Bears to make a play for CB Ricky Manning Jr.? (1 Viewer)

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

He couldn't be any worse than any CB they'd get at the tail end of Round 3....

Link

Panthers cornerback may head to Bears

By PAT YASINSKAS

Carolina Panthers cornerback Ricky Manning is in Chicago tonight and soon could receive an offer sheet from the Bears, according to a league source.

Manning is a restricted free agent and the Panthers would have the right to match any offer sheet he signs. They would have seven days to make a decision once an offer sheet is signed. If the Bears signed Manning to an offer sheet and the Panthers decided not to match, Chicago would have to give Carolina a third-round draft pick.

Manning, a third-round pick in 2003, excelled in the post-season as a rookie and was a starter in 2004. But his lack of height and inability to be a strong run defender prompted the Panthers to sign Ken Lucas in 2005. Manning spent last season as the nickel back and likely would fill the same role with Chicago.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

I think this would be a very solid move for the Bears. It should be illegal to allow them to improve their defense.

 

[pyite76]

sounds good to me! i was kinda hopin Cromartie might fall to us lately if we were to go corner in the first. now we could go elsewhere, perhaps another LB? whats up with Hillenmeyer anyway? is he a RFA right now?

 

[BassNBrew]

FYI...He can't cover Steve Smith in practice. Should be a perfect fit in the Windy City.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

FYI...He can't cover Steve Smith in practice. Should be a perfect fit in the Windy City.

Steve Smith didn't beat the Bears singlehandedly.Stubborn defensive coaches, lousy offensive playmakers, decimated secondary (no Azumah or Mike Brown for most of the game) and CBs unable to stay on their feet were their undoing.

 

[Sweetness_34]

Keeping with the spirit of the off-season, word on the street is that the Bears are going to put a "poison pill" in the contract that if Ricky Manning plays 3 games with the Panthers then Steve SMith is not allowed to play in a playoff game against the Bears ever

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

From today's Trib. Apparently UCLA TE Marcedes Lewis was in town also...

Nickel back Manning would be perfect fit

April 13, 2006

BY BRAD BIGGS AND MIKE MULLIGAN Staff Reporters

With the NFL draft 16 days away, the Bears' plans are beginning to take shape -- and they could involve another significant move in free agency that would give them a wealth of options with their first-round pick.

Two players were in town Wednesday night. One was Ricky Manning Jr., a restricted free agent from the Carolina Panthers who would cost the Bears only a third-round pick and would fill the immediate need for a nickel cornerback. The other was UCLA's Marcedes Lewis, believed to be at the top of their list at tight end.

And the wild card could be Florida State outside linebacker Ernie Sims, who was brought in last week to undergo a series of medical exams. Sims had five concussions during his college career, but a source said Sims checked out clean, and he and Alabama's DeMeco Ryans are thought to fit the profile of what the Bears are looking for at the position.

Manning, 26, is the most interesting possibility because he is a perfect fit in what the Bears are seeking in a nickel corner and would give general manager Jerry Angelo extra flexibility with the 26th pick in the first round. Manning was at Halas Hall on Wednesday, a player said, and it is believed the team will try to sign him to an offer sheet soon.

Signing Manning would allow Angelo to focus on tight end, linebacker -- or really any position, including cornerback -- with the first-round pick. The Panthers signed the three-year veteran to a one-year low tender at $712,000, meaning the Bears would have to forfeit only their third-round pick (the round in which Manning was chosen out of UCLA in 2003) if Carolina declined to match an offer sheet.

If the Bears sign Manning to an offer sheet, the Panthers would have seven days to match it. The Bears will look for ways to make the contract challenging for the Panthers to match.

Manning starred as a rookie in the 2003 postseason, when he twice was named NFC defensive player of the week, including after the title game in which he intercepted Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb three times. He parlayed his playoff performance into a full-time starting position the next season but struggled at times because he is undersized (5-8, 185 pounds) and not particularly stout in run support.

After signing Ken Lucas before last season, the Panthers returned Manning to the nickel job, and he excelled again with his quickness and ability to change directions well. He intercepted the Bears' Kyle Orton in the November meeting at Soldier Field and has nine career interceptions in 48 regular-season games. Another plus is that Manning never has missed a game, including 26 career starts.

The Bears do not have an option on the current roster to play in the nickel package behind Pro Bowl corner Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman, who will be returning from shoulder surgery.

The deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets is April 21. Bears strong-side linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer remains on the market. One source said the New Orleans Saints might have interest in him, but the Bears likely would match any offer sheet.

 

[RBM]

Interesting

Im starting to hear alot of rumblings about a linebacker in the 1st. Afraid they are going to lose Briggs

 

[Local303]

FYI...He can't cover Steve Smith in practice. Should be a perfect fit in the Windy City.

FYI...He can't cover Steve Smith in practice.  Should be a perfect fit in the Windy City. 

Steve Smith didn't beat the Bears singlehandedly.Stubborn defensive coaches, lousy offensive playmakers, decimated secondary (no Azumah or Mike Brown for most of the game) and CBs unable to stay on their feet were their undoing.

For a WR, it was as close to one man show as you will ever see.

 

[imeimex]

Is this really a good move considering guys like Culpepper being traded for a second?

I understand the salary difference, but the way that NFL GMs value draft picks these days, why not just go after a Plummer, or overspend on Woodson or Law.

 

[boubucarow]

I have thought for a while that the Bears are deciding between cb, lb, and te in the first round. If they get Manning, they should just take the BPA at lb or te because the lb or te available should be a value pick. As for Briggs, they could take a small fast linebacker and move Briggs to SLB. Or they could take a SLB and keep Briggs at WLB. If they get Manning and a talented LB, their defense could be even more dominating than last year as long as their cornerbacks stop tripping.

 

[diesel7982]

Is this really a good move considering guys like Culpepper being traded for a second?

I understand the salary difference, but the way that NFL GMs value draft picks these days, why not just go after a Plummer, or overspend on Woodson or Law.

Guys like Culpepper who cost in the tens of millions and has 0 healthy ligaments in his right knee?Yes.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

I agree....

And WR Eric Moulds for a 4th rounder....

The Bears sure could use a LEGIT #2 WR.

 

[Bears_Man2]

Interesting

Im starting to hear alot of rumblings about a linebacker in the 1st. Afraid they are going to lose Briggs

Rotoworld.comLance Briggs - LB - Bears

A contract extension for Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs could be announced as early as Friday.

Some scouts think Briggs is the equal to Brian Urlacher. We imagine he'd get a signing bonus over $10 million. Apr. 14 - 9:06 am et

Source: Chicago Sun Times

 

[Pole Cat]

From today's Trib. Apparently UCLA TE Marcedes Lewis was in town also...

Nickel back Manning would be perfect fit

April 13, 2006

BY BRAD BIGGS AND MIKE MULLIGAN Staff Reporters

With the NFL draft 16 days away, the Bears' plans are beginning to take shape -- and they could involve another significant move in free agency that would give them a wealth of options with their first-round pick.

Two players were in town Wednesday night. One was Ricky Manning Jr., a restricted free agent from the Carolina Panthers who would cost the Bears only a third-round pick and would fill the immediate need for a nickel cornerback. The other was UCLA's Marcedes Lewis, believed to be at the top of their list at tight end.

And the wild card could be Florida State outside linebacker Ernie Sims, who was brought in last week to undergo a series of medical exams. Sims had five concussions during his college career, but a source said Sims checked out clean, and he and Alabama's DeMeco Ryans are thought to fit the profile of what the Bears are looking for at the position.

Manning, 26, is the most interesting possibility because he is a perfect fit in what the Bears are seeking in a nickel corner and would give general manager Jerry Angelo extra flexibility with the 26th pick in the first round. Manning was at Halas Hall on Wednesday, a player said, and it is believed the team will try to sign him to an offer sheet soon.

Signing Manning would allow Angelo to focus on tight end, linebacker -- or really any position, including cornerback -- with the first-round pick. The Panthers signed the three-year veteran to a one-year low tender at $712,000, meaning the Bears would have to forfeit only their third-round pick (the round in which Manning was chosen out of UCLA in 2003) if Carolina declined to match an offer sheet.

If the Bears sign Manning to an offer sheet, the Panthers would have seven days to match it. The Bears will look for ways to make the contract challenging for the Panthers to match.

Manning starred as a rookie in the 2003 postseason, when he twice was named NFC defensive player of the week, including after the title game in which he intercepted Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb three times. He parlayed his playoff performance into a full-time starting position the next season but struggled at times because he is undersized (5-8, 185 pounds) and not particularly stout in run support.

After signing Ken Lucas before last season, the Panthers returned Manning to the nickel job, and he excelled again with his quickness and ability to change directions well. He intercepted the Bears' Kyle Orton in the November meeting at Soldier Field and has nine career interceptions in 48 regular-season games. Another plus is that Manning never has missed a game, including 26 career starts.

