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Briggs: 'On Paper, We Look Like A Champion'

(WSCR) Bears linebacker Lance Briggs knows just how high expectations are for the Bears in 2012.

After a successful offseason from first-year general manager Phil Emery, Briggs thinks the Bears have all the pieces in place to meet those expectations.

"On paper, we look like a champion, but we have a lot of work to do before we can be called a champion," Briggs told The Mully and Hanley Show.

LISTEN: Lance Briggs on The Mully and Hanley Show

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"There were moves that were made in the offseason to bring in a lot of veteran (players.) Of course, Brandon Marshall and Michael Bush just put us in a position where we're able to transition that stuff onto the field to be a real contender."

For the first time since the acquisition of Jay Cutler, the Bears offense has a true, No. 1 wide receiver in Marshall - something Briggs thinks will help put the Bears offense over the top.

"We definitely have the right ingredients for a high-powered offense," Briggs said. "When our defense is on the sideline and our offense is scoring points, everybody is happy."

Briggs also spoke out for friend and teammate Matt Forte, insisting the Bears should sign him to a long-term contract.

"I've lobbied for Forte every day," Brigg said. "The man definitely deserves to be paid. What he brings to the table for our offense is... everyone knows his value. We know that a guy who has accounted for 60 percent of our offense in the past is going to be a big part of time management, moving the ball, moving the chains and getting in the end zone."

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