adam

From what I have read from multiple articles is that the initial comment by the agent was more posturing than anything. The difference is the agent wants more money in 2007 by getting an extension and increasing the salary to 5+ immediately, which would be more than double and almost triple his current salary. Instead the Bears want to keep his salary close to the current amount for 2007 to honor the first contract, then escalate it after 2007. This is where they are disagreeing. Now this is all speculation from what I have read, but it seems pretty realistic.

Thats why I said I would take a 1st and a 2nd in a heartbeat. If it is something less, I would think they would wheel and deal. If he is going to cash in on FA, there will be teams willing to pay and get him a year earlier.

Yeah, I would say any team without a coach or with coaching issues would look to sign him. If the Bears don't get this done it will be a huge mistake. The right thing to do would be to sign him as soon as possible and end all the speculation.

Yeah, that was the speculation at first when they actually didn't give him a position.

The only issue with Briggs is he seems to now be a one year player. The Bears almost have to move him to salvage something. Otherwise they get him for one year and he is gone anyway, and they don't get anything for him after 2007/2008. If no one is going to offer the two first rounders, I would take a 1st and 2nd for him in a heart beat. At least the Bears could sign a FA, then use the extra picks to move up in the draft or to fill more holes.

Garrett was named the Offensive Coordinator on Tuesday: http://www.examiner-enterprise.com/article...;cid=1113762427

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=3094

UPDATE http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?STORY_ID=3093

Yeah, I cannot understand why the Sox or Bears don't pay their players or coaches, especially after successful seasons.

You can have Briggs for that much money, that is crazy. He is good, but not that good. I would love to get a couple of picks for him.

Hell, 1st time coaches with zero experience are making 3-5 mill a year. Lovie has won back to back Division titles and an NFC Championship in just 3 years. The only way that this would be an issue is if he was looking for a super long deal like 7+ years, or was wanting something more than 6 million a year. If not, I cannot believe this is even an issue. He is the first decent coach we've had since Da Coach.

This is seriously ridiculous. There is no reason they can't resign him to a 5 year deal for 6 million- a year. There has to be something going on behind the scenes. Ugh.

The LB Corps has arguably been the best unit for the Bears over the last few years. Even the other LB's have been very solid on Special Teams. I assume that another year together will make this unit even better and more consistent compared to 2006. The only difference will be that the schedule is definitely tougher. If they come close to the same numbers they had in 2006, then it will be a successful year.

Most of the ones I have done in the past were just Mock Drafts with no future picks or current players involved. It made things pretty simple and without any questionable areas. Otherwise, you have to know valuations of current players and future picks, which just complicates everything. I have done of few of these and there are always some questionable moves which takes the fun out of it.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines I know this was already mentioned, but now it is official.

There was definitely something going on behind the scenes because taking a position lower than the one you're at that quick just doesn't pass the common sense test. He must have known this was going to happen and had the Charger's position ready to go. I just don't understand why he would go from a Coordinator to a LB Coach to make him a better candidate as a Head Coach. He will get 3-4 experience but thats about it. Head Coaches rarely come from the LB Coach ranks.

I don't think this will affect the Bears public image that much. Rivera wants to be a HC, and signing a long term deal with the Bears when he could be gone after every season puts the Bears in a tough spot. Just think, every single NFL coaching vacancy will bring interviews and uncertainty. Then Rivera can just bolt when he wants to and the Bears have to scramble and fill vacancies. This way they can make the moves to solidify the coaching staff for several years.

I don't know what the big deal is. Rivera was going to be gone one way or another within the next year. He was not going to be the Bears DC forever. He also was not going to sign any type of long term deal if he was looking to be a head coach. Norv would not hire Turner to be a DC. If you mean Rivera, I doubt it. Reports say he is looking at Ted Cottrell.

Here is a link to an ABC News article about them: http://abcnews.go.com/search?searchtext=su...mp;type=feature Video is on right. Direct link: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2850880 They make 250 of each teams t-shirt + hats, etc for the teams, then the NFL donates the losers shirts to some organization that gives them out in Africa. Hopefully we will see those t-shirts next year.

Good news, but this was pretty much a given. Now I hope they can work on some sort of extension for him. This also frees up one need for the draft. They could hold off on an LB until the later rounds and concentrate on the higher need areas (OL, DL, etc).

All teams have to worry about injuries, so just take that out of the equation.

Good news, glad to see him in for 3 more. Hopefully the other coaches will follow soon.

I would rather keep Briggs, even for more money. The knowledge of the system and working with your teammates is invaluable experience that cannot be underestimated.

If the 49ers gets pulled out of the hat for me, that will be fine. I can do up to two teams if needed.

yes+