Trash talk continues

Bears linebacker Lance Briggs responded to Seahawks receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh with his own strong words Thursday afternoon at Halas Hall.

"Sounds like a bitter guy," Briggs said. "He’s bitter about it. Maybe he wanted to play in Chicago. But if he’s going to show what he’s going to do on Sunday, I tell you what, so are we. So am I."

Earlier this week, Houshmandzadeh vowed to show Bears general manager Jerry Angelo that he made a mistake by never approaching the receiver as a free agent. Despite a glaring need at the position, Angelo and the Bears never contacted Houshmandzadeh this winter.

Houshmandzadeh eventually signed a five-year, $40 million contract with the Seahawks. They host the Bears this week at Qwest Field.

“Look, I’m going to be realistic with you guys,” Houshmandzadeh said. “I feel like I’m going to get open every play, every time. But that’s not going to be the case.

“Those guys get paid, now,” he said. “Charles Tillman, he gets paid well. [Nathan] Vasher gets paid well. [Zackary] Bowman gets paid well. Danieal Manning gets paid well. Those guys get paid, too.

“I feel like I’m going to win, regardless,” he said. “But I’ve just got to be realistic with it. I’m going to win 95 percent of the time, and they can get the other 5 [percent].”

On Thursday, Briggs shrugged off Houshmandzadeh's words.

"I’ll take a Bear corner over Houshmandzadeh any day," Briggs said.

-Tom Musick