Bears sign Matt Spaeth, release Brandon Manumaleuna
BY NEIL HAYES nhayes@suntimes.com July 28, 2011 2:24PM
The Bears severed ties with tight end Brandon Manumaleuna after one season. | AP
Updated: July 28, 2011 6:48PM
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 Bears 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.
