Here at Cat Scratch Reader we have counted down the final 100 days leading up to the Carolina Panthers season opener by for at least the past ten years. We’ve always done this by highlighting the current player on the roster whose jersey number matches the day on the countdown. This year, we decided to change that up a bit by counting down our own list of the Top 100 Panthers of all time. This does not correspond to jersey number, does not need to be somebody who wore a jersey, and will in no way be controversial.
#94. Ricky Manning Jr
The Carolina Panthers drafted Manning in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft, and boy did he make an impact early in his career. Despite only starting seven games his rookie year, he still notched three interceptions and a defensive touchdown in the regular season. What really etched Manning in the minds of Panthers fans, however, was that 2003 Super Bowl run. Manning nabbed FOUR interceptions and eight passes defended in those four magical games for the upstart Panthers. The most memorable game was definitely the 14-3 win over the heavily favored Philadelphia Eagles, where Manning dominated the Eagles receivers and grabbed three interceptions.
Unfortunately for Manning and the Panthers, that season seemed to be a bit of lightning in a bottle. After three seasons, the team put a RFA tender on Manning and declined to match when the Chicago Bears signed him to an offer sheet, netting the Panthers a third round pick instead. After a couple disappointing seasons in Chicago, he spent one year with the St Louis Rams before attempting and failing to make the Oakland Raiders roster in 2009. Had Manning played with the Panthers for longer, he would have undoubtedly been higher on this list. Regardless, he will live on in Panthers lore just based on that one incredible performance in the 2003 NFC Championship game.
