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NASHVILLE, Tenn. Matt Forte isnt the only Bear with contract issues as the regular season approaches.

Linebacker Lance Briggs confirmed to the Tribune that he recently approached the Bears about a pay raise, although he declined to elaborate on the matter. Briggs, who missed his second consecutive exhibition Saturday night with a knee bruise, said the injury and his contract stance are unrelated. He vowed to be back on the field when healthy.

Briggs, 30, has three years left on his current deal and is scheduled to make $3.9 million this season (including bonuses), $4 million in 2012 and $6.5 million in 2013.

The six-time Pro Bowl selection wants money added to this years salary after watching Packers linebacker AJ Hawk secure $10.95 million (including bonuses) this season, Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons pull in $18 million in bonuses earlier this month and Jets linebacker David Harris secure $29.5 million guaranteed in a four-year deal. Moreover, the Panthers rewarded linebackers Jon Beason and Thomas Davis with five-year extensions.

All five are younger than Briggs.

When approached Saturday evening about Briggs situation, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo declined to comment. He obviously isnt too thrilled with Briggs request.

A veteran linebacker approaching the organization for a raise with multiple years left on a contract is not unprecedented. Brian Urlacher did the same in 2008 with four years remaining and received a one-year extension that included a $6 million signing bonus and $1 million added to each years base salary. Potentially, the deal included $18 million in new money.

The Bears considered Urlacher a special case because hes the face of the franchise. Naturally, Urlacher would say his tag-team partner Briggs deserves to be rewarded too.

Briggs has made it clear he will demand a trade if he doesnt get a new deal before the season ends. The Bears are about $19 million below the salary cap.

When he had contract issues in 2007, Briggs went public and vowed never to play for the Bears again before signing a one-year, $7.2 million franchise tender. The Bears and 49ers apparently discussed a trade that season. Subsequently, the 49ers were found guilty of tampering with Briggs and were penalized with the loss of their fifth-round draft pick and had to swap their third-round spot with the Bears.

The next season Briggs figured he was destined for the Redskins or 49ers via free agency but eventually signed a six-year, $36 million contract with $13 million guaranteed to remain in Chicago with a contract significantly less than he anticipated.

vxmcclure@tribune.com

Twitter @vxmcclure23

Fan Shop: Get your Bears hats, jerseys and more

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Are high-streets coming to an end? The Local Data Company has released a report detailing empty shops across the countrys high streets. It looks at vacancy rates in town centres, which are standing at around 14.5% across the country – three times what they were in 2008.

In 2008, the year the UK went into recession, average town centre vacancy rates were 5% and have dramatically increased to 14.5%. However, the rate has remained at the same level for nearly 9 months, showing signs the high street is beginning to maintain some balance.

The report also compares town centres in the North and South. While southern regions have an average vacancy rate of less than 11%, town centres in the West Midlands and the North are just under 13% and the average rate in the East Midlands reaches 16%.

There is a north-south divide, too. Each of the top ten worst-performing large centres (that is, town centres with more than 400 shops) are situated in the West Midlands and the North while seven of the top ten best-performing centres are located in the south. Similar statistics can be seen when comparing medium town centres too, with all of the top ten best-performing centres from London and the south and eight of the top ten worst-performing centres in the north. The only anomalies to this were Dartford and Newport, with the former showing an increase to their vacancy rate of 5.3%, taking their rate to 26.3%.

The results from smaller town centres are a little different. While the ten best-performing town centres mainly situated in London and the south east, the ten worst-performing centres do not follow the same pattern with 5 town centres from London and the south east. Leigh Park in the south east showed the worst vacancy rate of not only the small town centres but of the entire data set at 36.4%. On the other end of the scale is Stanmore in north London, also a small town centre, with a vacancy rate of 0.4%

The results also highlight the differences in performance depending on the size of the centre. While large centres showed an average vacancy rate of nearly 17% at the half year, there is a tremendous variation in the rate. For example, Shepherds Bush has a vacancy rate of 6.4% while Stockport has the worst vacancy rate of large centres, with 27.7% of shops standing empty. Oddly, the Department of Communities and Local Government does not recognise Shepherds Bush as having a town centre, and therefore it is not included in the data set.

This report suggests that high streets are being less used and are not recovering. The reasons? The state of the economy, the rise of alternative sales channels and the number of shops in the country. This is supported by Liz Peace, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation, who says small shops are not viable: We must find new ways to get people on to our high streets and in our local shops.

With the growth of online retailers, it is to be seen whether the vacancy rates will continue to stabilise or are yet to increase further.

Key data is below – you can buy the whole lot from the LDC. What can you do with it?

Data summary

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The supervisor is John Kosik and can be reached at (800) 845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports Photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636; agate, ext. 1635. AP stories, along with the photos that accompany them, also can be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. Reruns are available from the Service Desk (800-838-4616) or your local AP bureau. All times EDT.

