Bears release Archuleta
The reclamation plan with Adam Archuleta is over.
The Bears released the veteran safety and the team is in the process of putting together a fax to announce the move.
(Sun-Times News Group file)
Archuleta was acquired a year ago from the Washington Redskins for a sixth-round draft pick. He started 10 of the first 11 games last season, missing one with a broken hand, before losing his job. Archuleta was a star with the St. Louis Rams, flourishing in coach Lovie Smith’s cover two scheme. He earned the largest contract ever for a safety when he went to the Redskins in one of Daniel Snyder’s spending sprees. The Bears had been bidding for Archuleta’s services in the spring of 2006 also.
With the Redskins, Archuleta was almost an instant failure. He was going to start the 2006 season on the bench before Pierson Prioleau was injured on the opening kickoff of the season. He spent the second half of that year contributing on special teams, just how he ended up last year with the Bears. Achuleta had earned the big money in his contract and was on the books for the minimum with a cap figure of $2.55 million this season.
The Bears ran into trouble with depth at safety last season after trading Chris Harris in training camp. Veteran Mike Brown has returned from a torn ACL, although if the last four seasons are any indication, counting on him for all of 2008 could be a risky proposition. Brandon McGowan is tops on the depth chart right now at strong safety next to Brown. In reserve are Danieal Manning, Kevin Payne and rookie fourth-round pick Craig Steltz.
