The Bears on Wednesday bolstered their offensive line by signing veteran center/guard Manny Ramirez to a one-year contract.
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| Offensive lineman Manny Ramirez appeared in all 16 games with seven starts last season with the Lions. |
Bears coach John Fox and offensive line coach Dave Magazu are familiar with Ramirez, having worked with him while serving in the same roles in Denver for four seasons from 2011-14.
Ramirez started all 16 games and three playoff contests at center for the Broncos in 2013 when they reached the Super Bowl. The 6-3, 326-pounder opened the first eight games at center in 2014 before starting the final eight contests at right guard.
Ramirez was selected by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2007 draft out of Texas Tech. He spent his first three NFL seasons in Detroit and returned to the Lions for a second stint via a trade with the Broncos during last year's draft.
Ramirez, who turned 33 in February, appeared in all 16 games for Detroit last season, starting three contests at right guard, two at left guard and two at center. He has appeared in 53 straight regular-season games dating back to Week 13 of the 2012 season.
Ramirez is the seventh free agent the Bears have signed since Fox was hired in January 2015 who played for the coach in Denver, joining receiver Eddie Royal, center Will Montgomery, cornerback Tracy Porter and defensive lineman Mitch Unrein last year and outside linebacker Danny Trevathan and long-snapper Aaron Brewer this month.
