SB Nation - Ricky Manning Jr

The Weekend Bears Den - 5/10/09

ChiFan13 — Sun, 10 May 2009 05:00:14 -0000

....where we shamelessly self-promote and celebrate ChiFan13's birthday!

In The Den

Chicago Sun Times

Don't be surprised if the Bears bring in P Zac Atterberry. You may remember him from last year's training camp.

Chicago Tribune

Dan Pompei thinks that out of all the additions to the NFC North teams, Dom Capers will be the biggest acquisition.

Dan Pompei looks at the most promising prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft.

Jerry Angelo has not discussed Amani Toomer, but is keeping his eyes set on a veteran WR.

David Haugh has a really nice story about Cheryl Toub, ST Coordinator Dave Toub's wife, who had a battle with breast cancer.

This link has seven photos from the Bears Care Gala.

ESPN Chicago

The St. Louis Rams chose not to re-sign Ricky Manning Jr.

New York Times

Devin Hester did an interview recently, and it seems as though he loves being fast in the water as well as on land.

The Tennessean

Maurice Patton has a story on Jerry Angelo's love for Vanderbilt players.

What else do Ravens need before NFL Draft?

Rexx — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:13:15 -0000

The Ravens made a big splash in free agency, with two signings in key positions by signing CB Domonique Foxworth and center Matt Birk. Both signings are to replace starters who either left via free agency themselves or were released by the team. Center Jason Brown signed with the St. Louis Rams for way too much money and the Ravens released veteran CB Chris McAlister for a bevy of reasons, one reportedly being his inability to get on board with new head coach John Harbaugh.

Now that most of the big free agent names are off the board, teams will be looking at the rest of the players still looking for 2009 teams, and perhaps some bargains salary-wise. Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome says the team is not finished signing players and wants to fill other needs before the NFL Draft so that when they make the 26th pick in April, they will be able to take the best available player, not specifically to fill an open need.

So what else are they looking for? Placekicker Matt Stover has been told by the team that they will not be re-signing him and there really isn't another free agent kicker still on the market that interests the Ravens. John Carney is still available but is actually even older than Stover, although he does seem to have a stronger leg. Stover's longest FG last season was 47 yards while Carney hit one from 51 yards. For the season, Stover was 27 of 33 while Carney was 35 of 38. However, Carney was six of eight from beyond the 40 yard line while Stover was a poor five of ten from the same distance. Most likely, the Ravens will continue to look at kickoff specialist Steven Hauschka and give him some competition through the draft or afterwards.

By filling the CB and center positions through free agency, the Ravens are pretty much set with starters along the offensive line and CB. However, depth will always continue to be a need. The status of veteran CB Samari Rolle is still up in the air and the resolution of this will determine whether or not the Ravens will continue to have a void there. Corey Ivy is rumored to be signing with his old boss Rex Ryan and reunite with former Ravens Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard on the NY Jets. If Rolle is given his requested release, the Ravens will have a void in the nickel back position. The Ravens are reportedly talking with former Denver Borncos Karl Paymah, but he was a reserve with them so I can't see him being anything other than that with the Ravens. There are still a bunch of veteran CB's out there, most notably former Steelers Bryant McFadden, although his price tag will be way higher than what Baltimore is interested in paying. However, the name that interests me is former Carolina Panther, Chicago Bear and St. Louis Ram, Ricky Manning, Jr. He is a six year veteran who only two years ago have five interceptions as part of the Bears 2006 team that lost in the Super Bowl to the Indianapolis Colts. However, the Ravens may just want to look at a CB in the draft come late April.

Despite the loss of LB Bart Scott, the Raven continue to be deep in that position and have a variety of options on their current roster that could step in and fill that void. Defensive line is pretty set, although the future status of DT Kelly Gregg has been rumored to be shaky, although reserve Justin Bannan stepped in and played great in his absence and will continue to do so if needed.

The Ravens have not re-signed FB Lorenzo Neal, as their thought process appears to be that if they can get a blocking TE in there, they can go with more one back sets without needing a FB in front of the RB. Personally I'd like to see Neal back there again, as our "heavy" package, with an additional tackle lined up along with the 255 pound Neal blocking for the 260 pound Le'Ron McClain poses huge matchup problems for most every team we faced last year.

Either way, the Ravens will be in the market for another TE, be it through free agency or most likely the draft. Depending on who is still on the board in the first round, the Ravens may actually pick a TE depending on who is available. Even if they don't select one with their first round pick, expect the team to select one on the first day of the draft. Other than the obvious top TE's in the draft (Brandon Pettigrew), I also like the big kid out of Maryland (Dan Gronkowski), who looks to be a good blocker, something that Todd Heap had problems with when counted on.

