Da' Bears Football

Four members of the 2005California Golden Bears football team have signed free agent contracts with National Football League teams and will participate in up-coming mini-camps.


The Chicago Bears added rover Donnie McCleskey to their roster for mini-camp. Free safety Harrison Smith signed with the Detroit Lions. Other Cal players to sign were fullback Chris Manderino (Cincinnati Bengals) and punter David Lonie (Washington Redskins).


McCleskey and Smith played a pivotal role in the Golden Bears' secondary last season. McCleskey wrapped up the season with 73 tackles, moving him to eighth on the all-time tackles list (258). Smith broke up eight passes in his senior season, ending his career second on the Cal all-time list with 32.


In his final season as a Golden Bear, Manderino scored two rushing touchdowns and two receiving and Lonie produced a 42.0 average on his punts last season, with his longest of 56 yards.


The free agent signings along with the three Bears chosen in the draft brings the total to seven Cal players who have joined a NFL roster this spring. Offensive lineman Ryan O'Callaghan was drafted by the New England Patriots (136th pick overall), center Marvin Philip was picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers (201st Pick overall) and Aaron Merz was drafted by the Buffalo Bills (248th pick overall).

The Chicago Bears have matched a four-year offer sheet from the Buffalo Bills for Israel Idonije, keeping the Canadian defensive lineman in Chicago. "We want Israel back and we feel that he's a young, quality player, still developing," general manager Jerry Angelo said. Idonije, 25, made 16 tackles in 11 games last season, playing end and tackle -- and on special teams. The six-foot-six 275-pounder from Brandon, Man., has spent the last two seasons with the Bears. He played collegiate football at the University of Manitoba. Also yesterday, Bears cornerback Jerry Azumah retired because of neck and hip pain, ending a seven-year career with Chicago in which he made the Pro Bowl in 2003.

Patriots re-sign cornerback Scott

Cornerback Chad Scott is staying with New England, the first signing by the Patriots in an offseason in which stalwarts such as Willie McGinest and Adam Vinatieri left the team. Scott is a former first-round draft pick who spent most of last season on injured reserve. He re-signed Wednesday, a day after Vinatieri, who kicked the game-winning field goals in two of the Patriots' three Super Bowl wins, signed with the Indianapolis Colts, replacing Canadian Mike Vanderjagt.

Vikings sign McMahon to two-year deal

Quarterback Mike McMahon signed a two-year contract yesterday with the Minnesota Vikings. The former Philadelphia pivot will likely serve as a backup to Brad Johnson this season. "It's a great opportunity for myself, a chance to learn from Brad and see how he prepares," McMahon said. "I'm very excited." McMahon played last year with the Eagles under offensive co-ordinator Brad Childress, now Minnesota's head coach. He also spent four seasons with Detroit.

Israel Idonije still can't believe his good fortune in the NFL.

The 25-year-old defensive lineman, who grew up in Brandon, just reached a lucrative, long-term deal with the Chicago Bears he hopes will eventually pave the way to a starting position with the team.

The four-year contract, reported to be worth about (US) $7.5 million plus a $1.6 million signing bonus, was offered by the Buffalo Bills.

But the Bears came forward and matched the Bills' offer sheet late Wednesday, keeping Idonije in Chicago.

"It was great news, I'm excited and I'm ready to play ball," the 6-foot-6, 275 pound Idonije said yesterday.

Idonije is entering his third season with the Bears. He made 16 tackles in 11 games last season, playing end, tackle and on special teams.

"We want Israel back," said Bears GM Jerry Angelo. "We feel that he's a young quality player who's still developing."