Manuel

Ramirez

Recovering from multiple surgeries to repair his left fibula and ankle, Kuper sat out all 10 OTAs and three minicamp sessions. Manny Ramirez worked as the first-team left guard throughout spring practices.

The 29-year-old Ramirez appeared in just two games last season. Only a backup-caliber lineman, Ramirez will have to battle hard to make Denver’s roster.

Tough luck. Kuper was working hard to return to form after suffering a dislocated left ankle as well as a broken tibia and fibula in last year’s season finale. Manny Ramirez is next up on the depth chart, though an alternative would be moving RT Orlando Franklin inside and starting Chris Clark or Ryan Harris against the Steelers, Falcons and Texans the first three weeks of the season.

Yikes. Ramirez is a career backup that has mostly played guard in his six seasons. He did start 11 games for the Broncos at right guard last season after Chris Kuper’s injury, grading out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 30 overall guard. John Elway would be wise to kick the tires on a free-agent market that includes Dan Koppen, Jeff Faine and Eugene Amano. Philip Blake, a 2012 fourth-rounder that missed most of his rookie season due to thumb surgery, is also an option.

A journeyman before landing in Denver, Ramirez has emerged as a rock-solid center after arriving as a guard out of Texas Tech in the 2007 draft. He was previously only signed through 2013. Ramirez has earned the trust of Peyton Manning and looks to be locked in as Denver’s pivot for the foreseeable future.

A converted guard, Ramirez has quietly graded out as a top-eight center in Pro Football Focus’ 2013 preseason ratings. Ryan Lilja was signed as insurance, but has experienced recurring knee issues following offseason microfracture surgery. Ramirez has a big opportunity in the last year of his contract.

Ramirez has been in decline the past two seasons, but his retirement comes as a surprise. He was expected to push for the starting center job despite getting reduced to a backup role with the Lions last year. Chicago will move forward with Cornelius Edison behind Hroniss Grasu.

With RG Larry Warford (ankle) back from injury, Ramirez will slide over to left guard and rookie Laken Tomlinson will head to the bench. RT LaAdrian Waddle (knee) is also expected to play. The Lions’ offensive line should be much improved this week.

The Broncos moved up five spots to grab Missouri LB Shane Ray. Ramirez split time at center with Will Montgomery in Denver last season, receiving negative grades from Pro Football Focus in both run blocking and pass blocking. Ramirez will serve as insurance in Detroit in case 2014 third-round pick Travis Swanson can’t adequately replace outgoing Dominic Raiola.

After a dismal season in Denver, Ramirez was just a throw-in as part of Thursday’s trade down, from which the Broncos emerged with Shane Ray, and the Lions emerged with Ramirez, Laken Tomlinson, the 143rd pick, and a 2016 fifth-rounder. Ramirez is a “swing” interior reserve, able to play both guard and center. The Lions want Travis Swanson to be their starting center.