Brandon Manumaleuna is the least efficient pass blocking TE
Note: My first fan post, please let me know how to improve them (Editor note: not bad for a rookie)
As you know, we signed Manu basically to add another guard-sized person to our anemic offensive line. Our fine friends at Pro Football Focus have been busy pounding out lists that are actually interesting (and as an added bonus, not completely made-up) during this football-free time, so lets see how Manu did (short answer: poorly).
Its good to remember why we are here in the first place. Martzfences reliably produce big sack totals due to the longer times the QB holds on to the ball and so extra consideration is given to pass blocking. In Manu's own words (as to his purpose in coming to chicago):"Seal the edge, protect the quarterback and be there when the quarterback throws the ball."
(source here.)
As far as protecting Jay is concerned, last year was an unmitigated disaster for all punctuated by his injury in our final game of the season. As far as where Manu stacks up (and those who think I'm typing Manu instead of his full name because I'm lazy and afraid of misspelling it are right):
From PFF, from 2008-2010 (so not just as a bear)
Manu
Rank 1 (from bottom, so worst)
Pass Blocking Snaps, 429
Pressures, 52
Pass Block Efficiency, 9.82 (source of rank)
Source article, as always a good read, can be found here.)
"Ouch" and "I went blind reading this" and "where's the Evan Williams" are all pretty reasonable ways to cope with these numbers. And in the spirit of adding insult to injury, he was paid $6 million last season to be a cosmically ineffective specialist. The pain goes down in that regard in the next few years:
Brandon Manumaleuna
2010
$2 million signing bonus
$1.055 million base salary
$3 million roster bonus
$50,000 workout bonus
Total: $6.105 million
2011
$1.495 million base salary
$1 million roster bonus
$100,000 workout bonus
Total: $2.595 million
2012
$1.95 million base salary
$100,000 workout bonus
Total: $2.05 million
2013
$2 million base salary
$100,000 workout bonus
Total: $2.1 million
2014
$2.05 million base salary
$100,000 workout bonus
Total: $2.15 million
Contract total: $15 million, five seasons
(source is here.)
For comparison, Greg Olsen is due to make 900k next year, and Kellen Davis (who, while not as big as Manu is very large) is set to rake in 550k. Lance Louis is getting paid a house in Northbrook ($395K) and has previously played as a tight end feared by buffets everywhere.
(source: the Internet :))
Full disclosure, after rewatching the season via the glory of bittorent, Manu looked, well bad. Bad bad. I know he had surgery but still managed to have terrible numbers over a span before that so if the 2 million he'll make can be extra cabbage to lure Nicks or Braylon, I'm sure Lance Louis can fall down and miss assignments (the rewatch proved this to be true) at a bargain rate. So what do you think Manu's future with the Bears will be? Is he really on the post-surgery upswing? Time will tell.
This FanPost was written by a Windy City Gridiron member, and does not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of its staff or community.
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Nicely done, rook!
And congrats on the front page bump!
Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron
by Steven Schweickert on Jun 16, 2011 7:57 PM CDT reply actions
He sucks.
I made him aware of his ranking by informing him on twitter and calling him out. Cut this money eating slouch.
by PolishSausage.Ditka.Bears. on Jun 16, 2011 8:11 PM CDT reply actions
Great first post.
Well done. Not as sarcasm laced as I normally enjoy but your just getting warmed up. I tend to take my sarcasm in large doses served with a side of cynicism. Just ask Steve or David. And as far as I’m concerned, why not cut him? What do we really have to lose?
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
Actually on a second read.
Great use of sarcasm. Keep it sharp and biting. Rec’ed.
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
PFF did point out that :
it may be a little unfair to look at Brandon Manumaleuna compared to other tight ends, because he was kept in an awful lot one on one. Indeed, you can attribute nine of the pressures he gave up to him being left matched up with a nightmarish trio in DeMarcus Ware, Ray Edwards, and Cliff Avril. The fact he gave up more pressure than any other tight end comes largely down to misuse, with the Bears treating him as an extra tackle when he quite clearly isn’t. Manumaleuna surrendered pressure on 12.37% of the pass plays he stayed in to block for.Don’t get me wrong, I thought he was a waste of money and roster space when Dez Clark was left off the gameday actives for most of the season, but I can’t help but wonder how much of this was emergency bandaid after how horrible our offensive line were in pass protection. He wasn’t used much as a pass-receiving threat… in which case, why not go for broke and stick an extra tackle in there for 6-man protection?
