March 30--The Bears continued to add free agents they are familiar with, signing offensive lineman Manny Ramirez to a one-year contract Wednesday, according to a source.
Ramirez visited the Bears on Tuesday and decided to reunite with coach John Fox and offensive line coach Dave Magazu, whom he played under for four seasons with the Broncos.
Ramirez, 33, has experience at center and guard and is expected to compete with second-year center Hroniss Grasu, the Bears' third-round draft pick a year ago. Ramirez started seven games for the Lions last season and has 65 regular-season starts in his nine-year career, with 43 coming under Fox and Magazu.
Originally a fourth-round pick by the Lions in 2007 from Texas Tech, Ramirez was reacquired by the Lions last April in a draft-day trade with the Broncos.
The Bears have tried to add players they know in free agency. Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan, who got the team's biggest contract since the start of the new league year, also played for Fox in Denver. Defensive end Akiem Hicks was drafted by the Saints when Bears general manager Ryan Pace worked for them.
bmbiggs@tribpub.com
