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Bears RB Thomas Jones, LB Lance Briggs Demoted? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter datonn
- Start date
purestrength
Footballguy
If coaches are going to do stuff like this, the NFL might as well remove the word "voluntary" from its off-season conditioning programs.
I'm not saying Cedric can't beat out TJ on talent (not saying he can either), but giving him No. 1 because TJ didn't attend the "voluntary" programs is a load of crap.
I'm not saying Cedric can't beat out TJ on talent (not saying he can either), but giving him No. 1 because TJ didn't attend the "voluntary" programs is a load of crap.
purestrength
Footballguy
But Jones reported to the mandatory stuff this week. He's not holding out -- at least not yet.
KnowledgeReignsSupreme
Footballguy
Extra effort. Giving 110%. Going the whole 9 yards. You get the idea.
Winning IS Everything
Footballguy
I think the coaches are just sending a message here. The COACHES run the team, not Jones, Briggs or Rosen "I want the" Haus. Come September, the best players will be on the field.
GRIDIRON ASSASSIN
Footballguy
The ignorance of some people around here cracks me up...
Lovie may be in a bind here after putting Jones with the second team. I actually agree with the move... but now can you move him back in with the first offense rotation without pissing off Benson?
In fact, I think it's even more likely now that Jones is going to be shopped actively by the Bears and I am looking forward to it. But where?
Unlikely, but could use help at RB:
NY Jets or NY Giants (no great long term option)
Pittsburgh (doubtful, though Parker will go a long way this season in proving or dis-proving himself as a capable full-time RB)
Indy (maybe the worst starting RB in the NFL, but still they invested in a 1st rounder)
Green Bay (IIRC, all their RBs are signed to 1-year deals)
Definite possibility, IMO:
Jacksonville (Taylor should soon prove his is on the downside of his career, be it another injury, or declined production)
Denver (Shanny has pretty much said he doesn't have much faith in the Broncos most talented RB)
San Fran (Barlow and Hicks probably aren't the long-term guys. Gore may havea chance, but there are still injury questions)
In fact, I think it's even more likely now that Jones is going to be shopped actively by the Bears and I am looking forward to it. But where?
Unlikely, but could use help at RB:
NY Jets or NY Giants (no great long term option)
Pittsburgh (doubtful, though Parker will go a long way this season in proving or dis-proving himself as a capable full-time RB)
Indy (maybe the worst starting RB in the NFL, but still they invested in a 1st rounder)
Green Bay (IIRC, all their RBs are signed to 1-year deals)
Definite possibility, IMO:
Jacksonville (Taylor should soon prove his is on the downside of his career, be it another injury, or declined production)
Denver (Shanny has pretty much said he doesn't have much faith in the Broncos most talented RB)
San Fran (Barlow and Hicks probably aren't the long-term guys. Gore may havea chance, but there are still injury questions)
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I don't think upsetting Benson is a concern. The kid is making millions and has yet to show anything. Jones earned the starting job with his play the past couple seasons.
I'm not sure showing up and participating in a voluntary offseason conditioning program should be more important than what Jones did on the field for the past couple seasons. IMO, Jones has earned the starting job and Benson will need to do a lot more than workout in the offseason to take it away from him.Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
purestrength
Footballguy
I'm not sure showing up and participating in a voluntary offseason conditioning program should be more important than what Jones did on the field for the past couple seasons. IMO, Jones has earned the starting job and Benson will need to do a lot more than workout in the offseason to take it away from him.Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
FUBAR
Footballguy
Fair enough, and probably true. But Jones doesn't have a "right" to the job, so a demotion isn't really a penalty.I'm not sure showing up and participating in a voluntary offseason conditioning program should be more important than what Jones did on the field for the past couple seasons. IMO, Jones has earned the starting job and Benson will need to do a lot more than workout in the offseason to take it away from him.Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
I'm sure Benson will be successful if given a shot. Probably better than Jones. Just curious, how many leagues do you own TJ? I own Benson in 3I'm not sure showing up and participating in a voluntary offseason conditioning program should be more important than what Jones did on the field for the past couple seasons. IMO, Jones has earned the starting job and Benson will need to do a lot more than workout in the offseason to take it away from him.Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
I'll admit I'm a little bias.
