Manuel on the way out?

[Greg C.]

Now that Manuel has lost his starting position, is there any point in keeping him? Maybe, because he would be more ready to step in if Atari Bigby faltered or got hurt. But I think there will be a good case to get rid of him entirely. Here's a comment from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel web site that makes me think he will be gone:

"A source close to the situation said cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson had been lobbying the coaches for Bigby to replace Manuel, a player whom they apparently no longer trusted."

I would say that not being trusted by both veteran CB's, who are the cornerstones of the defense, is grounds for dismissal.

Another Journal Sentinel writer, Tom Silverstein, makes the following point:

"THUMBS DOWN

Why the Packers kidded themselves that Marquand Manuel was suddenly going to turn things around is a complete mystery. They were delusional in thinking that his marginal speed and poor coverage ability were magically going to change because he was healthier. Maybe Manuel looked quicker, as the coaches claimed, but the Packers wasted precious time tutoring better athletes like Atari Bigby and Aaron Rouse while putting Manuel on the field. The decision to elevate Bigby to the starting position this week was the right one, but they should have been putting Rouse, a third-round pick, on a fast track to be the top backup instead of messing around with Manuel. Former general manager Ron Wolf always said that the worst thing you can do is fail to part quickly with your mistakes and that appears to be what current general manager Ted Thompson did with Manuel."

 

[bozz_2006]

"the worst thing you can do is fail to part quickly with your mistakes"

generally, i really like ted thompson, but if he ends up failing in GB, i think this will be the reason. He sticks with his decisions to the bitter end. i hope that doesn't end up biting him in the ***.

 

[Packnic]

we just got Manuel last year... if hes cut before the season starts ... you cant really call that hanging onto his mistakes can you.

besides McCarthy makes cuts and the decision as to who would start at Safety. Hanging on or cutting Manuel is up to MM.

Id rather going into the season with Rouse, Peprah and Bigby... than with Manuel... not to mention it would knock off about 2 mil a year in salary. and if Cwood and Al dont trust him... neither do i.

 

[bozz_2006]

no, you can't call that hanging on to his mistakes. i have faith in Ted. i like what he's doing. but, i think the consensus is that manuel was a mistake. let's see what ted does with it.

 

[tromadz]

"the worst thing you can do is fail to part quickly with your mistakes"

generally, i really like ted thompson, but if he ends up failing in GB, i think this will be the reason. He sticks with his decisions to the bitter end.

Like Cory Rodgers?

Adrian Klemm?

Taco Wallace?

Mike Hawkins?


Ted\McCarthy do NOT **** around when it comes to putting the best players on their team on the field(for the most part).

I couldn't disagree more with you guys on this one. TT has swallowed his pride on multiple occasions and axed 'his boys'

If giving Manuel a lot of snaps is the worst thing TT\McCarthy do this training camp\preseason....then that's not bad AT ALL.

Besides, since Manuel was 'the starter,' Bigby and Rouse didn't have that pressure(That brandon jackson has right now). They could learn the game, get used to NFL speed,etc, without glorious starting expectations. Now...they're ready(At least Bigby apparently is), and the coaching staff is acting accordingly. I don't see this as a negative. I see this as evolution.

 

[bozz_2006]

you're right. i stand corrected.

 

[Pack93z]

I think once they are comfortable with "SpiderMonkey" as a starter, they will be watching the waiver wire for another veteran or a young player with a ton of upside. Say one Greg Blue on the Vkings :razz:

 

[all about da packers]

The coaches keep saying Manuel has good communication skills, and perhaps that may be enough to keep him on the roster for another year.

Keeping Manuel would allow someone the young SS (Bigby/Rouse) could turn to for some advice. To be honest, I'd rather have the Safties turning to Manuel than someone like our DB Coach Shott.

 

[Zero2Cool]

To be honest, I'd rather have the Safties turning to Manuel than someone like our DB Coach Shott.

lol


I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing because its true.

 

[Popcynical]

What's the point of cutting him? You don't like depth?? I do.

 

[Pack93z]

Keeping Manuel would allow someone the young SS (Bigby/Rouse) could turn to for some advice. To be honest, I'd rather have the Safties turning to Manuel than someone like our DB Coach Shott.

When can we cut Schott???

 

[Timmons]

You had to bring up Schittyheimer... I forgot that he was still here.

That's TT and MM's big "hung on too long", freakin' Schotty.

 

[Packnic]

secondary looked pretty good to me the other night... all but a missed tackle which isnt a secondary coaches fault.

schotty, maybe comin around?

 

[calicheesehead]

The secondaries always look good when the DL brings the pressure like that.

 

[Greg C.]

What's the point of cutting him? You don't like depth?? I do.

Yes, I do like depth, but my point is that if Woodson and Harris really don't trust Manuel back there, that might not be the kind of depth we need. Also, there is bound to be some bad blood between Manuel and these guys, which wouldn't do any good for the team harmony thing. If Manuel was highly talented in some way, it might make sense to keep him in spite of that, but I just don't think there's anything really good about him. Unless the guys behind hiim are total stiffs (which I admit is possible), I think Manuel should be shown the door.

 

[porky88]

I would cut him and claim a special teamer off of waivers. Bigby, Collins, and Rouse are the only roster locks at safety. After that, I kind of like Charlie Peprah over Manuel. Just my opinion though.

 

[RainX]

If Marquand actually outplays Peprah and Culver, he should make the team. True, he'd be an expensive reserve, but the guy is a veteran and knows our system, even if he's inconsistent in playing in it. And it's not like we don't have the cap room to pay him this year. Hell, we'll be shelling out 5 million to KGB this year to essentially be a 2nd string pass rushing specialist, but most Packer fans agree he's worth keeping around because of what he brings to the table, even at that inflated price.

 

[bozz_2006]

granted, KGB and Manuel are essentially over-prices backups, but with our salary cap situation being what it is, what's the point in cutting them? I can see if you are arguing for the cut to make mroe room on the roster, but not from a salary cap perspective.

 

[LordEvil]

manuel isno better then Atari Bigby, just start the rookie.

 

[IronMan]

Manuel needs to go. He's not an NFL player and never will be. If we keep him he will continue to give up big plays. It's that simple.

 

[bozz_2006]

Manuel needs to go. He's not an NFL player and never will be. If we keep him he will continue to give up big plays. It's that simple.

i agree. some players are gamblers, and will sometimes give up big plays. charles woodson for instance, at times you can see him almost baiting the QB to throw a ball, then he'll get a jump on the ball and make a play for the ball. That's a gamble. you win some, you lose some. Manuel on the other hand, is not a gambler, he just flat out gets burned. so while he may not make many more big play mistakes than someone like woodson, he doesn't make up for those mistakes. he's dead weight.

 

[dhpackr]

finally, i hope this guy is replaced. he is just to slow to make big plays.