My Friends,

I can't explain why there hasn't been a run on Lance Briggs' "55" jersey in years past. Like Briggs has said, if it had been hanging on the rack next to #8 and #54 over the years, maybe the demand would have been there.

But I can tell you why you won't see it being pushed this year. It has to do with all those cut-rate McNown and Enis jerseys you still see for sale on Ebay. Briggs is threatening to leave after the season, and who wants to have his jersey in inventory and have to sell it at a loss?

I think there's another reason, too. My guess is that the Bears have something to say about which jersey numbers get printed in bulk and sent out to the stores. And the Bears front office is a petty bunch. If you disagree, take a look at the players who grace the individual tickets this year. You have Tillman, Grossman, Mike Brown, Urlacher, Tommie Harris, Vasher, Ogunleye, Muhammad, Alex Brown and Kreutz. Briggs is under contract, and he’s the only Pro Bowler from last season missing. Why? Were they concerned he wouldn't make the team? He had a full year left on his deal when the tickets went to press, so the only thing left is Briggs’ Organized Team Activities absence and the fact he wouldn't sign an extension.

So Bears.

LBF

9/7/2006