Rumblings Of Manningham To Bucs?
February 26th, 2012
CBS Sports’ Clark Judge has been snooping and sniffing around the NFL combine and has cobbled together enough chatter to believe the Bucs will approach Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham with a fat check when the free agency bell rings March 13.
Judge coughed up his report late this morning. Here’s a snippet.
But there are other reasons Manningham won’t be back, sources said. First, they said, he would know [Mike] Sullivan’s offense, so there is no learning curve. Second, people close to Manningham indicate that he wants to go to a warm-weather club, and last time I checked Tampa Bay qualified on that score. Third, sources said the Giants probably wouldn’t make him a contract offer, not only because they believe his price may be too high but because they’re more interested in a wide receiver who can line up at more than one or two spots at the position, which, they said, Manningham cannot.
Now Joe’s a little skeptical here. First, Judge is claiming Manningham “would know Mike Sullivan’s offense.” Well, last Joe checked Sullivan never ran an offense before and is still figuring out with Jimmy Raye and the rest of Team Schiano what he wants to do.
Plus Joe’s hardly sold on Manningham, who may or may not be the speedster the Bucs are allegedly seeking to open up the field. He hasn’t faced the double teams and challenges of a No. 1 receiver, and one great Super Bowl catch surely doesn’t make him a great player.
If the Bucs are looking for a No. 1 wideout, Joe would rather see them go after someone unquestionably better than Mike Williams.
February 26th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
I don’t think they’d be looking at Manningham as a stud #1 WR….I see him more as a slot guy than someone they think can come in and be the man.
Even if it isn’t Sullivan’s offense that Manningham is familiar with, he would definitely be familiar with Sullivan and the way he operates. Plus, it would be nice to get a veteran guy in here to work with Benn, Williams, Briscoe and Parker. As long as we don’t break the bank and massively overpay I’d be all for this move.
February 26th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
I don’t think this is legit. It screams of agent talk & hype since the Buc’s have tons of cap room. Every move this GM/Front Office does is tight lipped until they do it, so why all of sudden would we be leaking our FA targets to reporters. It just sounds like the new age crap that reporting has become, piece together loose information, make it a “rumor” & report it hoping it happens.
February 26th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Terrible idea, this smells like a David Tyree signing or at the very least Derrick Ward. Use the money and cap space to go after a true #1.
February 26th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Just what the Bucs need, another slow reciever. Spend the money on someone who can stretch the field and that the other team has to game-plan against. It will open up the power running game.
February 26th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Joe – That’s exactly what I thought, “Is he any different than Mike Williams?” I’m not going to discount Mario’s smarts and work ethic coming out of the Giants organization, I’ll give him that. But we already have Williams who has the same skill set, and we (supposedly) have a coach and staff that will give Williams those other pro skills he may be lacking.
In other words, I want Vincent Jackson 🙂
February 26th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
The BIG difference here vs Derrick Ward… Raheem Morris is no longer mucking up the team.
February 26th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Figuring things out with jimmy raye is almost as scary as “im from the federal government and im here to help you”
February 26th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Rather have
February 26th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Rather have Pierre Garcon
February 26th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
I don’t believe it’s a good idea.
Seems to me we need more speed and better hands, neither of which are qualities Manningham possesses.
I don’t buy it and hope the Buccaneers don’t either. Too much money for a player we don’t really need and I don’t think it would impress the fan base (to sell tickets and excite).
Hmmm….
February 26th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
I live in NJ and see enough NYG games where Mario makes bonehead mistakes to not want him on the Bucs. He’s is so hit or miss on his play making it is hard to justify paying/making him the go-to guy. For every one SB TD catch there are 2-3 other plays where he makes a mental error and screws up a play. No thanks.
All said, this sure sounds like an agent talking up his client.
February 26th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Manningham will be our #3 WR so I think he will fit rather nice. He does not have an attitude problem and plays hard. We wouldn’t be signing him to be our #1. So I say yes to this. As long as the contract isn’t some crazy overpaid number! But he is better than all other WRs on our team besides Williams and maybe Benn. But he is NOT the speedster we need to stretch the field! That can come in the draft or another FA WR. He is a possession WR that makes great catches.
February 26th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
We need a #1 receiver!! Benn can be our #3, we need Vincent Jackson or someone like that!
The Chargers said on Friday that they were NOT going to give Jackson the tag. Hello?!
Stevie Johnson would be a better option as well.
February 26th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Nooooooooooooo! Combo of Alvin Harper & Michael Clayton!
February 26th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
chasing great catches when palying vs the Bucs….Bert Emmanuel redux… or the Giants RB/FA a few years ago …
February 26th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Clayton is his mentor!