The Sports Features and Auto Package Digests have moved.

TOP STORY:

RUSSIA-CRASH

TUNOSHNA, Russia – A private jet carrying a Russian professional hockey team to its first game of the season crashed shortly after takeoff Wednesday, killing 43 people – including European and former NHL players – in one of the worst aviation disasters in sports history. Two people survived the accident. By Lynn Berry. Sent.

AP Photos. AP Video.

Eds: This story is part of APs general news and sports services.

- With:

HKN–A TRAGIC SUMMER

UNDATED – From Anaheim to Montreal, the worlds best hockey players struggled Wednesday to comprehend a shocking loss after a chartered Russian plane carrying a KHL team crashed in, killing 43 people. No doubt hockey is hurting after an offseason of tragedies and disappointments, including the deaths of three players before the crash. By Greg Beacham. Sent.

AP Photos.

- Also:

- UNDATED – HKO–Russia-Crash-Glance. Sent.

- UNDATED – HKO–Russian Plane Crash-Quote Box. Sent.

- UNDATED – Sports Teams Plane Crashes. Sent.

COMMENTARY:

FBC–ON FOOTBALL-CHANGING LANDSCAPE

UNDATED – At some point, Texas Aamp;M seems destined to end up in the Southeastern Conference, whether Baylor or any other member of the Big 12 likes it or not. Then the focus will turn to Oklahoma. The Sooners leadership have made it clear that theyre not about to be wallflowers in this high-stakes game of musical chairs. By College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo. Sent.

AP Photos.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL:

FBC–SEC-TEXAS Aamp;M

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Texas Aamp;M and the SEC have a roadblock in their anticipated union: Baylor. After SEC presidents and chancellors unanimously embraced adding the Aggies to the 12-member league, it turns out there was no such unanimity in the embattled Big 12 conference. Baylor is considering suing if Texas Aamp;M leaves. By John Zenor.

AP Photos.

- With:

- COLLEGE STATION, Texas – FBC–Big 12 Mess. By Kristie Rieken. AP Photos. Sent.

- UNDATED – FBC–SEC-Texas Aamp;M-Statements. Sent.

FBC–SAME OLD DUKE?

DURHAM, NC – Just when Duke seemed poised to take the next step toward respectability in football, the Blue Devils went out and lost to a Championship Subdivision team. Again. Now the most immediate way to prove theyre not that same hapless Duke team is to beat – or at least hang with – No. 6 Stanford, a school with similarly rigid academic standards. By Joedy McCreary.

AP Photos.

- Also:

- ANN ARBOR, Mich. – FBC–Michigan-Robinson. By Larry Lage. AP Photos.

- AMES, Iowa – FBC–Cy-Hawk Rivalry. By Luke Meredith. AP Photos.

- MADISON, Wis. – FBC–T25-Wisconsin-Ball. AP Photos.

TENNIS:

TEN–US OPEN

NEW YORK – Unhappy about being sent out to play at the rain-soaked US Open, a trio of stars – Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray – marched from their courts to the tournament referees office to voice their complaints. A second consecutive damp day at Flushing Meadows washed out all but about 15 minutes of action Wednesday. By Tennis Writer Howard Fendrich.

AP Photos.

Eds: Play scheduled to begin at 11 am EDT.

- With:

- NEW YORK – TEN–US Open-Connors. By National Writer Eddie Pells. AP Photos. Sent.

- UNDATED – TEN–US Open Glance. Sent.

NFL:

FBN–RAVENS-FLACCO

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – For Joe Flacco, the worst part about getting ready to face the Steelers this Sunday is looking at film of the last time the teams met. Playing in the second round of the AFC playoffs last January, Flacco threw a touchdown pass to Todd Heap to help the Ravens take a 21-7 halftime lead. Then came the third quarter. By David Ginsburg.

AP Photos.

FBN–VIKINGS-SHIANCOE SPEAKS

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Visanthe Shiancoe sure has been quiet this preseason. The Vikings tight end has a reputation as being one of the most talkative and colorful characters on the team. That gregarious personality seemed muted during a preseason in which Shiancoe did not play a single down because of a lingering hamstring injury. By Jon Krawczynski.

AP Photos.

FBN–SEAHAWKS-T JACKS CHANCE

RENTON, Wash. – Among the most active players when it comes to social media and interacting with fans, Mike Williams is aware of the debate surrounding Tarvaris Jackson when the Seahawks decided he would be their starting quarterback. So Williams delivered a message to those already slamming Jackson: Give the guy a chance. By Tim Booth.

AP Photos.

- Also:

- LAKE FOREST, Ill. – FBN–Bears-Forte. By Andrew Seligman. AP Photos.

