NFL Notes: Bears, Dolphins & Patriots

Bears

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported earlier in the day that Bears LS Pat Mannelly will announce his retirement from the NFL on Friday.

“It’s difficult to talk about Patrick as a player in the past tense,” Bears chairman George McCaskey said in a statement, via the Chicago Tribune. “He played more seasons than any other Bear. He played in more games than any other Bear. And every season, every game, he was a pro’s pro. He was a captain, someone his teammates looked up to and sought guidance, direction and inspiration, and he provided it.

“Our family is very grateful for all he has done. Not just for the way he’s played on the field, but the way he has carried himself off the field. He’s the epitome of what a Chicago Bear is all about.”

Mannelly, 39, was a sixth-round pick of the Bears back in 1998. He has spent all 16 years of his career with the Bears and only missed a total of 11 games over the course of his career.

Dolphins

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that the “medical issue” Dolphins RB Knowshon Moreno is dealing with is related to his knee.

Florio’s source mentioned that Moreno may require arthroscopic surgery on his knee. However, the injury is not considered to be anything significant at this point in time.

Meanwhile, Jason Cole of the National Football Post reports that sources have informed that Moreno’s knee is “bad.”

Cole expects Moreno to continue playing, but adds that the issue is actually for how long.

Moreno, 26, signed a one-year, $3 million contract that included $1.25 million guaranteed with the Dolphins back in late March. He unfortunately suffered an ACL tear back in 2011, but it is worth mentioning that his current issue are related to his other knee.

Looks like Lamar Miller could have decent enough shot at securing the starting job in training camp.

Patriots

According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, Patriots G Dan Connolly is “probably in trouble this training camp.“

Volin mentions that the team is high on second-year OL Josh Kline, and could save $3 million in cap space by releasing him.

Apparently, Connolly is in danger of losing the job outright to Kline, which would make this decision much easier from the Patriots perspective.

Volin adds that Kline, Marcus Cannon, Cameron Fleming and Jon Halapio are all in good position to secure roster spots this summer.

Connolly, 31, is entering the final year of his three-year, $9.75 million contract that included a $3.25 million signing bonus. He appeared in all 16 games for the Pats last season and was rated as the No. 68 guard in the league out of 81 qualifying players, according to Pro Football Focus.