geoff8695
Footballguy
Do you think this is a "real" demotion.I'm not sure showing up and participating in a voluntary offseason conditioning program should be more important than what Jones did on the field for the past couple seasons. IMO, Jones has earned the starting job and Benson will need to do a lot more than workout in the offseason to take it away from him.Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
I believe that Lovie and the organization is just sending a message to Thomas Jones that, as valuable as he is to the Bears, he is still replaceable. I just think the Bears coaching staff and organization are letting TJ know that all the leverage is on the Bears side and if he even thinks about not showing up or holding out for mandatory camp, then they have no qualms about starting Benson in his place. It also is a chance to show the team that there is open competion for each and every position; it doesn't matter how successful you were last season.
Granted, I claim no special insight as to the chemistry and character of the Bears locker room or how they will respond to Thomas Jones being "demoted", or forced to earn his starting role, but personally I think this is a great approach and message to send to a professional football team.
Kudos to the Lovie and the Bears organization.
ETA: If the Bears 1st game were next Sunday - I believe Thomas Jones would get the 'lion's share' of the carries. However if Benson outplays Jones over the pre-season 'all bets are off'.
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diesel7982
Footballguy
Coaches that do this type of crap really make meI'm not sure showing up and participating in a voluntary offseason conditioning program should be more important than what Jones did on the field for the past couple seasons. IMO, Jones has earned the starting job and Benson will need to do a lot more than workout in the offseason to take it away from him.Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
.Id love to see Jones and Briggs file a grievance with the NFLPA against the Bears for this.
I don't think I own either in any leagues.Just curious, how many leagues do you own TJ? I own Benson in 3
no, not at all.Do you think this is a "real" demotion.
I was thinking a grievance could be appropriate here. While I strongly disagree with a player holding out after they have signed a deal, Lovie may have misstepped.He should have said that Benson looked so good that he was being bumped up. Same message, less incriminating for the organization. I think Jones has a decent claim that he is being unfairly penalized and that the team has, de facto, breached the contract by making the camp mandatory.Coaches that do this type of crap really make meI'm not sure showing up and participating in a voluntary offseason conditioning program should be more important than what Jones did on the field for the past couple seasons. IMO, Jones has earned the starting job and Benson will need to do a lot more than workout in the offseason to take it away from him.Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
FUBAR
Footballguy
I was thinking a grievance could be appropriate here. While I strongly disagree with a player holding out after they have signed a deal, Lovie may have misstepped.He should have said that Benson looked so good that he was being bumped up. Same message, less incriminating for the organization. I think Jones has a decent claim that he is being unfairly penalized and that the team has, de facto, breached the contract by making the camp mandatory.Coaches that do this type of crap really make meI'm not sure showing up and participating in a voluntary offseason conditioning program should be more important than what Jones did on the field for the past couple seasons. IMO, Jones has earned the starting job and Benson will need to do a lot more than workout in the offseason to take it away from him.Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
Incriminating? Gee, a guy who shows more effort, who was drafted top 5 last year, gets a nod of approval and you want the NFLPA to step in?Briggs is somewhat of a different story.
