Veteran lineman Ramirez decides it's time to walk away

Eight is enough for Chicago Bears veteran interior offensive lineman Manny Ramirez, who told the team he will retire rather than play a ninth season with a body that wasn't responding as it had in the past.

The 6-foot-3, 325-pound, 33-year-old Ramirez signed with the team as an unrestricted free agent March 30. He was expected to compete for a starting job or provide depth at guard and center.

Ramirez started seven games for the Detroit Lions last year. He started 43 games the previous three years in Denver, where Bears coach John Fox and offensive-line coach Dave Magazu held the same positions with the Broncos. He played in 83 career games with 65 starts.

"When it's time, it's time," Ramirez told the Bears' website. "You can't really push it anymore when your body tells you that you can't do what's required at this level. That's one thing that I've always told myself throughout my entire career, that when the body starts not being able to produce like it's supposed to, you really can't do anything about it."

The Bears also signed veteran unrestricted free-agent interior offensive lineman Ted Larsen on March 31, and he has been lining up with the first team at left guard during organized team activities, which end Thursday.

Hroniss Grasu, last year's third-round draft pick, has been working at center with the first team. Kyle Long is back at right guard, where he was a Pro Bowl performer his first two seasons before playing right tackle last year, when he also made the Pro Bowl as a replacement player.

The Bears used a second-round draft pick this year on Kansas State guard Cody Whitehair and two days later released popular veteran Matt Slauson, who started 37 games the past three seasons at guard or center.

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