The Marshall Plan wrote:During my time watching the Bears (off the top of my head):
Overrated: Kyle Long, Lance Briggs, most any LB playing OLB to Urlacher's MLB, and Mike Brown.
Underrated: Trace Armstrong, Biscuit, Jordan Howard (Namely over the past six months to a year. His trade was one of those personnel moves I HATED to see happen but I understand why it did. I hope Howard makes it into the HOF.), Adewale Ogunleye, Alex Brown, Jay Cutler, and Anthony Thomas.
I loved the A-Train that rookie season, but dude was pretty poor after that. No burst/acceleration in the open field, poor vision... The 01 O-line was actually very good and did wonders for him. I think the remainder of his career is more telling of the kind of back he was.
I agree with the others. I think Briggs is getting an unnecessary amount of hate, though. I understand he's not as good as the near HOF numbers he posted. However, he was one f'ing hell of a compliment to Urlacher. I also don't think that Lance Briggs is very "remembered" outside of Chicago and probably other fans within the division. I don't think people "rate" him much, at all.
When you hear opposing players talk about the Lovie Bears defense's. Yes, Urlacher's name goes first... but they ALWAYS mention how they hated Briggs as well.
Heath Evans actually mentions him before Urlacher when questioned at 0:20 of this interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1IlxZmd3v0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;