That leaves the wide receiver position, where there is the obvious need for someone to stretch the field. There really is nothing that fits that need still available in free agency, so it appears that this position is the biggest need on their draft board. At the same time, there are guys still unsigned that could definitely compete for the slot position, such as former San Diego Charger, Malcolm Floyd (6'5", 225 pounds) and the former Dallas Cowboy, Miles Austin (6'3", 216 pounds), who also has serious speed. However, the wideout position is also one of the deepest in this year's draft so don't be surprised if the Ravens wait until the second round to select one.

So chime in and let me know your thoughts on what else the Ravens should do prior to the draft to add depth to this team.

2009 Rams free agents - defense

VanRam — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:54:19 -0000

Awhile back we took a look at the Rams players on offense that will be free agents this season, so with free agency just a few weeks away, it's a good time to review the Rams free agents on defense. There are some important names on this side of the ball. A new head coach who comes to the team as a successful defensive coordinator adds a little bit of an x-factor to the predictions game. Let's look at it from a fan perspective. What's likely to happen to this crop of free agent players?

Victor Adeyanju, DE, RFA - He made a good case this season to remain on the roster with a tireless work ethic and specialty for playing the run...if only he'd have had some support. As a restricted free agent, I can't imagine the Rams won't keep him. Plus, Spagnuolo's defense in NY had a bevy of ends he rotated in and out; Adeyanju seems to be a good fit for a rotation.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - Victor Adeyanju	14	2.0	11	0	0	0	40	7	47

O.J. Atogwe, S - Atogwe's a ball hawking free safety who once again led the team in INTs (5), forced fumbles (6) and fumbles recovered (3). He needs to get better in coverage to be truly elite. The Rams have said they'll use the franchise or transition tag to keep Atogwe on the roster.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - Oshiomogho Atogwe	16	0	0	5	91	0	75	7	82

Ron Bartell, CB - Bartell emerged as the Rams top CB - I don't mean that as a joke either - he was legit and the team has said they'd like to keep him on the roster by making him a reasonable offer. The question is will he accept or test the free agent waters, where teams always overpay? He's fond of Haslett, and might follow the former interim coach if he lands a gig elsewhere.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - Ron Bartell	15	1.0	4	3	29	0	54	3	57

Fakhir Brown, CB - This was a weird saga, released from the team, then brought back...after Linehan got canned. Brown plays well enough in coverage, but if the team looks for a big free agent, they won't likely resign him.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - Fakhir Brown	13	1.0	4	1	16	0	41	4	45

Jason Craft, CB - Craft did a nice job playing nickel and really made a name for himself when the defense brought in a CB on the blitz. He's worth keeping and should come at a reasonable rate.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - Jason Craft	15	3.0	22	1	16	0	51	4	55

La'Roi Glover, DT - Glover, by all accounts, seems set to retire after a great career. The guy just got too old and slow to handle offensive linemen anymore. (I'm not posting his stats since he's not coming back).

Ricky Manning, CB - Manning had some serviceable time with the Rams as a depth guy before hitting IR with a very serious broken leg and ankle. There's no need to bring him back...if he can even play again.

Eric Moore, DE - A depth guy at DE. He may come to camp, but easily replaceable.

The priorities are fairly obvious on this side of the ball: Atogwe, Bartell. The fate of players like Adeyanju and Craft, I think, depend on which direction Spagnuolo goes with the defense and who fits into that plan. I can't imagine he and his coaches don't already have some free agent targets identified, even as role players.

Flashback: Vikings/Bears, 14 October 2007

Gonzo — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:22:20 -0000

It doesn't seem like a year ago, does it?

A year ago at this time, the Minnesota Vikings were coming off of a bye week, prior to which they had lost three consecutive games by a touchdown or less. They were sitting at 1-3, the offense was sputtering, the natives were restless, and they were looking at a trip to a place that had been a personal house of horrors for them for about a decade. Yes, trips to Soldier Field for the Vikings in recent history generally had not gone well. . .they had lost their previous six meetings at the spaceship by the lake, and though the Bears were 2-3, they were carrying the momentum of a victory over the Green Bay Packers the previous week, and were considered to be favorites going into their Week Six matchup.

The game got off to an auspicious start, with the first score of the afternoon coming on a 89-yard punt return by the phenomenonal Devin Hester. However, the Vikings quickly answered, as on the ensuing drive Tarvaris Jackson. . .yes, that Tarvaris Jackson. . .performed a beautiful play-action fake and lofted a 60-yard touchdown pass to Troy Williamson. . .yes, that Troy Williamson. . .to tie the score at 7 after one quarter. What everyone had expected to be a defensive slugfest was getting ready to turn into a shootout.

