Ted Larsen addition adds to Bears' O-line depth, competition

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As excited as Ryan Pace has sounded about the potential and second-year growth of Hroniss Grasu, the Bears general manager has made moves the past two days to indicate the starting center job won't simply be handed over to last year's third-round draft pick.

After Wednesday's signing of former Bronco and Lion Manny Ramirez, the Bears have reached terms with Ted Larsen Thursday.

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Like Ramirez, Larsen has extensive experience as a starter at both guard and center, and while the new pair provides an upgrade from Patrick Omameh and Vladimir Ducasse behind Kyle Long and Matt Slauson, either is capable of taking over snaps. 

In Larsen's case, he was back and forth between the positions in Arizona the past two seasons, but most recently was playing so well down the stretch at right guard last season that Bruce Arians wasn't about to replace him with former Top 10 pick Jonathan Cooper upon his recovery from injury. Cooper has since been traded to New England and Larsen has started at guard or center every game he's been available the past two seasons.

Larsen was originally a sixth-round draft pick of New England in 2010. The Patriots cut him, but he was quickly signed by Tampa Bay, where he started 11 games as a rookie. Larsen spent his first four seasons with the Buccaneers before moving as a free agent to the Cardinals.

[SHOP: Gear up, Bears fans!]

Larsen becomes the second starting offensive lineman signed by the Bears this offseason, joining the right tackle he played next to, Bobbie Massie.

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