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May 7--The Bears cut ties with a veteran Tuesday, but not the one dominating the headlines the last few days.
Safety Adam Archuleta, whom the Bears acquired in a trade with the Washington Redskins, was released after one season in Chicago. He started 10 games in 2007 before lack of production sent him to the bench. Archuleta finished the season mainly on special teams as Brandon McGowan stepped in as the starter at strong safety.
Archuleta's release was trumped by the news of Cedric Benson returning to Halas Hall on Tuesday, three days after he was arrested in Texas and charged with boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest. Benson has maintained his innocence on both charges. He has a court date scheduled May 19 in Austin, Texas, the same day the Bears start organized teams activities, but was informed Tuesday that his lawyer can represent him.
Benson declined an interview request Tuesday. A team source said the running back did not participate in voluntary workouts.
Archuleta also was a no-show for at least the first part of voluntary workouts that started April 7. He remained in Arizona following the birth of his first child.
Reached by phone last week, Archuleta, who was coping with the death of a family member, declined to comment on the Bears drafting safety Craig Steltz.
Archuleta recorded 64 tackles, two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery in 15 games last season. He was a first-round pick of the St. Louis Rams in the 2001 draft and started his career under Bears coach Lovie Smith, then the Rams defensive coordinator. Archuleta went on to play one disappointing season with the Redskins before coming to Chicago in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
The Bears signed Archuleta to a three-year deal worth about $8.1 million. It included $5 million guaranteed. He came out strong in the first game but hit a wall after breaking his hand against the Cowboys in Week 3. McGowan replaced him in the lineup before a Dec. 2 loss to the New York Giants.
Archuleta became the sixth veteran the Bears have cut this off-season, joining receiver Muhsin Muhammad, tackle Fred Miller, guard Ruben Brown, and defensive tackles Darwin Walker and Antonio Garay. The Bears traded veteran quarterback Brian Griese to Tampa Bay for a draft pick.
The Bears expect to be set at safety with Mike Brown looking to regain his starting role at free safety and McGowan, Danieal Manning, Steltz and Kevin Payne in the mix too. Bears general manager Jerry Angelo projected Steltz as a potential starter when the team selected the rookie and former LSU Tiger in the fourth round.
Extra pointsThe Bears agreed to terms with four undrafted rookie free-agents Tuesday: punter Zacrey Atterbery from Lindenwood, defensive end Gerard Lee from Oregon State, guard Ryan Poles from Boston College and tight end Marcus Stone from North Carolina State. ... On Monday, the Bears signed running back Matthew Lawrence, an undrafted rookie from Massachusetts.
vxmcclure@tribune.com
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