[CBFF] A Bears' division rival makes a trade

[Kenny Claxton]

Nice trade for the Broncos.

On 3/1/07, Jerry Madsen <jerrywm at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Updated: March 1, 2007, 2:02 PM ET
> Lions trade Bly to Broncos for Tatum Bell, Foster
> By Michael Smith
> ESPN.com
>
> The Detroit Lions have agreed to send cornerback Dre' Bly to the
> Denver Broncos in exchange for running back Tatum Bell, tackle George
> Foster and a draft choice, believed to be a fifth-round pick.
>
> Trades cannot become official until Friday, the first day of the league
> year.
>
> Bly, a two-time Pro Bowl performer who earned a Super Bowl ring as a
> member of the 1999 St. Louis Rams, did not fit well in the Tampa 2
> defensive scheme employed by second-year head coach Rod Marinelli and
> new defensive coordinator Joe Barry. Thus the Lions granted Bly and
> his agent, Kennard McGuire, permission to seek a trade two weeks ago.
>
> The New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and Washington Redskins also
> were in the running for the 29-year-old Bly.
>
> Neither Bly nor McGuire was available for comment.
>
> In Denver, Bly will join Champ Bailey in forming one of the game's top
> cornerback tandems. The Broncos needed a replacement for Darrent
> Williams, who was killed in a drive-by shooting after a New Year's Eve
> party in Denver.
>
> Bly is considered one of the game's best big-play cornerbacks. In
> eight seasons he has intercepted 31 passes, forced 17 fumbles, and
> scored eight touchdowns (five interception returns, two fumble
> returns, one punt return). Last season Bly tied for the team lead with
> three interceptions and led the Lions with 18 passes defended and four
> forced fumbles.
>
> Bly has one year remaining on the $22 million free-agent contract he
> signed in 2003 and the Broncos are expected to begin working on a
> long-term agreement with McGuire.
>
> Bell, 25, became a starter for the first time last season, his third,
> and led the Broncos with 1,025 rushing yards. In three seasons with
> the Broncos he has rushed for 2,342 yards and 13 touchdowns and owns a
> career yards-per-carry average of 4.9. The speedy Bell provides depth
> and insurance for the Lions in the event top back Kevin Jones' foot
> injury keeps him sidelined into next season.
>
> Foster started 45 out of a possible 48 games the past three seasons at
> right tackle. The Lions were last in the league in rushing and allowed
> the second-most sacks (63) last season, so improving the offensive
> line is one of the team's top offseason priorities.
>
> Michael Smith is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. ESPN.com senior NFL
> writer John Clayton contributed to this story.
>
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