[simple simon]

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) In an attempt to keep together their Super Bowl defense, the Chicago Bears designated linebacker Lance Briggs their franchise player Friday.

Briggs would have become an unrestricted free agent March 2 if he didn't reach a contract agreement with the Bears before then. The franchise tag means Chicago can keep Briggs by matching any offer sheet he might sign with another team.

Bears place franchise tag on Briggs

[simple simon]

i was hoping the Pats would have a shot at Briggs

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by simple simon

i was hoping the Pats would have a shot at Briggs

They still might... they'd just need to make an offer large enough that the Bears wouldn't match it. I can't imagine that happening, given the Patriots' track record for thriftiness and the Bears overwhelming desire to keep Briggs around, but never say never, I guess.

[ThePundit]

Also, doesn't Briggs have to be within the top 3 paid players at the position?

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Also, doesn't Briggs have to be within the top 3 paid players at the position?

He needs to be paid the average salary of the top five highest paid players at his position, which mean's he'll be making more than Urlacher. Crazy, huh?

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

which mean's he'll be making more than Urlacher. Crazy, huh?

hey, i dont feel sorry for any of them as far as contracts go.......you play the hand youre dealt

i hate when they ask for more in the middle of a deal

the team should say "if you suck can we pay you less "

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Hey as long as they didn't make Rex the franchise player, I am okay with it...Urlacher though is going to remember when his day comes...

[EmpireWF]

Don't expect any other team to make an offer on Briggs. If the Bears want to let him go now, they will be given the 2007 and 2008 1st round picks of that team.

I don't think anyone is willing to give up two first rounders for Briggs.

[Lefty Noob]

Here's the latest in this saga, according to the AP: "Disgruntled Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs wants out of Chicago, saying the Bears should remove his franchise player tag or trade him... General manager Jerry Angelo had a message for Briggs on Tuesday: The Bears are expecting him to play with them this season, with a one-year, $7.2 million deal, the average of the top five salaries at his position."

Well, a statement like that isn't going to calm any hard feelings. So what happens now?

[azrael492]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a hold out at camp.