NAPA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders signed cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. on Saturday and released tight end John Paul Foschi.

The move comes two days after Oakland’s backup cornerbacks struggled in the exhibition opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
Manning has 14 interceptions in six seasons in the NFL with Carolina, Chicago and St. Louis. Manning has never played on a team that plays as much man-to-man coverage as Oakland does, but he believes that makes it an easier situation to join in the middle of training camp.
“It makes it easier to learn the playbook, I’ll tell you that,” he said. “You got a lot more man coverage, just cover your man. Getting the language is going to take a little time, but not too long, but that’s fine, I’m a gravity player, I like to get in there and bump and press and be physical.”
Manning has a lot of experience playing in the slot, a place the Raiders have struggled at in recent years. Stanford Routt is currently the nickel back, but has had problems playing the slot against inside receivers.
“I’ve been playing predominantly nickel over the past couple of years, so I do like playing in there,” Manning said. “It’s a little rough in there, but like I said, I like it.”
Manning went to the Super Bowl with Carolina following the 2003 season and Chicago following the 2006 season. He is best remembered for intercepting three passes from Donovan McNabb in the 2003 NFC championship game against Philadelphia. He has five total postseason interceptions.
“He’s a proven guy,” coach Tom Cable said. “He’s here obviously to give us more juice and to compete as well.”
Manning played in only five games last season with St. Louis before being placed on injured reserve with a broken ankle. He had not signed with a team since then and was happy to be back playing football.
“I felt cool,” he said. “I got in a couple plays. It wasn’t too difficult. I’m running around, getting some contact in there. I’d say in a couple days, I’ll get a little bit more comfortable with the defense. I made a mistake or two today. That’s good for me because that means it won’t happen again. I’m excited about it.”
Also, backup quarterback Jeff Garcia missed practice to attend to a personal issue. Garcia has been sidelined with a calf injury since Aug. 2 and Cable says he’s concerned about all the time he has missed.