[Be Da Bear]

Free agency begins in 20 days, and one has to wonder whether the Bears' desire to keep Lance Briggs has increased in light of the news that middle linebacker Brian Urlacher has had minor neck surgery.
It was all but assumed that Briggs would be hightailing it out of town as one of the most sought-after defensive players on the market. The Bears have the financial wherewithal to re-sign him with about $20 million in available space under the salary cap. But do they want to bid substantially higher than the $33 million or so they thought would lock up Briggs long-term nearly two years ago?
Urlacher underwent surgery during Super Bowl week, a team source said -- a minor procedure that was ''more of a preventative thing.'' The operation was performed by the team's medical staff. While the Bears had no official comment, Urlacher is expected to participate in the offseason program, which begins next month.
As delicate as neck issues are -- that's what forced cornerback Jerry Azumah to retire after the 2005 season -- the greater concern with Urlacher is the arthritic condition in his lower back that created such a stir last season. He revealed to pal Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com, ''They can't pinpoint it exactly, so I have no idea when it will hurt or hold me back. But the pain is pretty much always there.''
He called the back pain worse than what he experienced in 2004, when hamstring injuries and surgery on his lower left leg cost him seven games. The issue with the back problem is there's no obvious remedy; surgery isn't going to solve that one.
Urlacher failed to make the Pro Bowl in '04 and again this past season, when he led the team with 158 tackles and had five sacks and five interceptions. While he had some standout performances, he also was hardly seen in a few early games.
The Halas Hall brain trust has been involved in meetings that will continue next week to shape plans for the offseason. That includes what approach to take with the Bears' own free agents -- Briggs, wide receiver Bernard Berrian, special-teamer Brendon Ayanbadejo and tight end John Gilmore, among others. The Bears are expected to make a tender offer to safety Brandon McGowan, a restricted free agent.
Pursuing Briggs would mean a serious financial commitment to one position. With Briggs commanding the franchise-tag figure of $7.206 million last season, the Bears invested more than 13 percent of their 2007 salary cap in their starting linebackers, including Hunter Hillenmeyer.
Urlacher's base pay for 2008 is $3.95 million, the same as it has been the last two seasons, and his cap figure is projected to be $5.85million. It climbs from 2009 through the end of his deal in 2011.
Briggs is a three-time Pro Bowl selection whom the Bears would like to have, but general manager Jerry Angelo has said the focus of the offseason will be on offense.

[bears9]

I don't think he'll be back either, they have a lot of needs and Briggs should be the least of their worries.

JaMarr Williams (Briggs' Backup) played solid when Briggs was out last year and should do fine as a starter. I doubt Briggs will be back to.

[azrael492]

I thought Briggs already said there is no way he is coming back to Chicago.

[ninerfan1indahouse]

Originally Posted by azrael492

I thought Briggs already said there is no way he is coming back to Chicago.

that was after the tag,he was quiet tell he seen thomas's contract in new england"s,but in the end he said he would like to be in chicago but realizes that they can't put him as top paid player "urlacher" so if that's the case he wants to go somewere were he can be that guy.but he did want to stay.but in the end show him the money.

[oneBAREbear]

as much as i would like to see briggs comeback longterm- I would have to agree that it is not in the bears best interest to re-sign him due to the lack of talent on the offensive side of the ball.

Here is my wet dream starters for the upcoming season:

QB- derek anderson, kyle orton, brian griese
RB- michal turner, cedric benson, adrian peterson, garrett wolfe
WR- bernard berrian, mushin muhammad, mark bradley, antonio bryant
TE- greg olson, desmond clark, john gilmore
DT- tommie harris, bryant young, albert haynesworth, darius walker
DE- adewale ogunleye, terrell suggs, mark anderson, alex brown

[bears9]

Originally Posted by oneBAREbear

as much as i would like to see briggs comeback longterm- I would have to agree that it is not in the bears best interest to re-sign him due to the lack of talent on the offensive side of the ball.

Here is my wet dream starters for the upcoming season:

QB- derek anderson, kyle orton, brian griese
RB- michal turner, cedric benson, adrian peterson, garrett wolfe
WR- bernard berrian, mushin muhammad, mark bradley, antonio bryant
TE- greg olson, desmond clark, john gilmore
DT- tommie harris, bryant young, albert haynesworth, darius walker
DE- adewale ogunleye, terrell suggs, mark anderson, alex brown

I would love to see that but I don't think they can fork up that much money to get all those players.

[Lefty Noob]

No team out there as the dough to sign Anderson, Turner, Haynesworth AND Suggs, let alone the other guys.

[Be Da Bear]

Originally Posted by oneBAREbear

as much as i would like to see briggs comeback longterm- I would have to agree that it is not in the bears best interest to re-sign him due to the lack of talent on the offensive side of the ball.

Here is my wet dream starters for the upcoming season:

QB- derek anderson, kyle orton, brian griese
RB- michal turner, cedric benson, adrian peterson, garrett wolfe
WR- bernard berrian, mushin muhammad, mark bradley, antonio bryant
TE- greg olson, desmond clark, john gilmore
DT- tommie harris, bryant young, albert haynesworth, darius walker
DE- adewale ogunleye, terrell suggs, mark anderson, alex brown

That is a nice wish list.

QB: I don't know what the Bears are going to do here.

RB: Michael Turner is the sexy FA RB, but what has he done? Would you throw the big $ at Turner, or go after J. Lewis?

WR: I would do what ever I could to re-sign Berrian. Moose should re-do his contract. The Bears signing Moose is one of their worse FA signing ever imo. Not too many big names out there when it comes to WR FA's. The Bears need to re-sign Berrian.

TE: I feel pretty good about the TE spot. If the Bears re-sign Gilmore that's cool. If not, that's cool too.

DE: I'm happy with the DE's.

DT: The Bears have Devoric (Spelling) but he is coming off an injury. The Bears may need to find someone to play along side with Harris, but I don't think they will spend crazy money for a DT.

[bears9]

Originally Posted by Be Da Bear

That is a nice wish list.

QB: I don't know what the Bears are going to do here.

RB: Michael Turner is the sexy FA RB, but what has he done? Would you throw the big $ at Turner, or go after J. Lewis?

WR: I would do what ever I could to re-sign Berrian. Moose should re-do his contract. The Bears signing Moose is one of their worse FA signing ever imo. Not too many big names out there when it comes to WR FA's. The Bears need to re-sign Berrian.

TE: I feel pretty good about the TE spot. If the Bears re-sign Gilmore that's cool. If not, that's cool too.

DE: I'm happy with the DE's.

DT: The Bears have Devoric (Spelling) but he is coming off an injury. The Bears may need to find someone to play along side with Harris, but I don't think they will spend crazy money for a DT.

I would love to see the Bears get Turner, he can't be worse than Benson.

I think we could use another DT but not a free agent maybe a middle round draft pick.