Associated Press
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. ó Jay Cutler got his wish: a ticket out of Denver. And the Chicago Bears have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades.
The Broncos on Thursday traded their disgruntled Pro Bowl passer to the Bears, who’ve gone through a bevy of quarterbacks without much success ever since Jim McMahon was calling plays in the 1980s.
“We felt that (Cutler) is a very good person, a good leader,” Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. “He had some things that happened in Denver. We recognized those, but we treated them as just speed bumps, part of the growing process. He’s highly competitive, he’s highly emotional. That just comes with the territory.”
The Broncos get quarterback Kyle Orton in return, along with two first-round draft picks and a third-rounder.
The Broncos get the Bears’ top pick in this year’s draft, which is No. 18 overall, and Chicago’s first-round draft pick in 2010, along with a third-round selection this year (No. 84 overall). Denver also gave up a fifth-rounder this year.
* The Bears agreed to a three-year deal with Orlando Pace, adding a seven-time Pro Bowl tackle to their offensive line.
Released by the Rams three weeks ago in a move to clear $6 million in cap room, the 33-year-old Pace joins a team that suddenly has a different look on offense after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year.
REDSKINS
ASHBURN, Va. ó Phillip Daniels signed a one-year deal to return to the Redskins.
The 36-year-old defensive end missed the 2008 season when he tore a ligament in his left knee on the first day of training camp, prompting the Redskins to trade for Jason Taylor. Washington released Taylor at the end of the season and have since signed Renaldo Wynn.
Daniels and Wynn are expected to split time opposite starter Andre Carter unless the team chooses a defensive end in the draft later this month.
VICK
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. ó An agent for Michael Vick says that he hopes the former NFL quarterback can be back in the league by September.
Joel Segal testified in a Virginia court as part of a hearing to assess Vick’s bankruptcy plan. The plan was designed based on the goal of Vick returning to a pro football career.
Vick still has to apply to be reinstated. If he is allowed to return, Segal says that he’d try to negotiate a one- or two-year contract that would include incentives for playing time and a starting position.
Michael Blumenthal, Vick’s lawyer, said Vick has lined up a $10-an-hour construction job for when he gets out of prison. Vick appeared in court for the first time in his bankruptcy case to explain to a judge how he plans to emerge from his financial problems.
STALLWORTH
CLEVELAND ó Free on bail but facing serious legal charges, Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth will get ready for an upcoming NFL season not knowing if he’ll play.
Stallworth surrendered in court Thursday on charges that he was driving drunk when he struck and killed a pedestrian while returning from a night of partying in Miami Beach on March 14. The 28-year-old Stallworth was released by Miami authorities after posting $200,000 bail.
Stallworth intends to resume voluntary workouts with the rebuilding Browns, who must now consider their options and the possibility they will not have the seven-year veteran on their roster next season.
Following a brief hearing Thursday before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy, Stallworth expressed his condolences and offered his prayers to victim Mario Reyes’ family. Stallworth added he has “full confidence and faith” in the legal process.
If convicted of DUI manslaughter, Stallworth faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.
DRAFT
NEW YORK ó Former Boston College lineman B.J. Raji, who is considered the top defensive tackle eligible for this month’s draft, reportedly failed a drug test at the combine.
The report, which did not identify the drug, was published on SI.com and attributed to unidentified NFL team sources.
Raji missed the 2007 college season with academic problems. SI.com reported that NFL scouts had been told he also tested positive for marijuana during his time at BC.
CARDINALS
TEMPE, Ariz. ó The Cardinals have signed free agent fullback Dan Kreider to a one-year deal.
COWBOYS
IRVING, Texas ó The Cowboys have re-signed guard Cory Procter to a one-year contract. Procter was supposed to back up Kyle Kosier but wound up starting 11 games last season.
PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
The NFL Players Association has presented its case contesting whether teams can withhold guaranteed salaries and bonus money from embattled players Plaxico Burress and Larry Johnson.