After a flurry of free-agent signings around the league Friday, the Bears were left with a legitimate chance to keep linebacker Lance Briggs. | NFL page

As agent Drew Rosenhaus previously had said, the Bears remain a major player in the Briggs' sweepstakes heading into Day 2 of free agency. Briggs was at his home in Arizona early Friday evening, awaiting word on possible visits. The buzz in Tampa was the Buccaneers were interested.

"I wouldn't rule any team out," Briggs said. "Players play, coaches coach and agents handle the business."

Buzz around the league late Friday suggested Briggs' asking price is too high and possibly scared teams away. Briggs dismissed that theory.

"I wouldn't say that what I'm asking for is too high, not at all," he said without getting specific. "You play for a market value. Obviously, I didn't set the market. The market was set before I got there. And that's where it goes."

It's safe to say Briggs is looking for a deal in the neighborhood of what Adalius Thomas signed with the New England Patriots last year. Thomas received a $20 million guaranteed in a five-year, $35 million deal after leaving the Baltimore Ravens.

The Bears spent part of Friday preparing for the possibility of losing Briggs while continuing contract talks with Brian Urlacher over the possibility of a new deal.

A team source said free-agent Demorrio Williams, a weak-side linebacker who played for the Atlanta Falcons, is scheduled to visit Halas Hall next week. Bears defensive coordinator Bob Babich liked Williams when he was coming out of Nebraska in 2004. The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly entertained Williams on Friday.

Unlike Briggs, wide receiver Bernard Berrian looked closer to leaving the Bears after taking a private jet from California to visit the Minnesota Vikings. Berrian also is scheduled to visit the Oakland Raiders this weekend. If Berrian bolts, the Bears might look to Donte' Stallworth (New England) or Bryant Johnson (Arizona), who is represented by Joel Segal-an agent with whom the Bears have a good, long-standing relationship.

Special-teamer Brendon Ayanbadejo could draw interest from the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles in the coming days, but Ayanbadejo doesn't plan on taking visits until next week.

The Bears are on the verge of losing tight end John Gilmore to the Buccaneers. Gilmore agreed in principle to a three-year deal and flew Friday to Tampa to take a physical. But Gilmore didn't anticipate signing the deal until at least Saturday.

"They see me playing a lot on their two-tight-end sets," Gilmore said. "Everybody knows (Jon) Gruden plays that way. And I can see myself being involved, especially in the run game."

The Bears' running game needs a boost, but it might not come from the free-agent market. Former Northern Illinois star Michael Turner, the backup in San Diego, visited the Falcons on Friday. A source close to Turner said the Bears have yet to express serious interest.

Julius Jones, brother of former Bears running back Thomas Jones, has some interest in the Bears. It's unclear where the free agent from the Dallas Cowboys will end up.

Pittsburgh's star offensive guard Alan Faneca reportedly is headed to the New York Jets, a day after tackle Flozell Adams re-signed with the Cowboys. That leaves the Bears will little chance to bolster their offensive line via free agency, although some second-tier linemen remain available.

(c) 2008, Chicago Tribune. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.