Warren Harding grad Manningham inks 2-year-deal with 49ers
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers (22) will no longer be chasing down New York Giants wide receiver and Warren Harding grad Mario Manningham (82). The two officially became teammates Thursday when Manningham inked a two-year deal with the Niners.
Warren Harding graduate Manningham inks a two-year-deal with the 49ers
Staff/wire report
San fraNCISCO
The San Francisco 49ers bolstered their receiving corps on Thursday by bringing back Ted Ginn Jr. on a one-year contract after finalizing a two-year deal with Mario Manningham.
Manningham agreed to the deal last Saturday but took a few days to complete all the details.
Ginn has been a star returner in his two seasons with the 49ers, averaging 23.6 yards per kick return and 12.7 yards per punt return with three total touchdowns. He also had 31 catches for 383 yards and a score.
Manningham helped eliminate San Francisco from the playoffs with a key touchdown catch in the fourth quarter of the New York Giants’ 20-17 overtime win in the NFC title game.
Manningham decided to sign with the San Francisco 49ers before he even knew if Peyton Manning or Alex Smith would be throwing him passes.
The Warren Harding High graduate was attracted by the punishing defense, the strong running game and a coaching staff he trusted.
Manningham agreed to the deal when the 49ers were in the thick of the race to sign Manning, the four-time NFL MVP and brother of his old quarterback with the New York Giants, two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning.
Peyton Manning ended up choosing to sign with Denver and the Niners brought back Alex Smith.
“I wanted to go there and I knew that Peyton Manning was going to go somewhere. I thought he was coming to the 49ers but he didn’t,” Manningham said. “He went to Denver. Good luck to him with that. I wish the best for him. We got Alex Smith and I know he’s a great player.
“I knew [playing with Manning] was a possibility but I wasn’t picking them because of that. I know Peyton Manning is a great quarterback and everything but if you don’t have a good defense ... offense can be potent but there’s really no point.”
The 49ers defense was one of the best last season and played a big part in the team’s 13-3 record and trip to the NFC title game that ended with a 20-17 overtime loss to Manningham and the New York Giants.
The 49ers are owned by John and Denise DeBartolo York of Canfield. Their son, Jed, is the Niners’ chief executive officer.
A month ago at a Warren Harding High basketball game where he was presented an award from the city, Manningham said he was “75 percent sure” he was leaving the Super Bowl champions.
San Francisco has now made moves to improve the offense, especially at wide receiver, where Manningham and fellow newcomer Randy Moss will join Michael Crabtree in a unit that should help Smith develop even more as a potent passer. Crabtree was the only 49ers wideout to catch more than 20 passes last season.
“I feel like I can come there and make an impact and be a great addition to this offense,” Manningham said.
Manningham has 160 catches for 2,315 yards and 18 touchdowns in his four-year career after being drafted out of Michigan in the third round in 2008. He was limited to 12 games last year because of injuries.
His over-the-shoulder 38-yard catch between two defenders, on which he managed to stay inbounds and hold onto the ball despite being hit, started the game-winning, 88-yard touchdown drive for the Giants.But despite that, New York showed little interest in keeping Manningham, who ultimately picked San Francisco over St. Louis.
“That’s the business part about this system, about football. I would have wanted to come back to the team that I started with. I won a Super Bowl with those guys,” he said. “This is my new team now.”