Rookie D Manning gets criticism for 1st interception

[DrJ 0]

Manning follows up nifty pick with rookie mistake

Forgets to run ball to end zone but enjoys solid 1st day

 

BY JOHN MULLIN AND K.C. JOHNSON

Published July 28, 2006

 

 

BOURBONNAIS -- Rookie safety Danieal Manning turned in the defensive highlight of Bears training camp's first practice, beating wide receiver Airese Currie to a pass from quarterback Brian Griese for an interception.

 

But he forgot something.

 

When you make an interception or fumble recovery for this Bears defense, the expectation is that you run it all the way to the end zone, not just free of the crowd. If you do that, you get to come off the field for a well-earned break. If you don't, you stay on the field and, worse, you hear about it.

 

Veteran safety Mike Brown led a chorus of chirping that chided the rookie from Abilene Christian good-naturedly, although he might be excused for forgetting himself amid the excitement of his first NFL-camp interception.

 

"I saw I had one receiver to my side," he said. "I broke on it, and it came right to me.

 

"I'm just doing the technique and letting the rest happen."

 

The interception gave Manning a boost in his competition to win a starting job, presumably the one held by Chris Harris.

 

"We think [Manning] is a safety with corner skills," coach Lovie Smith said. "He's a punt returner so he's used to having his hands on the ball.

 

"We think he's going to be a good player. But he needs to do it out here. [Thursday] was a step."

 

It was also a step up in competition, as Manning and fellow rookies went through their first camp practice.

 

"We put on more schemes and more plays and everything was rushed," Manning said. "You had to pick it up as you go and it was faster, a whole lot faster. Very, very detailed."

 

He laughed and emphasized: "And way faster than college."

[SmartassBoiler 0]

Think he'll unseat Harris as the starting FS? I think that was the point of drafting him. I read criticism last year about Harris' range, even though he's a big hitter. Maybe they could move Harris to backup Brown since his skills better fit the SS position.

[DrJ 0]

Think he'll unseat Harris as the starting FS? I think that was the point of drafting him. I read criticism last year about Harris' range, even though he's a big hitter. Maybe they could move Harris to backup Brown since his skills better fit the SS position.

 

That's the plan - the only question is how long it will take. I think it will definitely happen at some point this season, and could happen as soon as week 1 if he keeps making plays like this.

[uubeee 0]

More importantly...Get used to Greise throwing picks.

[SmartassBoiler 0]

More importantly...Get used to Greise throwing picks.

 

Hard to throw interceptions sitting on the bench.

[lechuza 0]

Hard to throw interceptions sitting on the bench.

 

well considering Grossmans injury record, he should be out by week 3 of the preseason

[Da Bomb 0]

thats just the standard here in chicago. do something right, but if it wasnt exactly what the coach wanted, you get reamed out to the media.

 

glad to see lovie is following ozzie's lead.