[CBFF] CT: Briggs, Jones nowhere in sight

[Victor Waldron]

(I am more sympathetic to Briggs' plight than Jones mainly because
Jones is in his second NFL contract and should know how the "game" is
played. While I'm disappointed that Briggs is staying away from Halas
Hall it seems by the reports that simply reopening the negotiations
will really help matters.)

Briggs, Jones nowhere in sight
Unhappy 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."