Latest news with #Briggs
USA Today
18 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears All-Quarter Century Team: Linebackers
Twenty-five years of Chicago Bears football are in the books since the turn of the century. Since the calendar turned over to 2000, the Bears have seen some success, but also plenty of woeful stretches. Early on, Chicago became a defensive force, claiming four division titles and reaching only their second Super Bowl in franchise history from 2000 to 2010. Since then, however, a 14-year playoff victory drought that is still ongoing and a one-sided fight with their rival Green Bay Packers have taken the spotlight. For all the ups and downs the Bears have seen, however, they had plenty of talent over the years across offense and defense. Multiple former Bears players are already in the Hall of Fame, while many more provided years of incredible play in the navy and orange. Here at Bears Wire, we're celebrating the best Bears players at each position over the last 25 years. Up next is linebacker, a position that has historically been among the franchise's best -- which has proven true through this first quarter century. Brian Urlacher The Bears have had some of the best linebackers in the history of the NFL, and that trend continued into this century with Brian Urlacher, who's not only the Chicago's best linebacker this century but one of their greatest of all-time. Urlacher, a former college safety, established himself as the latest in a long line of Hall of Fame linebackers as an incredibly athletic and gifted player. He played all 13 NFL seasons, all with Chicago. Urlacher is the franchise's all-time leader in solo tackles (1,040) and his 41.5 career sacks is the most by a linebacker in franchise history. Urlacher was the face of one of the league's most dominant defenses in the 2000s, where he made life difficult on opposing quarterbacks. He was an integral part of two defenses that led the league in defensive scoring in 2001 and 2005, as well as the 2006 defense that was the catalyst in the team's Super Bowl run. In 13 seasons, Urlacher totaled 1,361 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 22 interceptions en route to First-Team All-Pro honors (four times), eight Pro Bowl nods, Defensive Rookie of the Year (2000), Defensive Player of the Year (2005) and he was a first-ballot inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Lance Briggs If not for the Hall of Famer he played alongside for many years, Lance Briggs might be in consideration for the Bears' best linebacker this century (so far). Briggs was a mainstay of Chicago's defenses in the 2000s, playing all 12 NFL seasons with the Bears. In that span, Briggs totaled 1,566 tackles, 15 sacks, 16 interceptions and 18 forced fumbles. While Briggs did play most of his 12-year career alongside Urlacher, Briggs was nothing to scoff at. He was dominant in his own right, especially when it came to taking the ball away. Briggs had six defensive touchdowns (five interceptions, one fumble recovery) which is the third most in franchise history. He was also the first linebacker in NFL history to return an interception for a touchdown in each of his first three seasons. Briggs had an impressive resume that includes two First-Team All-Pro nods (2005, 2006), one Second-Team All-Pro nod (2009), seven Pro Bowl appearances (2005-11) and he was named to the 100 greatest Bears of All-Time (28th). The biggest question is why hasn't Briggs been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame yet? It's most likely due to the fact that he played most of his 12-year career alongside a Hall of Famer in Urlacher. Briggs has made the initial list for the Hall of Fame several times now, but he's yet to get to the semi-finalist round. Given Briggs was a defensive cornerstone on some of Chicago's best defenses in the 2000s, the hope is he eventually gets the recognition he deserves. Roquan Smith The Bears' linebacker position has been defined by Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs this century, and Chicago found another stud in Roquan Smith with the eighth pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Things didn't get off to a good start after a holdout his rookie season, but he quickly found his stride and established himself as an integral part of the Bears' defense. In four and a half seasons with Chicago, Smith totaled 607 tackles, including 47 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, 20 QB hits, seven interceptions (including one for a touchdown) and 20 pass breakups. He also totaled at least 100 