Lol, like I said, everything is an apples to oranges comparison. There is never going to be a player that fits all the parameters you come up with once I provide the examples you asked me to provide. You asked the question. I gave you the answer based on the question you asked.
Ratliff and Paea had good years despite the overall bad D. So your point about him being 3rd best is kind of silly. Especially when I already told you that he was rated the 10th best 4-3 OLB by PFF and the 8th best against the run despite limited playing time.
Your argument for cutting Lance is based on nothing more than emotion and your perception of what went on last year. Your perception is inherently flawed because you aren't a coach, you aren't a scout, you aren't an insider with direct knowledge of what went on last year, and you likely didn't watch enough film to really assess Lance's performance relative to what the scheme asked him to do, and you don't know how much of the problem was Lance or the players vs the fact the coaches didn't put them in a position to succeed.
Unless you can assert that some of the above applies to you, your opinion is worth as much as any opinion on these message boards which is jack shit. That includes my opinion as well. I just am not presumptuous enough to pretend I have all the answers like you guys are doing hence why I said I don't have enough information to truly make the call on Lance. All I am doing is repeating over and over that neither do you which is what you seemed confused about.
On the contrary, my position is based on LOGIC and more important, the reality of the NFL.
LOGIC tells you that 35 year old LBs aren't starting NFL players. You can bring up random examples of guys like Seau and Lewis who were leaders on teams on a SB run. The reality is that the Bears are a rebuilding team trying to be a contender. That will be done with youth and speed. Two things Lance Briggs cannot bring to the table.
LOGIC also tells you that the coaches and GMs that you rightfully defer to don't trot out 35 year old LBs as key starters. Again, if we assume 6 LBs per 53 man roster, that's 192 in the NFL. Of those, I'd bet 190 or more will be under the age of 35.
LOGIC tells you that an LB that is 35 has age against him. Couple that with two years in a row of season ending injuries and two years of being out of shape and a terrible attitude? That's like 4 strikes against him.
LOGIC also tells you that Lance Briggs is not under contract.
LOGIC also tells you that the oldest defense in the league was also the worst. LOGIC tells you that this team needs to get young and fast and quickly. That is not Lance Briggs.
LOGIC also tells you that PFF is complete and utter horseshit and should be of no value to anyone with eyes that work.
Again, I repeat - LOGIC tells you that new coaching staffs that are looking to rebuild don't climb that mountain with 35 year old linebackers. They do it with young players they acquire via the draft and develop and coach up.
You are attempting to speak with logic, but you are defaulting to the EMOTION position based on the fact that a certain player was once very good for a team but without acknowledging that players at his age retire.
You defer to the coaches. I'll make a gentleman's wager - $10 says that the coaches do NOT have Lance Briggs on the Bears roster next season.
But do you - a fan of the Chicago Bears - do YOU want Lance Briggs to be on the active roster for the 2015 Bears? I don't. That also goes for Peanut Tillman and Roberto Garza.