- ORCHARD PARK, NY – FBN–Bills-Fitzpatrick. By John Wawrow. AP Photos.

WNBA:

BKL–WNBA MVP RACE

UNDATED – With two of the WNBAs last three MVPs sidelined by injuries for much of the season, the race for this years award is wide open. Connecticuts Tina Charles, Indianas Tamika Catchings and Chicagos Sylvia Fowles are the top contenders. However, dont count out Atlantas Angel McCoughtry with the Dream making a late-season surge. By Vin A. Cherwoo.

AP Photos.

AP VIDEO:

- Russia was struck by its worst ever sporting tragedy when a jet carrying a hockey team that included a host of international stars crashed Wednesday moments after takeoff, killing at least 43 and critically injuring 2 others.

- Legal action initiated by a member of the Big 12 Conference may block the move of Texas Aamp;M to the SEC. AP College Football Writer Ralph Russo speculates as to what school may be behind the move.

- AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner takes a look at the AFC conference, where the favorites include the Colts- if Peyton Manning is healthy- the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens, Jets and Chargers.

- Peyton Manning will not play in Sundays season opener at Houston, bringing and end to his streak of 227 consecutive starts.

- The New York Yankees marked the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 with a ceremony before their game against the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday. The team will be in the middle of a long road trip on Sunday, the anniversary of the attacks.

- The construction manager for the Florida Marlins new stadium gives a first-person tour of some of the ballparks innovative features, including a retractable roof. The team says the stadium is 80 percent complete.

SENT PREVIOUSLY:

Sept 11-Sports Security. By Howard Fendrich; FBN–Pro Picks. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner; FBN–Colts-Manning. By Cliff Brunt; FBN–Giants-Manning Streak. By Tom Canavan; FBN–Bengals-Benson. By Joe Kay; FBC–College FB Picks. By Ralph D. Russo; BBA–Yankees-Sept 11. By Mike Fitzpatrick; BBO–Calling the Game. By Ronald Blum; BKN–NBA Labor. By Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney; BKO–European Championship. By Nesha Starcevic; OLY–BKO-Americas Qualifying Rdp. By Vicente L. Panetta; HKN–Penguins-Crosby. By Will Graves; BOX–Gatti Death-Investigation. By David Porter; ATH–Pistorius. By Rob Harris; GYM–Paul Hamm-Assault Charge.

—

Thursdays Time Schedule

All Times EDT

FOOTBALL

NFL

New Orleans at Green Bay, 8:30 pm

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Top 25

No. 9 Oklahoma State vs. Arizona, 8 pm

BASEBALL

American League

NY Yankees at Baltimore, 1:05 pm

Boston at Toronto, 7:07 pm

Cleveland at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 pm

Kansas City at Seattle, 10:10 pm

National League

LA Dodgers at Washington, 2, 1:05 pm

Atlanta at NY Mets, 2 4:10 pm

Philadelphia at Milwaukee, 8:10 pm

San Diego at Arizona, 9:40 pm

WNBA

Chicago at Minnesota, 8 pm

Tulsa at Phoenix, 10 pm

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Kevin Wilson has spent all week dropping F-bombs.

No, not the ones you would think after Wilsons Indiana squad opened the season with a buzz-killing 27-20 loss to Ball State. OK, maybe some of those.

But Wilsons overriding message to his team this week is the need to have fun. Somewhere amid the training camp grind, the position battles, the scheme installation and the attitude installation, the Hoosiers stopped enjoying themselves.

The result: a lack of energy in the opener. The absence was most glaring along the line of scrimmage, where Ball State pushed around their opponents from the Big Ten.

The energy level, the aggressiveness, the bounce in the step, the passion that youre looking for … dont know if our guys were having a lot of fun, Wilson said. We dont want by any means to make our situation here like were having jokes and its casual. Weve got to work hard, but in working hard, its still a game [for] kids, and weve got to get our guys to have a lot of energy. … As hard as weve worked, I think weve gotten away from having a little bit of fun, and thats what were going to try and do this week.

Lets be clear: Wilson isnt Mr. Warm amp; Fuzzy. If he cracked a smile during his introductory news conference at Indiana, I missed it. He has a desert dry sense of humor and isnt immune to lightening the mood — as this terrific Grantland piece details — but hes not going to transform into Pete Carroll overnight.

Wilson has talked more than once about how his previous team, Oklahoma, succeeds on Saturdays because of the way it works on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. He wants to foster the same environment in Bloomington. The challenge, at least this week, will be remembering to bring fun to the practice field.

Were not going to try and be cheerleaders, Wilson said, but we want to get some bounce in our step, have a lot of fun, have a lot of energy.

