Our (Possible) Starting Middle Linebacker for 2012
by Nelliott34 on Feb 1, 2012 7:23 PM MST
Email
Print
So, if i told you ive found the solution to finding a Middle Linebacker to surplant Joe Mays would you be interested? we wouldnt obtain this player via free agency or the draft, rather via a trade. The player i have in mind is a seven-time pro bowl selection, had over 100 tackles last season, played every single down on defense last season(one of only 6 non-offensive linemen players to do so), and with his current contract would only cost us 3.75 million next year. Now youre probably saying, "Okay sounds too good to be true. What team would be willing to get rid of a player like that?"
Ill give you a few more hints. The said player requested a trade due to his contract, but his organization denied his request. Instead of holding out or whining about not getting his way, this player went out and showed why he deserved more money. The said player is a linebacker for Jay Cutler's current team, Da Bears. If you said Brian Urlacher, you'd be wrong...
its none other than Lance Briggs. Briggs requested a trade from the Bears a few months ago but the GM in Chicago denied him his trade. So, Lance went out and had a pro-bowl season and never said another word about a trade, but never withdrew his trade request. This man has only missed 4 games in his 9 seasons, and is so versatile that he played EVERY DOWN OF DEFENSE LAST YEAR!
If the Bears and Briggs cannot reconcile their differences, I could see the Bears shopping him a bit. Im not sure what we would have to give up to get him, but even at 31 years old i believe this man would be a must have.
I think our best option would be to offer the Bears our 2012 3rd round Draft pick with a conditional pick in 2013.
Hit me with your thoughts below...AND GO BRONCOS!
This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR
43 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Not a bad idea...
I would trade a 3rd rounder for Briggs in a heartbeat. You are going to get a certain segment of MHR faithful who exercise a little “rosterbation” and insist Nate Irving is the long-term answer.
Just don't know if a 3rd and another condition in 2013 would be enough to land Briggs.
I really don’t think so.
This signature was sacked by Von Miller.
I bleed Orange & Blue. GB².
by Fabio Broncos on Feb 4, 2012 7:53 AM MST up reply actions
No!!! Nate Irving IS the long-term answer!!!!
Actually, I don’t have a clue. Just a poor attempt at humor.
There's no way Khloe's a Kardashian. No frickin' way.
by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Feb 1, 2012 7:51 PM MST reply actions
I'm torn on voting.
I want Yes. I need more info. I’ll be back later.
Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt
He's a Will.
Even when Urlacher went down they didn’t move him to Mike they moved Roach. I vote no as MLB. I did learn though what I believed to be true all along and that is that DJ makes way to much money for hi amount of production. Briggs make a mil less per year and is twice as good.
Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt
by Digger24 on Feb 1, 2012 8:36 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
This signature was sacked by Von Miller.
I bleed Orange & Blue. GB².
by Fabio Broncos on Feb 4, 2012 7:54 AM MST up reply actions
Making DJ play Mike
if Irving isn’t ready is a much better idea than spending FA money on another LB. I know i had us getting Connor in a mock earlier, but we actually have multiple options at LB right now. DJ doesn’t want to play Mike, well to bad. Earn your money DJ.
Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt
He kinda wants a crap load of money.
Sign Dan Conner. You won’t be sorry.
hcamhfcolanholanwsanvlaplayoffsljahnanlanvamwehpncwnwlnsuperbowlljcanlncnfjlhwvjdlvknhsglsjvscandiceswanepoelolkjmvpjaofchajhvajchajhflawhgak
Can you find the 'W' in this mess? Tebow can.
by Zac Man on Feb 1, 2012 8:33 PM MST reply actions 2 recs
Love Conner
That dude is a beast. I’ve wanted him on the Broncos ever since the Panthers drafted him. Of course, I’d love to have Beason instead! Lol a guy can dream…
by jbbroncosfan27 on Feb 1, 2012 8:43 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
I'd give up a 2nd for Briggs
but a 3rd and conditional next year would do as well. However I think the best two options money to production wise, would be Dan Conner or Vontaze Burfict. Burfict may have some “mental” issues, but so did Ray Lewis. Bottom line is Burfict can hit, and when he does he hits really REALLY hard, great MLB mentality. But Briggs for a 3rd or 2nd would be a huge veteran improvement to this (for the most part) young Defense.