Assani Fisher
Footballguy
But why is coming to a voluntary workout mean hes showing extra effort? How do you know that TJ isn't working even harder but he prefers to work at home?Was he fined? No, he simply has lost an edge to a player showing more hunger. Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
GroveDiesel
Footballguy
Lovie Smith said that the reason that he was demoting the two guys was because they weren't there. Not sure the NFLPA needs anything else. Lovie Smith is clearly punishing TJ for not being in camp. He said about a week ago that TJ was the #1 due to his performance over the past 2 seasons. Now he's the #2 because he didn't attend the voluntary camps. Seems like a pretty blatant violation of the CBA.I was thinking a grievance could be appropriate here. While I strongly disagree with a player holding out after they have signed a deal, Lovie may have misstepped.He should have said that Benson looked so good that he was being bumped up. Same message, less incriminating for the organization. I think Jones has a decent claim that he is being unfairly penalized and that the team has, de facto, breached the contract by making the camp mandatory.Coaches that do this type of crap really make meI'm not sure showing up and participating in a voluntary offseason conditioning program should be more important than what Jones did on the field for the past couple seasons. IMO, Jones has earned the starting job and Benson will need to do a lot more than workout in the offseason to take it away from him.Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
I do think the players should be showing up. But I also think the NFL should have stopped this dog and pony show and just made the OTA's mandatory or got rid of them completely. This involuntary "voluntary" stuff is just garbage. As PFT has been showing, the no contact rules are almost never followed either. What's the point of having all of these rules if they're not going to be followed anyway? Just one more way that the owners got hosed on the new CBA. They couldn't even get rid of this type of garbage. So we get these little games played by players, agent, GMs and coaches because the balance of power has shifted to the players.I do think that any players not showing up for these voluntary camps are demonstrating pretty clearly where their priorities are. As a Bills fan, I have very little love left for Willis McGahee. He has a nice contract, looked like a turd last season, has a new coach and new offense, and didn't attend most of the OTAs again this season. He's shown pretty clearly that he cares more about himself than putting everything he has into becoming a better team.
KnowledgeReignsSupreme
Footballguy
You don't know that. That's why TJ doesn't get credit for extra effort while Benson does. The coach can see Benson and not TJ.But why is coming to a voluntary workout mean hes showing extra effort? How do you know that TJ isn't working even harder but he prefers to work at home?Was he fined? No, he simply has lost an edge to a player showing more hunger. Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
FUBAR
Footballguy
You don't know that. That's why TJ doesn't get credit for extra effort while Benson does. The coach can see Benson and not TJ.But why is coming to a voluntary workout mean hes showing extra effort? How do you know that TJ isn't working even harder but he prefers to work at home?Was he fined? No, he simply has lost an edge to a player showing more hunger. Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
Look, we disagree on "punishment", but it doesnt matter. Nothing is solidified until week 1, there's a long way to go.
CalBear
Footballguy
Jones did better than expected at RB for Chicago, but he didn't do as well as Travis Henry did for Buffalo, and we know how that turned out.I'm not sure showing up and participating in a voluntary offseason conditioning program should be more important than what Jones did on the field for the past couple seasons. IMO, Jones has earned the starting job and Benson will need to do a lot more than workout in the offseason to take it away from him.Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
he didn't?Thomas Jones was a top-10 fantasy RB last season and helped lead the Bears to a 1st round playoff bye despite playing with a 4th round rookie QB under center for most of the season.Jones did better than expected at RB for Chicago, but he didn't do as well as Travis Henry did for Buffalo, and we know how that turned out.I'm not sure showing up and participating in a voluntary offseason conditioning program should be more important than what Jones did on the field for the past couple seasons. IMO, Jones has earned the starting job and Benson will need to do a lot more than workout in the offseason to take it away from him.Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
diesel7982
Footballguy
The bolded part is dead on, but I doubt you'll get alot of agreement here.Even though I believe the players know good and well they could file grievances over this, I believe theres too much peer pressure for them to do anything about it.Lovie Smith said that the reason that he was demoting the two guys was because they weren't there. Not sure the NFLPA needs anything else. Lovie Smith is clearly punishing TJ for not being in camp. He said about a week ago that TJ was the #1 due to his performance over the past 2 seasons. Now he's the #2 because he didn't attend the voluntary camps. Seems like a pretty blatant violation of the CBA.I was thinking a grievance could be appropriate here. While I strongly disagree with a player holding out after they have signed a deal, Lovie may have misstepped.He should have said that Benson looked so good that he was being bumped up. Same message, less incriminating for the organization. I think Jones has a decent claim that he is being unfairly penalized and that the team has, de facto, breached the contract by making the camp mandatory.Coaches that do this type of crap really make meI'm not sure showing up and participating in a voluntary offseason conditioning program should be more important than what Jones did on the field for the past couple seasons. IMO, Jones has earned the starting job and Benson will need to do a lot more than workout in the offseason to take it away from him.Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
I do think that any players not showing up for these voluntary camps are demonstrating pretty clearly where their priorities are. As a Bills fan, I have very little love left for Willis McGahee. He has a nice contract, looked like a turd last season, has a new coach and new offense, and didn't attend most of the OTAs again this season. He's shown pretty clearly that he cares more about himself than putting everything he has into becoming a better team.
