Bears Franchise tag Briggs

[Livinginthe past]

As expected the Bears have tagged productive LBer Lance Briggs.

Can't say im surprised, he didnt appear to be too interested in moving anywhere else.

Determined to keep one of the NFL?s top defenses intact, the Bears on Friday designated Lance Briggs as their franchise player, guaranteeing him a one-year contract for $7.2 million, the average of the top five highest paid linebackers in the league. The 6-1, 240-pounder was due to become an unrestricted free agent March 2.


Lance Briggs led the Bears with 117 solo tackles this past season.
Briggs can sign an offer sheet with another NFL team, but the Bears would have the right to match the deal. If they chose not to match the offer, they would receive two first-round draft picks as compensation, a stiff price that most clubs are generally unwilling to pay for any free agent.

The $7.2 million tender Briggs would sign with the Bears is guaranteed for the first time in accordance with the NFL's new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

In 2006, Briggs set a career high with 176 tackles and was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl. He led the Bears with 117 solo tackles while ranking second with 10 tackles-for-loss and nine pass break-ups. A consensus first-team All-Pro in 2005, the weakside linebacker was a second-team All-Pro selection this past season.

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/New...?story_id=3079

[tony hipchest]

brian urlacher has already stated he is willing to re-structure to keep this tandem intact. i expect a long term deal to be worked out. ironic that brian couls wind up making less than lance... until HIS next contract, of course.

the real ??? in this seasons usage of the franchise tag is adalius thomas. he knows SF will back up the cash truck to his door. he will be short changed if franchised by baltimore and probably not be too happy about it.