The Official Chicago Bears Thread

**Bears 88** · #1 08-27-2007

Go Bears!

**Jbuch79** · #2 08-28-2007

I suddenly feel so much more comfortable here.

So...will Briggs get a suspension, or will he slip through. Since all he got in the end was a couple glorified speeding tickets I say he slips through.

**CloudyFuture** · #3 08-28-2007

na his first "offense" so to speak....plus its only misdemeanor....anways here are some Bears notes:

August 28, 2007

If Lance Briggs was the luckiest Bear to be on the Halas Hall practice fields Monday, Devin Hester was the most relieved.

The record-setting kick returner was back at work with no lingering effects after he got knocked out of Saturday's game with a shoulder injury on the second possession when he made an awkward attempt at a downfield block. That left only one remaining question: What was he doing blocking downfield on a Cedric Benson run in the first place? That role normally is filled by the starter he was replacing, 6-2, 215-pound Muhsin Muhammad.

Hester was supposed to block 49ers cornerback Nate Clements but missed his assignment and went inside after strong safety Michael Lewis. That wasn't his only error. He tried to cut-block Lewis, something receivers coach Darryl Drake said the Bears don't do. After Lovie Smith's extended no-comment session on Briggs was over, Drake and Hester still were going over the nuances of blocking.

''If you all want to see him at receiver,'' Drake said, ''understand he's going to block. This is football, and for everybody out there who is bitching, wondering why he is out there blocking, then they need to let him go play something else.

''I understand how valuable he is to this team, but let me ask you this: When he was playing defensive back and he was going up tackling people, did anyone say, 'Why are you letting him tackle people'? It's a hell of a lot more physical than putting his hands up and blocking.''

Hester said he wound up getting hit in the helmet by one of Lewis' legs and that he would learn from the mistake. It can't be a passing down every time he is on the field or it will be a dead giveaway, but he can win games with his return ability. He's not going to win any springing blocks downfield.

''It's football, man,'' he said. ''Me and Danieal [Manning] are back there on kick returns. If they kick to him, I have to block for him just like he blocks for me.

''You have to be able to block. It's something that I'm eventually going to have to know how to do, so that's why in preseason you get out there and evaluate your weaknesses and you try to fix them.''

Roster trim
Linebacker Leon Joe, a former fourth-round pick, was waived by general manager Jerry Angelo for the second time. Joe ranked third on the team over the last two seasons with 31 special-teams tackles, but he was part of a crowded unit that is not done being thinned out.

The Bears have nine linebackers and likely will keep seven. Undrafted rookie Danny Verdun Wheeler doesn't figure to make it, so the final spot could come down to former seventh-round pick Rod Wilson and Darrell McClover, who emerged as a standout on special teams last season with 16 tackles in the final five games. Wilson had two special-teams tackles against San Francisco and is listed as the backup at middle linebacker, giving him a probable edge.

Also let go were wide receivers Timon Marshall and Clinton Solomon, guard Tyler McMeans, defensive tackle Justin Frick, safety Jay Staggs, kicker Nick Novak and punter Joel Stelly. Wide receiver Brandon Rideau (sprained right ankle) was waived/ injured, and the team is expected to try to reach an injury settlement.

With Rideau gone, Mike Hass may have played himself onto the final roster as a sixth receiver.

''I'm really pleased with what Mike has done throughout the offseason work, training camp,'' Smith said. ''It seemed like he made a good play each day.''

Payne-ful thing
Rookie safety Kevin Payne has been battling a rib injury that might require a few weeks to heal. The fifth-round pick was touted as a top special-teams player when drafted and made Chris Harris expendable in a trade with Carolina. The tough timing of the injury, however, makes Payne a potential candidate for injured reserve. The top four safeties are set with Manning and Brandon McGowan backing up Mike Brown and Adam Archuleta.

Payne was held out of practice Monday, as were cornerback Charles Tillman (knee), defensive lineman Israel Idonije (ankle) and wide receiver Rashied Davis (calf).
Defensive tackle Tommie Harris, wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad and left guard Ruben Brown returned to practice after sitting out the 49ers game.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/footb...arnt28.article

**DaBearsrule4ever** · #4 08-28-2007

I'm hoping Goodell does nothing about the Briggs situation but seeing that he will punish you if you are arrested, i'm not holding my breath.

**Bears 88** · #5 08-28-2007

I really hope Briggs doesn't get suspended. He's too valuable to this team.

**DaBearsrule4ever** · #6 08-28-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bears 88

I really hope Briggs doesn't get suspended. He's too valuable to this team.

Oh without a doubt. He made a stupid move by leaving the scene of an accident and he has already been punished.

**CloudyFuture** · #7 08-28-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBearsrule4ever

I'm hoping Goodell does nothing about the Briggs situation but seeing that he will punish you if you are arrested, i'm not holding my breath.

Yes but I remember roger saying you have to be in trouble constantly for him to step in and take action....that is one of the reasons he did not act on vick asap....remember seeing him on NFN saying this....

This is Briggs first run in with the law thats why I think nothing really will be done....Though I have been wrong in the past....