Vince

Manuwai

Manuwai was a third-round pick at No. 72 overall by the Jaguars in the 2003 draft and played all eight of his pro seasons in Jacksonville, starting 105 games. A power-blocking left guard, Manuwai is arguably the best player to ever come out of the University of Hawaii. He collapsed while moving his family into an apartment. Manuwai is survived by six children. Thoughts to his family.

Manuwai, 32, spent all of last season out of football after reporting to camp overweight and injured. New Atlanta OC Dirk Koetter knows him well from Jacksonville. Manuwai was a mauling run blocker in his prime, going 6-foot-2 and 333 pounds. If healthy, in shape, and focused, he could be a bargain signing for a Falcons team that badly needs an upgrade at right guard.

Coach Jack Del Rio said during today’s press conference that he’ll be re-evaluated on Wednesday.

If Manuwai can’t play, veteran Mike Compton likely would replace him on the left side. Troy Edwards (punts) and LaBrandon Toefield (kickoffs) probably would step in for Lewis.

Cut by the Jaguars last summer after reporting to camp overweight and injured, Manuwai sat out for all of 2011, but has started 105 games since 2003. He’ll be competing with holdovers Garrett Reynolds and Joe Hawley, and draft pick Peter Konz. Manuwai’s familiarity with coach Dirk Koetter should give him a leg up.

Manuwai must have been in exceptionally poor shape, as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution deemed him a “strong darkhorse” for the Falcons’ starting right guard job in June. Cut by the Jaguars after reporting to camp overweight and injured in 2011, Manuwai spent the year out of football. Now 32, getting cut at this stage of the game suggests Manuwai doesn’t have any football left.

A career guard, Nwaneri is working to get more comfortable at the center spot. The Jaguars will give him every chance to beat out veteran incumbent Brad Meester, while moving Vince Manuwai to right guard and Kynan Forney to left guard. The shuffle is an effort to improve the Jags’ run-blocking.

Jack Del Rio conceded that Manuwai didn’t meet expectations last season, when he was coming off a torn ACL. Manuwai, though, stayed highly effective as a run blocker, and it’s not surprising that he struggled in pass pro (five sacks allowed) on a reconstructed knee. He’s healthy this year, and a strong bet to start at right guard. Brad Meester should be more fearful.