Another Option at Safety

"Manning is a unique cross between a physical strong safety-type player who excels closer to the line of scrimmage, and a dynamic kick returner. Those two usually don't go together but Manning has been able to excel at both positions. And considering the Bears have had Devin Hester in the fold for the last five years - (Hester and Manning were both second-round picks of the Bears in 2006) - Manning has been good enough to take a few kick returns away from Hester, who is arguably the best return specialist of all time. Despite the rule changes on kickoffs, which could decrease the value of that position, Manning has been good enough in the past to assume he would still make a few plays in that role."

As Eatman points out, Manning seems to be more of a SS type and not a centerfield safety like we need. With that being said, he still seems to be an interesting option since he fills two positions in SS and KR. Personally, I like Manning, but some people may view him as more of a run-stopping safety instead of a ball hawk. Living near Chicago I've seen plenty of Bears game and have noticed this guy every game. Whether it's through the return game or in the secondary, the guy makes plays and as we all know, we've been missing a playmaker at the safety position since a young Roy Williams/Darren Woodson. I just posted this because I wanted to see what BtB's opinion was on this guy. As for my opinion, I view him as a nice backup option if we fail on Huff or Weddle.

about 1 year ago Fergie3108 25 comments 0 recs |

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I live in the Chicagoland Area too

and while he has great return skills, i would still rather have Sensi at SS than Manning.

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by BigBad Joe on May 23, 2011 2:26 PM CDT reply actions

I wouldn't really argue with that.

by Fergie3108 on May 23, 2011 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I like Sensi, myself.

It’s just that Manning seems to bring a little bit more versatility than Sensi, in terms of special teams.

by Fergie3108 on May 23, 2011 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd be okay with him

But I’d rather bring in someone who has played in a Ryan system.

by DEL1SLE on May 23, 2011 2:38 PM CDT reply actions

That's probably the best option.

So I assume you want Huff or Elam, correct?

by Fergie3108 on May 23, 2011 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes, for the right price

Pool would work to, I’m sure from a secondary standpoint the Ryan schemes can’t be too different.

by DEL1SLE on May 24, 2011 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm sure any veteran could pick them up quickly.

But time is a pretty big deal with this lockout going on.

by Fergie3108 on May 24, 2011 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

With the short off season, i think that as a short term fix a “Ryan” guy would be the way to go if we can…….but dont want to sign someone to a big, long FA contract

He who laughs last, thinks slowest
Well.....my days of not taking you seriously have certainly come to a middle
"Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name"

by BigBad Joe on May 23, 2011 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions

He is an option

But he is pretty low on the list of safeties. There are both FS and SS that are not only better safeties but also better QBs in the secondary.

As for KR skill, that is a bonus, but we now actually have a lot of poeple that can do that job even if we keep Dez and Felix and TNew away from those duties – Murray, McCann, D Harris, Ogletree, etc.

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by Kegbearer on May 23, 2011 3:22 PM CDT reply actions

Murray and Harris are both unproven commodities in the return game.

While McCann has fumble issues and Ogletree seems okay at best. It’d just be nice to have a proven electric guy back there. I think it says a lot that DeCamillis thought so highly of him.

by Fergie3108 on May 23, 2011 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions

True, but...

Third-round running back DeMarco Murray figures to play right away offensively, possibly on third downs and as a pass-catching complement to Felix Jones. He also could be a kickoff or punt return option for DeCamillis. Murray averaged 27.6 yards on 53 returns over four seasons with the Sooners, primarily as a freshman and sophomore.

The Cowboys had the second-best punt return team in the league, mostly using Dez Bryant (15.9-yard average), but ranked only 23rd on kickoff returns (21.2-yard average). DeCamillis would like to use Bryant on both, but that might be too heavy a workload if Bryant becomes a starting receiver next year.

Sixth-round receiver Dwayne Harris could at least compete for a kick-return job. He ranks second in East Carolina school history (to the Titans’ Chris Johnson – not bad company) with 102 career kickoff returns for 2,374 yards. His 23.3-yard average is the seventh-best ever by a Conference USA player.

by Kegbearer on May 24, 2011 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Healthy competition is always good though.

I’m not a fan of using Bryant on kickoff return. I mean, he’s electric, but is it worth the injury risk?

by Fergie3108 on May 24, 2011 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Nice

title is the perfect ending to – True, but….competition.

I don’t want Bryant on kick returns either, though I would still like him to return punts if he is legitimately better than everyone else.

by Kegbearer on May 24, 2011 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm okay with punt returns.

I just feel that having him on both is an unnecessary risk.

by Fergie3108 on May 25, 2011 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah i noticed him some time ago

btw he said he wants to play with the cowboys, but for a new SS i’d rather go with abram elam because he knows rob ryan scheme

by ratware on May 23, 2011 3:44 PM CDT reply actions

That is definitely a plus with Elam.

by Fergie3108 on May 23, 2011 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Get me Huff or Elam and let Sendejo and AOA duke it out for the other safety spot.

by G_SWAG on May 23, 2011 7:28 PM CDT reply actions

I'd prefer Huff.

Sendejo is interesting, but I don’t expect much from him.

by Fergie3108 on May 23, 2011 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Id prefer Huff as well. And don’t count Sendejo out just yet, I can’t fathom Alan Ball being defensive player of the year even in the UFL.

by G_SWAG on May 23, 2011 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions

It is impressive.

But he still was an UDFA with a lot to prove. It might also be hard for the coaches to give the starting spot over a draftee.

by Fergie3108 on May 23, 2011 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions

As a fallback I would prefer Quinten Mickel (sp?)

There are suggestions Philly might let him go after they drafted a S. He may not know Ryan’s scheme (neither does Weddle) – but he is a canny veteran that grades out very high on PFF – and he knows the division very well….

But Manning is certainly way better than what we currently have on the roster so I would take him over not doing anything.

"Where's Woody? - We need another Darren Woodson

by BoyfromOz on May 23, 2011 11:24 PM CDT reply actions

Mikell is also interesting.

Is he more of a FS or SS? I haven’t really looked much into him yet, but I will at some point. I think Manning might be a little cheaper than the others because he isn’t as well known and he’d be coming back home.

by Fergie3108 on May 23, 2011 11:40 PM CDT up reply actions

SS by my understanding. Nate Allen was FS for the Eagles this past season.

If I had a nickel for every time the Eagles won the Super Bowl, I would have zero nickels

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by Creasy729 on May 23, 2011 11:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Ah okay.

I’m okay with Sensi at SS. I think our bigger need is FS. We need a ball hawk back there badly.

by Fergie3108 on May 24, 2011 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Isnt Mickel (sp?) 31 or 32 ?

If that is the case, i dont want him unless it is for only a 1 year deal, which i doubt he would take

He who laughs last, thinks slowest
Well.....my days of not taking you seriously have certainly come to a middle
"Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name"

by BigBad Joe on May 24, 2011 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions