Ramirez has decided to retire from the NFL.

Ramirez will start the season as the Lions' starting left guard, according to the team's official depth chart.

Broncos signed C Manny Ramirez to a two-year extension through 2015. 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.

Manuel Ramirez is expected to open the season as the Broncos' starting center. 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.

Manny Ramirez is running as the Broncos' first-team center in the absence of Dan Koppen. He's been promoted from Triple-A Round Rock. Lame jokes aside, it's not a positive development for Peyton Manning. Ramirez is a career backup, and was barely replacement level when forced into action at right guard last season. G/C C.J. Davis is the Broncos' other in-house possibility. The options on the open market are vanishingly thin. Former Manning teammate Jeff Saturday has already said he has no interest in un-retiring.

Beat writer Mike Klis expects Manny Ramirez to be the Broncos' starting center in the wake of J.D. Walton's ankle surgery. Yikes. Ramirez is a career backup that has mostly played guard in his six-year career. He did start 11 games at right guard after Chris Kuper's injury for the Broncos last season, 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.