Friday, March 5, 2010

Bears Sign TE Manumaleuna Creating Questions About Olsen and Clark

As reported earlier this week, the Bears signed blocking tight end Brandon Manumaleuna. 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.

Does Manumaleuna's signing mean the end for Greg Olsen due to Mike Martz' Martz uses of tight ends to block both the running game and the passing game? (Note: It's been rumored that Olsen has asked the Bears to trade him).

According to the Chicago Tribune, Olsen still could play a role in the Mike Martz offense, but Manumaleuna signing does cast doubt on the status of veteran tight end Desmond Clark.

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.

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