Now Here's an Interesting Proposal; Lance Briggs for Osi Umenyiora?

**soulman** · 02-01-2012, 01:36 PM

Swap right there! Giants’ Osi Umenyiora for Bears’ Lance Briggs

By SEAN JENSEN sjensen@suntimes.com January 31, 2012 9:20PM

of the Carolina Panthers of the New York Giants on September 12, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Panthers 31-18.

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Updated: February 1, 2012 2:09AM

INDIANAPOLIS — Before the 2011 season, two-time All-Pro defensive end Osi Umenyiora asked the New York Giants to choose between two options: Pay me or trade me. The Giants, with Umenyiora under contract, elected to keep him, and he swallowed his pride and performed at a high level.

Sound familiar, Bears fans? It should, because of three-time All-Pro linebacker Lance Briggs.

With neither Briggs nor Umenyiora expected to budge from their positions this offseason, two NFL sources suggested the Giants and Bears swap the veterans and provide a win-win for everyone involved. Player-for-player trades are rare. But this one could make sense.

First, start with the needs.

The Bears need a pass rusher opposite Julius Peppers, and the Giants could use a credible outside linebacker. Blessed with depth at defensive end — Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul are the starters — the Giants simply can’t afford to keep investing in the position, a point owner John Mara concedes.

‘‘Ernie Accorsi’s philosophy was, ‘You can’t have enough pass rushers,’ ” Mara said Tuesday, referring to the Giants’ former general manager. ‘‘We got criticized for that from time to time. But that has proven to be true. That’s been a big part of our team’s success, to have a number of guys who can rush the passer.

‘‘Yes, it’s going to inevitably lead to contract issues and whatnot. But you’re always going to have contract issues. That’s just a part of this business. But that’s such an important position, and I’m glad we’ve had that philosophy because it’s worked out for us.’’

Perhaps too well. Mathias Kiwanuka, a 6-5, 267-pound defensive end, posted eight sacks in 2008, when Umenyiora missed the season with a knee injury. But Kiwanuka is currently playing out of position, starting at outside linebacker because of the overabundance of defensive ends.

Second, consider the contracts.

Briggs, 31, is scheduled to make $3.75 million in 2012 and $6.25 million in 2013, the final two years of a six-year, $36 million deal he signed in March 2008. Umenyiora, 30, is expected to make $3.95 million in 2012, the final year of an eight-year, $33.9 million contract he signed in 2005. The Giants and Bears would have to upgrade the pay for both players to make them happy, but they might consider that because both teams could be postseason contenders next season.

Asked Dec. 29 if he would ask for his release or a trade if the Bears don’t pay him more, Briggs told the Sun-Times, ‘‘I’m just hopeful. I’m just hopeful.’’

As for Umenyiora, he admitted he’s thrilled about how this season has played; he’s aiming for a second Super Bowl ring. And while he isn’t starting, the reality is that without him, the Giants wouldn’t be playing Sunday in Super Bowl XLVI. He missed the first three games because of a minor knee surgery, and he missed seven with a high ankle sprain. Yet he still posted nine sacks in nine regular-season games and 3½ more sacks in the postseason.

Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell appreciated Umenyiora’s professionalism.

‘‘It could have been a big distraction. It was not,” Fewell said. ‘‘Behind the scenes, Osi was in every meeting, paying attention to every detail. Osi was all in.’’ Umenyiora said he hasn’t considered his future beyond Sunday.

‘‘That would be all speculation, so I try not to buy into that or really think too much about that,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m still under contract here, so I could be thinking to myself, ‘I’m going to be somewhere else,’ or come out and be like, ‘I want to be somewhere else.’ But that doesn’t mean anything. Whatever they decide is what’s going to happen.”

Asked if he’s at all anxious, he said, ‘‘There’s not any anxiety at all. It’s been a great run. I’ve had a great time. Hopefully, I’ll be able to continue here. But it’s a business, and they’re going to make business decisions.’’

For the Bears, the trade could cover up some other issues. Most glaring, Briggs would leave a void at weak-side linebacker. But perennial Pro Bowl middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is an outstanding building block for the unit. The Bears are still sorting out what they have at safety, and they could use an upgrade opposite Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman.

But, as the Giants have proven repeatedly, a strong front four can cover up holes in the back seven.

And in Bears coach Lovie Smith’s defense, the driving force is the front four, which could look like this: Peppers at left end, Henry Melton and Stephen Paea or Matt Toeaina inside, and Umenyiora on the right.

That would be a unit to be reckoned with.

**soulman** · 02-01-2012, 01:46 PM

I don't know how you all feel about this but to me it would make more sense than trying to trade Briggs for draft picks. The talent level and contracts of these two make it almost an even Steven trade. Both team fill needs that they would otherwise need to fill in other ways.

The Giants have plenty of pass rushers and although they'd miss Osi it wouldn't be a disaster without him. The Bears, on the other hand, aren't exactly flush with depth at LB and there is no one on the current roster we could expect to step in and fill his shoes. That means a through search for a replacement in FA or moving LB to the top of list in this years draft. Fortunately there are some very good LB prospects ranked as 1st round picks but it would almost surely mean we'd need to ignore drafting a LT if one just happened to fall our way.