The home crowd Saturday night at Memorial Stadium should help as IU takes on Virginia, although Wilson enjoyed the atmosphere Week 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium, particularly for his players from Indianapolis.

If you dont make plays, the crowd is not going to give you energy, he said. Were coming off some seasons where maybe our crowd is not going to energize themselves, and thats no ones fault but our own. But what weve got to do internally … were going to do everything we can to foster excitement, energy, enthusiasm, fun.

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And so ends one of the most disappointing seasons ever for a Dodger.

Juan Uribe is going under the knife.

Im not sure if a season that never really was can actually come to an end, but Uribe is scheduled to have surgery to repair a left sports hernia Wednesday.

In the Dodgers’ brief announcement of the surgery they said:

Juan will be able to start his rehab within the next two weeks and recovery is expected to be 6-8 weeks. It is anticipated that he will be ready to compete in spring training.”

Let’s see, the outside of an eight-week recovery would have him all better by early November. Yep, better just anticipate he’ll be ready to compete in spring training three months after that.

Listen, I thought signing Uribe was a smart move. Not three years and $21-million smart, but considering the infield need and general lack of available power on the market, he seemed a very nice fit. Apparently, though, the market pushed him to three years and that $21 million, which was a problem at the outset, considering he was coming off a career year and was 32.

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John Michelottis charity has given only a fraction of the money it has raised to 9/11 causes. / Seth Wenig / Associated Press

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Every summer my son and I take a trip to the East Coast for a visit with family and friends, where we spend at least three weeks, sometimes more depending on what the grandparents have planned. One summer we spent five weeks. No grown woman should spend five weeks with family, but I did because it’s important to the grandparents and the grandchild. As an only child living away from family, my son needs those weeks to reconnect with his relatives and I do too.

#13;

During our week in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC, my husband joins us at his parent’s house and we immerse ourselves in all things Maryland, especially a Maryland blue crab feast. The funny thing about eating a crab is it’s much like having a conversation with my father-in-law, frustrating at times breaking through the shell, but ultimately rewarding.

#13;

My father-in-law is a brilliant, retired electrical engineer, always thinking, sometimes too much. He has legitimate concerns about his grandchildren’s future; mostly about Americans not being competitive enough on a global scale, how we don’t offer our children enough math and science classes, etc. He’s not entirely wrong but it’s not necessarily a discussion I want to have while on vacation and eating crabs. But like a crab’s claw, my father-in-law is tenacious and won’t let go of a subject once he grabs on. 

#13;

What to do with those tenacious crabs? Steam them up until they’re red, season them with some Old Bay and break them open to eat along with a cold beer or a fruity drink, and enjoy. That’s what I have to remember most about talking with my father-in-law, to enjoy, even through the spicier, over-cooked conversations, his intent is well-meaning. And once we break through the shell of his concern, the sweet reward of watching him with his grandson is worth all the work. 

#13;

Crabs are best enjoyed fresh out of the Chesapeake Bay at the crab houses that line the Bay and its tributaries. In a pinch, however, blue crabs can be enjoyed right here in Kirkwood.

#13;

We buy live crabs at an Asian market on Olive Boulevard called Seafood City. We bring them home and steam them on the stove. We roll out the brown paper tablecloth, invite some friends to join us, ice the beer, melt some butter and bring a little bit of Maryland to our patio. We even manage to have very lively discussions, just not about math and science. 

#13;

Give a crab feast a try before this summer’s out, I can always be reached for buying and cooking advice or for appropriate crab-eating topics of conversation. Enjoy!

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Jonah Hill Reveals Hard-Core Laughs In The Sitter
This and Superbad were probably the two most fun, greatest feelings Ive had while making a movie, he tells MTV News in our Fall Movie Preview.

By

Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz)

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The Central Open No. 2, this weeks stop on the Bass Pro Shops tour of the Bassmasters organization comes to Three Forks Harbor and the Arkansas River today for the opening session of its three-day stop.

There are 140 pro anglers vying for a top prize of a berth in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic in Shreveport-Bossier City, La., next February. Along with the berth will come some cash and a boat and motor package. The top co-angler after the three-day event will also take home a boat and motor.

Daily launches will be held at Three Forks Harbor, 5201 Three Forks Road, at 6:46 am Weigh-ins for Thursday and Friday will be held at Three Forks as well at 2:45 pm On Saturday, the weigh-in will move to the Bass Pro Shops at 101 Bass Pro Dr., Broken Arrow at 3:45 pm All events are free.

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Emily Hill/Staff photo – Before the CARE Boosterthon Fun Run Pep Rally begins, Team Leader Kevin Goldsmith gets students to copy his dance moves to upbeat, loud music in the schools gym. The team leaders visited the Celina Elementary campus to get the students excited about the Fun Run next week. The Fun Run is CAREs fall fundraiser for the school district.

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