March 30--The Bears hosted veteran offensive lineman Manny Ramirez on a visit Tuesday in their continued effort to add depth to the roster via free agency.
Ramirez played four seasons with the Broncos under Bears coach John Fox and offensive line coach Dave Magazu, starting 43 games, including Super Bowl XLVIII. He spent last season with the Lions, who drafted him in the fourth round in 2007 out of Texas Tech.
The Bears are seeking competition for center Hroniss Grasu, their third-round pick of a year ago, and Ramirez also has experience playing guard so he could be the swing player the team is seeking for the interior of the offensive line.
The 33-year-old Ramirez has played in 83 games over nine seasons with 65 starts. At 6-foot-3, 325 pounds, he's bigger than the veteran center the team had paired with Grasu last season, Will Montgomery.
The Broncos traded Ramirez to the Lions last April 30 in a deal that involved first-round picks as Denver moved up to select outside linebacker Shane Ray.
bmbiggs@tribpub.com
