[CBFF] CB - Bears cut Michael Haynes, others

[Jerry Madsen]

September 2, 2006

Bears say goodbye to 2003 first-round pick
By Larry Mayer

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Defensive lineman Michael Haynes, the 14th overall
pick in the 2003 draft, was among the final cuts Saturday as the Bears
reached the NFL's mandatory 53-man roster limit.

The 6-4, 283-pounder from Penn State failed to perform up to
expectations in three seasons with the Bears, registering 89 tackles
and 5½ sacks while playing in 43 games with four starts.


Defensive end Michael Haynes sacked Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme
in the Bears' 13-3 win last November in Chicago.
A backup who didn't contribute much on special teams, Haynes was
placed on the inactive list for six games last season including the
Bears' playoff loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Haynes' most productive season came in 2004 when he registered a
career-high 41 tackles and returned an interception 45 yards for a
touchdown in an overtime win at Tennessee.

Haynes was moved from end to tackle during the offseason, but he lined
up at end in Thursday night's preseason finale in Cleveland because
Alex Brown and Israel Idonije were out with injuries. Haynes had one
tackle, one pass breakup and three hits on the quarterback in the
game.

Other players the Bears released Saturday were fullback Keith Belton,
defensive end Jamaal Green, offensive tackle Mark LeVoir, running back
P.J. Pope, guard Tyler Reed, punter Joel Stelly, linebacker Rod Wilson
and tight end Cooper Wallace.

Chicago also terminated the contract of wide receiver Alex Bannister
and placed safety Brandon McGowan on the physically unable to perform
list, making him ineligible to play the first six weeks of the season.
McGowan tore his ACL in the 2005 season finale at Minnesota.

Of the players who were released, the only two who ever suited up in a
regular season game for the Bears were Haynes and Belton, whose only
appearance came in the 2004 season finale.

Aside from Haynes, the only other draft picks to be cut were Wilson, a
2005 seventh-round choice who missed his rookie season with a knee
injury; and Reed, a 2006 sixth-round pick.

Five of the Bears' seven draft picks made the final roster: Safety
Danieal Manning, cornerback Devin Hester, linebacker Jamar Williams,
defensive end Mark Anderson and fullback J.D. Runnels. Defensive
tackle Dusty Dvoracek was placed on injured reserve last week.

In addition to Anderson and Runnels, other players thought to be on
the bubble who earned spots on the 53-man roster include wide receiver
Airese Currie, offensive lineman Anthony Oakley and defensive tackle
Antonio Garay.

The Bears, of course, will monitor the waiver wire and could make
additional roster moves as early as Sunday. Last season, offensive
lineman Steve Edwards and cornerback Jerrell Pippens both survived
final cuts only to be released the next day when the Bears claimed
cornerbacks Daven Holly and Chris Thompson off waivers from the 49ers
and Jaguars, respectively.

Some of the players the Bears cut Saturday could be signed to the
eight-man practice squad, which can be established beginning Sunday.
-- 
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