Here's how I see it.
75% Jones starts, it's RBBC, Jones gets 60% of the carries.
15% Jones struggles, Benson is named starter, RBBC, Benson gets 60% of the carries
10% Benson is named starter week 1, RBBC, Benson gets 60% of the carries
So unless Jones a) holds out, b) struggles, c) gets hurt I don't see them making Benson the starter. Doesn't mean he won't get 10-12 touches. Either way, it's RBBC.
They can keep Jones happy, give him the token starts, have a RBBC and everyone is happy. Benching Jones won't go over well in the locker room, and if it isn't broke, don't fix it. I agree they will give Benson more touches then they would if he was a 2nd round RB. They'll push him to prove himself. Give him 2-3 series a game where he's the RB. He'll get more chances to prove himself then most backups. But...
I see Benson at best, LJ type role from last year. Lots of touches, lots of chances, but unless Priest gets hurt, he isn't starting. In order to keep Jones on the bench, Benson would just have to put up insane numbers/production. And I don't see Benson rushing for 160 yards week 1 and forcing Smith to hand him the job. Smith can keep everyone happy, let Jones start, feed Benson by RBBC. No one in the Bears locker room is calling for Benson to start. In fact, there would probably be a revolt if Benson was named the starter. You don't just disturb the entire team by benching a guy who carried your offense last year. You can have your cake and eat it too, just start Jones and feed Benson as much as he can handle. So for Smith, this is an easy win-win situation. Until Benson is outproducing Jones on the field, Smith won't have to change a thing.
75% Jones starts, it's RBBC, Jones gets 60% of the carries.
15% Jones struggles, Benson is named starter, RBBC, Benson gets 60% of the carries
10% Benson is named starter week 1, RBBC, Benson gets 60% of the carries
So unless Jones a) holds out, b) struggles, c) gets hurt I don't see them making Benson the starter. Doesn't mean he won't get 10-12 touches. Either way, it's RBBC.
They can keep Jones happy, give him the token starts, have a RBBC and everyone is happy. Benching Jones won't go over well in the locker room, and if it isn't broke, don't fix it. I agree they will give Benson more touches then they would if he was a 2nd round RB. They'll push him to prove himself. Give him 2-3 series a game where he's the RB. He'll get more chances to prove himself then most backups. But...
I see Benson at best, LJ type role from last year. Lots of touches, lots of chances, but unless Priest gets hurt, he isn't starting. In order to keep Jones on the bench, Benson would just have to put up insane numbers/production. And I don't see Benson rushing for 160 yards week 1 and forcing Smith to hand him the job. Smith can keep everyone happy, let Jones start, feed Benson by RBBC. No one in the Bears locker room is calling for Benson to start. In fact, there would probably be a revolt if Benson was named the starter. You don't just disturb the entire team by benching a guy who carried your offense last year. You can have your cake and eat it too, just start Jones and feed Benson as much as he can handle. So for Smith, this is an easy win-win situation. Until Benson is outproducing Jones on the field, Smith won't have to change a thing.
