Pending the successful completion of a physical, Thomas Jones has officially been traded to the New York Jets for a handful of magic beans. The trade (a move that we all saw coming) will allow the Bears to move up 26 spots in the 2^nd round of the NFL draft to the 37th overall pick. The deal also paves the way for Cedric Benson to take the reigns in the Bears backfield, removes all of the controversy from the rushing attack, and possibly a bit of the competitive edge that made the Bears so dangerous in ‘06. The Bears backfield is set (though they may draft some new blood to help out); the million dollar question now is can Cedric Benson be THE man, and will he be as driven without a 1,200-yard starter in front of him?

Though many folks saw this move coming, that doesn’t necessarily make it any easier to swallow. Thomas Jones had three strong seasons in a Bears uniform and the caliber of his character was evident every time he stepped onto a football field (or in front of a microphone for that matter). For my money, there are not enough folks like Thomas Jones in the NFL… and he will be missed in the City of Chicago.

The Lance Briggs situation is a lot murkier. Briggs has been very clear about his displeasure over being slapped with the franchise tag by the Bears, and his latest comments on the subject rang out loud and clear.

"There's a difference between the Chicago Bears team and the Chicago Bears organization," Briggs told ESPN. "The Chicago Bears team? The coaches, the players city and fans ? Yeah, I could stay there forever. I love it. But the Chicago Bears organization? I don't want to be there anymore. I won't play for them and I'll do everything in my power to keep from playing there."

There is no misreading Briggs’ comments, he is unhappy and he wants a change. It is in taking the next step that the situation between Briggs and the Bears gets cloudy. If the Bears don’t trade Briggs, he has to play in Chicago or sit on his butt for the entire 2007 season. Despite the big talk, Briggs has $7.2 million reasons to show up in Bourbonnais next summer and it is my feeling that he will be in a Bears uniform next season. If this is the way that these two sides are negotiating a potential long term deal, however, Briggs' days in Chicago might be numbered.

“What it really comes down to,” Briggs continued, “it’s not about the money, it’s about you’ve played here long enough and you think you’ve earned a certain position on the team that you would be here for a long time.”

Briggs may have a point, but the Bears are currently holding all of the cards… Lance Briggs is just sitting at the table. By doing nothing, the Bears have Briggs behind the 8-ball. Given the choice between $7 million dollars and zero, I have a feeling that Briggs will get over his hurt feelings and find the inner strength to play for the Bears again.