?

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by BeastsoftheNFCeast

By having Briggs, our run defense should be significantly bolstered (he had 160 tackles or some ridiculous number like that last year) so we dont have to worry about DT as much. And the DE class this year is ridiculously deep, so we should definately be able to find someone at the 31 spot.

This is the only statement I disagree with. The Bears' defensive tackles are studs -- something we don't have.

In a way, I can see this trade similar to the Alvin Harper deal. The question was whether the Buccaneers could get the same type for performance from him when there wasn't a Pro Bowl quarterback throwing to him, along with a future Hall of Fame wideout on the other side. We all know what happened to Alvin Harper. He was the perfect compliment in a WR tandem that already had a superstar on the other side. I look at this as Exhibit A in how great players make otherwise average players around them great.

The ONLY way I could find a way to like this deal is if Marcus Washington has suffered a Bo Jackson-type career ending injury and/or his salary is getting too big to justify keeping him, or if Williams is planning to go to a 3-4 alignment. In either case, we still desperately need a defensive tackle and an end.

One more thing, I can see this as thread-worthy, if only because most of the others are anti-Briggs. And you're right ... if I hadn't caught the orginal Briggs thread from the beginning, there's no way I would have read 350+ posts to catch up. Once it gets too big, I think there's a large number of members who don't even bother.

[Longtimefan]

You mean this horse is not dead yet?