Suspension could decimate Bears’ secondary

By Paul Eide  |   Wednesday, October 25, 2006  |  Comments( 4 )

Chicago Bears
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The NFL's version of Goliath suddenly doesn't look so big. The Bears' defense, already reeling from the loss of safety Mike Brown for the rest of the year, will be even further depleted if it loses the services of nickel back Ricky Manning Jr. Manning is facing punishment from the league office for being charged with felony assault after a highly publicized run-in near the UCLA campus in April.

Manning went to New York City last week to meet with new NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss a possible fine, suspension or both, a punishment that will be levied some time this week.

Under the guidelines of the NFL's "Personal Conduct Policy," any player charged with criminal activity must "undergo immediate, mandatory clinical evaluation," and is subject to a fine or suspension determined by the commissioner. If a player is convicted of criminal activity he "will be subject to discipline as determined by the Commissioner. Such discipline may include a fine, suspension without pay and/or banishment from the League."

The punishment for being charged with a crime and convicted of a crime is almost identical and boils down to semantics and prior history. Manning has complied with all of the guidelines outlined by the league but his prior history is a concern. Before the incident in March, Manning was already on probation for a previous assault conviction and may have been looking at serious jail time had he plead guilty.

Since Manning copped a plea bargain to avoid going before a jury, his chances of being suspended are lessened considerably, especially when you consider the punishment handed out to NFL peer Chris Henry. Henry has been arrested four times since last December, but was only suspended for a total of two weeks, a good sign that Manning won't receive anymore than a slap on the wrist. But, if Commissioner Goodell decides to make an example of Manning, it puts the Bears' secondary in a precarious position.

If Manning is suspended for any time, the Bears would rely on Dante Wesley or rookie Devin Hester to fill the vacant nickel back position. Wesley is entering his fifth year and has plenty of experience playing nickel back thanks to time he shared with Manning playing for the Carolina Panthers. Wesley's experience in the playoffs and Super Bowl means he is no stranger to pressure and is capable of providing veteran leadership the Bears are suddenly lacking.

Hester may be raw, but his physical tools make him a perfect fit for the nickel. He recorded a team-leading four interceptions during his sophomore season at the University of Miami and has the Bears thinking he could be as successful on the defensive side of the ball as he has been in the return game.

The Bears' safety position has compounded the concern enshrouding the secondary. Third-year safety Todd Johnson will get the start in place of the injured Brown in Week 8 and is suddenly viewed as the Bears' "veteran" at the safety position. Johnson started 10 games at the strong safety position in 2004 after Mike Brown tore his Achilles' tendon and was lost for the season. Behind him is untested third-stringer Cameron Worrell. Primarily a special-teamer, the Bears really don't know what to expect from Worrell and hope they don't have to find out.

Starting across from Johnson is rookie free safety Danieal Manning, who is backed up by second-year man Chris Harris. Manning and Harris have both played admirably but the loss of Brown forces production to come from elsewhere.

The NFL's most dominating defense is literally one injury away from starting two rookies in the secondary, with the loss of personnel putting more pressure on Lovie Smith to devise game plans that will protect a perceived Achilles' heel. No matter what scheme Smith comes up with, someone will have to step up and seize the opportunity, or the memory of a 6-0 start to the 2006 season could just as easily become a romanticized footnote of what might have been.

Chicago Bears commentary, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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CommentsComments: 4  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
fr8ttrain		03:08 PM
10/25/2006
There are 5 bona fide scrubs left on their schedule. Even if one surprises them and gets the lucky upset, they'll still have ten...
No.2
Brian		08:44 PM
10/25/2006
I believe that the Manning "incident" involves assaulting a total stranger for possible being Jewish (he wasn't) and for being a...
No.3
Hollund		10:09 AM
10/31/2006
Right on Brian!!! While the "Media" choses to ignore Mannings bigotry and thuggery is disgusting to say the least. The BEARS will...
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