tackles in each of his four seasons, becoming the first Bears player to achieve that feat since Lance Briggs did in six consecutive seasons (2004-09) Smith earned Second-Team All-Pro nods in 2020 and 2021. Although, there was an argument to be made for him to make the Pro Bowl or even First-Team All-Pro. Unfortunately, a contract dispute proved to end Smith's time in Chicago as he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in Nov. 2022. Since joining Baltimore, Smith has been named a First-Team All-Pro three times (2022-24), earned three Pro Bowl nods (2022-24) and earned the pro Butkus Award (2022, 2023). Smith never got the recognition he deserved while playing in Chicago, which is probably due to the team's struggles amid a coaching carousel. But once he was traded to the Ravens, people started finally paying attention to Smith, whose play didn't necessarily improve but was better highlighted on a better team. Rosevelt Colvin An underrated linebacker for the Bears this century is Rosevelt Colvin, who was selected in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL draft. Selected by the Bears in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft, Colvin emerged as a talented pass rusher. Playing outside linebacker on run downs and defensive end in passing situations, he recorded a career high 10.5 sacks in 2001 and again in 2002. In the process, he became the first Bears player with double digit sacks in back-to-back seasons since Hall of Famer Richard Dent in 1990-91. Colvin spent just four seasons with the Bears, totaling 185 tackles, including 31 tackles for loss, 26 sacks, two interceptions, 20 pass breakups, 10 forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. After his best season in 2002, he was signed by the New England Patriots in 2003, where he spent his final six NFL seasons and won two Super Bowls before retiring following the 2008 season. Colvin grew up watching the Bears and, even 20-plus years removed since playing for Chicago, he's still rooting for the Bears. Honorable mention: Hunter Hillenmeyer Bears All-Quarter Century Team Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Indianapolis Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana School for the Deaf layoffs tell students they're not important
The difference between a student thriving and a student slipping through the cracks often comes down to one adult. The one who notices their struggles and has the time to explain, to listen and to stay after class. At Indiana School for the Deaf, 26 of those adults were laid off after state budget cuts. With them go hundreds of quiet moments that help students feel seen, safe and supported. Educational equity isn't about giving every child the same tools. It's about making sure every child has what they need to thrive. ASL is a full and complex language with its own grammar and nuance, equal in richness to spoken English. Unlike mainstream schools, where deaf students often rely on interpreters to communicate, ISD offers direct, effortless interaction throughout the day. Whether in the classroom or during unstructured moments like lunch, recess, standing in line, or chatting after school, students are surrounded by others who sign. That matters because when students are fully included in both the academic and social life of school, they begin to see themselves as capable learners. That sense of belonging helps them stay connected to their education and carry that momentum into adulthood. Without that kind of access, students may withdraw socially. Gaps in learning grow wider. Emotional and academic setbacks follow them into adulthood. It might sound like the decision to cut ISD's budget was a response to a last-minute budget shortfall, but it wasn't. These cuts were proposed months ago, when the governor's draft budget called for nearly $1 million in reductions for ISD. Sadly, that has now ballooned into a $3 million cut. This wasn't a financial emergency. It was a conscious decision to pull resources away from deaf children. Briggs: IU is lucky to have Pamela Whitten weathering the MAGA storm When we cut staff at a school like ISD, we're not just trimming a budget. We're narrowing the path to equal opportunity. We're telling deaf children that their futures are expendable. We're sending the message that they simply aren't as important as hearing children. Deaf children are rarely part of the conversation when decisions like this are made. They're not voting. They're not holding press conferences. They're counting on hearing allies to speak up and say this isn't right.