Dan Conner Yeah
"Kool-Aid Kool Aid, Tastes Great, We Want Kool Aid, Can't Wait"
by littletinybroncos on Feb 1, 2012 9:56 PM MST reply actions
i could be wrong
But wouldn’t da bears be asking for more than a third, heck we wanted a second for orton for awhile…
by TRUTH_HURTS on Feb 1, 2012 10:20 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Yes, I think so.
This signature was sacked by Von Miller.
I bleed Orange & Blue. GB².
by Fabio Broncos on Feb 4, 2012 7:56 AM MST up reply actions
He is a great linebacker
But he is not a natural middle linebacker since he struggles in pass coverage, he’s just a better version of Joe Mays. While I like him, he’s better built as an OLB, really where DJ already plays the thumper position. Trying to shift Briggs inside resulted in poor play in 2008 when Urlacher was hurt and Briggs and Hunter Hillenmeyer shared time at MLB. Briggs just isn’t a fit at MLB. Briggs is a great OLB, but he lacks the skill set of a MLB. So if we wanted to upgrade over DJ, I could see us bringing him in despite the high cost (He’s a 7x Pro Bowler and 3x All-Pro).
Also Briggs has been saying he wants to be traded since 2007 when he said he no longer considered himself a Bear, but his relationship with Brian Urlacher has kept him there. With the return of Cutler and Forte, and the firing of Jerry Angelo, I’m expecting Briggs’ attitude to improve.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
PLEASE
No more 30+ year old FA’s. No to Briggs, No to Manning. The only senario I wouldnt mind seeing a 30+ year old FA is if one of our kickers was out for the season, kickers are ok.
Every good team needs some 30 something vets. Anyone starting in the NFL at that age obviously knows what they are doing, how to do it and how to prepare.
We can’t just hope every young player develops because some of them will be “never were’s” Like Darcel McBath. Maybe like Nate Irving.
Tim Tebow is Denver's 2012 starting QB. I'm not even kind of sorry that offends some of you (including you Elway).
by McGeorge on Feb 2, 2012 8:08 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly, grabbing FA's is fine
As long as your entire team isn’t built like that.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
I just want to sign one of those offensive linemen who played every snap on defense…
by mast on Feb 2, 2012 6:58 AM MST reply actions 1 recs
My concern with Irving is that
MLB is one of those positions that you can see early on in a guys career whether or not he’s going to be the guy. Concerned that Irving was not able to show that in his rookie year. A bit like the RB position, very instinctual and natural…usually know quickly whether a guy is able to do it or not. I hope Irving proves me wrong…. we desperately need to get stronger up the middle (DT, MLB, Safety). If I were GM, drafting to build a D, those would be my first 3 positions to fill.
"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."
by rubincarterrocks on Feb 2, 2012 8:27 AM MST reply actions
I don't think Irving is the long term answer but in this case I'd like to keep my draft pick and get a "value signing" for the position in Dan Connor
Elway has said it, “We are going to build a winner through the draft” Giving picks away for older players (even if they are great) isn’t the way to accomplish that goal.
Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.
Nate Irving
With the exception of a few plays against the Vikings and special teams plays we haven’t gotten a real significant look at Nate Irving and people already have him as a bust. Sounds like the same jumping the gun that took place with Demaryius Thomas.
3rd rounders aren’t expected to start year 1, but let’s see how he does after a full offseason and training camp. I’d be surprised if he didn’t rock it.
