Not long after a source confirmed that Brandon Manumaleuna had been released, the Bears confirmed it in an release that stated that the veteran tight end had failed his physical.
The focus for much of the day has centered around Bears tight end Greg Olsen after his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, sent an e-mail to NFL teams last night informing general managers that Olsen was available in a trade. A few minutes later, Rosenhaus sent a second e-mail telling NFL player personnel executives to disregard his first message.
The Bears then signed free-agent tight end Matt Spaeth earlier today. Spaeth is primarily a blocking tight end and is expected to take Manumaleuna’s spot on the roster. Martz is also high on tight end Kellen Davis, who raised eyebrows last season as the team’s best all-around player at the position.
Manumaleuna, who signed a lucrative free-agent contract with the Bears before last season, was the kind of mammoth blocking tight end essential to offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s system. Offseason surgery on his right knee contributed to the 6-foot-2, 295 pounder not being in top shape when he reported to camp and he never made the expected impact.
While being used almost exclusively in a blocking role, Manumaleuna started 13 games and ended the 2010 season with five catches for 43 yards and one touchdown.
