| TheDeuce |
03-20-2006 04:19 PM |
Ricky Manning
I was reading an ESPNInsider article about the top 10 restricted bargains, and I stumbled upon Manning's name. This guy could easily be the other starting corner. Here are some rules about restricted free agents:
Quote:
Signing a restricted free agent is, indeed, a tricky proposition. First, a team has only three seasons' worth of empirical data on a player. Second, it must fashion a contract the player's original team won't match.
By definition, a restricted free agent is a veteran with three years accrued toward the NFL pension plan. Incumbent teams can retain a right of first refusal, which allows them to match an offer sheet from another club, by making a qualifying offer to the player. If a player signs with another club, the incumbent team has seven days to match the offer. And if the original team opts not to match, it is rewarded with draft choice compensation for allowing the restricted free agent to move to a new franchise.
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And here's a little about Manning:
Quote:
CB Ricky Manning, Carolina (compensation: third round): Former starter who moved into nickel role after the Panthers signed Ken Lucas in free agency last spring. Undersized, but a feisty defender who plays a physical style and gets around the football. Lots of playing time on his résumé. Nine career interceptions during the regular season and had three pickoffs as a rookie in the 2003 NFC Championship Game.
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Although it might be tricky to sign him because we'd have to make an offer that the Panthers don't want to match (and give up a third rounder), I definitely think he's worth the 3rd rounder and some money. The Panthers also might not want to offer him a lot of money because they picked up Ken Lucas and they have Chris Gamble at the other corner, leaving Manning to be a nickel type of guy. They might not want to pay a lot of money to a nickel back. But he's good enough to be a starting CB, he just happens to have two very good, better, CBs in front of him.
Feel free to tear down this idea... |
