Should the Chicago Bears Franchise Tag Danieal Manning?
Chicago Bears safety Danieal Manning had a strong season last year. On top of being a great kickoff returner and special teams performer, he played at a high level in the secondary. After a few mediocre seasons, Manning is emerging as a top NFL safety.
With that being said, would it serve the Chicago Bears to franchise tag Manning? I believe it is the right move. While he’s not a ball-hawk, he does make tackles and does a solid job in coverage.
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NFL Changes Kickoff Spot from 30 to 35 Yard Line…NFL You are Ridiculous
The NFL officially stands for the No Fun League with its change in the kickoff rule. Can they make the game any more boring for Chicago Bears fans? One of the marquee players in the league is Devin Hester. People love seeing him with the ball in his hands returning kickoffs. Now with this rule change, people will enjoy possessions starting at the 20-yard line.
While Devin Hester isn’t the only Chicago Bear that returns kickoffs, Danieal Manning and Johnny Knox also return kicks as well. Both have shown explosivness in that area as well.
With the current lockout and bad blood brewing between the NFL, players and fans, why make things even less exciting? I really believe owners are their own worst enemies.
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Grading the Chicago Bears…Special Teams
The Chicago Bears were one of the top Special Teams units in football. Devin Hester was the league’s most frightening return man and Corey Graham covered the field like a blanket. This unit was probably the primary reason why the Chicago Bears made the NFC Championship Game.
While these two don’t quite have the numbers of Hester, Danieal Manning and Johnny Knox were two of the best return men in football on kickoffs. However, Hester is one of those guys you drop everything you’re doing to see with the football in his hands.
Robbie Gould has been one of the most accurate kickers in the NFL. While he didn’t have his best season, he’s been a stabalizing force in that position for the Chicago Bears. For us Bears fans, we’ve lived through some horrific kickers and Gould really is one of the best. Brad Maynard is a solid punter who’s specialty is kicking it within the 20-yard line. However, it looks as if Maynard’s days with the Chicago Bears are coming to an end.
Patrick Mannelly deserves a shout-out as well. He’s been one of the league’s best long-snappers for many years now.
I give this unit an A. It would have been an A+ except there were times where they gave up returns and failed to create open holes.
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Grading the Chicago Bears…Secondary
In 2009, the Chicago Bears secondary was terrible. Al Alalava and Kevin Payne were your starting safeties and along with Danieal Manning. It was painful to watch.
What a difference a year makes?!? The Chicago Bears traded for their old friend Chris Harris and moved Manning in as the starting strong safety. DJ Moore had a great year as the nickel safety. Rookie Major Wright proved to be a big hitter when he could stay healthy. Craig Steltz exploded out of camp as a potential starter but disappeared thanks to an injury during the preseason.
Charles Tillman is a favorite target of fans. He can be terrible against the slant pattern. However, he’s an excellent tackler and causes many fumbles. He’s a poor man’s Charles Woodson. Zachary Bowman was productive last season and struggled this year. He was replaced by one of the more underrated Bears this season in Tim Jennings. Josh Bullocks and Corey Graham are also cornerbacks, but their contributions come on special teams where Graham is a stud.
Obviously things were going right from a coaching standpoint. Jon Hoke was interviewed by the Philadelphia Eagles for their vacant defensive coordinator position. He didn’t get the job but it’s a nice pat-on-the-back for his career.
Overall, I give this unit a B+. While I think Harris was overrated and missed many tackles, he did get interceptions. Manning had a strong season. The cornerbacks played well and the coaches pulled the plug on Bowman quickly. Moore had a great season for a nickelback.
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Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions Gameday Preview
Let’s get to the good stuff first…Here is my game prediction…as I told Zac from Side Lion Report, this game will be a bloodbath. The Chicago Bears should have their second shutout of the season.
Chicago Bears 24 Detroit Lions 0
Why am I so confident? Is it possible the Chicago Bears will look past the Lions? Nope…this team is hungry to prove that they are the better football team especially after the events of the opening game. To refresh your memory, Calvin Johnson caught what appeared to be the go-ahead touchdown late into the fourth quarter but it was overturned on a ridiculous rule about controlling the ball through the catch. Since that time, many have speculated that had it of gone the Lions way, it would have been a totally different season for the Chicago Bears.
[picappgallerysingle id="9748268"]While the Lions have played respectably this season, their record is still 2-9. Close doesn’t count for much. Plus, the Lions are down to third string quarterback Drew Stanton and without defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch. Against a team like the Chicago Bears, the Lions would need to play a perfect game and I do not see the Lions being able to do so without key players.
On the other hand, the Chicago Bears are flying high. Julius Peppers is playing like the NFC Defensive Player of the Year and Devin Hester is scary again. When Hester isn’t returning kicks, Danieal Manning is almost as strong. Offensively, the offensive line has been improving and Jay Cutler has been making less mistakes. I’m guessing the gameplan will be similar to the Miami game two weeks earlier.
[picappgallerysingle id="10291476"]I’m going on a limb now, and will tell you the Green Bay Packers will have issues with the San Francisco 49ers. You heard it hear first…
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