(I know, I know, we had difficulty finding enough decent linemen for the starting five, but…)
Cosmis: JESUS LORD IN HEAVEN DANIEAL MANNING JUST KILLED A MAN
well
the fact he stayed bad with 2/3 years not coming with the bears is telling. Sadly, they do not break down the years so we can see if 2010 is such a statistical abnormality as to skew the data. But my eyes told me something different than what was said when he came: He sucks. He can not stay over his feet, move side to side, or block on the next level. San Diego’s a coryell variant offense, and he played for Martz from 2001-5. There is simply no reason to be this bad. He’s been playing roughly the same scheme his entire career. He’s done.
by Sound_Automatic on Jun 17, 2011 1:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I was disappointed with him. The explanation for not activating Clark was that he was too much of a jack-of-all-trades and each of the others were better than him at their specific roles, but I think we’d be forgiven for wondering if salary may have played a part in it…
Cosmis: JESUS LORD IN HEAVEN DANIEAL MANNING JUST KILLED A MAN
I reread your reply
Truth is, I just don’t know enough on an assignment-to-assignment basis to have an intelligent opinion of just how much PFFs mitigating remark matters. Good time for a coach or former (or current, I guess) tight-end to chime in.
by Sound_Automatic on Jun 20, 2011 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Great Post
And to be honest I feel Manu’s days as a Bear are coming to a close with the emergance of both Olsen and Davis as well as the prospect of moving Lance Louis back to TE.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jun 16, 2011 10:48 PM CDT reply actions
I doubt they'll move Louis to TE
I haven’t seen anything about that from the Bears… but… I’d do it if I were running the show.
If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jun 16, 2011 11:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I would think they may give him a chance since he used to be a TE
I think he would be an excellent Manu replacement as he is larger and imo a far better blocker than Manu. So, why not?
And who knows perhaps thats plan B for the Bears coaches
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jun 17, 2011 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
I thought he'd be the blocking TE when he was drafted
The Bears needed one at that time
If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jun 17, 2011 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
And they still need one
If Lance Louis is not a factor as a Guard then its a no brainer that he should be switched back to TE.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jun 17, 2011 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
We don’t want to give him DMS, though.
Hmmm, wonder if he can play safety…
Cosmis: JESUS LORD IN HEAVEN DANIEAL MANNING JUST KILLED A MAN
Shhh...don't give them any bad ideas!!
You never know if Lovie Smith is reading our comments
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jun 17, 2011 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions
yay
well, html sucks, and linking photos is extremely clunky on sbnation. I was fearful that there was a lot of support for Manu … I hope fan skepticism (and statistician reasoning) gets to the McKaskeys. Cheers!
by Sound_Automatic on Jun 17, 2011 12:32 AM CDT reply actions
He was bad
and my personal opinion is the way we keep Louis on the roster while still developing other linemen is by making him this years “3rd-4th” TE and using him as an “extra lineman”.
"just as Gary Fencik will go down as the last person to catch a Joe Namath pass, Wootton will be remembered in NFL history as the last player to sack Brett Favre." - John "Moon" Mullin
Whats worse
is how he stole tick from Dez Clark. Hard to forgive with such poor play.
1-3 on last year’s big FA signings.
Chester can redeem himself, I don’t see Manu making any difference.
by Fast Willie Gault on Jun 17, 2011 9:06 AM CDT reply actions
This seems like a good spot for this....

When the world slips you a Jeffrey, stroke a furry wall.
- Aldous Snow
by Ditkavsworld on Jun 17, 2011 9:11 AM CDT reply actions 4 recs
This, shall be green
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jun 17, 2011 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Outstanding first FanPost... Kudos.
