“Did God Want You To Bobble So Many Balls?”

February 28th, 2012

Giants Super Bowl hero wide receiver Mario Manningham, a guy lots of Bucs fans want in pewter and red this season, was grilled this morning on sports radio in New York by WFAN hosts Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton.

Manningham had to answer to rumors of him coming to Tampa to follow Mike Sullivan.

Don’t buy it, Manningham says,”That just words. You know how the media do it, man.” 

And Manningham talked about how God will decide his 2012 fate and send him to the right team. In typical New York fashion, Manningham was then asked if God wants to get paid and “Did God want you to bobble so many balls?” referring to a common knock on the free-agent-to-be receiver.

Here’s the whole interview below:

45 Responses to ““Did God Want You To Bobble So Many Balls?””

  1. Fear The Glow Says:

    I don’t get why people want him here so bad. He’s not a bad player or anything but he isn’t all that great either. Whats the big deal?

  2. Jarret Says:

    Joe, i dont know what crazy people you talk to that want manningham. He’s gonna be overpaid this offseason because of one game. Why should the bucs chase him when theres so many other consistant WR out there. Plus, do we really want a guy who says “god will decide where I play next season”? How about the bucs grab a receiver he speaks logically and works his butt off for the team.

  3. J 2.0 Says:

    From the 4 – letter network’s Pat Yasinskas in discussing the top 20 guards in the NFL:

    Now, here’s the big surprise. Tampa Bay’s Jeremy Zuttah is on the list at No. 13. There weren’t many bright spots for the Bucs in 2011, but Zuttah’s play was one. Like Nicks, Zuttah also is a potential free agent. The Bucs are well aware that Zuttah played well last season and they want to keep him. They’re also aware that he’s versatile and also can play center. His value to the Bucs is only helped by the fact that he played in college at Rutgers under new Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano.

  4. Matthew Says:

    I normally don’t like trading 1st round picks, but after reading this & seeing this guy play/dominate while only being 25yrs old “if” Pitt lets him become a RFA I’d love the Buc’s to take him. Drafting a player with the 5th pick you hope he becomes as good as Mike Wallace, being able to trade for a proven guy takes the “prospect” & guess work out of a draft pick. This kid is a deep threat stud bonafide #1 WR, I hope we at least consider it if he becomes available.

    Free Agent Preview: Mike Wallace

    http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/18362/free-agent-preview-mike-wallace

  5. J 2.0 Says:

    Matthew watch out with that kind of talk. I know from experience,a nd a lot of people don’t take kindly to common sense.

    With that said I have been screaming Mike Wallace from the rooftops, but it is not likely the Glazers will give up their 5th pick for it. Plus, if Claiborne is there at #5 you have to take him. All I’ll say is I’ll be happy either way.

  6. Garv Says:

    Joe, I don’t know a single Buccaneer fan who can read and write, or even who cannot, that thinks signing Manningham is a good idea.
    Doesn’t have good hands or great speed and will be expensive.

    I don’t get it at all and believe few if any DO get it.

  7. Matthew Says:

    J 2.0 I like Claiborne too & would be fine if we draft him. However, if we did take Wallace using our 5th pick, & add a FA CB, then go draft another young CB in the 2nd or 3rd based on value available. I think that would be a phenomenal haul. I really like Blackmon too, but after reviewing Wallace, Blackmon’s prospects are that he “hopefully” becomes a Wallace like WR. When in doubt I take the proven commodity for the same price of the unproven. Claiborne/Blackmon or giving it up for Wallace are all scenarios I’d be cool with. The only way I won’t be happy is if we opt for Richardson at the 5th pick.

  8. J 2.0 Says:

    Matthew, you are preaching to the choir. I went through this already and got 120 comments on about how I am wrong in wanting to give up #5 for Mike Wallace. You can read the thread in the article “Expect Big Changes” from over a week ago. I don’t know if that is the exact name of the article but it has the comments where I laid out how I thought Wallace is the 4th best WR in the league and a once in a generational type of WR that takes a perfect storm for him to even become available. Anyways I’ll be happy with Claiborne or Richardson, but I would be exstatic with Wallace.

  9. tonytwocents Says:

    I don’t know why, but I can just see the Glazers signing this guy trying to convince the fans that we got just one of the best FA WRs out there.

    They have a history of signing 2nd rate backups, and telling us they’re starter material. Sneaky Bastards.

    But I’ll stay cautiously optimistic about this FA. The Glazers know that alot of eyes will be on them, and they know they need to gain the fans trust back.

  10. J 2.0 Says:

    @ Matthew
    If you want to waste 2 hours of your day you can read the transcripts.

    https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=62269#comments

  11. Mr. Patrick Says:

    Bucs have enough slow #3 recievers with questionable hands. Need a #1 that can stretch the field and make D-cords have to game plan against him. That also really helps open up the power running game.

  12. Northend Says:

    Why give ups 1 for wallace?? V Jax should be available at same money with no pick,or we trade a 3 for desean jackson. Our current corp aint bad they just need to be coached up and given descent plays.Gant, and webber returning should add to the talent we have and we can pick up a hill or wright in the draft.I hope we don’t give up the farm for wallace.

