Ricky Manning may be on the Browns free agent radar
It looks like another potential member of the Browns secondary has hit the free agent market as the Chicago Bears have released cornerback Ricky Manning on Tuesday. The Chicago Tribune has already reported that interested teams include the Lions, Buccaneers, Saints, and yes…the Cleveland Browns.
Though he was a disappointment last year in Chicago, Manning could be a veteran who could benefit from a change of scenery in Cleveland. He was pretty productive during his first three seasons in the NFL as a Carolina Panther and picked off five passes in his first season as a Bears DB in 2006. Manning was to begin the final year of a three year-$21 million restricted free agent deal he signed with the Bears prior to the 2006 season.
Manning won’t be the last veteran defensive back released before the start of the season. However, can the Browns afford to wait out the process given their dire need in the secondary? It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.
Hey, Manning is cheaper, and at 27, is younger than fellow free agent Ty Law. He also won’t require a high round draft pick (like one Lito Sheppard) which is nice considering the team already doesn’t have a 3rd rounder next year after moving up to nab Martin Rucker in the 4th round last year. From my point of view, it can’t hurt to bring him in and really…they should make that attempt. Though to be fair, if he is signed, please be on the look out for Ricky and friends if you are a laptop toting Denny’s patron.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:37 am
It’ll be nice to have Manning, but the Browns need a lot more than Manning to make their defense better than it’s crap that it is right now. Man, after watching the preseason, I think I’ll just wait for Cavs basketball instead to cheer me up.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:58 am
As soon as this news hit the wire last night, my thought was, “Get him.” While the shortcomings of the offense thus far can be explained (and were, quite ably, by Rick the other day), the performance of the secondary in the preseason has been unforgivably abysmal. Yes, the guy has had off-field issues. And no, I don’t want to see this team become like the Kentucky Bungles, ignoring the importance of character. But I don’t see the harm in bringing Manning into the fold at this point. It’s certainly preferable to giving up yet another draft to get Lito or paying way too much for a burned-out player like Law, who’s only getting consideration on name recognition.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:25 am
What would his role be on this team? While I do agree with his talent, and age, would he be willing to play here if he wasn’t starting? I believe that was one of his main issues in Chicago, as he felt he was being phased out – right?
On one hand, we’re talking about a cornerback that has over 250 tackles to his name with double-digit picks. But on the other, if he had that five year deal with Chicago, what would he want from a new team? Obviously, he’s not thrilled with the nickelback roll.
Couple that with the fact that we’ve already added Cousin and Daniels, would we just squander whatever we’ve given them to add another non-starting quality DB?
August 27th, 2008 at 8:35 am
I think he would start. IMO he is better than Wright and McDonald. I like Wright, but I think McDonald has played better than him. So your starters would be Manning and McDonald and Wright would be your Nickle. Again just my opinion.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Honestly, I don’t think Manning could be considered “non-starting quality” if added to this roster. I see no reason why we have to hold blindly to the idea of McDonald and Wright as the starting guys. Personally, I would have no problem with Eazy-E moving to the nickel spot or into reserve duty–he’s been beyond terrible thus far. Yes, he stepped up last year, but he appears to be taking it for granted that he’s “the guy” this year. Perhaps being bumped for Manning would light a much-needed fire under the kid–at the least, a little competition can’t hurt. Cousin and Daniels were added purely for depth anyway, so the team shouldn’t restrict its options just because of those two, who aren’t exactly pulling in the big money, anyway. Manning wouldn’t be starting for the Bucs or Lions, so I don’t see them being any more or less attractive than Cleveland. The Saints are probably the most logical choice if he wants to be a lock to start, but this team needs to at least make a run. And speaking of squandering money: is Ty Law really the BETTER option to be chasing?
August 27th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Starting on the browns and being starting quality are totally different things – similar to how we continue to start David Dellucci. But I know what you both mean…
August 27th, 2008 at 9:39 am
/threadjack/
I just returned from vacation and I cannot seem to find the WFNY Fantasy football league?? Can you please direct me to the post
I am looking to stockpile WFNY tee shirts… muhaaahaa…
http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/b1/254433
Kidding. My baseball team just got lucky. The rest of my teams all stink but this one.
