By Brad BiggsGreg Olsen still could play a role in the Mike Martz offense, but so will one of the better blocking tight ends in the league after the Bears agreed to terms on a contract with free agent Brandon Manumaleuna.
Manumaleuna, who began his career in St. Louis playing for Martz, became the first of what could be multiple free-agent acquisitions for the Bears on Friday. Prized defensive end Julius Peppers will visit Halas Hall, as will running back Chester Taylor, and both could be Bears by the end of the day.
Manumaleuna, who at 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds is the size of an offensive lineman, will sign a five-year contract with the Bears later Friday pending a physical. His signing does not spell the end of Olsen's Bears career, however, but it does cast doubt on the status of veteran tight end Desmond Clark.
"I played for Mike Martz (in St. Louis) and Lovie Smith was the defensive coordinator. It was a great situation," Manumaleuna told the Tribune on Friday morning at O'Hare Airport after arriving on a flight from Los Angeles. "This team has a chance to be real successful. It was difficult (to leave San Diego). I had a lot of friends and it was close to home, but the business is what it is."
Manumaleuna spent
five seasons with the Rams before playing in one of the most
high-powered offenses in the league over the last four years in San
Diego. The Chargers wanted to re-sign the 30-year-old, but with the
money they have already committed to the position for Antonio Gates,
that wasn't practical.
Martz uses his tight ends not only to block in the running game but
also as blockers in the passing game. In 2008, Vernon Davis stayed in
to pass block on 250 downs for Martz and the San Francisco 49ers. But Manumaleuna also had his best season catching the ball playing for Martz with 29
receptions for 238 yards and two touchdowns in 2003.
The move potentially creates questions about the future of Clark, one of the most reliable offensive players the Bears
have had the last seven seasons. Clark has a $475,000 roster bonus that
is due Friday and a base salary for 2010 of $1 million. He is entering
the final year of his contract. Clark, who turns 33 next month, had
missed only two games in his first six seasons with the club since
being a free-agent deal in 2003. But broken ribs and a neck injury kept
him out of five games last season and he made only 19 receptions for
145 yards and two touchdowns.
While Manumaleuna will have a significant role on the offense, general
manager Jerry Angelo is interested in seeing Olsen develop under Martz.
The Bears also have Kellen Davis, a fifth-round pick in 2008, and
recently signed journeyman Richard Angulo, who has played under Martz
and new offensive line coach Mike Tice.
Manumaleuna is excited to be the first prospect to arrive at O'Hare on Friday, with Peppers and Taylor to follow.
"We have a chance to get a lot of good guys," Manumaleuna said. "And make a good run for it."
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You have to be the stupidest person that I have ever seen. If you believe that greg olsen cannot catch you need to open your eyes. You obviously dont watch the bears you must be a cubs fan. Look up the stats at least you fool. 60 catches and 8 touchdowns the most of any BEARS player. Wake up and drink some coffee you are a idiot.
and what if their high draft pick they got for greg olsen is a bust, they would have thrown away one of their best playmakers for nothing, he might have dropped some passes last year but hes still a young player.
Olsen is the most over-rated tight end in the NFL. The way people give him so much hype, it would seem as if he was a pro bowler in all of his years here. Forget the blocking which we know that he can't do. The man can't catch either!!!!! He may have led the Bears in receptions but he dropped so many balls last year and stopped critical drives during games. If they can get a high pick for him, then I say trade him.
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Great additions peppers, taylor, marmoleum.
I like olsen but need to trade him because martz will not use him. If you won't use him trade him. Lots of teams would like a good receiving tight end for a weapon.
Please get some o line. Please. Protect the qb.
Chris on March 5, 2010 5:34 PM
This team has won once in the last 50 years.
That's not much of a story.
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Well damn, I guess I shouldn't be a fan at all then. Maybe we should all just give up and become Cowboys fans!!
People like you just don't get it! True fans like and support their team whether they win OR lose...and whether they sign the players YOU want them to or not. Cubs and Red Sox fans are a perfect example and I can't give them enough credit and respect for supporting their teams throughout the bad times (LOTS of 'em). Doesn't matter if it's 50 years of losing or 100 years of losing -- TRUE FANS support 'em anyway!! And if you can't support a team like the Bears, win or lose, then PICK ANOTHER TEAM as your "favorite"! And if you're too big a fan of the Bears to move on, then quit whining, don't read the news and don't watch the games!
Nick on March 5, 2010 5:30 PM
This is one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. EVERY TEAM LOSES AT TIMES! GET OVER IT
---------
This team has won once in the last 50 years.
That's not much of a story.
When did Bears fans become the most pessimistic whiners in all of football? Geezuz H people, get a freakin' grip! You whine when the Bears lose, you whine when they win, you whine when they let a player go, and you whine when they sign Pro Bowl caliber players! Reading the negative comments on this site is just about enough to make me embarrassed to walk around in Bears gear anymore. Grow up and learn to appreciate what ya got as a Bears fan! This is one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. EVERY TEAM LOSES AT TIMES! GET OVER IT and learn to support 'em even during the down times! Geeeeeeez!!
Manumaleuna guacaholiaca walla-walla bing bangatola -
what is this, ... a LUAU??!
Another overated free agent - more money down the drain while the McAZSkeys laugh all the way to the bank.
We just DUMPED a bunch of Lovie/McASZkey busts -
This is like fiber - in one end ... OUT the other!
So what if this is only a 500 team, it's still better than what we had last year. No one expected this team to even be close to 500 in 2010, take what you can get and be happy.
Got to agree with achilles.
The haters must wake up each morning hating themsleves; then wondering what else they can hate.
Even without peppers, the rest of the league must be going crazy; what's going on with the Bears; now everyone wants to play here.
It's what i said all season, losing the 1st, and 2nd round pick was a pleasing. Signing rookies, unproven, to huge contracts is what sucks. Signing a player like Chester the bear molester, and, the road back just got closer.
One question: was Rolle as smoke screen while we drop the A-bomb today? or do we get him too, which would make it an H-bomb.
Virginia, let the purse strings out, baby.
Outstanding move. The Bears are not as bad as some of you think and I'm excited the Bears are making moves...
Manumaleuna spelled backwards is ummmm....hmmm....forget it give me another Budweiser.
GREAT SIGN BEARS! Now go get Peppers or Taylor/Boldin/Marshall, any of them would work. Once you do this, you can forget about 2009 and we can start winning more games. I do not care what anyone else says. Da Bears have to do this if they want to be succesful in 2010. LET'S GET BACK TO THE POSTSEASON!!
buh bye goldilocks!! hope you learn how to block and stretch to catch the ball!!!
all these haters i actually think the bear that is management is finally waking up!! peppers, taylor, and manu.. that to me sounds like an impressive upgrade.. stop the hate fans we got soemthing going here.. I do think they will listen to offers for olsen maybe to the Pats for a second rounder..Hope springs eternal!!
Yes Yes Yes yet another Rams castoff! Now go get someone from Tampa!
The Bears try to improve the blocking up front by signing one of the best blocking TE's in the league, a guy the Chargers wanted to keep, and almost every comment is a complaint.
Must be fun playing for the Bears with fans like these.
Does any of this get us from 3 to 4 wins next year?
WHAT?!?! Trading Olsen, an up and coming tight end who not to mention was the only "wide receiver" da Bears have for the past two years is CRAZY!!! Manumaleuna can only block, he can't go downfield and be a pass threat. Olsen, all last year was Jay's safety valve and now they want to trade him. WTF?!?! We should keep Olsen, make the other Devin (Aromashadu) the #1 WR, sign Kevin Walters make him #2, and make Bennett, Knox and Hester the slot receivers. Aromashadu is the next Brandon Marshall! Jay found that out late last season!!
Nice job Now Sign Peppers And Taylor, lets take from the Queens and help the Dline,
haters will hate no matter what management does.
Bear Down...
I'm still trying to figure out why people are complaining about getting one of the leagues best blocking TEs.
