On the second full weekend of free agency, the Broncos didn’t rest. Saturday night, the team capped a hectic week in the free-agent signing period by signing safety Marquand Manuel. Manuel hit the market as an unrestricted free agent after spending the 2007 season with the Carolina Panthers, for whom he started two games. The Panthers were his third team in as many seasons; he was in Green Bay in 2006 and with the Seattle Seahawks a season earlier for their run to Super Bowl XL.
Manuel got $4.5 million over three years with $500,000 guaranteed. The total package could swell by another $1.5 million based on playing time incentives.
Manuel, 28, has played 91 games in six NFL seasons with Cincinnati, Seattle, Green Bay and Carolina. His best season came in 2006 with 81 tackles for the Packers.
The durable seven-year veteran hasn’t missed a game in the last three years, including one of which he spent as a full-season starter for the Green Bay Packers in 2006, with whom he established career highs in tackles (81) and solo stops (62) while scoring the only touchdown of his career on a 29-yard interception return.
Manuel had a solid season for the Seahawks in 2005, starting 11 regular-season games and all three postseason contests, including Super Bowl XL. He also played 2004 for the Seahawks after beginning his career with a two-season stint in Cincinnati.