That's when the real show started.

The Bears quickly jumped back into the lead on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Brian Griese to Bernard Berrian on a play where Antoine Winfield lost his footing and fell in coverage, letting Berrian run free to the end zone. The teams exchanged two punts a piece, and the Vikings took over again at their own 20. After a first down advanced them to their own 33-yard line, Tarvaris Jackson turned and handed the ball to Adrian Peterson going left. After he got through to the second level, Bears' safety Brandon McGowan attempted to tackle Peterson. . .and, basically, just bounced off of him harmlessly. Peterson then proceeded to cut all the way back across the field and outrun the entire Chicago defense on the way to the end zone. The 67-yard run put the Vikings back into a tie game, and that's the way they went to the half.

We again got dueling punts to start the third quarter. . .two from each team. . .and the Vikings set up shop on their own 12-yard line. After another first down, the Vikings had moved to their own 27. Peterson took another Jackson handoff and started moving right. Seeing nothing there, he made a quick shift back to the left, threw in a couple of moves, and went untouched for another long touchdown run. This one was 73 yards, and it put the Vikings ahead 21-14 with about two minutes remaining in the third quarter, and that's how we went to the final stanza.

After the teams exchanged field goals to make it 24-17, the Vikings put together a fairly long, sustained drive. After a penalty, they found themselves with 2nd and 13 from the Chicago 35. While many. . .myself included. . .were hoping the Vikings could just get to within field goal range to give themselves a two-possession lead, #28 had other ideas. He took a Jackson handoff, headed through a hole on the left side, got to the sideline, and "dodged" a really pathetic tackle attempt by a Chicago safety to coast to his third touchdown of the day, a 35-yarder that gave Minnesota a 31-17 lead and should have put the game out of reach.

But, the Bears just wouldn't go away.

Brian Griese threw an interception to Dwight Smith on a deep ball, but the Vikings failed to get a first down and had to punt the ball back to the Bears. Chris Kluwe shanked the punt, and it went out of bounds at the Chicago 47. Three plays later, Griese redeemed himself by hitting Mushin Muhammad from 33 yards out to close the gap to 31-24.

The Bears squibbed one downfield, stopped the Vikings and used their time outs, and the Vikings had to punt away again. The Bears took over at their own 19-yard line with no time outs left and 1:53 remaining on the clock. After an incompletion on first down, Devin Hester somehow got behind Dwight Smith. . .who, apparently, thought Hester was in the game to run 5-yard hitches or something. . .and Griese hit him for an 81-yard touchdown pass that tied the game at 31. All of the momentum had shifted to Chicago, and it looked like we were headed to overtime.

But, when you have Adrian Peterson on your team, you can make your own damn momentum.

Peterson went back to return the Robbie Gould kickoff, and for some reason Gould blasted it down the center of the field right into Peterson's hands. Peterson made NO moves at all. . .just blasted through the Optimus Prime-sized hole in the middle of the Chicago special teams and flew down the field. Gould slowed Peterson up just enough to allow Ricky Manning, Jr. to tackle him at the Chicago 38-yard line.

After a couple of really strange play calls. . .like throwing the ball on 2nd and 5 from the Chicago 33 with :55 left on the clock and Chicago having no time outs. . .Ryan Longwell came out to attempt a 55-yard field goal for the win. The ball sailed over the crossbar, and the Vikings managed to escape Soldier Field with an incredible 34-31 victory.

When that one was over, I declared it to be "The Adrian Peterson Game." Yeah. . .that distinction lasted about a month.

I just couldn't believe that it's already been a year. I wouldn't bet on seeing anything similar this weekend. . .but I don't think I'd bet against it, either.

Rams sign Manning...not that one

VanRam — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:04:38 -0000

The Rams found their veteran help at corner back today, agreeing to terms with Ricky Manning, Jr., who was released from the Bears earlier in the week.

It looks like a good move. Manning had 14 career INTs, posting five working as the nickel with the Bears in 2006. The Bears have had a good pass defense the last two years, ranked 2nd overall in 2006 and 13th overall last season, according to DVOA. Having another corner that can/has played at a level doesn't hurt, and with Fakhir Brown's status for week one still up in the air, this gives them a pro to use at nickel and slide Bartell to Brown's spot.

They also claimed a young safety off waivers from the Colts, Brannon Condren. Condren will most certainly work on special teams, a role he played with Indy in 8 games last season.

As surmised this morning, they released Richard Owens to make room for Condren. They'll have to let one more player go when Manning officially signs his contract.

The Manning signing seems smart, and it's already looking like having a personnel guru in Devaney is starting to pay off.