motife
04-24-2006, 05:44 PM
BEARS' HANDS TIED ON MANNING
Reggie Bush isn't the only guy with SoCal ties making news on Monday morning. Former UCLA defensive back Ricky Manning Jr., who signed on Friday an offer sheet with the Bears, has been arrested in Los Angeles and charged with assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly knocking a man unconscious at a Westwood Denny's. Manning and four or five of his friends reportedly were teasing the man because he was (drum roll, please) working on a laptop computer.
(Man, this sounds like a deleted scene from Crash. Or Playmakers.)
The man reportedly asked a Denny's employee to intervene, and then Manning reportedly hit the man in the face. The others then began to kick him and beat him. Allegedly. The men fled when an employee called the police.
Manning's Range Rover fit the description given by witnesses, and then the alleged victim identified Manning. Of course, Manning has told his agent that he didn't do it. (If he goes to jail, he'll fit right in, 'cause none of those guys who are locked up did it, either.)
The bigger question is whether Chicago can now revoke the offer sheet that, if not matched by the Panthers, will make Manning a member of the Bears. According to Article XIX, Section 3(d) of the old CBA, an offer sheet can be revoked only upon the written consent of the player. (This specific provision was not affected by the term sheet generated in connection with the "new" CBA; thus, the language of Article XIX, Section 3(d) likely controls.)
If ultimately convicted, Manning faces possible discipline under the league's Personal Conduct Policy. For persons merely charged with crimes, however, the league can only require a "clinical evaluation and, if appropriate, additional counseling or treatment as directed."
Despite reports that Carolina has until Friday to make up its mind as to whether to match the offer, we noticed in Article XIX, Section 3(b) of the CBA a requirement that the intent to match be communicated "within seven days from the date the Prior Club receives an Offer Sheet, but not later than four days before the Draft."
Under this language, it appears that the deadline for matching is noon on Tuesday, April 25.
We won't hold our breath.
Reggie Bush isn't the only guy with SoCal ties making news on Monday morning. Former UCLA defensive back Ricky Manning Jr., who signed on Friday an offer sheet with the Bears, has been arrested in Los Angeles and charged with assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly knocking a man unconscious at a Westwood Denny's. Manning and four or five of his friends reportedly were teasing the man because he was (drum roll, please) working on a laptop computer.
(Man, this sounds like a deleted scene from Crash. Or Playmakers.)
The man reportedly asked a Denny's employee to intervene, and then Manning reportedly hit the man in the face. The others then began to kick him and beat him. Allegedly. The men fled when an employee called the police.
Manning's Range Rover fit the description given by witnesses, and then the alleged victim identified Manning. Of course, Manning has told his agent that he didn't do it. (If he goes to jail, he'll fit right in, 'cause none of those guys who are locked up did it, either.)
The bigger question is whether Chicago can now revoke the offer sheet that, if not matched by the Panthers, will make Manning a member of the Bears. According to Article XIX, Section 3(d) of the old CBA, an offer sheet can be revoked only upon the written consent of the player. (This specific provision was not affected by the term sheet generated in connection with the "new" CBA; thus, the language of Article XIX, Section 3(d) likely controls.)
If ultimately convicted, Manning faces possible discipline under the league's Personal Conduct Policy. For persons merely charged with crimes, however, the league can only require a "clinical evaluation and, if appropriate, additional counseling or treatment as directed."
Despite reports that Carolina has until Friday to make up its mind as to whether to match the offer, we noticed in Article XIX, Section 3(b) of the CBA a requirement that the intent to match be communicated "within seven days from the date the Prior Club receives an Offer Sheet, but not later than four days before the Draft."
Under this language, it appears that the deadline for matching is noon on Tuesday, April 25.
We won't hold our breath.