HEADLINES

Danieal Manning

Danieal Manning To Retire

July 14th, 2015 at 1:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Former Texans safety Danieal Manning has decided to end his playing career, according to a report from CBS Houston. Manning announced his decision to retire from the NFL today during an appearance on SportsRadio 610 in Houston.

Manning, who will turn 33 next month, was selected in the second round of the 2006 draft by the Bears, spending the next five seasons with the team. In 2011, he joined the Texans, where he played out the final four years of his NFL career.

While Manning never developed into an elite defender in Chicago or Houston, he was a solid complementary piece for both teams, appearing in a total of 128 regular season games (96 starts) over the course of his nine-year career. During that span, the Abilene Christian product recorded 549 tackles, grabbed 11 interceptions, and forced 10 fumbles. Manning also contributed as a kick returner during his last few years in Chicago, averaging a league-best 29.7 yards per return in 2008.

After signing him to a one-year contract just before 2014 season got underway, the Texans seemed to be moving on from Manning this offseason, as the team overhauled its group of safeties. Last year’s top three contributors at the position – Manning, Kendrick Lewis, and D.J. Swearinger – have all moved on, with Rahim Moore and Stevie Brown among the new additions.

Texans Sign Danieal Manning

September 1st, 2014 at 12:14pm CST by Luke Adams

MONDAY, 12:14pm: Manning took a physical with the Texans and officially signed today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

SUNDAY, 4:00pm: The Texans are expected to sign free agent safety Danieal Manning, according to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle, who reports (via Twitter) that a deal is in place, pending a physical. Manning was released by the Bengals as part of their cutdown from 75 players to 53, but didn’t have to pass through waivers because he’s a vested veteran.

Barring any complications, Manning, 32, will rejoin the team with whom he has spent the last three years. The veteran safety saw his 2013 season cut short when he fractured his fibula in October, forcing him out of action for the year’s final 10 games. Prior to ’13, he had started 45 regular season games in the previous three seasons for the Texans and Bears.

Manning recorded a positive overall grade during that stretch, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), though PFF’s advanced metrics suggested his play was declining from season to season — he posted a +11.8 grade in 2010, followed by +3.1 in 2011, and -4.2 in 2012. Still, Manning’s traditional numbers were strong even in his most recent full season (2012), when he logged 77 tackles, recovered three fumbles, and grabbed a pair of interceptions, including one for a touchdown.

In Houston, Manning will join a group of safeties that includes Kendrick Lewis, D.J. Swearinger, and Shiloh Keo. One veteran who is no longer part of that group is Chris Clemons, whom the team cut earlier today.

AFC Links: Manning, Mallett, Houston, Clary

August 31st, 2014 at 9:56pm CST by Ben Levine

Danieal Manning was cut by the Bengals yesterday, but he caught on with a familiar team this afternoon. The former All-Pro safety signed with the Texans, the team he played with the past three seasons. The 32-year-old talked about his return to Houston (all via tweets from Mark Berman of KRIV):

“Rick (Smith) kept his word, that if I ever have an opportunity to come back, he’ll talk to me about it. He did and we came back…It feels really good. I’m excited. I’m thankful. I’m grateful. This business is really funny… It seems like I took a little short vacation. This just feels right coming back home.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes out of the AFC…

  • The Houston Chronicle’s Brian T. Smith has more details on the Texans–Patriots trade (via Twitter): New England will receive a conditional seventh-rounder than could improve to a sixth-round pick based on Ryan Mallett‘s snap count.
  • Alex Smith‘s new extension will allow the Chiefs to franchise linebacker Justin Houston if the sides don’t come to an agreement, notes Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
  • Chargers guard Jeromey Clary underwent hip surgery about a week ago, and Michael Gehlkin of U-T San Diego writes that the 30-year-old could miss the entire season.