February 26th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Alvin Harper 2.0. No thank you, we’ve seen that movie before, hope they learned their lesson from the past. Horrible idea.
February 26th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
The Bucs will be used to get hype for a few FAs. It just goes with a team with needs and the most cap room.
February 26th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
I want speed at wideout! If this true I won’t be too mad though. Maybe we will fire Dom after yet another failed FA acquisition.
February 26th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
The team has three quality receivers already in Williams, Benn and Briscoe. Envision this year that Williams will shower off that Michael Clayton mojo he got doused with and Benn will be fully recovered from the Benn-around abuse he suffered last year. Don’t think they necessarily need a #1 receiver, just someone with the deep speed and solid hands to keep the safeties honest and spread the defense out. If the team doesn’t sign a V or D Jackson, Johnson, Colston or Bowe, would be happy with them grabbing and developing a guy like Robinson, Garcon, Douglas, Naanee, Meacham, Avery, Ginn, or Morgan.
February 26th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Well there is only 1 true #1 WR out there that has the blazing speed we desperately need. Now I have come around and I am completely on board with drafting Claiborne at # 5, but I am not opposed to trading # 5 for you know who. But if you know who is tendered 1st and 3rd, which he will more than likely be, he isn’t worth it. Anyways a “fat check” isn’t given to a WR to come in and run the slot. If Manningham gets a “fat check” he will be expected to be a # 1 and I don’t think he is better than Williams. Also, I still have high hopes for Benn’s upside. Either way, Go Bucs!
February 26th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
For all you guys calling for Vincent Jackson…………. I totally agree. Go for the best first and then work backwards. If you get Manningham too, that’s okay, but definitely go for the best at every position you can, and forget about the money. If they stack this team, draft well, and spend the cap space, the fans will return in droves. Why? Because the wins will follow, jersey sales will increase and they will make more money by spending than they ever did by scrimping. It also increases the Net Worth of the Team.
And don’t be afraid to take out the trash, admit your mistakes and rid this team of the loafers and players that don’t produce. They should be able to get a top notch Guard/Tackle at pick 36 and finally kick Trueblood to the curb. If they can also sign Carl Nicks at LG and put Zuttah at center, they could have a top 5 O line. They would be fools not to spend what it takes to make this team whole again and give these new coaches the resources needed to win.
February 26th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
LaMichael James can play receiver too, and he’s pretty darn quick.
February 26th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Vincent Jackson would be nice, but he had one of the league’s best QB throwing him the ball and his stats were never all that fantastic. We need a guy that can handle 80+ 90+ and hopefully 100+ catches. A true # 1. I think Mike Williams can put up #’s, but I would love to see Benn earn his pick. He has the tools, he just needs to put it together. And I hope Sullivan can get the most out of him. Oh, Sullivan and Fleck. I think Fleck could be a decent WR coach. He’s a guy that needed to get everything out of himself and give max effort to get any type of results to warrant playing time in Division 1 NCAAF. He knows what it takes to succeed, because he is very aware of the talent he lacked and what he had to do to overcome. Ok synopsis of my rambling post, Make Williams our # 1, Manningham would be nice, Jackson is good not great, and I think Fleck will be a good coach. Ok, Gob Bucs!
February 26th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
no to manningham, not worth it.
February 26th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
We could look at WR with our #5 pick. Justin Blackmon would be a huge/great target for Josh. IF and only IF we were to sign Cortland Finnegan and Brandon Carr. We could look at WR or OT with the #5 pick. If we only sign say Finnegan. I would stick with Mo Claiborne!! He will be hard to pass. But with Finnegan,Carr, and hopefully Talib doesn’t go to jail. He could be our #3 CB. That would be scary good. But thats what we need with the QBs and WRs in this division!!
February 26th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
@bigmac, – “definitely go for the best at every position you can, and forget about the money”. You’re not one of those guys that says as long as I have checks left I’ve got plenty of cash are you? lol
Forgetting about the money would be the biggest mistake the team could make, and isn’t going to happen. Dominik and Schiano have both said they would spend responsibly, which is really the best way to go. There are PLENTY of quality players out of the group of 700+ FA’s that can help this team and not break the bank. And remember, they still have to pay all the young guys that are coming off their rookie contracts here in the next few years.
February 26th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
@funky
I have brought this up before so I don’t want everyone overreacting again, but given the choice between drafting Justin Blackmon at #5 or trading your # 5 to get Mike Wallace, which one would you choose? Now this wouldn’t be an issue for me unless by some freak circumstance where Claiborne isn’t available at #5.