The Bears do not have an option on the current roster to play in the nickel package behind Pro Bowl corner Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman, who will be returning from shoulder surgery.

The deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets is April 21. Bears strong-side linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer remains on the market. One source said the New Orleans Saints might have interest in him, but the Bears likely would match any offer sheet.

Is this article suggesting that Sims would be available at the 26th pick

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

I think Sims WILL be available at #26 - not that the Bears would take him.

Too concussed to go too high in the first round imho.

 

[Sweetness_34]

Forget Simms. Bears will lock up Briggs and then go LB now on 2nd day, and instead focus on TE, CB and OL or S as top 3 picks (if they get Manning, then no CB in draft since that 3rd rounder will be gone)

===============

Bears working to lock up Briggs

By K.C. Johnson and John Mullin

Tribune staff reporters

April 13, 2006, 11:21 PM CDT

The Bears are even more optimistic that a long-term extension will be reached with linebacker Lance Briggs after his agent spent Thursday in negotiations at Halas Hall.

Drew Rosenhaus remained in Chicago overnight and will continue to work with general manager Jerry Angelo on a deal that could be announced Friday.

Briggs, coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance, has one year remaining on his original four-year deal that he signed after the Bears made him a third-round pick in 2003.

Reached Thursday evening, Rosenhaus declined to comment on negotiations.

Angelo consistently has expressed optimism a solid relationship with Rosenhaus would allow the Bears to continue Angelo's philosophy of locking up young talent early.

Briggs, 25, finished second to Brian Urlacher with a career-high 170 tackles in 2005, eight for a loss. He also had two sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions—one of which he returned for a touchdown.

A Briggs extension would tie up a lot of money at linebacker because Urlacher has a nine-year, $56.65 million contract. But it also could drop linebacker depth to a secondary need in the upcoming NFL draft.

The Bears are expected to re-sign restricted free agent Hunter Hillenmeyer, were encouraged by Leon Joe's play late and have Rod Wilson, a seventh-round pick in 2005, returning from a knee injury.

The Briggs negotiations put the Ricky Manning situation on the back burner likely until next week. The Bears have until April 21 to make the restricted free-agent cornerback an offer.

Manning returned to California on Thursday after having what all parties described as a good visit to Halas Hall. If the Bears decide to present an offer sheet, they plan to write the contract in a way to make it difficult for Carolina to match.

The Panthers have limited salary-cap space and would receive the Bears' third-round draft pick as compensation if Manning leaves. He would provide the Bears with a nickel back with more experience than any rookie cornerback would.

Re-signing Briggs and signing Manning could push tight end back to the forefront in how the Bears will use their first-round pick. UCLA's Marcedes Lewis visited Halas Hall this week and is one of several tight ends projected as first-round talent.

kcjohnson@tribune.com

jmullin@tribune.com

Copyright © 2006, The Chicago Tribune

 

[mbuehner]

Forget Simms. Bears will lock up Briggs and then go LB now on 2nd day, and instead focus on TE, CB and OL or S as top 3 picks (if they get Manning, then no CB in draft since that 3rd rounder will be gone)

Exactly. Briggs has been the number one priority this offseason, it will get done. I love the Manning move. If you could splice him (little and quick) and Tillman (tall and physical) you would have one outstanding CB. You can scheme good matchups (if they learned from the Carolina game, anyway).If the Bears do take the Manning deal, will they allow someone to take RFA Hillenmeyer to get back the 3rd round pick? Hillenmeyer is ok if not spectacular, but i'd still want a really good rookie prospect if I were to let him go. That being said, Hillenmeyer isnt a prototypical sam linebacker and i think Briggs is better off at weak side in this system (will makes most of the tackles chasing down plays). If the Bears could bring in somebody to play strong side in the first round, that would be pretty fierce.

 

[RBM]

Interesting

Im starting to hear alot of rumblings about a linebacker in the 1st. Afraid they are going to lose Briggs

Rotoworld.comLance Briggs - LB - Bears

A contract extension for Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs could be announced as early as Friday.

Some scouts think Briggs is the equal to Brian Urlacher. We imagine he'd get a signing bonus over $10 million. Apr. 14 - 9:06 am et

Source: Chicago Sun Times

Yes, I heard this on NFL radio this morningThis will be so huge, once it gets done