I just think some of you are terrified the Bears might win.
I swear the Bears are turning into the 1997 Rams and it's ridiculous. I understand these are good players but I sometimes feel the Bears are wasting time with some of these guys. They signed Pace because they knew him and he would be good for the Bears - WRONG. Manamuagaliangina has a chance to be decent in the offense but I'm not entirely convinced. Sign Taylor. Trade Olsen to NE for draft picks. I'm confused thus far.
You will not be dis-appointed with the skills and determination of Manumaleuna. I hated to see him leave the Chargers, but hope that the Bears can use put him to good use where I think the Chargers wasted him.
Good job on signing a backup TE. That should appease the 61K morons that go to Soldier Field while the good players find real teams to pay for.
The Bears refuse to sign top notch talent but that doesn't stop the droves of idiots packing the stands.
ROFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!
ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS!!!!
This ain't baseball folks. Five years doesn't necessarily mean five years in the NFL. Contracts are not guaranteed.
You dolts don't understand that this signing means the end of Clark, not Olsen. Olsen will definitely be here next year and will be a big part of the offense.
There's no reson not to keep Des Clark. $1.475 mil is couch-cushion change in today's NFL and he will be a solid backup. If Martz wants blockers at TE, we need to see if another team outside of the NFC North would be willing to give up a 2nd round pick for Olsen so we can cash in on the deep DB/Safety class this year. As for the Lovie-Haters, I don't like him either but we're stuck with him. Let's make the best of it. GO BEARS!
bearfan1973 - one probley the Bears don't have a 'true WR"
I can see Olsen being used as a posession receiver. He's a big target with good hands and would make alot of sense on the goal line and in 3rd and short, or med, situtations. Put him in the slot and let him act as a WR. Who's a defense going to put on him? He beats a LB or a #3 DB. If they put their #1 or #2 DB on him then they have to put their #3 on a true WR. It's a mismatch that can be exploited and Martz is good at finding a mismatch to exploit.
Looks as though Bears management is providing the team's fan base with just what it needs - a simple signing that will get those same fans frothing at the mouth about "what might happen" next year. Keeps the fans coming back for more, just like sheep. Let's break down the TE signing: the guy has been in the league for a long time; he is a blocker; he rarely catches passes; and he has the height/weight of a center. If the Bears want/need 6 offensive lineman to protect Cutler, why not just sign another guard or tackle and add him to the line? Signing Julius Peppers would be great - and it would make Alex Brown more dangerous as well. However, the Bears REALLY need a couple DTs that can plug up the middle and take on 3 blockers. In other words, they need a DT with wider hips that weighs more than 280 pounds. Even if they sign Peppers, I am not sure how he will play with no wide body next to him......oh yeah, he will also be coached by Oh-And-Sixteen Rod. Can't forget that gem too.
why is this not a prelude to olsen being moved? martz's offense doesn't need a tight end thats primarily a receiver. than it seems like clark stays and olsen goes. olsen is probably one of the only players the bears have that has much trade value. reducing olsens opportunity's for more receptions is a waste of his talents. why not get some value for him before he demands a trade. hopefully angelo can use it wisely. needs for safety, OG, receiver, DL, need to be addressed for the bears to be a playoff team.
having to give 5 years to get this guy to sign with the Bears?
How the mighty have fallen.
Oh, wait, they would have had to have been mighty at one point for that to work.
How the mediocre have settled.
Signing a 30-year-old blocking TE to a five year deal? Brilliant. While the Bears are throwing money away, I wish they'd send me some.
OK so Martz wanted this guy and the Bears management goes and gets him for Martz. Great. But why 5 years? Everyone knows Lovie and Martz could be one and done. If it goes down like that, you now have this clown eating cap space for 5 years. Yes I know NFL contracts are not guaranteed but there is obviously some kind of cap hit from signing bonuses, etc. that will count towards the cap if they decide to waive him along with the rest of the Rams coaching staff.
