Dec. 01--Defensive end Willie Young has been a member of the Bears for only 12 games, but that's long enough for Lance Briggs to have made an impact on him.
After practice Sunday, Young recalled how Briggs reacted to the third play of the Bears' 21-13 win over the Vikings two weeks ago. Young jumped offside on third-and-3, giving the Vikings an automatic first down.
"He gave me a look," Young said. "He looked me right in my eyes. I don't know exactly what he said, but the way he looked at me was like, 'You owe me one next play.' And that was it. He just knows what to say to guys."
Other players shared similar stories Sunday about the Bears' seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker, lending a profound sense of loss to his placement on the season-ending injured reserve list Friday with a groin injury.
Briggs' last two seasons, his 11th and 12th with the Bears, were disjointed enough to sour the likely end of his illustrious tenure. But it's clear he remained a galvanizing force to his teammates, one that won't easily be replaced during the final four games of 2014 and beyond.
"I learned so much, it's more than I can state," second-year linebacker Jon Bostic said. "And I'm still learning from him."
Briggs was not in the locker room Sunday afternoon and did not take part in his weekly media session (players on injured reserve are not required to meet with media).
While the public waits to hear his perspective about his season being over, how it ended, and his future, the Bears openly contemplated his impact and how they would proceed without him.
Coach Marc Trestman and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker paid their respects. Briggs at times openly grappled with the transition to Trestman's program from former coach Lovie Smith's. And the linebacker has expressed difficulty accepting how the organization moved on from several teammates he cherished, such as Brian Urlacher and Devin Hester.
Trestman said Sunday he had not spoken to Briggs about the move to injured reserve.
"I'm just disappointed for him personally," Trestman said. "It's been a rough couple of years for him with the injuries that he's had. When he's played, he's played extremely hard. He's been an important element of this organization, not only the last couple years since I've been here, but obviously throughout his career. He's been an influential leader in the locker room and obviously a tremendous football player on the field."
Said Tucker: "There are a lot of things about Lance to like. Obviously, he's a playmaker, and he's got a ton of experience. He was a good teammate and has always been willing to help the younger guys. And it was important to him. For a guy to be able to do it for that long at such a high level, he's a special player."
Replacing Briggs on the field is an issue the Bears are familiar with. Shoulder, rib and groin injuries over the last two seasons have sidelined him for 11 games and counting.
Bostic will take Briggs' spot as the weak-side linebacker in the base defense. The team's 2013 second-round draft pick now has an extended opportunity to develop in game situations, a silver lining, considering Briggs' contract expires after this season.
"I've got a long ways to go," Bostic said. "Nowhere near where I want to be at. Nowhere near where I need to be at. I got to keep working, I know that. Keep learning from the guys around me ... and see where this thing goes."
Bostic has played all three linebacker positions, but some members of the organization have specifically lauded how his skill set fits the requirements on the weak side.
"Jon has good instincts," Tucker said. "He's got good speed. He runs and he hits. And he's strong at the point of attack. He has good movement skills in coverage."
Undrafted rookie Christian Jones will replace Briggs in the Bears' nickel package. Jones' athleticism is unquestioned, and coaches believe his mental grasp of the defense has improved.
"When you get a guy like that that is willing to work at it, every day -- he's got the talent and he wants to be good -- a guy like that has a chance to develop," Tucker said. "That's what we've seen on him."
It's an ending neither Briggs nor the team envisioned. But as a lost season drags on, the search for his successor becomes a priority.
rcampbell@tribpub.com
Twitter @Rich_Campbell
