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69. Lance Briggs, LB, Bears (2009 Rank: 81)
"With a new deal in the offseason, Briggs was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable season for the Bears. In 2009, the three-time All-Pro went to his fifth Pro Bowl, leading the Bears with 147 tackles. The former third-round pick is only the third Bears player since 1971 to record 1,000 career tackles, reaching the 100-tackle plateau in each of the previous six seasons. With Julius Peppers on the D-line and a healthy Brian Urlacher back roaming the middle, look for the Bears defense to return to greatness in 2010."
Briggs slides in next representing the Bears at #69, moving up 12 slots from last season’s ranking. The biggest surprise for me is that he finished ahead of his running mate.