Houston Texans defensive back Danieal Manning said Tuesday he'll try to fight back emotions as he walks through the Soldier Field tunnel as a visiting player on Sunday night.
Manning spent his first five NFL seasons in Chicago and enjoyed quite a bit of success, including making it to Super Bowl XLI as a rookie. But Manning signed with the Texans before last season after rejecting what he felt was a low Bears offer.
"To be honest guys, I can't even imagine what's going to happen," Manning said on "The Carmen, Jurko & Harry Show" on ESPN 1000. "I know right now, as this week started to approach, I'm trying my best not to make it too personal. I'm trying to stay focused. I try not to play it like we have to out-play their defense, and stuff like that, just make sure I'm doing what I need to do to put us in a winning position."
Manning has been impressed with the Bears defense, which leads the NFL with 28 takeaways. Seven of those have been interceptions returned for touchdowns.
"They're having a great year right now," Manning said. "That's one of the first things Lovie (Smith) was telling me when he drafted me. 'We're playmakers over here. We like to score on defense and we like to put a lot of pressure on the offense. This is a hard town. This town has been built on defense, and this is where we want to keep it.'"
Manning has a Pick-6 of his own this season.
Manning, who stays in touch with Lance Briggs, Tim Jennings and other former Bears teammates, also is impressed with the Bears' offense.
"Jay (Cutler) and Brandon (Marshall) have been together and are familiar with one another," he said. "They know the ins and outs of how they play. Then you have a running back in (Matt) Forte, who is doing great.
"They're clicking on all cylinders."