My head is spinning thanks to your Houston Texans and this frantic free agency frenzy. It is hard to keep up with all of the rumors, but tonight's signings just add to it. Mere hours after adding cornerback Johnathan Joseph to the roster, Rick Smith was at it again by adding veteran safety Danieal Manning, per Mr. John McClain.
Unlike Joseph, Manning's contract is more modest at four years for $20 million with nine of that guaranteed. Like Joseph, Manning immediately upgrades the league's worst secondary.
Last year, it was the starting foursome of CB Glover Quin, free safety Eugene Wilson, strong safety Bernard Pollard, and rookie Kareem Jackson. Now? Quin slides to a much more natural free safety role alongside Manning to provide support Joseph and the sophomore Jackson.
As for Manning, his statistics appear to show a guy who can do a little bit of everything - cover, support the run, blitz when asked to. While he may not be a Pro Bowler, Manning should provide an upgrade over Pollard, who often got turned around in coverage and gave up the most touchdowns out of any member of the woeful 2010 secondary.
This is a banner day for the Texans front office who were often lauded for going after mediocre and middling players. Tonight, Houston has greatly improved their back four and sent a message that they are, without a doubt, attempting to field a winner. Apparently, all it took was a little fire lit under everyone's backsides and some accountability...imagine that.
Stay tuned to SB Nation Houston and Battle Red Blog for more free agent news as the Texans don't appear to be done yet. There's still the matter of All Pro fullback Vonta Leach and Steelers punter Daniel Sepulveda will be visiting the facilities this weekend.
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