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Per Adam Schefter, the Atlanta Falcons have signed former Jaguars guard Vince Manuwai.
Many of you may remember Manuwai as the Jaguars offensive lineman who was a huge cornerstone of our top ranked rushing attack since 2003 when he was drafted. Through the 2007 season, Manuwai started all but one game for the Jaguars and was arguably the most successful player on the offensive line. With Manuwai as guard, the Jaguars offense rushed for 2,541 yards in 2006 and 2,391 in 07'. In 2008, however, he suffered ACL and MCL injuries during the first game and was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. He returned in 2009, and spent the season overcoming these injuries and other obstacles.
Alfie documented Manuwai's situation here:
It made matters worse at the start of the 2010 training camp when Manuwai showed up out of shape and with a back injury that kept him out of practice. He started the 2010 season as the back-up, but was reinserted into the lineup when Justin Smiley hurt his ankle.
During the 2011 training camp Manuwai once again showed up out of shape and overweight. This time, Manuwai cited an injury to the ball of his foot, which prevented him from running. He was then released from the club before the season began, which opened the door for Will Rackley to start as a rookie.
One would be wise to assume that Dirk Kottler, former offensive coordinator for the Jaguars had a bug in Atlanta head coach Mike Smith's ear about signing Manuwai to the Falcons, now that there are no remaining offensive coaching ties here in Jacksonville. Should be interesting to see if he shows up in shape and ready to play. The Falcons may have just gotten their power running game back for next to nothing.
We wish Manuwai the best this year either way (unless the Jags were to somehow happen to meet them in the Super Bowl...then I would need him to be injured for just that game, please and thank you). Lol.