Von Miller doesn't sleep, he waits
by RockyMountainThunder on Feb 2, 2012 12:08 PM MST reply actions
Demaryius Thomas
was mostly referred to as a “bust” because of injury concerns, not ability concerns. Irving’s question mark is mostly centered around his ability, not injury concerns. Therefore, I think it is apples and oranges.
Nate Irving vs. Jon Beason
There is no reason that Nate Irving can’t be as good as Jon Beason. Jon Beason only played 1 game his rookie season under fox and only recorded 4 tackles. The next season, Beason played in all 16 games. I have not watched tape of Beason’s play at Miami but Nate Irving was Consistently destroying QB’s and RB’s at NCSU. Not only am I not considering him a lost pick, I am excited to see him play
I hate to do this
but NCbroncosFan is wrong on Beason. That does not mean he isn’t right on Irving!!!! Beason started at Will his rookie year and when Dan Morgan went down he shifted to Mike and Na’il Diggs played Will. The next year they drafted Connor. NCbF could be talking about Connor. Connor didn’t work his way into the starting lineup for 2 and a half years. He only saw limited play after being selected in the 3rd round by Fox. BTW Irving was drafted 7 spots higer than Connor, just for trivia sake.
Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt
Mistake
Yah, you’re right. I was accidently looking at Beason’s stats for this year thinking it was his rookie year. Well, that’s kind of dissapointing. I thought I was on to something. I am still betting on Irving though. I have been to my share of NC State games and, when he was not on the field the other team scored points. Clear leader of the defense.
He will be a stud for us.
I’m sure of it.
Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt
I think your right there kiddo...
Win, lose or draw, we are the Denver Broncos! 13-3 Baby!!! Until we ain't!
The issue with Irving
Is the same with Mays, both are fantastic thumpers against the run but both struggle in coverage. Not saying Irving is going to fail, just he’s not a coverage MLB, he’s built similarly to Mays, a run stopper.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
5-11 250 Age 26
North Dakota State
6-1 240 Age 23
North Carolina State
Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt
I know I just threw that in there.
Age is big factor in my book.
Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt
Yes, I agree
And Beason wansn’t hurt by a lockout, like Irving was.
Now it’s the first time the kid will experience a full offseason. I have a big hope on him.
This signature was sacked by Von Miller.
I bleed Orange & Blue. GB².
by Fabio Broncos on Feb 4, 2012 7:58 AM MST up reply actions
Oh...the anticipation leading up to free agency. Can't wait.
Win, lose or draw, we are the Denver Broncos! 13-3 Baby!!! Until we ain't!
Heres another idea then...
what if we bumped DJ back into the middle and picked up briggs on the outside? hmmmm….hmmmmmmm?
anything but Mays please
Hell, the kicker from Baltimore has to have better instincts than Mays. Worst Middle backer in the league.
But…..his hit on Moeaki is still priceless
"Vegetarians are cool. All I eat are vegetarians - except for the occasional mountain lion steak "
Ted Nugent
He's hardly the worst MLB in the league
He’s average. I can’t think of any way he is the worst, though I’d love to hear how. Just for reference here’s how experts rank him:
- Pro Football Reference: 25th of 55, above guys like Vilma, Ronaldo McClain, Ruud, Brooking, Hawk, Haggan and Brandon Spikes.
- Advanced NFL Stats: 27th of 56, above the guys listed above and Takeo Spikes, Taylor and Hawthorne.
- Pro Football Focus: 17th of 50, above Bishop, Timmons, Maualuga, and Farrior.
Yea there is no logic to saying he’s last in the league. It’s fine to say we need to upgrade, I’d agree with that, especially getting a guy whose better in coverage, but to say he’s last in the league is nonsense.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Mile High Report
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Getting Social With MHR
Web Stuff
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Things to know about NFL men who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam
- How Kyle Orton almost cost the Colts Andrew Luck
- Detroit Lions DT Nick Fairley arrested again; now has more NFL arrests than NFL sacks
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
