John Lynch had an inkling there was something cooking in his team’s front office.

Last week, the Denver Broncos safety received a phone call from Detroit Lions assistant general manager Martin Mayhew. The two were former teammates in the mid-1990s with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mayhew wanted Lynch to give a scouting report on two current players on Denver’s roster – running back Tatum Bell and right tackle George Foster.

"He said I can’t get into specifics, but we’re talking about a trade," Lynch recalled. "And he asked, ‘What about George and Tatum?’"

That conversation eventually morphed into Thursday’s first big splashy trade of the off-season, with Foster and Bell headed to the Lions in exchange for Dre' Bly, a two-time Pro Bowl selection at cornerback. The deal that won’t become official until today, the first day of the league’s new calendar year. As part of the trade, Denver also will receive a sixth-round draft pick, while sending Detroit a fifth-round selection.

The acquisition fills one of Denver’s biggest needs heading into the off-season, given the tragic shooting death of starting right cornerback Darrent Williams on New Year’s Day. And in a thin cornerback market in free agency outside of Buffalo’s Nate Clements, who’s expected to command top dollar, Bly represents a shrewd move, particularly given anticipated reduced roles for both Foster and Bell next season.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan anointed Dominique Foxworth as Williams’ replacement as starter at right cornerback last month, but there had been some whispers as to whether the third-year player was ready to handle a full-time role. He won’t have that pressure now, with Bly expected to be paired with Champ Bailey and Foxworth retaining his role in the nickel defense, giving the Broncos a top-flight trio to match up with the league’s top spread offenses. Karl Paymah, a 2005 third-round pick, also made strides in a dime-back role last season for Denver and adds depth to the group.

"You can’t have enough good corners in this league and Dre' has certainly proven himself as that," Lynch said. "He’s a ballhawking corner who’s made a lot of plays in his career. We used to play them quite a bit when he was with the (St. Louis) Rams and I was with the Bucs and he always seemed to make a tough play. He makes us pretty strong at corner right now."

Bly, 29, was scheduled to make a $4.2 million base salary with the Lions in the final year of his deal he signed as an unrestricted free agent in 2003. Denver likely will attempt to work out a new contract extension but Bly could opt to play out the deal in order to play closer to his Chesapeake, Va., hometown in the future. The Washington Redskins were one of the teams vying for his services this week, but they, like the New Orleans Saints, lacked the proper ammunition to pull off the deal.

"It’s a good trade," said Denver defensive tackle Michael Myers, who was set to hit the open market Thursday night. "I’ve played against Dre'. He’s a good cover corner."

In four seasons each with the Lions and St. Louis Rams, Bly’s produced 33 career interceptions. He went to the Pro Bowl in 2003 and 2004 and was a first alternate the next season, but his play slipped last season. A team captain in Detroit, he was reportedly uncomfortable in the two-deep zone installed by new Lions coach Rod Marinelli. But Lynch suggested a change of scenery may help Bly and that Bates will "mold the two philosophies together" in terms of man and zone coverages to come up with a workable mix.

Having Bailey and Bly also shuld allow the Broncos to potentially expand their blitz package. Denver still needs to shore up its pass rush to complement the revised secondary. And now, they’ll surely be searching for a full-time running back, too.

Bell, who turns 26 today, has shown flashes of speed and big-play ability during his three seasons with Denver and led the team last season with 1,025 rushing yards. But he also wasn’t able to get a firm grasp on the starting job, despite improving his ability to run inside the tackles over time. He was near the top of the AFC rushing list when he suffered turf toe in October and had most of his midseason wiped out. He then fumbled in each of the last three games, drawing the ire of the coaching staff, which also believed Bell was less explosive in a full-time role.

He’ll get an opportunity to start in Detroit, particularly if Kevin Jones’ recovery from a foot injury prevents the Lions current starter from returning at the start of next season. Bell exits the Broncos having rushed for 2,342 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Denver, meanwhile, is left with a gaping hole at running back that will be filled either via trade, the draft or free agency. Mike Bell, who just completed a productive rookie season, is an effort runner but perhaps lacks the breakaway speed the Broncos desire. Damien Nash, who died suddenly last Saturday, was the only other Broncos back with more than three carries last season.

With Foster’s departure, Denver is left with zero players remaining from the 2003 draft out of 10 selections. Foster led that group as a first-round pick. He started 44 of 49 career games in which he appeared but struggled last season, and in the long run, he may have been miscast in Denver’s system. He has good size at 6-foot-5, 338 pounds but at times played heavy-legged in a scheme that emphasizes footwork and quickness. Still, he’s a strong drive-blocker and should get a chance to start with the Lions.

"I think it’s a great chance for George," his agent, Phil Williams said. "He can start anew and I know he expects to take advantage it. He’s just very excited."

Foster likely will be replaced in Denver by Erik Pears, who filled in at left tackle last season but is probably better suited for the right side, or veteran Adam Meadows.