Bengals Cut Danieal Manning, Down To 53

August 30th, 2014 at 2:35pm CST by Luke Adams

After parting ways with veteran running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis yesterday, the Bengals listed another familiar name among their final wave of cuts today, with safety Danieal Manning receiving his release. Per a series of tweets from the team, here’s the complete list of transactions that got the roster count down to 53 players:

Released:

Waived:

Placed on injured reserve:

  • Trey Hopkins, G

Placed on reserve/non-football injury list:

  • A.J. McCarron, QB

Waived from injured reserve:

  • Lavelle Westbrooks, CB

Bengals Sign Danieal Manning

April 4th, 2014 at 2:41pm CST by Luke Adams

FRIDAY, 2:41pm: Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links) provides the breakdown of Manning’s one-year deal, which has a base value of $1.6MM and can be worth another $500K in playing-time incentives. The deal also features a $100K signing bonus, says Wilson.

THURSDAY, 1:07pm: The Bengals have officially signed Manning, according to the team (via Twitter).

11:32am: The Bengals are finalizing a one-year contract with free agent safety Danieal Manning, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Manning hit the open market earlier this week when the Texans cut him after he decided not to accept a pay cut.

Once he became an unrestricted free agent, Manning indicated that his decision would be heavily influenced by which teams he felt were headed in the right direction and gave him an opportunity to win. Had he not reached an agreement with the Bengals, Manning was scheduled to make a visit to the Chiefs, another AFC playoff team. There had been speculation that the 31-year-old would also consider the Cowboys, the team he grew up rooting for, but it doesn’t seem as if Dallas was seriously in the mix.

Manning saw his 2013 season cut short when he fractured his fibula in October, forcing him out of action for the year’s final 10 games. Prior to ’13, he had started 45 regular season games in the previous three seasons for the Texans and Bears. He recorded a positive overall grade during that stretch, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), though PFF’s advanced metrics suggested his play was declining from season to season — he posted a +11.8 grade in 2010, followed by +3.1 in 2011, and -4.2 in 2012.

Still, Manning’s traditional numbers were strong even in his most recent full season (2012), when he logged 77 tackles, recovered three fumbles, and grabbed a pair of interceptions, including one for a touchdown. In Cincinnati, he’ll join a group of safeties that includes George Iloka and Reggie Nelson, who both had solid seasons in 2013 and under contract for two more years.

Cowboys Rumors: Draft, Spencer, Smith

April 3rd, 2014 at 6:52pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s take a look at a handful of notes pertaining to America’s Team…

AFC Notes: Chiefs, Patriots, Bills, Blount

April 1st, 2014 at 2:15pm CST by Luke Adams

Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio today, Danieal Manning said signing with the Cowboys “would be fun,” since he grew up rooting for them. However, the free agent safety added that a team’s direction and opportunity to win will be determining factors in his decision on where to sign (Twitter links). That’s not to say that Dallas should be ruled out as a suitor, but it makes sense that Manning’s first two visits are to a pair of AFC playoff teams. Last night, we heard about his scheduled meeting with the Bengals, and today during his SiriusXM appearance, he confirmed that a visit to the Chiefs is also on tap (Twitter link).

Here’s more from around the AFC as the league’s free agent period enters its fourth week:

  • Mike Reiss (Twitter link) passes along word from ESPN.com colleague John Clayton that free agent defensive end Will Smith is visiting the Patriots today. Smith, who was cut by the Saints earlier this offseason, indicated shortly after his release that he’d be open to playing in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.
  • Speaking to WBEN in Buffalo, billionaire Donald Trump confirmed that he has been approached about the possibility of joining an investment group in a bid to buy the Bills. Suggesting that he’ll “take a look” at the possibility, Trump stressed that he wants to see the franchise remain in Buffalo, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com details.
  • LeGarrette Blount’s new two-year deal with the Steelers includes a $150K incentive for reaching 800 yards rushing in 2014, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

Extra Points: Manning, Draft, Bush, Carr

March 31st, 2014 at 10:48pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Some assorted notes to close out the evening:

  • The Bengals will meet with safety Danieal Manning on Tuesday and Wednesday, tweets Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston. Manning was released by the Texans earlier today.
  • NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock has updated his position rankings for draft prospects, and the most notable change is his moving Johnny Manziel up to the No. 1 quarterback slot, followed by Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater. One wonders if this might be an overreaction to a good Pro Day (Manziel) versus a poor one (Bridgewater).
  • Running back Michael Bush will visit with the Patriots, who recently lost LeGarrette Blount to the Steelers, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
  • On a related note, Tom Curran of CSNNE.com wonders if the Patriots let Blount get away too easily, citing both his low cost and the fact that Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen are in the last year of their respective contracts.
  • Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr says his private workout with the Browns “went exactly how [he] wanted it to,” writes Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com. Grossi also tweets that Carr dined with the Browns general manager Ray Farmer and the Cleveland offensive staff on Sunday night. Carr could be an option for the Browns at pick No. 26.
  • Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby told Sirius XM NFL that he has visits set up with the Chargers, Steelers, Titans, Bills, and Jets, as well as three additional teams (Twitter link).

NFC East Notes: Manning, Eagles, Doughty

March 31st, 2014 at 9:12pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The latest from the NFC East:

  • Recently-released safety Danieal Manning grew up in the Dallas area, and has always fantasized about playing for the Cowboys, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
  • Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com lists safety, defensive end, interior offensive line, and receiver as areas where the Cowboys could look to add depth through free agency. Archer lists Thomas DeCoud, Robert Ayers, Kyle Cook, and Nate Burleson as players who could potentially help at those respective positions. The Cowboys have about $6.4MM in cap space with which to work.
  • In separate pieces, Zach Berman of Philly.com and Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com make much the same point: the Eagles need to find a way to continue to beat man coverage following the departure of DeSean Jackson. Opposing defenses primarily employed man coverage because it was the simplest to way to combat the Eagles fast-paced offensive attack. Jeremy Maclin will now become the focal point in the receiving game, but the team is expected to add a receiver from what is regarded as a loaded wideout class. Florida State’s Kelvin Benjamin, at 6’4″ and 240 pounds, is the type of physical receiver who could take on opposing defensive backs.
  • NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock disputes the notion that the Eagles need a receiver, and thinks they should draft their highest-rated defensive player left on the board (via Bryan Fischer of NFL.com).
  • The “door is not closed” between safety Reed Doughty and the Redskins, but he is not a priority in Washington, tweets Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington, also noting that several other teams have inquired on Doughty.
  • New Redskins safety Ryan Clark will act as a mentor to young defensive backs Phillip Thomas and Bacarri Rambo, and try to fill the leadership void left by the retiring London Fletcher, writes John Keim of ESPN.com. But Clark was signed due to his ability, as well, as Keim notes (in a nice turn of phrase highlighting the Redskins ineptitude on defense last season): “[W]hile Pittsburgh let [Clark] walk because he’d lost a step, the Redskins have been seeking a safety who had any steps to begin with. They weren’t losing steps; they never had any.”

Texans Release Danieal Manning

March 31st, 2014 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

4:00pm: The Texans cut Manning with the “failed physical” designation, tweets Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.

12:12pm: The Texans have released veteran safety Danieal Manning, reports ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The team had reportedly been working to get Manning to accept a pay cut to remain in Houston, but it appears the two sides couldn’t reach a compromise.

Manning, 31, suffered a fractured fibula in October 2013, forcing him to miss 10 games last season. Considering he was returning from a major injury and entering the final year of his contract, Manning’s 2014 cap hit of $6MM made him a potential cap casualty for the Texans. The team creates $4.5MM in cap savings with the move, and has already fortified the safety position by signing Chris Clemons and Kendrick Lewis this month.

Once the move becomes official, Manning will immediately hit the market, and could draw interest from teams still in need of some veteran depth in the secondary.

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