<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Texans release S Danieal Manning, per source.</p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/statuses/450680745007132672">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Honestly not surprised... and would rather cut all the dead wood anyway. He isn't going to be on the Texans long term..... just move on.
Predicted this awhile back... they should be able to find replacement level production for cheaper (and have a better chance of a replacement level player staying healthy).
Nice piece of reporting there, Tania. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Have to apologize for a mistake. Manning has not yet agreed to the pay cut, but the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a> are working on it. Misunderstood my source.</p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/statuses/449567308084965376">March 28, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Hope he enjoys reuniting with Lovie out in Tampa.
They wanted him to take a pay cut. He obviously wasn't having any of that. Spoiler <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>When Manning declined to take a pay reduction the Texans wanted, they signed FA SS Chris Clemons, which made Manning expendable.</p>— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/450683236369182720">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Texans saved $4.5 million on cap by waiving Manning, making them more than $13 million under the cap.</p>— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/450685179871252480">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Texans have 3 SS in Chris Clemons, D.J. Swearinger and Eddie Pleasant.</p>— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/450685284271661056">March 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
My three favorite Manning memories were the kick returns to open the Baltimore and New England playoff games and his homecoming game against the Bears in Soldier Field on a rainy Sunday Night.
His play deteriorated over the last couple of seasons, but he was still the best safety on the team by a long shot. He was also leaps and bounds the best kick returner on the team, so it's going to suck to see him go. However, I think it's something that needed to happen if the Texans wanted any shot at being a player in free agency in 2015.
The question is, what are the Texans going to do with this money (especially the 4.5 million they just saved) to make themselves better next year? I guess if they're loading up to throw it on an extension, so be it. I just don't see/know how that is going to work.
I don't think there is a FA safety out there they will sign so the Texan's default answer is through the draft for the safety position. They better use this money to start shoring up the DL and linebacker depth, IMO.
