Looks like Alex Brown wants out.
According to an article in theAP, "the Chicago Bears expect to see starting defensive end Alex Brown at their minicamp this weekend even though Brown says he's seeking a trade. Brown told Sirius NFL Radio on Wednesday that he asked the Bears for permission to work out a trade. Brown admitted he's comfortable with the Bears, but is eager to explore other opportunities. Still, he has three years remaining on his contract. "We're just trying to see what's out there," Brown said. "That's what we're trying to do. It's not the Bears. They don't want to get rid of me. It's just that I want to see what else is out there."
Again, this is what you can expect to see when a team has success. Everyone is going to want to get paid. Whether it is by their current team or someone else. They weren't well known before but they are now and they want compensation. You can expect many other Bears players have the same feelings.
6 comments:
But again, the Bears have depth. They have Ogunleye and Mark Anderson (led the NFL in sacks by a rookie last year with 12). They also drafted Dan Bazuin in the second round.
Either Brown will play (he is under contract), the Bears will trade Brown for picks or players, or the Bears will use their superior depth and not miss a beat.
Any way you slice it the Bears will be fine.
What you fail to realize, is it is happening. First TJ, then Briggs, now Brown. Just as I have said, success breeds egoes. Before, no one knew the Bears. Last season there wasn't much expected from them. This season the mindset is very different. They won't sneak up on anyone and I'm sure many of the players will be looking to capitalize on the team's AND their individual success in terms of getting paid. That is the world of sports today. Everyone will want to get theirs (Vasher, Tillman, Brown, Anderson, Hester, the list goes on).
Anderson and Hester have two more years on their contract. I don't expect Vasher and Tillman to both be with the Bears next year. I bet one of them re-signs this summer and the other moves on. They have plenty of talent behind them and won't break the bank. That is why the Bears are so good.
Like I said before, Brown will play, be traded, or others will step up if he sits. Any way you cut it, the Bears will be fine.
FYI, Alex Brown is no longer the starter anyway. Mark Anderson took over as the starter in the Bears' mini-camp that started yesterday.
Brown works in the rotation with Ogunleye and Anderson.
Also, Jamar Williams is taking over for Briggs. Williams was hurt in his rookie year last year, but the Bears are very high on him.
Devin Hester also worked some at running back. He was a running back at Florida when he first got there.
If they can lose quality, core players and easily replace them and remain competitive, than good for them. However, it creates bad feelings amongst the players when they know that management will not pay them and they have to leave.
Also, they will go through their own "purging" each year. Not because of salary cap issues directly but rather because they don't want to pay so players will leave. What's the difference between purging because of salary cap reasons and purging because you don't want to pay?
They sign guys to longer term contracts, they are more equitable in how they pay (they don't have a bunch of "haves" and "have nots"), and they draft good young players to push the vets.
Alex Brown was going to lose his starting position no matter what because they have Mark Anderson. Then, drafting Dan Bazuin in the second round this year provides even more depth.
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