The San Francisco 49ers reached an agreement on a two-year deal with former New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham, further upgrading their receiving corps. Agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed the signing on Saturday night.
Manningham had 39 receptions for 523 yards last season, following his 944 yards in 2010. With Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks on the roster, Manningham was relegated to the number 3 spot for the Giants.
In the two games against the San Francisco 49ers last season, including the NFC Championship Game, Manningham caught 7 balls for 94 yards and 2 TDs, so the 49ers got to see what he can do up close and personal. Manningham added 5 receptions for 73 years in the Super Bowl against the Patriots, including an amazing 38-yard catch on the final drive to help set up the game winner by the Giants.
With the addition of Manningham to recently signed Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree, and Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis, the 49ers passing game is starting to look very interesting next season, although there remains a big question mark around who is going to be throwing the ball. The 49ers are continuing to pursue free agent Peyton Manning, and as a result have not yet resigned Alex Smith, who is starting to talk with other teams. Assuming they have either Manning or Smith, the passing game will be a formidable addition to a team that was a couple of special teams plays short of the Super Bowl last season.
The greatest wide receiver of all time weighed in on the signing via Twitter, as former 49er Jerry Rice said, “Unbelievable off Season [Randy] Moss, [Carlos] Rogers, [Mario] Manningham and hopefully Peyton. If they sign him I’m going to lace up again!”