FUBAR
Footballguy
I guess I'm not up on my CBA. If it's against the rules, it shouldn't be.The bolded part is dead on, but I doubt you'll get alot of agreement here.Even though I believe the players know good and well they could file grievances over this, I believe theres too much peer pressure for them to do anything about it.Lovie Smith said that the reason that he was demoting the two guys was because they weren't there. Not sure the NFLPA needs anything else. Lovie Smith is clearly punishing TJ for not being in camp. He said about a week ago that TJ was the #1 due to his performance over the past 2 seasons. Now he's the #2 because he didn't attend the voluntary camps. Seems like a pretty blatant violation of the CBA.
the defense was huge, no doubt. but, take away Thomas Jones and how would that team do?
FUBAR
Footballguy
Meril Hoge said it best (with an obvious bias) the defense's best friend is a strong running game. Jones was very much a part of that division championship. More important than most of the individuals on the defense.But, that doesn't change the fact that Benson will get his opportunity.
delusional
Footballguy
jones to indy 
GRIDIRON ASSASSIN
Footballguy
Thomas Jones WAS the Bears offense last year (and some strong O-Line play). With that said, he doesn't have an ounce of leverage if he plans on holding out. Have you guys seen him btw? He has muscles on top of his muscles now:Thomas Jones flabby look after avoiding VOLUNTARY training with the Bears
TheFanatic
Footballguy
Benson suffered last year because he held out and missed voluntary and mandatory sessions. The Coaches said specifically that if he wasn't in camp he's not going to get a shot to start.
The coaching staff can't turn around and say that TJones has earned the right to start and can do whatever he wants. The Coaching staff is perfectly in their right to reward Benson for being there. The Bears owe TJones nothing but a pay check. There is nothing in his contract that says, "starting RB." There is nothing in Benson's either, except if you read between the lines. Particularly the lines that say $20 million signing bonus.
Coaches win by putting their best players on the field. If they feel that Benson has more talent (which he does, albeit not entirely the same talent) and has worked harder than TJones then Benson is going to be rewarded. Lovie doesn't suffer fools. Jerk him around and he will plant you firmly on the bench or put his foot in your butt on your way to unemployedville....
As a Cedric and Jones owner in 1 league, do I think this is a demotion for Jones? Nope. I think they are just motivating him. If Jones plays hardball and decides to try to force a trade or a renogotiation the team is perfectly content to go with Cedric. With Cedric there, Jones has no bargaining power whatsoever. The Bears have all the leverage...
When is Jones' contract up. If it's after 2006, he should get his but into camp, play hard, be the second fiddle if necessary but do it with class, and teams will come calling with contracts in hand next year...
The coaching staff can't turn around and say that TJones has earned the right to start and can do whatever he wants. The Coaching staff is perfectly in their right to reward Benson for being there. The Bears owe TJones nothing but a pay check. There is nothing in his contract that says, "starting RB." There is nothing in Benson's either, except if you read between the lines. Particularly the lines that say $20 million signing bonus.
Coaches win by putting their best players on the field. If they feel that Benson has more talent (which he does, albeit not entirely the same talent) and has worked harder than TJones then Benson is going to be rewarded. Lovie doesn't suffer fools. Jerk him around and he will plant you firmly on the bench or put his foot in your butt on your way to unemployedville....
As a Cedric and Jones owner in 1 league, do I think this is a demotion for Jones? Nope. I think they are just motivating him. If Jones plays hardball and decides to try to force a trade or a renogotiation the team is perfectly content to go with Cedric. With Cedric there, Jones has no bargaining power whatsoever. The Bears have all the leverage...
When is Jones' contract up. If it's after 2006, he should get his but into camp, play hard, be the second fiddle if necessary but do it with class, and teams will come calling with contracts in hand next year...