STV News
2 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
MSPs pass legislation to scrap SQA for new Scottish exams body
Holyrood has passed legislation that will abolish Scotland's exam body – despite claims from opposition parties that the replacement organisation is 'little more than a rebrand'. Both Labour and the Conservatives voted against the Bill, which will dissolve the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and set up a new organisation, to be called Qualifications Scotland to take its place. This is expected to be up and running in the autumn of 2025 – after this year's exams results come out. It comes almost five years after the 2020 exams scandal, where marks for more than 124,000 youngsters were downgraded after exams had to be scrapped as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. But Labour education spokesperson Pam Duncan-Glancy said: 'Instead of abolishing the SQA today the Bill allows the current leadership to transfer wholesale.' She insisted that 'on reform this is a job unfinished'. Similarly, Scottish Conservative education spokesperson said the changes, in the Education (Scotland) Bill would not deliver the 'meaningful reform for Scotland's education system which is urgently needed'. He argued that the new exams body was 'little more than a rebrand of the SQA'. Briggs said: 'The SQA needed an overhaul, not a cosmetic makeover, and the changes proposed fall way short of what is required to ensure the organisation can operate effectively and is properly accountable.' But speaking as the legislation was passed by 69 votes to 47, eeducation secretary Jenny Gilruth rejected those claims. Instead, she said, the Bill would 'fundamentally create a new and a different type of organisation which works with the teaching profession differently'. In addition it will establish a new chief inspector of education, who will be tasked with inspecting nurseries, schools and colleges across Scotland. Here she said there was a 'cast-iron guarantee' that the person who takes up this post would have 'suitable teaching and educational leadership experience'. The education secretary said: 'Through the creation of a new qualifications body and an independent inspectorate, the Bill enables a more responsive, trusted and effective national education infrastructure.' The legislation, passed after two nights of late sittings at Holyrood, will provide 'the scaffolding which supports the wider range of education reform', she added. Briggs, however, said: 'It does feel like the Bill has been rushed through Parliament in the last week of term.' He added that 'this Bill has not been the opportunity many of us had hoped it would be', claiming it was 'clear SNP ministers' policies and half-baked reforms are not delivering for our young people'. Duncan-Glancy was also critical, saying: 'We needed a qualifications system fit for the future, one that respects the efforts of learners, supports the judgment of teachers, and earns the trust of employers and universities. 'We needed a curriculum that is broad and inclusive, we needed an inspectorate that can challenge where necessary but also celebrate excellence. But on reform this is a job unfinished.' Gilrtuh said afterwards: 'The successful passage of this legislation shows this Government is serious about implementing the changes needed to drive improvement across Scotland's education and skills system. 'The creation of a new, national qualifications body is about building the right conditions for reform to flourish – the new body will ensure that knowledge and experience of pupils and teachers are at the heart of our national qualifications offering. 'The new inspectorate body will also have greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections, moving this function away from ministers, to His Majesty's Chief Inspector.' She added: 'Taken together, our major programme of education and skills reform will bring about the changes needed to meet the needs of future generations of young people.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Miami Hurricanes' recruiting surge continues with commitment from top tight end
The Miami Hurricanes' recruiting push continued on Tuesday, with UM receiving a commitment from one of the nation's top tight end recruits in Israel Briggs. Briggs is a four-star prospect out of Visalia (California) Redwood High and is listed as the No. 7 tight end in the Class of 2026 by the 247Sports composite ranking. He chose Miami over LSU and had 26 total scholarship offers. Briggs, listed at 6-4.5 and 200 pounds, has shown his versatility over his first three years of high school. He has played at seven different positions on both sides of the ball including receiver, tight end, running back, quarterback, linebacker, safety and edge rusher. But his future is at tight end. 247Sports recruiting analyst Greg Biggins wrote in his scouting report of Briggs that he is 'natural with his hands and flashes high level body control. Fluid route runner who can turn a defender around and runs really well after the catch. Shows some wiggle in the open field and is tough to bring down.' 