Thomas Jones expected to be traded :(

[Sluss]

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the bigger concern is what the hell are the Bears doing messing with Briggs---show him the money!!

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Anybody who falls into this trap are those stupid Bears fans you always talk about. Because he does not deserve to be paid more than Urlacher and shouldn't be.

I'm a bit confused if this is just giving Thomas Jones away. I like Jones alot, but the writing is on the wall, he is gone after next season. I would have no problem getting value for him. But is this really value? I guess we have to wait until the trade is complete. I think I even like it if it is both of the Jets second round picks for Jones and the Bears second pick.

My main concern is Benson. He seems to not be able to hold up to his running style. I don't know if it is the carries he had in college building up on him or he just can't lower the shoulder on bigger stronger guys. I see an early fade out for him in the near future. The only problem is that by the time he is useless I think Jones will be as well.

[illini43]

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I don't know if it is the carries he had in college building up on him or he just can't lower the shoulder on bigger stronger guys.

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Did you see the NE/Bears game this year? Junior Seau didn't completely discombobulate his arm by simply falling on the ground after making a tackle...

[DrewDevil]

Cedric Benson: come for the pouting, stay for the fumbles!

[Sluss]

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I don't know if it is the carries he had in college building up on him or he just can't lower the shoulder on bigger stronger guys.

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Did you see the NE/Bears game this year? Junior Seau didn't completely discombobulate his arm by simply falling on the ground after making a tackle...

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I'm not doubting he is a power runner. I'm doubting how his body can hold up to being a power runner. I'd love for the guy to prove me wrong. But in his first two years he has had three injuries from contact. That doesn't scare you about his ability to hold up?

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Cedric Benson: come for the pouting, stay for the fumbles!

[/ QUOTE ]I'm not sure if you only watched the Superbowl, but um.. Benson has only lost one regular season fumble (his rookie year, none last year) and the one in the SuperBowl. And yes he pouted about his playing time. I'm pretty sure that issue just got resolved.

[DrewDevil]

I covered him every game for 2 years while he was at Texas. Pouting, fumbles. Enjoy.

[TheNoodleMan]

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I don't know if it is the carries he had in college building up on him or he just can't lower the shoulder on bigger stronger guys.

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Did you see the NE/Bears game this year? Junior Seau didn't completely discombobulate his arm by simply falling on the ground after making a tackle...

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What does that prove?
Rodney Harrison got hurt trying to cover Marvin Harrison, does that mean Marv is a physical receiver?

[droopy0021]

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the bigger concern is what the hell are the Bears doing messing with Briggs---show him the money!!

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Anybody who falls into this trap are those stupid Bears fans you always talk about. Because he does not deserve to be paid more than Urlacher and shouldn't be.

I'm a bit confused if this is just giving Thomas Jones away. I like Jones alot, but the writing is on the wall, he is gone after next season. I would have no problem getting value for him. But is this really value?

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1) Jones was going to be gone (his contract up I think) after next year
2) Benson was #4 overall pick 2 years ago and Angelo (GM) wants him on the field.
3) Benson only missed 1 game in his college career (concussion). Granted they hit harder in NFL and he's been banged up (at least rookie year).
4) What other teams need a RB still? Denver just signed Henry. Maybe this was best value. Hopefully they have their eye on someone.

The puzzling part is how this relates to the team outlook for '07 and also Briggs. The 2 situations contradict each other:

Jones--going into last year of contract and unhappy about splitting time w/ Benson. So they get rid of him.

Briggs--wants long term deal, Bears franchise knowing they're likely to keep him for '07. He isn't likely to go anywhere.

Bears know they can get back to SuperBowl in '07. Briggs is a big part. But so is(was) Jones IMO. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[MyTurn2Raise]

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Anybody who falls into this trap are those stupid Bears fans you always talk about. Because he does not deserve to be paid more than Urlacher and shouldn't be.

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Yes, he does and he should
Briggs > Urlacher

[Sluss]

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Anybody who falls into this trap are those stupid Bears fans you always talk about. Because he does not deserve to be paid more than Urlacher and shouldn't be.

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Yes, he does and he should
Briggs > Urlacher

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Don't be an ass.

The WSLB in this system is very replaceable. It's an unblocked position. There is a reason why Briggs makes all of those plays. I'm not saying he isn't good, but that position makes athletic guys that can tackle look like they are the second coming. While it's not easy to fill, the Bears have shown an ability to find these guys.

Briggs is better in pass coverage than most linebackers which makes him valuable. However, you have to understand that most of his pass coverage responsiblities fall in the nickle package. In the base formation Hillemeyer is covering tight ends. His main job is the running back. Get to him either in coverage or to tackle. It's a down hill position where your basically on full bore to hit the running back. Briggs is also very good at getting to the pile and ripping the ball free.

Urlacher's responsiblities are much more difficult. He has to cover the middle of the field which is a soft spot in every team's cover two, except the Bears. He has to be able to fill the A gaps on runs. So basically he must be able to diagnose run or pass and either be 10 yards up field or 10 yards down field on the the snap of the ball. He is also very good at getting to the pile and stripping. And often he is the pile. Being the first guy to a ball carrier and holding him up for other guys to strip. There is no replacement for Urlacher. There is nobody in the league as fast, tall or that reacts better to the play.

I was against franchising Briggs. Signing him to a long term deal would be fine, but making him ticked and a problem isn't helping. He will hold out all of training camp, whine up and down, show up the week before the season starts and by week 3/4 will be making all of those plays you always see him make.

[RedBean]

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The WSLB in this system is very replaceable. It's an unblocked position. There is a reason why Briggs makes all of those plays. I'm not saying he isn't good, but that position makes athletic guys that can tackle look like they are the second coming. While it's not easy to fill, the Bears have shown an ability to find these guys.

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In the 2003 off-season, there was so much talk about the Bears letting Warrick Holdman go, and mumbles about how his play from the Will linebacker spot had many thinking he was "better" than Urlacher was in the middle.

Their was "panic" from fans and analysts as to whether or not he could be replaced by the 1st-year newcomer from Arizona, Lance Briggs.

Holdman went on to relative obscurity in Washington and Cleveland....Briggs slid into the Will slot and made the Pro Bowl.

If Briggs stays, he gets a fair deal, and accolades from reaping the benefits of the system.

If he leaves, he'll fade away unless he finds a similar system, and the Bears will plug in Leon Joe, Joe Odom, or any swinging dick they draft into the Will spot and that kid will be reaping the rewards of the system friendly weakside spot for the next 3 years before we rinse and repeat it yet again.