LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Lance Briggs understands why coach Lovie Smith is on the hot seat.

"This is what's going to happen," Briggs said. "In this game, everyone is trying to figure everything out. You're going to have to point fingers somewhere, and the fingers always go to the head coach and the quarterback. But this is a team sport, and it falls on us all."

Point taken, but Briggs was later pressed on whether the Bears' inconsistent play should be directed toward the coaching staff. After all, if a team is unprepared or lacks discipline, isn't that the responsibility of those in charge?

"At the end of the day, it all falls back on the players," Briggs said. "People can talk about what scheme, or the way we're being coached, or play calls, but ultimately it falls back on the players. Coaches can't go out there and play for us. Fans can't go out there and play for us. There are no calls that are meant to not be successful."

Admirable words, but you can't fire all 53 players. Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini already tried that, and it didn't work.