"On Monday, six days before the season opener, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo tabled contract talks with running back Matt Forte and linebacker Lance Briggs until after the 2011 season.

Angelo, clearly determined to address two potential distractions, told WBBM-AM (780) that the club's focus is on the season, not the contract status of the two veterans.

Wisely, though, Angelo hedged more in commenting about Forte than Briggs.

"We feel very, very confident that Lance's focus is going to be on the season and having a great year, and we'll just take care of our business when that time comes, and that will be at the end of the year," Angelo said about Briggs."