Bears’ Preview Despite Briggs

Last week the General Manager of the Chicago Bears, Jerry Angelo, denied the Washington Redskins’ the linebacker Lance Briggs trade.  Coach Lovie Smith has been vocally adamant about Briggs being part of the 2007 lineup, “For us to part with Lance it would take a little bit more than that,” referring to the Redskins’ offer.  The ProBowler may return to the Bears for $7.206 million for the 2007 season, but will return on his terms.  Unhappy about his franchise player label Briggs has threatened to sit out the first ten games if the label is not removed, or if he is not traded.  This would be within the league’s requirements of a franchise player, but probably not to the liking of the Bears. 

“Our offseason hasn’t started.  Now, if we have players who are not there for the voluntary work, then I’ll deal with that.  But until that happens, I’m not going to get into speculation about what people do,” Smith has said.  The lineup has been reviewed for the 2007 season with replacements for positions like Briggs being addressed the first day of the draft.  Backup safeties for Mike Brown and Adam Archuleta will be first day issues as well as a backup running back despite the talk that Adrian Peterson will back Cedric Benson.  Other offensive line and depth positions look like second day subjects.  No matter how they figure it Bears‘ 2007 NFL season tickets can be had at StubHub.com. 

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