Let's hear it for Jerry Angelo. One day after losing Bernard Berrian to the Minnesota Vikings he re-signed linebacker Lance Briggs. This was the same Lance Briggs who a year ago demanded to be traded after the Bears franchised him. The pressure was on Angelo then to do something with the guy, and he did what he should've done -- which was nothing. He told Briggs that if he showed up for camp and played he would not franchise him in 2008. And he did not. So Briggs played. Now he stays. In all fairness there wasn't the market for Briggs that he envisioned. The clubs expected to step up for him, like San Francisco and Washington, never materialized, and Briggs was left with few options. Nevertheless, it's a credit to Angelo that he was able to re-sign him. A year ago there were critics calling for the Bears' GM to get something for Briggs while he could, and he failed to respond. In fact, there was a trade offer out there from Washington that he wisely refused to take. So he keeps one of the stalwarts of a defense that must be the backbone to this team if and when it returns to the top of the NFC North, and that is good, Chicago fans. The contract is fair to Briggs -- with $13 million guaranteed and $21.6 million over the first three years -- and is in line with what he was making as the team's franchise player a year ago, so it's not as if Briggs settled for leftovers. He got a good deal, and the Bears kept a valued performer.

Angelo makes save with Briggs re-signing

A lot of Bears fans have been down on Angelo, mainly because of the '07 draft and the disappointing season we just had. But overall he has done a very solid job since coming here. He did a wonderful job of retooling the offensive line without spending stupid money, and they performed very well for 2 years, although age and injuries caught up with them last year. He does very well in free agency because he doesn't overpay for guys just because he has the money. He offered Briggs a fair deal before his initial contract was up, and he offered it to him again, this time he took it. I would've liked to keep Berrian, but that money can be better spent elsewhere, considering how many needs the Bears have. Besides receivers, they need money for two starting offensive linemen, a starting running back and possibly a safety. They gave Briggs big money because he is an All-Pro and the team is built around defense. It's not like Berrian is even a proven number 1 receiver, so you might as well spend less money and get somebody else who is unproven while having more $ to spend on other positions.

Angelo makes save with Briggs re-signing

congrats to jerry for suceeding on this issue, but angelo has always kept our defense at the top of its game ever since hes been here and if he wants people off his back he still needs to get a good supporting cast on offense for whoever is throwing the ball... he better hit some gems this year on offense because the players he drafted last year werent even looked at by his lovechild ron turner...

Angelo makes save with Briggs re-signing

This was really important for the Bears. With a defense that was already not at its best in 2007 signing Lance Briggs for 2008-2013 is crucial. Without Briggs the defense would not have been at its best. As for Berrian departing it happens. But this opens up an oppurtunity for others such as Devin Hester and Mark Bradley to be number one recievers.

Good start, long way to go

Getting Briggs (and not overpaying for Berrian) is a nice start for the Bears. We got a good deal on Briggs, but there were other offers (from Washington, so you're incorrect there, Judge) and he chose to take the Bears because the money wasn't all that different. As for the trade offer he refused to take, I'm pretty sure the Skins took Deron Landry with that pick and guess what? The Bears could really use a safety or two, so I would hesitate before saying that not taking the trade was a "wise" move. It was fine not to take the offer, but it would have been good to take it as well. Angelo keeps hyping our "backup" linebackers as ready to step in and if that's true, Briggs isn't nearly as big of a concern as is the entire offense. We are 2 or 3 offensive linemen short, we have no wide receivers, and both our QB and RB situations are no better than they were before. It's early and I like Angelo, so I'm not giving up. But signing Briggs doesn't solve a whole lot, so let's not get on the bandwagon. I like that we don't overpay for anyone, but we've got so many needs on offense that I can't help but be scared about the situation.

If I were going to layout the ideal situation, it would be this - sign Warrick Dunn, Ernest Wilford, and one o-linemen and a safety at bargain prices. Then draft oline with the first pick, get Flacco with the second, and Mike Hart and another o-linemen with the 3rd. Flacco is the key here, so if that means trading down in the first round to get him, then by all means, do it. A big back like Hart splitting carries with a bargain veteran like Warrick Dunn who always proves everyone wrong about having more left in the tank could give us a pretty good running situation. The o-line would look a little better, but that is going to take time to gel. And Flacco is just the prototypical QB that would be ideal for the Bears once the bad weather comes around - big, but mobile. Wilford and Bradley and Hester would just have to do for the next season. Unfortunately, the Bears just aren't going to be great next year, so we might as well go about developing a great young QB and let a young offensive line start to gel.

clark-judge

Punt, pass and Judge

Angelo makes save with Briggs re-signing

Angelo makes save with Briggs re-signing

Angelo makes save with Briggs re-signing

Angelo makes save with Briggs re-signing

Angelo makes save with Briggs re-signing

Good start, long way to go

Angelo makes save with Briggs re-signing

Angelo makes save with Briggs re-signing