Thoughts on Saints lack of interest in Briggs (1 Viewer)

[saintkreaux]

This also doesn't take into account that if Vilma does well this year, he is going to want a big contract and that extending Brown is going to cost a lot of money when that time comes.

I think that if the front office is smart they'll see how Vilma's knee is holding up in training camp, and if it responds well and he looks to make an impact then they should sign him to a long-term deal before the season begins. That way he's already locked up and they probably would have more negotiating power as he still hasn't proved anything after the knee injury.

It would be more palatable contract in the vein of 5 yrs - 30m$ than say a 6 yrs - 40m$.

 

[saintkreaux]

For one, the Bears' front office and Lovie Smith have shown via Tank Johnson (among others) that they're pretty <s>weak</s> tolerant of guys who "do their thing" or whatever. They're not exactly quick with the discipline. <b>Dude's got at least 3 or 4 more 3am car crashes in him before anybody at Halas Hall is gonna get fed up</b>.

Awesome, LMAO. That made me laugh pretty nicely. Well done.

 

[jerryrip]

It's not that the Saints lacked interest in the guy; he never intended to leave Chicago! I believe that he was just trying to generate enough interest by other teams in signing him so that he could get the Bears to crack.

 

[Joodas Avila]

Honestly, Briggs is great LBer in that system. It's the dreaded tampa 2, where the WLB makes all the plays. Look at Indy, Cato June made all the plays. In Tampa, when they moved Cato to the strong side, he didnt make many plays because he's not in the playmakers position, Derrick Brooks is.

Ultimatly, we dont play in a Tampa 2, niether do many other teams. That coupled by the fact that he wanted more money probably turned off many teams. He seemed like a boom or bust type of pick up. Very similar in some degree to Jason David, a system guy playing out of his system.

 

[Albi]

The new ESPN Mock draft has us taking Rivers with the #10 pick... It's clear that we will get a LB in the first or Second round. Hopefully whoever we draft would be able to play inside or outside.

And with the CB Gay and DT Young signed, we really can go best player in the first and second, on defense of course.

 

[Saints#34]

Honestly, Briggs is great LBer in that system. It's the dreaded tampa 2, where the WLB makes all the plays. Look at Indy, Cato June made all the plays. In Tampa, when they moved Cato to the strong side, he didnt make many plays because he's not in the playmakers position, Derrick Brooks is.

Ultimatly, we dont play in a Tampa 2, niether do many other teams. That coupled by the fact that he wanted more money probably turned off many teams. He seemed like a boom or bust type of pick up. Very similar in some degree to Jason David, a system guy playing out of his system.

I'm not sure I'd go so far as to compare him to Jason David. Briggs has prototypical size and speed for a linebacker, and he's had over 100 tackles per year every year except his rookie season. He's a proven player regardless of what system he's in. Urlacher is the Bears go-to playmaker and yet Briggs still gets his tackles.

Jason David is undersized and does not have great footspeed. He was a true system player. Briggs is a very good player who is excelling in a system. There is a big difference.

I'm not totally disappointed we didn't get him. I'm not sure he would have come here regardless, and I think the addition of Vilma makes linebacker much less of a need. I would be very happy to draft a WLB in the 1st or 2nd round and go with that trio. Fujita is very solid and Vilma, if healthy, is a playmaker.

I would have loved to have Briggs to round out the group, but if we have a good draft we may find ourselves with a player almost as good or even better for a fraction of the cost. Thats why you build through the draft, because thats how you keep your cap in check. Rookie contracts are a pittance compared to FA contracts.

 

[st.randy]

It's not that the Saints lacked interest in the guy; he never intended to leave Chicago! I believe that he was just trying to generate enough interest by other teams in signing him so that he could get the Bears to crack.

I think you are right.....but no one is going to care about this post unless you find a way to inject some intrigue.

 

[Webmeistro]

Loomis said that Briggs was too expensive. Apparently Pro Bowl linebackers for 6 mil a year are too much, but backup DEs for 4 are just right.

 

[GoldRush26]

It's not that the Saints lacked interest in the guy; he never intended to leave Chicago! I believe that he was just trying to generate enough interest by other teams in signing him so that he could get the Bears to crack.

No the Saints lacked interested. It came straight from Loomis that he wanted too much money. If Saints had been willing to pony up the dough he would have at least been in for a visit.

 

[BigRonJon]

Briggs was unprofessional last offseason, before signing the franchise tender. He ran his mouth off a good bit, saying he would never play for the Bears, only to eventually do so. Lets not forget the leaving the scene of an accident, probably drunk driving.

 

[jimrip]

No the Saints lacked interested. It came straight from Loomis that he wanted too much money. If Saints had been willing to pony up the dough he would have at least been in for a visit.

Here's how it probably went down:

Bears offer Briggs 28 mill over 5 years, 10 guaranteed.

Briggs: you must be out of your mind! I'll never play here again! That's an insult!

He calls Loomis.

Loomis: Ok, Briggs, how much you want to play down here?

Briggs: 55 million, 6 years. 40 million guaranteed.

Loomis: you're out of your mind.. we'll give you 40 million over 6 years, 22 guaranteed

Briggs takes offer to Bears.

McCaskey: they're insane.. we'll give you 36.6 million, 6 years, 13 guaranteed

Briggs: sold!!

Briggs had no intention of leaving OR of accepting more money from another team.. he asked for the moon, got a decent offer, then used it to hike up what he was already offered.

 

[jerryrip]

No the Saints lacked interested. It came straight from Loomis that he wanted too much money. If Saints had been willing to pony up the dough he would have at least been in for a visit.

He never visited any teams! He never considered any offers from anyone but Chicago! How does that make it the Saints fault? Are we supposed to break the bank just to acquire one player?

:dunno:

 

[waazup]

The money we spent on McCray and Gay could have gotten us a Pro Bowl WLB in Lance Briggs...

What would you rather have...

An average CB in Gay, and a incosistent pass rusher in McCray.

or

A proven dominant WLB in Briggs.