FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Three years ago, Bears Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs was preparing to play in Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium against the Indianapolis Colts.
But this week, Briggs has been participating on a more peripheral level -- like attending parties and conducting interviews at the Media Center -- while the Colts are aiming to win their second Super Bowl rings in four seasons.
''We've been ineffective, and that's a reflection of who we are,'' Briggs told the Sun-Times on Friday. ''That's what we have to do differently to get better. The things that we're doing, it's just not good enough.''
Briggs refused to blame injuries, most notably the loss of fellow linebacker Brian Urlacher for 15 games with a dislocated wrist, and he wouldn't blame coaches or schemes.
''It's on us,'' Briggs said, referring to players. ''Lovie [Smith] never [sent] out a call -- Ron Turner never [sent] out a call -- that they thought [wasn't] effective. So for us to not be able to execute that play comes back on us. The product that we're producing on the field is not what we need. We need to be better.''
His message to his teammates: ''Do what you have to do to be great. Don't be afraid to be great.''
So even though he made his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl roster, Briggs wants to become an All-Pro, a distinction that honors the best from both conferences.
Briggs said he has talked to Urlacher plenty, and he expects both of them to play at an elite level. ''This is going to be a huge year [for Urlacher],'' Briggs said. ''He's going to have an All-Pro year, and I'm going to have an All-Pro year, and we're going to lead our defense and our team to a championship.''
Although the defense ranked 17th in the NFL in 2009, Briggs said he's thrilled Smith backed the team's cover-2 scheme, and he thinks they can be dominant again.
''It's about the attitude,'' Briggs said.
Briggs is particularly excited about the return of Urlacher.
''He's been good,'' Briggs said. ''He's going to lead us to another
Not surprising to hear people talk up your team's management or fellow players in the media.
yeah be like thinking in the offseason people posting on a sport w/o games and still talking about it.. ..
So are you saying we shouldn't talk about it or not post about what players say now? and instead talk about what lets say what highs chool kids post on bleacher report or otyher blogs?
yeah be like thinking in the offseason people posting on a sport w/o games and still talking about it.. ..
So are you saying we shouldn't talk about it or not post about what players say now? and instead talk about what lets say what highs chool kids post on bleacher report or otyher blogs?
No DB, thats not quite what I am saying.
What I am saying, is that what Briggs said in this article about his current coaches, what Hester and Jay said about Martz is worthless. We should take it with a grain of salt. Players will rarely openly rip their current coaches or current teammates.
What do you think would happen if Cutler said he wasn't comfortable with his new OC? Or Hester said he wasn't looking forward to playing for Martz. How about if Briggs said that he didn't think Urlacher would be that great this year, or if he said the coaches were to blame?
The media would have a field day with that dont you think?
I am not, repeat NOT, saying we shouldn't be talking about a sport in the off season. I am saying, that what players say to the media about their current teammates and coaches is worthless.
Not surprising to hear people talk up your team's management or fellow players in the media.
I got a different slant from that convo, if he was asking his teammates not to be afraid to be great, I take it that he thought there were some people screwing the pooch
I got a different slant from that convo, if he was asking his teammates not to be afraid to be great, I take it that he thought there were some people screwing the pooch
He said it was on the players. A group as a whole. Its what should be said, I am not saying it was a lie. I am just saying, seeing someone say its not the coaches fault isn't surprising. Seeing him say this person will have a great year isn't surprising. It is the politically correct thing to say. If a play does not work, it was either a crappy play call or the players failing to execute. How many times in the media, will you ever hear a player say that a play that was called was shitty?
What I am saying, is that what Briggs said in this article about his current coaches, what Hester and Jay said about Martz is worthless. We should take it with a grain of salt. Players will rarely openly rip their current coaches or current teammates.
What do you think would happen if Cutler said he wasn't comfortable with his new OC? Or Hester said he wasn't looking forward to playing for Martz. How about if Briggs said that he didn't think Urlacher would be that great this year, or if he said the coaches were to blame?
The media would have a field day with that dont you think?
I am not, repeat NOT, saying we shouldn't be talking about a sport in the off season. I am saying, that what players say to the media about their current teammates and coaches is worthless.
Ok , guess this is where i get off the merry-go-round
So, if players don't talk to the media, you complain, we as fans should know and want them to talk..and be "fan friendly"
then when do, says everythign they say is BS and "worthless" and we shouldn't bother with it.
this is why athlete's don't talk to media that much and have developed such scorn for fans.. FWIW
Ok , guess this is where i get off the merry-go-round
So, if players don't talk to the media, you complain, we as fans should know and want them to talk..and be "fan friendly"
then when do, says everythign they say is BS and "worthless" and we shouldn't bother with it.
this is why athlete's don't talk to media that much and have developed such scorn for fans.. FWIW
They can take their scorn and stuff it up their ass. If it weren't for the fans they'd be working on the assembly line next to former XFL players. Any time it bothers them, they can feel free to give up their multi million dollar contracts and put their humanities degree to good use in something more low profile.
Ok , guess this is where i get off the merry-go-round
So, if players don't talk to the media, you complain, we as fans should know and want them to talk..and be "fan friendly"
then when do, says everythign they say is BS and "worthless" and we shouldn't bother with it.
this is why athlete's don't talk to media that much and have developed such scorn for fans.. FWIW
Did I say I wanted them to talk to the media? No. I don't give a shit if they talk to the media or not. I don't care if they are fan friendly or not. Their job is to get on the field and play. Are they supposed to talk to the media? As part of the rules, yes. I just find it laughable that some people take everything they say as if it were the truth. Could be saying what he truely feels? Without a doubt he could be. But when it comes to talking about your coaches, or other players on your team (not past team mates or past coaches) its always this is great, he's doing a good job, the game plan was good, yadda yadda yadda. More often than not, its all bullshit when they talk about something other than themselves. Because you know they wont throw someone under the bus if they have to work with them.
Not surprising to hear people talk up your team's management or fellow players in the media.
That's what ya call ass kissing. Briggs and every player need to be the best they can be. The best shape/condition also so they can perform att heir top level. Then they need to play as a TEAM!!!
After all they're not getting paid peanuts each week.
One of my favorite sayings from Ditka is "they're not bringing home a half a paycheck each week, so I expect 100% each week" or something like that.
After this is accomplished the coaching staff needs to fine tune any deficiencies.
I know easier said than done...lol
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