Manning touts merits of special teams role

That four-year, 20 million contract Danieal Manning signed with the Texans last month didn't dissuade his voluntary contributions on special teams, nor has it altered his philosophy on valuing versatility. For fans of a franchise woefully inept on special teams last season, these facts should inspire instantaneous glee. As for rookies that view special teams assignments as a necessary evil to earn a roster spot, listen to Manning, 29, tout the merits of this undervalued third phase of football. "Young guys around the NFL don't understand how important it is to get on a special teams unit and dominate," Manning said. "If you can do that you'll improve your team tremendously. "Some teams invest in a lot of guys to play a specific part on defense and they don't want them (injured on special teams). Injuries happen, but you can prevent them from getting injured on special teams (as well). Special teams are a tough part of the game, but at the same time you want guys to go out there and contribute to it because it's definitely going to help your team and improve your team's winning percentage." For the Texans, where additions in the secondary (Manning at safety and cornerback Johnathan Joseph) and continuity on offense have fans salivating at the thought of an actual postseason appearance, the need to improve significantly on special teams can't be overstated enough. The Texans finished 26th in punting (42.1 yards per punt) last season, so veteran punter Matt Turk was jettisoned and veteran Brad Maynard signed, although undrafted rookie Brett Hartmann is issuing a legitimate challenge for the starting job. The Texans were 27th in kick return yards (19.8 per return), but Manning, who averaged 24.7 yards on 33 kickoff returns with the Bears last season, should help immensely. The Texans ranked 29th in punt return yards (6.7 yards per return) in 2010, but incumbent Jacoby Jones is confident that a turnaround is in the offing. "Whatever they need me to do I'll do," said Jones, who averaged 7.0 yards per punt return and 21.5 yards on kickoff returns. "I'm not counting on how many returns I will have. Like I tell people, when I'm returning punts it's like playing It' you've got to catch me if you can." Jones' confidence extends to those teammates charged with opening return lanes, a process hampered by the deluge of injuries the Texans suffered last season. Texans special teams coordinator Joe Marciano is renowned for his meticulous attention to detail and unique ability to squeeze the utmost out of his available talent, but those skills were undermined when key contributors from his special teams unit were called to duty in replacing starters lost to injury as the season unfolded. Those maladies resulted in a cataclysmic domino effect. With the return game unable to provide exceptional field position, the Texans' prolific offense was forced to cover the length of the field in pursuit of points far too frequently. With the coverage unit gutted, the Texans surrendered yards to the opposition and put an already feeble defense in harm's way. "A lot of Joe's problems were some of his top players became starters through injury," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "When some of your key special teams players all of a sudden go to starter roles it lessened some of their special team roles. He had a little bit of a war of attrition type of deal going on, but I expect us to be good. We've got the athletes (and) our team now is being built to three or four rosters. There's more athletes to go around for Joe." Said Jones: "I don't want to make any excuses. I won't say (that the Texans performed) poorly (on special teams), but we left some plays on the field. That's one thing we're going to make up for." Manning should help in that regard, not only because he is reputed as a return specialist but also because he is willing to provide aid where required. Though he was signed to reinforce the Texans' porous secondary, Manning doesn't view his second job as ancillary. As desperately as the Texans need for Manning to work in coordination with Joseph, Glover Quin and Kareem Jackson, they'll need for him to provide some punch for a return game that was abysmal a year ago. After all, when the Pro Football Writers named Manning first team All-NFL in 2008, he earned that accolade returning kicks on special teams. "As much as the coaches want me to come back there and play, I feel like I want to," Manning said. "I definitely want to go back there and return kicks and contribute to the special teams as much as I can, whether that's kick returning, running down on kickoffs, being a hold-up guy on punt returns or being a gunner on punts. Whatever I can contribute I'm about winning, getting us to the Super Bowl, and winning one."