Manning Jr. signs with the Bears.
 

[url]http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AttbNH6mwONELH0CHyoCUNhDubYF?slug=ap-bears-manning&prov=ap&type=lgns[/url]

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- The [URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/chi/"]Chicago Bears[/URL] signed restricted free-agent defensive back [URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6418/"]Ricky Manning Jr.[/URL] to an offer sheet Friday, with his agent saying the deal is worth up to $21 million over five years.
The deal includes about $7.5 million in guaranteed money in the first year of the contract, agent Jim Ivler said.
Manning spent his first three seasons with the [URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/car/"]Carolina Panthers[/URL], who eliminated the Bears from the playoffs last season. The Panthers have until April 28 to match the offer or receive a third-round draft pick from the Bears.
"Ricky is obviously thrilled and he would be happy to be a Bear or a Panther," Ivler said.
Carolina general manager Marty Hurney wouldn't indicate whether the team plans to match it.
"We'll take some time and look and evaluate it," Hurney said. "We have a week to make a decision."
Carolina previously signed free agent [URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5353/"]Reggie Howard[/URL] as a potential replacement for Manning at nickel back.
Manning has played the last three seasons with the Panthers, but lost his starting job prior to the 2005 season to free-agent pickup [URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5487/"]Ken Lucas[/URL]. Manning has nine career interceptions in the regular season and four more in the 2003 playoffs.
"He's a physical player and has some ball skills," Bears coach Lovie Smith said.
Manning would give the Bears depth in the secondary where they lost Jerry Azumah, who retired.
"That's definitely one of the things we would like to get taken care of, any time any time you lose a player like Jerry," Smith said.
Behind starting cornerbacks [URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6371/"]Charles Tillman[/URL] and Nate Vasher, the Bears have unproven [URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6909/"]Chris Thompson[/URL], Alfonso Marshall and [URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7391/"]Daven Holly[/URL].
The Bears had been considering taking a cornerback in the first round of the draft with the 26th pick.
"It obviously would change our direction if we did, in fact, do that," general manager Jerry Angelo said about successfully getting Manning onto the roster.
Angelo also said the team will continue contract talks next week with the agent for Pro Bowl linebacker [URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6404/"]Lance Briggs[/URL]. The Bears want to lock Briggs up to a long-term deal and prevent him from becoming an unrestricted free agent in March of 2007.

Re: Manning Jr. signs with the Bears.
 

I dont really know what to think about this trade, in terms of benefits to the Skins. I guess it makes Chicago, better with their D. But if we fast forward to playoff time, and we have homefield, I would much rather play chicago than carolina.

Re: Manning Jr. signs with the Bears.
 

Jerry Azumah retired? It is always pleasant when a player leaves before being forced out.

Re: Manning Jr. signs with the Bears.
 

Charles Woodson is still ou there, does no one want him?

Re: Manning Jr. signs with the Bears.
 

[quote=saden1]Jerry Azumah retired? It is always pleasant when a player leaves before being forced out.[/quote]

three or four weeks ago... injury related. He wasn't awful, but he wasn't exactly a shutdown kind of guy either.

Re: Manning Jr. signs with the Bears.
 

[quote=Jamaican'Skin]Charles Woodson is still ou there, does no one want him?[/quote]

injury problems, he's old, he wants a lot of money.

Re: Manning Jr. signs with the Bears.
 

yeah,i agree.wants way too much to only be a 3rd corner on our defense

Re: Manning Jr. signs with the Bears.
 

Manning made his name off a big NFC championship game, but hasn't really done much since. He'll be a great nickel, but the Bears will still likely take a CB in the draft.

Re: Manning Jr. signs with the Bears.
 

I doubt Carolina will let him go they will match it.

Re: Manning Jr. signs with the Bears.
 

I don't know that Carolina has the money to match

Re: Manning Jr. signs with the Bears.
 

7.5mill this year for him? i doubt it.

Re: Manning Jr. signs with the Bears.
 

[quote=That Guy]7.5mill this year for him? i doubt it.[/quote]

Yeah that is an awful lot for Carolina to dish out, and I think that was significantly higher than his previous contract if I am not mistaken.

Re: Manning Jr. signs with the Bears.
 

[quote=hooskins]Yeah that is an awful lot for Carolina to dish out, and I think that was significantly higher than his previous contract if I am not mistaken.[/quote]

it is, it REALLY is. 7.5mill a year is what you pay champ bailey, not ricky manning jr. I know its just for this year, but still. draft a top ten cb and pay him 18$mill over 7 years, it a better deal ;)