  13. Garv Says:

    Well, I would not give up our 1 pick for Wallace. think our need at CB trumps the need at WO athough FA could change that in a heartbeat.
    The fact is, NONE of us know how the draft will pan out for us and cannot even speculate without knowing hos FA goes for us.

    But as of today, I’m keeping that 1 pick for sure.

  14. bucthis Says:

    clairborne ran a 4.5 not elite like a Sanders,Peterson, Woodson etc. What is elite is his arm length over 33 inch. Only way I take Clairborn is a burning 40 like under 4.35 otherwise Richardson is the guy

  15. Matthew Says:

    Garv I agree if we didn’t add any CBs in FA then obviously Claiborne is the pick for sure. If we do get a prime CB in FA & we can add another one later in the 2nd or 3rd round I’m finding giving up our 1st rounder for Wallace. An to the guys asking why not just go get Vincent Jackson or DeSean Jackson (arguements could be made for them but here’s why I defer to Wallace being by far the top choice) Wallace (25) is younger then VJax (29) and doesn’t have the injury history of Vincent Jackson or Desean Jackson, while outperforming both of them. He also has no discipline or effort issues like Desean.

  16. Pete Dutcher Says:

    Jarret Says: February 28th, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    …do we really want a guy who says “god will decide where I play next season”? How about the bucs grab a receiver he speaks logically and works his butt off for the team.
    ____________________________________________
    You know, last I knew, the United States Constitution gave us freedom of religious faith and federal laws prevent descriminationin the work place because of race, sex, handicap OR RELIGION.

    Such an attitude misnomer better than racism.

    There is NOTHING wrong having faith that God provides opportunities and favor. It is not a sign of weakness or laziness. If anything, people of faith are required to work harder so that their faith is not seen in a negative light.

    No wonder the guy wants out of New York.

    And frankly, a bit of God would go a long way in Tampa…a city you probably don’t know was originally referred to as “The bay of the Spirit”.

  17. Pete Dutcher Says:

    And auto correct hacked up my comment again, lol.

  18. K2theSoldier Says:

    @ Joe and others who believe in this myth that Manningham has bad hands, in 2010 Manningham had one of the highest catch %’s in the entire league. He doesn’t drop passes often at all. Stop it.

  19. Jonny 3.3 Says:

    Manningham aint that good, but we could do much better than Parker at slot.

  20. Joe Says:

    K2:

    @ Joe and others who believe in this myth that Manningham has bad hands, in 2010 Manningham had one of the highest catch %’s in the entire league.

    Ah, so that is why he lost his No. 2 spot to Victor Cruz!

  21. K2theSoldier Says:

    Oh yeah Joe, that bum Victor Cruz stole Manningham’s job. How embarrassing!
    He lost his No. 2 spot to Victor Cruz because Victor Cruz is an all-pro elite wide receiver -__- Weak argument, you can do better!

    Men lie, women lie, bloggers lie, but numbers don’t my friend.

    http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/05/23/drop-percentage/

  22. Tommy Boy Says:

    Joe he lost his spot to Cruz because he got hurt and by the time he was
    able to play gain at 100% Cruz was on fire. Cruz was arguably the best WR on the team. There is no way the team could justify giving Manningham the spot back once Cruz lit up. I hate when people make statements without knowing if what they are saying is true. Furthermore, Cruz and Nicks had more dropped passes than Manningham. Manningham wasnt even in the top 20 for receivers with dropped passes.

    I’m not thrilled about Manningham possibly coming to the Bucs but I can at least see where he is going to be an asset. Let’s not tear him up just yet. He still is technically a Giant and only the media is reporting he is coming to the Bucs.

  23. stevek Says:

    Joe,

    C’mon man! He lost his spot to Victor Cruz bc he is not as good as him, duh!

  24. K2theSoldier Says:

    Thank you Tommy Boy.

  25. BamBamBuc Says:

    Why do we need any new WR? VJ, DJ, Manningham, Wallace??? We got a new coaching staff, all is good. We’ve had the talent all along, we don’t need to bring these guys in….

    (sarcasm)

  26. J 2.0 Says:

    Well BamBam, I actually do think we have talent. Benn isn’t slow. And Williams can produce. The only FA that makes sense for me is Wallace. Otherwise draft the kid from GT.

  27. jLM Says:

    Footballscoop.com

    Tampa Bay: We have learned that the Bucs have hired Princeton’s running backs coach Andy Aurich. He will likely serve as offensive quality control depending on the final hire for the Bucs. 

  28. Drew Says:

    Wow! Now we’re discussing God and religious beliefs. Let me set everyone straight. God does not selectively bless some and not others. Everything in Life is about Free Will choice decisions we each make every day and God does NOT get involved. Is God involved in the atrocities committed against humanity everyday. The answer is NO he is NOT. Please put God into the right perspective and believe in a higher being, but state God personally leads me down the path in life. Believe in the principles taught and become a better person.

  29. eric Says:

    God obviously has a sense of humor.

    Why else would he have invented the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

    But even God had to draw the line on that reverse play to Benn!

