The Bears have made their first signing of the free agent period, tight end Brandon Manumaleuna. Brad Biggs is reporting that Manu (I’ve got to come up with shorthand for him) arrived early Friday morning to come ink a 5 year deal.
Here’s what Manu had to say about joining the Bears:
"“I played for Mike Martz (in St. Louis) and Lovie Smith was the defensive coordinator. It was a great situation,” Manumaleuna said 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.”"
While it’s been widely speculated that signing the big blocking tight end might mean Greg Olsen is on his way out, Biggs speculates that the signing could mean the end for veteran Dez Clark. I hope that doesn’t happen, since Dez is a class guy and a true professional – we here at BGO know firsthand.
A better move would be to move Olsen while his perceived value is higher. The Bears won’t get much for him if his role and production drop off in Martz’s system, as is widely believed to be true.
In any case, the Bears are in the free agency mix and it figures to be a busy day at Halas Hall.