Massimo Manca

Last updated
Massimo Manca
No. 9, 10
Position: Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1964-03-18) March 18, 1964 (age 60)
Sassari, Italy
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:211 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High school: Reno (NV)
College: Penn State
Undrafted: 1987
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Field goals made:1
Field goal attempts:2
Field goal %:50.0
Longest field goal:28
Player stats at PFR

Massimo Manca (born March 18, 1964) is an Italian-born former professional football kicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cincinnati Bengals. He also was a member of the Barcelona Dragons in the World League of American Football (WLAF). He played college football at Penn State University.

Contents

Early life

Manca was born in the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. His family moved to the United States when he was a ten year old in 1974, after his father who was a professor of English at the University of Sardinia, took a job at the University of Nevada, Reno to teach Italian as part of an exchange program. [1]

He returned to Italy after two years, where he attended the eighth and ninth grades. He returned to the United States and enrolled at Reno High School as a sophomore. He began playing American football as a junior. [2] He made field goals of 52, 47, and 46 yards as a senior. [3]

College career

Manca accepted a football scholarship from Penn State University, to play under head coach Joe Paterno, who also had an Italian heritage. As a true freshman in 1982, he replaced the injured starter Nick Gancitano in the season opener against the Temple University, making a 37-yard field goal attempt and all 4 of his extra point tries. [4] In the second game against the University of Maryland, he made all four of his field goals in a 39-31 victory. In the fourth game against the number 2 ranked University of Nebraska, he had a nightmare of a performance, missing three field goals and one extra point. Gancitano, regained his starting job, contributing to the 1982 National Championship season and eventually setting a career school record with 77.6 percent field-goal accuracy (38-of-49 field goals). Manca finished the season with 11 game appearances, 5-of-9 field goals made (55.6%) and 19-of-20 extra points made (95.0%).

In 1983, he was redshirted. As a sophomore in 1984, he was only used to handle the kickoffs. He made 2-of-2 extra points (100%) and missed his only field goal attempt.

As a junior in 1985, he was named the starter at kicker. He registered 21-of-26 field goals (80.8%) and 28-of-28 extra points (100%). Although the team's overall record was 11-1, seven of those contests were decided by seven points or less and Manca’s points were critical. He was 2-for-2 in a 20-18 victory against the University of Maryland, 2-for-3 in a 27-25 win over Temple University and 4-for-5 in a 19-17 win against the University of Alabama. He tied a school single-game record with 5 field goals in the tenth contest against the University of Notre Dame.

As a senior in 1986, he contributed to the 1986 National Championship, although his production was down, compiling 14-of-23 field goal attempts (60.9%) and 37-of-37 extra point attempts (100%). His 206 career points, ranked second all-time in school history and also set the school record of career points for a kicker. [5]

Professional career

Manca was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals after the 1987 NFL draft on May 4. [6] He was waived on August 31. [7]

After the NFLPA strike was declared on the third week of the 1987 season, those contests were canceled (reducing the 16 game season to 15) and the NFL decided that the games would be played with replacement players. In September, he was re-signed to be a part of the Bengals replacement team. He appeared in 3 games, making 1-of-2 field goals (50.0%) and 3-of-3 extra point attempts. He was released after the strike ended in October.

On February 11, 1988, he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent. [8] He was cut on August 28.

In February 1989, Manca signed with the Dallas Cowboys, after a try-out at a free agent kicking combine in Reno, Nevada. He would become a part of Cowboys lore during a March mini-camp, when he was required to run a series of sixteen 110-yard sprints with the rest of the team, but needed to rest after the eighth run. Then new head coach Jimmy Johnson confronted Manca, who mentioned he suffered from asthma, although the accounts vary of the exchanged that followed, it was later reported in the media that an angry Johnson replied "Asthma, my ass. The asthma field is over there", while pointing to the parking lot at the Cowboys Valley Ranch complex. [9] [10] He was released on August 12. [11]

In February 1991, Manca was selected by the Barcelona Dragons in the inaugural WLAF Draft. [12] He made 14-of-22 field goals (63.6%) and 18-of-21 extra points (85.7%). He was released on February 28, 1992. [13]

Personal life

His brother Maurizio was a kicker at the University of Virginia. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shayne Graham</span> American football player and coach (born 1977)

Michael Shayne Graham is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies. He made his professional debut in May 2000 with the Richmond Speed of the Arena Football League's now-defunct developmental league, AF2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Gramatica</span> Argentine-born gridiron football player (born 1975)

Martin Gramatica is an Argentine-born former American football kicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Indianapolis Colts, the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats where he won the Lou Groza Award and was recognized twice as an All-American. He was selected by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Stover</span> American football player (born 1968)

John Matthew Stover is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker for 20 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Baltimore Ravens. After five seasons for the Cleveland Browns, he was among the Browns players transferred to the newly created Ravens franchise in 1996, with whom he played 13 seasons. Additionally, Stover was a member of the New York Giants during his first season and Indianapolis Colts during his last. His most successful season was in 2000 when he earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors en route to the Ravens winning their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXV. He was also part of the Giants team that won Super Bowl XXV. For his accomplishments with the Ravens, Stover was named to the Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Nugent</span> American football player (born 1982)