August 27th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Good point Scott. I would consider this dude a bandaid. I would still expect the Browns to draft or sign a stud at some point like they did originally with Gary Baxter.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:07 am
You don’t improve your overall depth at a position by signing a #3 guy. The only to really add depth is to bring in a new #1 and slide everyone down. That is how you build depth.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Believe me, I have no illusions about Manning being Pro Bowl-caliber. But I do believe that he would be an upgrade from the current situation. The fact is, we aren’t going to get a top-notch available guy like Lito without giving up a significant amount (and you can’t sit out the draft EVERY year), and the rest of the market is thin. And, not to go all Rick Pitino here, but “Frank Minnifield is not walking through that door…….Hanford Dixon is not walking through that door……”
It just seems like a waste to have a chance to better a key position. This looks for the most part to be a team built for the long haul, but we all know how quickly a team’s fortunes can change. Time to strike while the iron is hot, as they say. This may well be a “prettiest girl in an ugly contest” situation (though I think Manning would prove more useful to the Browns than DD has to the Tribe), but it seems worthwhile to me. The thought of TO leaping into the Dawg Pound after catching yet another long TD pass over Eazy-E in the opener makes me ill.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:12 am
A fair point, Rick. The problem is, in the here and now, there is no “number one guy” out there (and please don’t say Ty Law is such a guy), unless it’s worth giving up multiple picks. Again. And with some of the injuries out there, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the Eagles just keep Shep around–or try to send him to Arizona.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
The way I see it, the Browns need to add a body or two soon because with the likes of Owens, Holmes, Burress, Wayne etc. all lined up on this year’s schedule…it may be a long year for the secondary.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I agree with B-Bo and Jeremy, he could start here and I would be fine with that. A revamped d-line can’t bail out a sub par secondary all season long, at some point you need someone that can hold their own, his numbers certainly say he can do that.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Right on B-bo. EW got absolutely burned by a 4th string WR from Akron U. What do you think TO, Reggie Wayne, and company are going to do to him. Bring in Manning, and it upgrades us at that position. Is he the next Champ Bailey? NOWAY, but he is better than what we got.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Why is EW getting burned so bad anyways? From what I understood he and Bodden both played the #1 spot throughout the season and he even covered Randy Moss at times. He is way underperforming right? If so isnt it conceivable that he could get back to form (hopefully within the next week).
August 27th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Sam:
That is conceiveable, but then also consider the other possibility: Wright may have been OVERperforming last year. Chances are, the truth is somewhere in between–and, frankly, that won’t cut it against the talent he’ll be lining up against this year. Having $9 mil in cap space doesn’t mean it should be blown just to pacify a big name who’s past his prime. Manning just makes more sense all around.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I don’t think we should burn EW and B. McDonald at the stake here, they are 2nd year players after all. Some mistakes are excusable as they learn about the position at the NFL level. The problem is that we are counting on both of them at the same time.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Certainly about their level of experience and the pressure being put on them early has to be considered, but that’s a situation that Phil Savage and Co. created when they dealt Bodden. Unless that revamped D-line steps up as they are expected to, the end result could be an overall downgrade of the defense. McDonald I happen to like quite a bit. And I’m certainly not burning Eazy…..opposing WRs have been taking care of that.
Bottom line is that this whole team, not just the secondary, needs to play up to their abilities, or it could be a very long wait for next year.
August 27th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
B-bo, great point. if the dline and linebackers play to their ability, we could probably make it with EW and Bmac at the corners. I think Bmac is a much better corner and the possibility of bringing in a guy to push EW would be a good idea (as long as its not over the hill Ty Law).
A lot though has to said that we traded away Bodden to get Rodgers and went out and got Williams with the idea that these two coupled with the Smiths on the line would provide enough pressure that Bmac and EW only have to cover for a very short time. the LBs would be free to attack. Thus covering up our weakness at corner.
Just my thoughts
also, Sheppard wont do bc he if he goes anywhere it probably would be Arizona for a Boldin trade. But he’ll probably stay an Eagle.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Funny story, I sacked Ricky Manning in high school, one of my favorite memories of playing football.
Should we bring him in, yes. He easily would be the nickle back as I think he’s more suited for in the NFL as he hasn’t been able to be a solid starting corner, but has done quite well as the nickel back. EW and BMac will be our starters for years to come I feel and this just gives us a bit more experience.