Well, I put this up because I thought it would stir up quite a bit of discussion here. This is one possibility that's never been discusses and it does make some real sense provided we were willing to give Osi the extension he's looking for. Frankly I'd do it if the Giants were game. Both DE and WLB are key positions in our defense but that defense favors the WLB and there are usually more LB's out there to choose from then pass rushers with Osi's skills and productivity.

Whatta ya' think guys?

**Jimmors** · 02-01-2012, 01:55 PM

You rarely ever ever ever ever ever see lateral trades of similar caliber players that are the same age and similar paychecks. This hypothetical will never happen, especially since NY fans are pretty fond of Osi as well.

Still...if the Giants really do have OLB issues, then sure...sounds like a pretty smart deal for both teams. (but wont happen).

**short faced bear** · 02-01-2012, 01:59 PM

Stranger things have happened. Don't believe it will however. Be another nice feather in Emery's cap if he could swing it. (the other being getting rid of Ruskell).

**little bear** · 02-01-2012, 02:08 PM

No. It's much harder to find real talent at LB in the first round of the draft than at DE. Guys like Whitney Mercilus, Vinny Curry or Andre Branch can come in and start from day one. I doubt a rookie linebacker can do the same. Keep Briggs!

**4DaBERS** · 02-01-2012, 02:27 PM

Eeeeehhhhh, I don't know guys. This sounds like a pretty sound deal to me. I know player for player swaps seldom occur, but that's because there are too many varables of value to overcome and cap isues for both teams complicate the matters even more. In this case, the similarities are hard to ignore. As strange as it sounds, this could have real potential. Is it likely? Well, probably not, but I said the same thing about Peppers and Cutler. Now we have a new GM ready to make a splash and both teams swap guys that will be grumbling once the off season settles in. The tea leaves actually look pretty interesting.

I would have to look into it much more if they (Da Bears) were asking, but since it's just "soul" asking, I think I would do that trade.

As far as losing Briggs, I think we could actually find a good replacement for him in the 2nd or even 3rd.

**motownbear** · 02-01-2012, 02:27 PM

why get rid of someone you know fits and works and who has avoided serious injuries? They might be the same age but Osi has brittle knees

either way we need to develop a pipeline to get younger at both positions

**Dagan81** · 02-01-2012, 05:14 PM

soul, you know what I want to do. I don't have to repeat it. Osi Umenyiora stays injured more often than not. If it were a matter of depth that we'd take him, I'd be all for it, but the fact remains is that his knees are in piss-poor shape. If the guy can't play but nine games in a season for you on a consistent basis, I don't want him on my team. He will be of no help on a consistency note.

**soulman** · 02-01-2012, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Jimmors

You rarely ever ever ever ever ever see lateral trades of similar caliber players that are the same age and similar paychecks. This hypothetical will never happen, especially since NY fans are pretty fond of Osi as well.

Still...if the Giants really do have OLB issues, then sure...sounds like a pretty smart deal for both teams. (but wont happen).

I don't think so either but it's not a bad deal for either team. They have a major need for an OLB and we have a major need for someone to pair with Pep. Robert Mathis is an UFA and if Indy is going into a rebuilding phase they probably won't sign him. He a very good pass rusher and would come cheaper than Osi without the need to trade Briggs.

**soulman** · 02-01-2012, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by 4DaBERS

Eeeeehhhhh, I don't know guys. This sounds like a pretty sound deal to me. I know player for player swaps seldom occur, but that's because there are too many varables of value to overcome and cap isues for both teams complicate the matters even more. In this case, the similarities are hard to ignore. As strange as it sounds, this could have real potential. Is it likely? Well, probably not, but I said the same thing about Peppers and Cutler. Now we have a new GM ready to make a splash and both teams swap guys that will be grumbling once the off season settles in. The tea leaves actually look pretty interesting.

I would have to look into it much more if they (Da Bears) were asking, but since it's just "soul" asking, I think I would do that trade.

As far as losing Briggs, I think we could actually find a good replacement for him in the 2nd or even 3rd.

Originally Posted by motownbear

why get rid of someone you know fits and works and who has avoided serious injuries? They might be the same age but Osi has brittle knees

either way we need to develop a pipeline to get younger at both positions

Two contrasting opinions and both are logical. It is tough to pull off trades like that but this one actually fits for both team player for player better than most. But mo makes a real good point. Osi has had injury issue and that has to be part of the equation but even with the injuries last season he still gets 9 sacks in 9 games and he'll make Pep more effective.

Maybe a better route to follow is to hold on to Briggs and go after Robert Mathis. He's the same age as Osi and healthier. If Indy is gonna rebuild they probably won't re-sign him and he's averaged 10 sacks a year over the past 4 and plays LDE opposite Pep. He'd be a lot cheaper option than Osi as well.

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