'Tracks the football well down the field and has excellent hand-eye coordination,' Biggins' scouting report continued. 'At this point, Briggs is much more advanced as a pass catcher but shows his toughness on the defensive end and that should translate to him developing in to a solid blocker as he puts on the needed size to become a more well rounded tight end.' Briggs is the fourth Class of 2026 player to commit to the Hurricanes over the past four days, joining fellow four-star prospects in wide receiver Vance Spafford and athlete Asharri Charles along with three-star linebacker Justin Edwards. Miami also received a pledge from Class of 2027 safety Jaylyn Jones in that span. Miami now has 17 players committed to its Class of 2026, nine of whom are either four- or five-star prospects. Briggs is the first tight end pledge for Miami's 2026 class.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
CNN ‘death spiral' caused by ‘obsession' with Trump-Russia investigation, ex-anchor says
A former CNN anchor said that the network's incessant coverage of the Russia collusion investigation during President Trump's first term in office helped accelerate its 'death spiral' which cost the outlet '30, 40% of the country.' Dave Briggs, the former co-host of CNN's 'Early Start' from 2017 until 2019, said on a podcast that the network alienated much of middle America with its nonstop focus on the probe into whether the Russians helped Trump defeat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. He said he clashed with his then-bosses over the network's strategy. Advertisement 4 Dave Briggs, the former co-host of CNN's 'Early Start' from 2017 until 2019, said on a podcast that the network alienated much of middle America. Sanity with Alisyn & Dave / YouTube 'Every day I came in and argued with the powers that be about obsessing over the Russia investigation when no one I know off of the East Coast gave a damn how that investigation ended,' Briggs told former CNN colleague Alisyn Camerota and guest Dylan Byers on the 'Sanity with Alisyn & Dave' podcast on Monday. 'And to me, that's when they lost 30, 40% of the country, and I think the ratings kind of backed that up.' Briggs added that 'it was that obsession' that turned off viewers. Advertisement 'When I would talk to my friends across the country, and I mean not on the East Coast, outside this bubble in which we all exist — they would always say to me, 'I just want to know what the hell else is going on in the world',' Briggs said. 'That's what they would say to me every day, and that's what led them away from CNN.' A CNN source told The Post: 'It's disappointing to see people speak so naively about media and where they used to work, all in an effort to profit.' Advertisement 4 Briggs criticized his former network's 'obsession' with the Russia investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller (above). Stefani Reynolds – CNP In 2017, Special Counsel Robert Mueller launched an investigation which examined Russian interference in the 2016 US election, links between the Trump campaign and Russia and possible obstruction of justice by Trump. It concluded that Russia interfered in the election in a 'sweeping and systematic fashion' to help Trump, but did not find sufficient evidence to charge the campaign with criminal conspiracy. At the time, CNN was run by Jeff Zucker, who oversaw a dramatic ratings boom during Trump's first term, with 2017 marking its most-watched year ever and viewership remaining strong through the 2020 election. Advertisement In early 2021, however, ratings dropped sharply after Trump left office as primetime viewership fell by 36% within weeks. 4 CNN at the time was led by Jeff Zucker, who oversaw a ratings boom during President Trump's first term in office. Annie Wermiel/NY Post A year later, Zucker resigned as president of CNN after failing to disclose a romantic relationship with CNN executive Allison Gollust, violating company policy. The ratings decline worsened after Trump's 2024 re-election. By late 2024, CNN's primetime audience dropped to under 420,000 viewers, the lowest in nearly 30 years. As of May 2025, the network was averaging just 405,000 viewers in primetime, with only 74,000 in the key 25–54 demographic. CNN is undergoing major restructuring as it faces historic ratings lows, declining revenue and a looming ownership change. Advertisement In early 2025, the network laid off 6% of its workforce and is now preparing deeper cost-cutting measures, including salary reductions and tighter expense policies. CEO Mark Thompson is shifting focus toward a $70 million investment in digital, aiming for $1 billion in revenue by 2030. 4 Mueller's investigation found insufficient evidence to charge President Trump's campaign. AP Meanwhile, staff anxiety has intensified ahead of CNN's spin-off from Warner Bros. Discovery into a new unit called Global Networks, led by cost-cutter Gunnar Wiedenfels. Advertisement With cable viewership shrinking industry-wide, CNN's future remains uncertain as it attempts to reinvent itself for the streaming era. The Post has sought comment from CNN and Zucker.
