By Brad Biggs, Tribune reporter 3:51 p.m. CST, November 21, 2011
The Chicago Bears have decided they got a good enough look at a future long snapper to trust Jake Laptad to do the job.
Instead of conducting a tryout Tuesday, the Bears will sign Laptad to the 53-man roster, according to a source close to the player. Laptad, an undrafted free agent from Kansas, was with the team during training camp and served as the long snapper for the preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 1. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub praised him as an up-and-coming specialist at the time.
Laptad spent two weeks on the practice squad last month and recently worked out with special teams guru Louie Aguiar, the former NFL punter.
The Bears announced 14-year veteran Pat Mannelly was placed on injured reserve. An MRI Monday morning confirmed he tore the ACL in his left knee in the first quarter of Sunday’s victory over the San Diego Chargers. Fullback Tyler Clutts handled the snapping duties the rest of the game but the Bears didn’t want to have him handling multiple roles as he’s also valuable on special teams.
A roster spot remains available for the Bears to add a veteran quarterback as defensive end Mario Addison was placed on waivers.
Damn, and I had a non-refundable ticket to come to town for the tryout too. I hate getting bad news over the net.
Guess we had a backup for Mannelly waiting in the wings. Sounds like he's gotten some experience around the team and if Toub is high on him it doesn't get any better than that.
Not surprised they're clearing a spot for a vet QB but I'm curious as to why they waived Addison rather than Venable. Wootton is back but we also let Reed go so we only have three DE's on the roster with Addison gone too. Maybe he'll end up back on the PS if he clears waivers that would be my guess.
Last edited by soulman; 11-21-2011 at 06:42 PM.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap.
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
Nice to see Toub has a good short list for emergencies like this. Don't worry about our DE's Soul, I'm sure JA will be combing the dumpsters of the arena league as we speak.
Arguing on the internet is like winning the special olympics, even if you win your still messed up.
At this point my guess is that neither Addison or Reed will latch on anywhere else so one of then may be back on the PS.
Hmmmm, just noticed I mispelled replace. Gotta edit myself more carefully when I do those titles. Can't change 'em on they're posted. Need a fix on that staff!!! LOL
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap.
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Jake Laptad to Replace Mannelly.........
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I hate getting bad news over the net. 
Restore the roar!