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benson_will_lead_the_way
Footballguy
Then lets have the NFLPA make the starting line-ups of the teams!!! or better yet, lets just take the coaches out of the equation!!!Face it, Lovie Smith has been turning the Bears franchise around from Day 1 and his plan has worked up to this point and lets give him the benefit of the doubt.The bolded part is dead on, but I doubt you'll get alot of agreement here.Even though I believe the players know good and well they could file grievances over this, I believe theres too much peer pressure for them to do anything about it.Lovie Smith said that the reason that he was demoting the two guys was because they weren't there. Not sure the NFLPA needs anything else. Lovie Smith is clearly punishing TJ for not being in camp. He said about a week ago that TJ was the #1 due to his performance over the past 2 seasons. Now he's the #2 because he didn't attend the voluntary camps. Seems like a pretty blatant violation of the CBA.I was thinking a grievance could be appropriate here. While I strongly disagree with a player holding out after they have signed a deal, Lovie may have misstepped.He should have said that Benson looked so good that he was being bumped up. Same message, less incriminating for the organization. I think Jones has a decent claim that he is being unfairly penalized and that the team has, de facto, breached the contract by making the camp mandatory.Coaches that do this type of crap really make meI'm not sure showing up and participating in a voluntary offseason conditioning program should be more important than what Jones did on the field for the past couple seasons. IMO, Jones has earned the starting job and Benson will need to do a lot more than workout in the offseason to take it away from him.Games don't start until September, but a coach should give a comparable RB who is making the extra effort, the edge.
Some of you seem to think a player has a right to start.
I do think that any players not showing up for these voluntary camps are demonstrating pretty clearly where their priorities are. As a Bills fan, I have very little love left for Willis McGahee. He has a nice contract, looked like a turd last season, has a new coach and new offense, and didn't attend most of the OTAs again this season. He's shown pretty clearly that he cares more about himself than putting everything he has into becoming a better team.
As to if its ethical...i put it along the same lines of the government getting involved with child obediance and how parents cannot spank thier children in public. THEY NEED TO KEEP OUT OF THIER BUSINESS!
News early this morning:
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears begin another round of voluntary workouts Monday, June 5, and head coach Lovie Smith is hopeful RB Thomas Jones will be there. "I'm not really commenting on their situation,'' said agent Drew Rosenhaus, who had not returned phone calls from his Miami-based operation in the two weeks leading up to minicamp. "I just came by to visit with my clients.'' Rosenhaus and Jones had a brief conversation after the team's minicamp concluded Sunday, June 4. The Bears just want Jones to show up today for the first of four organized team activities (OTAs) scheduled this week. There are 12 in the next three weeks, and Smith has made it clear he puts a premium on attendance. What exactly Jones desires is not clear. Jones has two years remaining on a four-year contract and is scheduled to earn $2.25 million in both 2006 and 2007.
Does anyone know if Briggs or Jones showed up??
I guess they did, otherwise this would've been a big story.
Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears begin another round of voluntary workouts Monday, June 5, and head coach Lovie Smith is hopeful RB Thomas Jones will be there. "I'm not really commenting on their situation,'' said agent Drew Rosenhaus, who had not returned phone calls from his Miami-based operation in the two weeks leading up to minicamp. "I just came by to visit with my clients.'' Rosenhaus and Jones had a brief conversation after the team's minicamp concluded Sunday, June 4. The Bears just want Jones to show up today for the first of four organized team activities (OTAs) scheduled this week. There are 12 in the next three weeks, and Smith has made it clear he puts a premium on attendance. What exactly Jones desires is not clear. Jones has two years remaining on a four-year contract and is scheduled to earn $2.25 million in both 2006 and 2007.
Does anyone know if Briggs or Jones showed up??