February 26th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
If this stops us from making a run at Carl Nicks & Cortland Finnegan….No. We need someone with Great Hands anyway
February 26th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Just heard dome more rumblings on 620. Dominik must be convinced Williams is a #1. If you asked this question about Williams last year 90%and of us would have agreed. Just saying.
February 26th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Joe….what do you think about Meachem or Coulston…both are probably going to be available, both are relatively young with Meachem actually being faster…i think he was around 4.38 and he has good size..
February 26th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
No to Manningham.
“If there’s no speed, there’s no need.”
February 26th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
I agree with BigMacAttack, go for Jackson.
But really guys, Freeman was running for his life much of the time.
Why do we not talk as much about upgrading our O Line ?
This instantly makes Blount and Madu better, and our passing game as well.
I think Williams, Benn, and Brisco are NFL receivers, if they have time, and the scheme, to get open.
Being originally from Michigan, of course I like Mario Manningham, he was a Wolverine. But he is certainly no Vincent Jackson by any stretch of the imagination.
February 26th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
@J 2.0
I think Kalil might fall and if so I think we should look at him. Claiborne may get drafted by Cleveland if they don’t get RG3. But I would still rather have the #5 pick than Mike Wallace. If we were to trade back with say Cincy then I would be all for trading the #21 pick for Mike Wallace and still having the #17 pick to get somone like Courtney Upshaw or Donta Hightower or Zac Brown. What do you think about that?
February 26th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
SLOW????? he had and 85 yard and 92 yard touchdown last year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTW6fs-WORs
That does not look slow to me.
February 26th, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Throw money at Pierre Garcon he is young, has breakaway speed and catches everything thrown his way. Don’t overspend on a #3(Manningham) receiver that drop passes like Raheem drops catch phrases.
February 26th, 2012 at 9:05 pm
We all want V Jack. It’s not happening though. Scratch him off the list. SD will not let him test free agent waters. We should be thinking about Garcon as MTM mentioned. With terrible QB play, Garcon still was very impressive.
February 26th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Terrible idea! I hope we dont sign Mario Manningham. Sign likeable players so i can continue being a bucs fan.
February 26th, 2012 at 9:44 pm
I’ve been reading reports saying Alshon Jeffery might fall to the 2nd round. IF that happens he would be a great pickup at that point in the draft. And in the 3rd we can look at RB or an interesting pick in TE Ladarius Green from Louisiana Lafayette. He has the potential to be the next Jimmy Graham and Gronk. He is 6’5″ 230lbs and quick!!
IF LaMichael James is there in the 3rd he would be HARD to pass on but Green would be a great choice if James is already gone! Or trade back into the 3rd and get Green and either LaMichael James or Ronnie Hillman.
Alshon could be the guy we throw it down field to and let him go get it. His speed isn’t lights out. But neither is Larry Fitz or most of the best catching and jumping WRs in the league. Size Strength and Jumping ability can out produce speed. They usually do in this league. Imagine the matchup problems teams would have with Mike Williams, Alshon Jeffery, Ladarius Green, and Arrellious Benn!!!!
February 26th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Manningham would be an awesome addition to our receiving core. He doesn’t have super speed so there’s no way they’ll put him in the no.1 spot. You can never have too many good, productive WRs. Just ask Green Bay…
For all the nay-sayers just look at his last three years’ production.
2011 523yds 4 TDs
2010 944yds 9 TDs
2009 822yes 5 TDs
I don’t think the rumors hold much water, though. The Glazers have kept the cards close to the chest… but if it happens, nice. 🙂
February 26th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
I would take Garcon over Manningham as well, but does he leave Indy?
February 26th, 2012 at 10:52 pm
Surely our new OC has a very full understanding of his abilities.
If a man scores touchdowns he should come join the party IMO. We aint got many who do currently.
Isnt Benn fast?
February 27th, 2012 at 12:23 am
After todays showing at the combine put me on the draft Stephen Hill bandwagon. I know he played in a gimmicky offence at G-Tech, but the dude is a freak 6-4- 4.36/40- 40″ Vert. If he is still there in the 3rd go get him, maybe even trade back up into the back end of the second.
February 27th, 2012 at 7:55 am
Garcon or Meachum would be nice.
February 27th, 2012 at 2:23 pm
Yeah….the upside on Stephen Hill is off the chart. Megatron like combine performance. If that dude played in an offense like Oklahoma State’s or something we might not be looking at Blackmon as the #1 rated receiver. He just didn’t have that many opportunities at G.Tech. That catch he made at the combine where he laid out and just snatched it was pretty impressive. He obviously has skills and with some coaching he could be something special.
February 27th, 2012 at 10:19 pm
everybody want the bucs to get better player,he would be the best wr on the team,so why is everybody complaining.