  30. Drew Says:

    Eric, that’s funny.

  31. Pete Dutcher Says:

    @Drew
    Do you even read the Bible? Throughout it, God blessed certain individuals and certain nations at different times. He told David that he would be king…he chose the least of many brothers to make a king.

    There are cases throughout the Bible. Many cases.

    Your insistence that acknowledging God’s hand in ones life is some form of laziness or refusal to accept responsibility for ones actions is born of a lack of knowledge. Maybe you have you own reasons for rejecting such things, but don’t claim others don’t have the right to live their faith. That’s out of line.

  32. Pete Dutcher Says:

    On topic, Mario Manningham may ormay not be a good idea. If he comes at a good. Price and has to compete to start, sign him.

  33. Drew Says:

    So Pete, provide some modern evidence where this has been the case.

  34. Drew Says:

    And Pete… I do believe in God and that he provided me with Free Will to make choices in my life. The choices I make are made from the teachings of right and wrong.

  35. Matthew Says:

    I don’t believe & if you do that’s your business. However, “if” this mythical being did exist I’d be terrified to know he’s picking & choosing something as meaningless as sports to be involved with, the thought of that is just ridiculous.

    On that note back to football…MIKE WALLACE make it happen Dominik!

  36. Pete Dutcher Says:

    @Drew
    I have experienced it…but it won’t matter to you either way clearly. And this isn’t the place regardless.

    Back to football. Just saw this on Rotoworld regarding Vincent Jackson:

    The franchise tag is prohibitive, however, as Jackson would collect 120 percent ($13.7 million) of his $11.4 million 2011 salary. GM A.J. Smith will make a competitive offer, but there will be at least one desperate team with the cash flow to overpay. The Rams, Bucs, Redskins and Vikings should be among Jackson’s most ardent suitors.

    Prediction: Buccaneers on a five-year, $56 million contract.
    ________________________________________

    http://rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/39954/59/the-2012-wide-receiver-market

  37. Pete Dutcher Says:

    @Matt
    Its not the sport being addressed, but leading the player to the best opportunities in his life.

  38. Matthew Says:

    @Pete DutcherThere is no being leading someone anywhere, you make the choices & can rationalize it however you like but at the end of the day it’s a persons free will decisions that he makes that determine his life. If “this being” is leading you, you don’t have free will so you might as well just give up since your just a robot vessel. I reiterate I hope “it” if existed isn’t wasting his time on whether Vincent Jackson chooses SD or TB, or Manningham stays in NY or goes to TB to catch tiny leather skinned balls for money while war, disease, & pedophiles occur on this Earth. If so, he’s a horrible & scary being. We’ll just have to agree to disagree on religion.

    Mike Wallace! C’mon Dominik. Vincent Jackson would be a nice consolation prize though if we don’t pursue Wallace.

  39. Cmurda Says:

    I would like to make some non-religious requests. V Jax – Yes, if not tagged. M Wallace for the #5 overall and a boatload of cash – No. MO Claiborne and his 33 inch reach- Yup. Trent – If Mo’s gone.

  40. J 2.0 Says:

    I believe in the separation of church and sports. I would like to see Vincent Jackson in pewter and red more than Manningham.

  41. Patrick Says:

    Vincent Jackson is the best option for us out of the free agent wide receivers I think. Wallace will not be let go and I’m not sure if I want to give up a 1st for him when we can get V. Jackson, who’s just as good, and keep our 1st round pick.

    Bowe will not be let go. I think the same goes for DeSean Jackson as well.

    Stevie Johnson would be a decent signing. So would Pierre Garcon. But I think Vincent Jackson is probably better than both of them. I don’t think he’ll be back in San Diego.

  42. J 2.0 Says:

    Let’s not say ridiculous things like Vincent Jackson is just as good as Wallace. But it does appear Pittsburgh is going to try their best to keep him and Vincent Jackson is still very good. Wallace is better though.

  43. Matthew Says:

    Thank you J 2.0 for being one of the few people on here who don’t live in the Madden/SportsCenter bubble & realize how great Mike Wallace is. I’m not saying Vincent Jackson wouldn’t be a great pick up but people are crazy if they think these two guys are the same talent wise. Wallace is 4 years younger, no injury issues like VJAX has, and no issues of pouting/being a bad locker room guy which Vjax also has a history of. Oh and that other “minor” (sarcasm) difference, Mike Wallace has out played/ out performed VJAX the last 3 years!!

    Stevie Johnson or Vincent Jackson would be good, Mike Wallace would best. Pierre Garcon is straight garbage, who’s brittle, has a career soley because Peyton Manning makes everyone look like a HOF WR & I hope we avoid him at all costs.

  44. D-Rome Says:

    Those radio guys are a bunch of a$$hats.

  45. Kujolw Says:

    I think we should go with Ed Gant And coach him up to be our deep threat hes fast and is a strong player. I also think we should take claiborne or trade down to get more picks and take richardson in the mid round while gaining some picks in the second mabey third round if talib stays out of trouble and biggers and m. lews gets coached up a little better they will be good not great but if our front four play well they cb’s will be just fine