Truth be told: I’ve probably never watched a full quarter of any Pro Bowl. Ever. Unlike the MLB or NBA (or even NHL!) version of all the good players getting together in one spot and playing each other, it takes place after the season in Hawaii. Outside the context of a season, it loses some luster, and interests wanes … for me at least.

But hey, Lance Briggs will be there this year — the lone Bear on the squad. Hooray! This will be his fourth consecutive year being voted onto the squad. Lance Briggs is very good at what he does. So does that mean he’s unequivocally the leader of the Bears’ defense, ahead of world-famous Brian Urlacher or Tommie Harris?  Ha. No. Of course not, silly reporters.

Lance Briggs let out a sarcastic laugh when asked if his fourth consecutive selection to the Pro Bowl meant he was the unquestioned leader of the Bears’ defense.

“I do feel like … obviously after four Pro Bowls, I’m definitely a big piece of what we do,” the weak-side linebacker said, carefully choosing his words. “Whether it’s my defense or whose defense it is, that’s not necessarily for me to decide right now. I do think that my role, as far as what we do, is definitely bigger.”

Have fun in Hawaii, Lance. Bring us back a puka shell necklace or something.