CINCINNATI -- The Bengals have added veteran safety Danieal Manning to their roster, signing the nine-year player to a one-year free agent contract on Thursday.
Manning was a second-round draft pick of Chicago in 2006 out of Abilene Christian and was a starter in Super Bowl XLI that season for the Bears against Indianapolis. He played the last three seasons with the Houston Texans, including starting both playoff victories for Houston against the Bengals in 2011 and 2012. He had an interception against New Bengals co-secondary coach Vance Joseph coached Manning the past three seasons with the Texans.
Manning has 11 interceptions, nine forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and two blocked field goals in his career. He also has a 26.8-yard average on 116 career kickoff returns.
He'll join a safety group that includes returning starters Reggie Nelson and George Iloka. The Bengals also have Shawn Williams, last year's third-round draft choice from Georgia, at the safety position. Taylor Mays has been listed as a safety his first four seasons in the NFL but last year the Bengals began experimenting with moving him into a linebacker position.
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Manning is the third free agent from outside of the organization the Bengals have signed this offseason. They previously signed defensive back R.J. Stanford from Miami and offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse from Green Bay.
An updated look at the Bengals free agency
UFA: OT Dennis Roland, DB Chris Crocker, LB Michael Boley, TE Alex Smith, P Zoltan Mesko.
Re-signed: S Taylor Mays, OG Mike Pollak, LB Vinny Rey, WR Brandon Tate.
Signed from other teams: S Danieal Manning (Houston), OL Marshall Newhouse (Green Bay), CB R.J. Stanford (Miami).
Claimed on waivers: DE Dontay Moch (Arizona)
Released to free agency: C Kyle Cook, LB James Harrison
RFA: WR Dane Sanzenbacher.
Signed with another team: OT Anthony Collins (Tampa Bay), DB Brandon Ghee (San Diego), WR Andrew Hawkins (Cleveland), DE Michael Johnson (Tampa Bay)
