Another Look at the Bengals Signing Safety Danieal Manning

Jan 13, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38) returns the opening kick during the first half of the AFC divisional round playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, on their official Twitter page, the Bengals announced they have signed Safety Danieal Manning just days after his release from the Houston Texans.  The eight year veteran played two full years with the Texans but was taken out of action after six games in 2013 because of a leg injury. On NFL.com, Dam Hanzus calls Manning “the best safety on the market” despite his short 2013 season.

This brings the Bengals safety corp up to five including George Iloka, Reggie Nelson, Taylor Mays who was resigned in March, and the second year back up, Shawn Williams. The one-year agreement will bring Manning back to work with Vance Joseph, the former Texan defensive backs coach who moved onto the Bengals coaching staff earlier this year in January.

Including his time in Houston and five previous seasons with the Chicago Bears, Manning has grabbed eleven interceptions and has two touchdown returns. During the 2008  season he returned 36 kicks for a total of 1,070 yards. In 2012 he played all sixteen games, racked up a career high 96 tackles, and forced three fumbles. He holds the AFC Divisional Round Record with four kickoff returns for 216 yards  against New England Patriots on January 13, 2013 including the opening kickoff return of 94 yards. NFL.com has that video here. He claims the fourth highest kickoff return average, 26.9 yards, since he joined the league in 2008.