[CBFF] Bears rescind offer to Ayanbadejo :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Bears - Sent Using Google Toolbar

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Bears rescind offer to Ayanbadejo :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Bears

Bears rescind offer to Ayanbadejo



March 3, 2008
BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter

 Don't look for Pro Bowl special teams player Brendon Ayanbadejo to be
returning.

 The Bears broke off negotiations with Ayanbadejo Monday, pulling from
the table a multi-year contract offer that had been in place. It's an
interesting development because agent Drew Rosenhaus surely shopped
the deal the Bears presented to see if he could create a bidding
market for Ayanbadejo, who is second in the league in special teams
tackles over the last two seasons, according to Stats, Inc. He has not
signed with anyone.

» Click to enlarge image
Bears special teams player Brendon Ayanbadejo.
(AP)


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 Ayanbadejo said he was going to speak with Rosenhaus tonight and
hoped to be signed this week.

 The Bears first went to Ayanbadejo with a contract offer in October
and apparently decided it wasn't going to chase someone they consider
to be a specialist further into free agency. It's expected the Bears
will move forward with an eye toward the veteran wide receivers
remaining on the market. The Bears made the decision to move forward
with their free agency plan of re-signing their own and will focus on
defensive tackle Tommie Harris, return specialist Devin Hester, kicker
Robbie Gould and defensive end Mark Anderson.

 Ayanbadejo was named a captain last season and made it known he
wanted to be the highest-paid special teams player in the league. But
he will be 32 when the season begins and doesn't play defense,
something Ronsenhaus said they were hoping to find in a suitor.
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub now must find an ace for his unit
that has been No. 1 the last two seasons. Linebackers Nick Roach and
Darrell McClover could be candidates. Lineman Israel Idonije was a Pro
Bowl special teams alternate, but he could have an expanded role on
defense.