Michael Nugent is an American former football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he won the Lou Groza Award in 2004, and was twice recognized as a consensus All-American. He was selected by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft, and also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Arizona Cardinals, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Dallas Cowboys, the Chicago Bears, the Oakland Raiders, and the New England Patriots during his 16-year career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robbie Gould</span> American football player (born 1982)

Robert Paul Gould III is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker for 18 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Gould was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played with the Bears from 2005 to 2015, earning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2006, and became the franchise's all-time leading scorer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Rayner</span> American football player (born 1982)

Dave Rayner is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He played college football at Michigan State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaun Suisham</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1981)

Shaun Christopher Suisham is a Canadian-born former American football placekicker who played in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He was signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Bowling Green.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mason Crosby</span> American football player (born 1984)

Mason Walker Crosby is an American professional football placekicker who is a free agent. He played college football at Colorado, and earned unanimous All-American honors. The Green Bay Packers selected him in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Cincinnati Bengals season</span> NFL team season

The 2006 Cincinnati Bengals season was the franchise's 37th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 39th overall, and the fourth under head coach Marvin Lewis. It began with the team trying to improve on their 11–5 record in 2005, defending their AFC North Division Championship title, and progress further through the playoffs than they made in the 2005 season having lost to Pittsburgh in the 1st round after losing star quarterback Carson Palmer to injury on the second play of the game. However, the team failed to improve on their 11–5 record to finish at 8–8 and missing the playoffs just the year after they made it to the playoffs.

Christopher Donald Boniol is an American football coach and former placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears. He won Super Bowl XXX with the Cowboys over the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1996, he tied the NFL record for most field goals in a game with seven. He played college football at Louisiana Tech University.

Timothy R. Seder is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and Jacksonville Jaguars. He played college football at Ashland University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dale Livingston</span> American football player (1945–2009)

Dale Roger Livingston was an American football kicker and punter who became the starting kicker/punter on the Cincinnati Bengals first-team in 1968.

Richard Anthony Cunningham is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. He played college football for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Bailey (American football)</span> American football player (born 1988)

Dan Bailey is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). Bailey grew up in the Oklahoma City area and played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Following the 2011 NFL draft, Bailey signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. He spent seven years in Dallas, where he became the franchise's all-time leader in field goals made. He played for the Minnesota Vikings from 2018 to 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Bullock</span> American football player (born 1989)

Randy Bullock is an American football placekicker who is a free agent. He played college football at Texas A&M, and was recognized as the nation's best college football kicker and a consensus All-American. He was selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL draft, after winning college football's Lou Groza Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Zuerlein</span> American football player (born 1987)

Gregory ZuerleinZUR-lyne; is an American professional football placekicker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, he played college football at Nebraska-Omaha and Missouri Western. He previously played for the St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Tucker</span> American football player (born 1989)

Justin Paul Tucker is an American professional football placekicker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Regarded as one of the greatest placekickers of all time, Tucker is the most accurate kicker in NFL history at 90.2 percent and holds the NFL record for longest field goal at 66 yards. He has also been named to seven Pro Bowls and five first-team All-Pros, and was a member of the Ravens team that won Super Bowl XLVII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brett Maher (gridiron football)</span> American football player (born 1989)

Brett Maher is an American professional football placekicker who is a free agent. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Since turning professional in 2013, Maher has been a member of nine different National Football League (NFL) teams, and three Canadian Football League (CFL) teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Boswell</span> American football player (born 1991)

Christopher Lynn Boswell is an American professional football placekicker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Rice and was signed by the Houston Texans in 2014 as an undrafted free agent and has also spent time with the New York Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tristan Vizcaino</span> American football player (born 1996)

Tristan Vizcaino is an American football placekicker who is a free agent. He signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2019 following his college football career at Washington. He has also been a member of the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers.

References

  1. ↑ "Penn St. Kicker Beies Name". Chicago Tribune. November 12, 1985. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Manca boosts Lions". Daily Collegian. October 14, 1985. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Reno kicker takes aim at state record". Reno Gazette-Journal. October 6, 1981. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  4. ↑ "The Young and the Old?". Daily Collegian. September 10, 1982. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  5. ↑ "All-PennState_1980-89". Nittanyanthology.com. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Manca picks Cincinnati". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. May 5, 1987. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Transactions". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 1, 1987. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Transactions". Detroit Free Press. February 12, 1988. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Jimmy Johnson: More great quotes, candid comments, feuding with Jerry, trying times and Survivor". The Dallas Morning News. Jul 1, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  10. ↑ "'Molly' And Top-10 Cowboys Camp Folly". 247 Sports. August 12, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Johnson will only say Aikman, Walsh to get equal time". The Times. August 13, 1989. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  12. ↑ "WLAF Draft". The Morning Call. February 19, 1991. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Transactions". The Republic. February 29, 1992. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Maurizio Manca College Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.