Chicago Bears pick up veteran O-lineman Ramirez

Posted March 30, 2016 9:45 am

By Bob LeGere

The Bears have added a veteran presence to the interior of their offensive line by agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with Manny Ramirez, according to mutiple reports.

The 6-foot-3, 325-pound eight-year veteran started seven games for the Detroit Lions last season at guard. The 33-year-old Ramirez, a Houston native who played at Texas Tech, started 43 games over the previous three seasons with the Denver Broncos, when Bears head coach John Fox held the same position in Denver.

Ramirez has started NFL games at center, right guard and left guard, giving the Bears a proven backup behind starting guards Matt Slauson and Kyle Long.

The former fourth-round pick of the Lions could also compete for the Bears' starting spot at center, where last year's third-round draft pick, Hroniss Grasu, started eight games. But the 6-foot-3, 297-pond Grasu had an up-and-down rookie season as he occasionally struggled with bigger and stronger defensive tackles.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune was the first to report the deal.

• Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.

Former Detroit Lions guard Manny Ramirez is expected to add depth to the Bears offensive line next season after agreeing to a one-year deal. Associated Press/2015 file

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