Briggs harbors no hard feelings

SANTA CLARA — The damage has already been done. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ruled the 49ers were guilty of tampering and were docked a fifth-round pick in the 2008 draft.

On Tuesday, the alleged object of the 49ers' desire, told Bay Area reporters that it came as a shock to him when he did not end up playing alongside Patrick Willis.

“The 49ers were the team I thought I was going to be going to,” said Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs, a four-time Pro Bowl selection.

The 49ers and Bears discussed a trade for Briggs around the October 2007 trade deadline. The 49ers would have awarded the Bears a first-round draft pick as compensation, Briggs said.

The trade fell through, but Briggs was scheduled to become a free agent after the season. After the Bears filed tampering charges against the 49ers, Briggs received word from his agent that the 49ers were no longer interested. He re-signed with the Bears.

“A lot of people around the league figured that was the team (49ers) I was going to go to,” Briggs said. “And I got a call from my agent (Drew Rosenhaus) right before free agency, and he said, ‘It's probably not going to happen and we're going to have to go elsewhere.'”

In the weeks before the start of free agency, Briggs said he spoke with NFC Pro Bowl teammate Willis about the possibility of being teammates year-round.

“It would've been great,” Briggs said. “It would've been nice to play with Patrick. We talked with each other at the Pro Bowl. We talked about that a little bit, that we were both excited about the chance to play with each other. But that's life. Life works in mysterious ways. I'm back here with all my boys here, and we just have to move on.”

Briggs, a Sacramento native, said he holds no bitterness toward the 49ers, the Bears' opponent Thursday night at Candlestick Park.

“I don't hold grudges,” Briggs said. “I was a little upset at the time. But all in all, I'm happy with the things worked out.”

The 49ers declined comment.

The organization levied tampering charges in September against the New York Jets for their alleged contact with then-unsigned 49ers draft pick Michael Crabtree. The league's investigation is ongoing.

DAVIS RIPS BEARS

The Bears no longer have anything approaching a fearsome defense, 49ers tight end Vernon Davis said Tuesday. The Bears rank 15th in total defense — four spots higher than 49ers' defense, which ranks 19th in the NFL.

“I think we can destroy their front,'' said Davis, according to multiple reports. “The guys up front, I think we can destroy them. I don't see anything spectacular about their front line.

“Their linebackers, I think we can handle them pretty well. I like (Adewale) Ogunleye. I like the way he's playing up front. He's about the only player I like on their defensive line. I think he's doing a good job.”

While Davis is having a strong season and is tied for the NFL lead with seven receiving touchdowns, the 49ers' offense ranks 27th in the league.

EXTRA POINTS

Running back Glen Coffee (concussion), tackle Joe Staley (knee), cornerback Nate Clements (shoulder) and defensive lineman Demetric Evans (shoulder) have been ruled out of Thursday's game.

Linebacker Takeo Spikes (shoulder) did not practice.

The remainder of the players on the 49ers' injury report saw full practice Tuesday and are expected to be available for Thursday's game: guard David Baas (shoulder), cornerback Tarell Brown (rib), tight ends Davis (shoulder) and Delanie Walker (shin, knee), running backs Frank Gore (eye) and Michael Robinson (shoulder), receiver Jason Hill (ankle) and safeties Michael Lewis (quadricep) and Curtis Taylor (shin).

For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at matt.maiocco@

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