Lance Briggs and Bernard Berrian are gunning for big pay days in free agency and the man leading them there is going to be awfully busy.
The Bears players are just two of 26 unrestricted free agents Drew Rosenhaus is scheduled to have come March 1. Pro Bowl Bears special teamer Brendon Ayanbadejo is one of them. Ayanbadejo is angling to become the highest-paid special teams player in the league. Thats a lot of contracts to work through, but as Rosenhaus said Monday night in Minneapolis its a fluid situation with deals getting done from time to time. Dont look for any pre-March 1 deals for those three with the Bears.
Briggs and Berrian could command the most attention of all his free-agent clients. Rosenhaus does represent Dallas running back Marion Barber, who will be a restricted free agent.
MCCLOVER NOT FREE AFTER ALL
According to the Bears media guide, Rosenhaus was slated to have four UFAs on the Bears. However, reserve linebacker Darrell McClover agreed to a one-year extension through 2008 in September, a deal that was never reported by the organization.
McClover received $75,000 to sign on through next year. Hes been used sparingly this season, appearing only once since Week 4. The team chose to look at rookie Nick Roach instead Monday night at Minnesota and he made a strong showing for himself on special teams.
EXTRA POINTS
With Briggs tweaking his groin muscle in the second half at Minnesota, it looks like Brian Urlacher has a comfortable handle on the team lead in tackles. Urlacher is currently up 11, 138-127, and would have to probably miss time to be passed. Thats provided Briggs is healthy. While it probably hasnt been as consistent a year as Urlacher would like, his numbers arent shabby. Hes got five sacks and has been in on as many takeaways.
*** Ayanbadejo needs four more special teams tackles to tie the club record he shares with Cameron Worrell at 28.
*** Cornerback Charles Tillman was credited with 12 tackles Monday, 10 of them solos.