Sounds like Pace, he has played okay ball until last year, contract year, in which he did very well. Bears sign him for 5 years, he is already 9 years in the NFL, playing for his old coaches ... who wants to bet he's nothing this year and gone next with a wallet full of Bears cash? Interesting that all the players that will save the Bears are like Dummies coaches, friends of his at the end of their careers?????
We are the Chicago Lions and at the end of the day, sadly this won't change a thing.
3-13
How much does this help Matt Forte? up from 3.9? Is there a RT in free agency. I like what Shafer did last year? Who plays LG? Beekman or Oymaie? Great free agency signingy I hope we get Peppers and Taylor. 3rd pick? RT?
News flash - Lovie is still the coach and has had a free hand running this team since the SB - it has gone down hill under him. Who think drafting ANYONE is going to take the STUPID out of Lovie. You might get an okay season Bears fans and with that they will resign stupid so you can have another three seasons of bad football in an EASY division. If you think new players will make the team great ask yourself if ANY contender in the NFL would hire Lovie to be their head coach ... NO WAY? or would they hire any of his coaches?
The Bears keep this up and they may actually put a football team on the field this year.
We are still stuck with the dumbest QB in football and unless this guy can transplant a brain into him, this will not convert into more wins in 2010.
4-12 in 2010.
Now if Olsen can net you Boldin, then i say go for it, and let the chips fall where they may. A #1 TE for a #1 WR is a no-brainer. Then Hester will have to be moved to make room on the roster and payroll. I don't know how any or all of this is going to work out, but it's getting interesting...
This move has everything to do with #6 and less to do with Olsen. What good is a pass catching TE if the QB doesn't have time to throw? I think it would be a huge mistake to trade Olsen, but this signing has no effect on Olsen's status with the Bears.
For Martz's offense, a trio of Clark, Davis, and Manumaleuna works. Based on his red zone production in 2009, Olsen has more value now than he will after this season, so I would not be opposed to getting rid of him. I would like to see a trade with the Pats for one of their 2nd rounders.
If there is still some conern over whether Clark is worth the investment in this offense, I would be fine with a third TE like Gaines, who is a free agent again, or a later round draft pick of a blocking type TE. 2 blocking TEs, and a versatile guy in Davis, and we would be fine. The question would be, does Clark have any value in the market, or would we have to outright release him? I can't see getting more than a 5th or 6th rounder for him, which doesn't really help us.
Manumaleuna is one of the best blocking TE's in the game, and will give Cutler more time to make less mistakes.
I think the Bears should carry 6 tight ends and one RB, and no FB's like they did or seemed to half of last season. Unless they decide to go with no RB's at all. Here is the deal. The Bears at least 4 games last year had one ballcarrier suited. This is the fist time this has happened in the history of football, at every level. They had the worst ball carrier contingent in the league by far, because there was no contingent. There was damaged Forte. That's it. On and McKie has gained 89 yards in 5 years as a starter. (Insert 1 million excamation points)
I think the Bears should carry 6 tight ends and one RB, and no FB's like they did or seemed to half of last season. Unless they decide to go with no RB's at all. Here is the deal. The Bears at least 4 games last year had one ballcarrier suited. This is the fist time this has happened in the history of football, at every level. They had the worst ball carrier contingent in the league by far, because there was no contingent. There was damaged Forte. That's it. On and McKie has gained 89 yards in 5 years as a starter. (Insert 1 million excamation points)
Marshall has a first round Tender. Olsen is reported to be worth a 2nd or third. Pats have been talked about most with Olsen.
They could use 2 TE sets with Olsen in their, empty backfield 3 reciever TE sets would replace his 4 WR set. But it is not the best offense for any TE.
Manumaleuna does not have the skills to be a Bears tight end. Catching/blocking my money is still of Desmond to be our number 2. Mckie is the one getting replaced here. His consistent inability to pick up rushers is one of the reasons the Bears experimented with Olsen in the backfield so much. Why are we doing this anyway we need a saftey.
In light of our blocking woes this past season, it's a sensible move--but what kind of value can we get for our tight end surplus? If Olsen can net Boldin, Marshall, or a second rounder, he's worth trading.