I guess they did, otherwise this would've been a big story.
jbird5150
Footballguy
Briggs, Jones nowhere in sightUnhappy Bears likely to skip rest of drills
By K.C. Johnson
Tribune staff reporter
June 5, 2006, 9:29 PM CDT
Coach Lovie Smith decided to reward the Bears for a solid three-day mini-camp by canceling the first of 12 scheduled organized team activities Monday.
Neither Lance Briggs nor Thomas Jones attended the morning team meeting at which Smith unveiled the news, which makes their attendance at the subsequent voluntary workouts unlikely. The Bears don't expect either player on Tuesday.
Both players attended the mandatory mini-camp after leaving voluntary team workouts in late April because of dissatisfaction with their contracts. Smith responded to those decisions by demoting both players to mostly second-team repetitions over the weekend.
General manager Jerry Angelo on Monday said he supported Smith's decision "100 percent" and expressed disappointment that Briggs and Jones weren't at Halas Hall on Monday.
"This isn't about rules," Angelo said. "It's about what's right. This window isn't about bodybuilding. It's about team building."
That's Angelo's way of answering those who question how Smith could demote two players for missing team workouts that, per NFL rules, are voluntary. The league's collective bargaining agreement allows 14 weeks of such workouts. The Bears use 11.
That Jones and Briggs are absent while the Bears make lesser workout demands is one reason management's disappointment is palpable. A strong belief in the coaching, training and strength and conditioning staffs is another benefit to being at Halas.
Both Jones and Briggs appeared in excellent shape for the mini-camp. Neither player commented on their situations, other than Briggs answering "absolutely" when asked if he wanted his contract extension settled.
The Bears, who have signed several players to long-term extensions, pulled their offer after talks broke off in late April. The Bears haven't reopened discussions on Briggs' extension with Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for both players, and have no immediate plans to do so.
Reached Monday, Rosenhaus declined to comment on his clients' plans. Briggs has one year remaining on his original, four-year rookie deal. Jones has two years remaining on a four-year, free-agent contract.
Angelo listened to mild trade overtures for Jones from Indianapolis before the April 29 draft. But the Colts soured on the talks, which never were serious, and the Bears won't trade their leading rusher just because he's disgruntled.
Angelo knows such moves send the wrong message to a team and set a bad precedent.
Coincidentally, the Bears acquired Adewale Ogunleye from Miami in 2004 when he expressed similar unhappiness over his deal. Ogunleye also is represented by Rosenhaus.
"Trust me when I say [briggs and Jones] are grown men, making their own decisions," Ogunleye said. "Drew will listen to them and offer advice, but he would never make them do something they don't want to. This is a business. It's tough. I hope everything works out."
kcjohnson@tribune.com
Copyright © 2006, The Chicago Tribune
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NoFBinLA
Moderator
Thomas Jones has come down with another near-fatal case of Rosenhausitis.
Too bad. He was a nice guy. Where do I send flowers?
In all seriousness, I like TJ if he shows to camp - but how is skipping making his situation (caused by missing 'voluntary' training) any better?
Whether demoting him as they did is ethical or against CBA or whatever is besides the point - it's done - show up and prove them wrong.
Too bad. He was a nice guy. Where do I send flowers?
In all seriousness, I like TJ if he shows to camp - but how is skipping making his situation (caused by missing 'voluntary' training) any better?
Whether demoting him as they did is ethical or against CBA or whatever is besides the point - it's done - show up and prove them wrong.
wannabee
Footballguy
Cedric Benson predicts he'll run for 1,7... Published Mon Jun 5 11:39:00 a.m. ET 2006
(Rotoworld) Cedric Benson predicts he'll run for 1,700 yards this season.
Impact: "I wanted to say 2,000, but I'm not going to say that," Benson said. "Seventeen hundred, that's what I'm after, 100 percent." Benson will remain with the first-team offense if Thomas Jones isn't present at OTAs this week, a distinct possibility considering Jones' unhappiness with his contract and his current backup role.
