bulldog Posted June 26, 2001 Share Posted June 26, 2001 Here is one veteran that is going on the market. More to come no doubt. With new general manager Jerry Angelo continuing to make his mark on the team, the Chicago Bears are set to release safety Shawn Wooden on Tuesday, the move coming after the five-year veteran declined to reduce his base salary. There is still a chance that Wooden, 27, will re-sign with the Bears, but he first wants to test the free-agent market and determine the ardor of several teams that indicated an interest in him last spring when he was an unrestricted free agent. The Bears, who were scheduled to visit with free-agent safety Michael Dumas on Tuesday, could sign him to replace Wooden on the roster. Chicago officials requested that Wooden reduce his base salary from $800,000 to the veteran minimum of $477,000. By releasing him, the Bears will have the $800,000 rebated back into their 2001 salary cap total. Wooden will still count $433,333 against the '01 cap because of a prorated signing bonus and a roster bonus, and $333,333 against the 2002 spending limit. The Bears signed Wooden as an unrestricted free agent last spring, after he spend the first four years of his career with the Miami Dolphins, awarding him a three-year, $3.6 million contract. The plan was for Wooden to start at free safety opposite strong safety Tony Parrish. But instead, second-round draft choice Mike Brown won the starting free safety job and Wooden played in just 11 games and started none. There figure to be a few teams interested in Wooden, but where he signs will almost certainly be dictated by economics and the opportunity for playing time. Wooden has appeared in 60 games, starting 33. He has 221 tackles, four interceptions and 14 passes defensed. Angelo has liked Dumas for some time and the nine-year veteran could find a home in the Chicago secondary as a "nickel" defender. Dumas, 32, played the past four seasons for the San Diego Chargers. He has played in 102 games, starting 53, and has 355 tackles, seven interceptions and 25 passes defensed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted June 26, 2001 Share Posted June 26, 2001 Wooden is young enough to stay with a team for several years, but, he's failed to show he's consistently solid enough on the field to earn a starting position. He doesn't have great speed and isn't terribly big. I prefer Shade as my strong safety, and Wooden doesn't have the ability to play free safety due to a lack of range. He would be a nice consideration for us, but, if he failed to take a pay cut to stay in Chicago, it's unlikely he'd take our league minimum to join us. I know you didn't post this information to necessarily espouse his virtues for our situation, Bulldog. Just commenting that I prefer others available to him at the moment. ------------------ Doom is in the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMP Posted June 26, 2001 Share Posted June 26, 2001 I wonder what Stanley Richard is doing these days? ------------------ <IMG SRC="http://www.joegibbsracing.com/joe_gibbs/joegibbs_images/driver_prof_joe.jpg" border=0><IMG SRC="http://www.joegibbsracing.com/current_season/jgr_wc_18/jgr_wc_18_images/car/bobby_car_race.gif" border=0><IMG SRC="http://www.joegibbsracing.com/current_season/jgr_wc_20/jgr_wc_20_images/car/drive_pontiac_tony.gif" border=0> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redman Posted June 26, 2001 Share Posted June 26, 2001 Originally posted by KMP:I wonder what Stanley Richard is doing these days? God, don't even joke about that! ------------------ "Loosen up, Sandy baby. You're just too damn tight!" - John Riggins to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Diggler Posted June 26, 2001 Share Posted June 26, 2001 don't you say that. don't you ever say that. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!! ---Billy Madison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey Posted June 26, 2001 Share Posted June 26, 2001 At lunch, I put together a projected 53 man roster. Barring injuries or somebody he'd slobber over becoming available, I think Marty may be telling the truth in saying he plans no more signings. Most likely signing would be RB or DE. We won't see anybody knew until July 29 anyway. What does anyone else think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted June 26, 2001 Share Posted June 26, 2001 I prefer to see how our younger faster kids turn out than someone with an agenda to get paid. And it looks like Terrell may still be a better option than Woodsen given his speed coverability and inexpensive contract. Monkee go ahead and post that roster list. That would something to tinker with until Camp Marty starts ------------------ Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryman of the North Posted June 27, 2001 Share Posted June 27, 2001 two words for all those concerned about our secondary MATT STEVENS. ------------------ HAIL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted June 27, 2001 Author Share Posted June 27, 2001 Can you believe that Bellichick and the Patriots gave Stevens a 3 year contract in free agency? And one publication had the gall to say that the Patriots could turn out to be this year's version of the 2000 Eagles at 11-5. the only thing they have in common is the fact the Patriots signed both Charles Johnson and Torrance Small at WR! Can you believe that either? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted June 27, 2001 Share Posted June 27, 2001 Dumas formerly of the chargers was signed by Da Bears so Wooden is free to explore his options. I like our youth movement here and with the mix of speed, size and sure tackling we could have I'm content for now ------------------ Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted June 27, 2001 Author Share Posted June 27, 2001 I didn't post the article to suggest we take on Wooden, only to indicate that veterans who can play will become available at points over the summer and when they do we need to be ready to move and sign them, especially if they play DL or at RB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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