A few months back, Moon Mullin pointed out that a blocking TE is only going to be as good as the OL he is supporting. If the OTs are constantly needing help, or pulling Guards, etc, then the TE will be limited in one-one-one isolations with his own man. Manu was constantly having to chip his own guy, then slide into an assist. Not having a RB in many sets to help on Manu’s chipped defender… and well, that’s your snowball sack effect.
That's why I'm optimistic
that Manu will bounce back with a better o-line play
If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jun 17, 2011 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
The issue I have with that statement is at times where it was a one on one
Manu still got beat, hell Charles Woodson blasted him at Green Bay and as talented as he is he is also a freakin’ CB! There is no way a 6-1 290+ pound TE should be beat that easily head on by a CB.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jun 17, 2011 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions
yep he sucks
'Don't believe in you who believe in me and don't believe in me who believes in you, but believe in you who believe in yourself'
Hell yeah he sucks, hope he’s gone next year, the latest. He can take his master with him to!
by transylvanian bear on Jun 17, 2011 3:18 PM CDT reply actions
So I assume you like someone other then Martz specifically?
Because changing offenses is not something to take lightly.
To further dig yourself in a hole who would you want running our offense that also happens to know a scheme like Martz's?
Simple answer: nobody as there is not one coach in the league that knows Martz’s offense inside and out. I’m pretty sure not even any of the other coaches on our staff knows half of Martz’s extreamly complex offense.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jun 18, 2011 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions
So, after one year where
Cutler decreased his int numbers and Johnny Knox almost had 1,000 yards receiving, you want to drop Martz and start a whole new system that would take another 2-3 years to learn completely?
BALLS! Terrible idea.
Go home.
I'll roll up
by suckmyditka on Jun 18, 2011 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
How about Matt Forte having arguably the best season of his young career?
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jun 18, 2011 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Exactly
So many people so quick to throw Martz under the bus… Martz has said it himself that it takes at least 3 full seasons to fully understand his offense
I'll roll up
by suckmyditka on Jun 18, 2011 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Its funny how much things have changed since the NFCCG.
I can remember there being a pretty good amount of people ready to storm Halas hall and not leave until the had Mike Martzs’ head.
by IndyBearsFan88 on Jun 19, 2011 4:15 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Everyone is obsessed with the immediate miracle associated with Martz turning grocery bagger Kurt Warner into HOF QB Kurt Warner
Problem is the Ram’s Offense as a whole already knew that style of offense and Martz simply improved on it to feature more of his player’s talents, which resulted in a Super Bowl victory.
Last year was just year 1 in a style of offense Jay Cutler and company had never played in before, and yet we already saw immediate improvements from the majority of players on offense. Jay Cutler dropped his int total by 10, recorded his highest passer rating for a season in his career, matched his best TD/Int ratio of his career, saw an immediate improvement in his accuracy and to top this off this is just Jay Cutler. Matt Forte has perhaps his best season in his young career as already stated, Johnny Knox had his best season of his career, Earl Bennett really began to shine and Greg Olsen became a more complete TE. I cant wait to see how much better they will be this season in year 2 of the Martzfence!
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jun 19, 2011 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Based on your strenuous research and PFF's analysis
The verdict is certainly in on how awfully horrible Manu is as any kind of blocker. The Bears will most undoubtedly keep him.
cosmically ineffective specialist
"Our ideas held no water but we used them like a dam" - Modest Mouse
CUT EM!!
he flourished under martz and i was excited at first and then they sign him and hes on injured reserve?
that was a martz blunder plain and simple get some free agents on the o line and cut the fool too much invested with little show dumb move!!
In other breaking news
Mike Ditka is the most efficient pass blocking TE
Bill Swerski: Alright, alright! Now, let me shift gears here for a moment. What is God's role in this? Obviously, he's rooting for Da Bears.
Pat Arnold: Otherwise, he wouldn't have put 'em in Chicago.
And in other Breaking News
Mike Ditka is…..Mike Ditka
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jun 23, 2011 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions
DAA COACH
And as one who hates correcting the Superfans…
Mike Ditka is
the most efficient pass blocking TEall that is man.
Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron
by Steven Schweickert on Jun 23, 2011 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions

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