FWIW Jaguars Beat Writer: Several mock drafts have the Jaguars taking Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel with the third overall pick. I’ve always seen that as remote and still do — the Jaguars want their offensive modus operandi to be a) a strong running game, b) play-action pass and c) a quarterback with a big arm to take shots downfield. The biggest factor in drafting Manziel, in addition to his height, would be his durability. Plus, are the Jaguars comfortable overhauling their scheme for Manziel? “I would guess you’re going to tweak it for any of the guys who play for you,” offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said. “We called it a little bit different for Chad [Henne] than we did for Blaine [Gabbert] but not substantially different. We would make a decision on what their best skills are and play to their strengths.” _________________________ <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Finished watching a cutup of Manziel's TD's/INT's (2013 season)….Inside the pocket-26 TD/11 INT. Outside the pocket-11 TD/2 INT</p>— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveTheSticks/statuses/440231982912397313">March 2, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>On 5 of Manziel's 13 INTs, the ball was touched by one of his receivers.</p>— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveTheSticks/statuses/440233002505736193">March 2, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/catmark">@catmark</a>: how many of the ones touched should've been caught? > can make a case 3 of the 5 should've been caught</p>— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveTheSticks/statuses/440234302358302720">March 2, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Manziel needs to continue to develop inside the pocket, but to say he doesn't have a lot of pocket production is 100 percent false.</p>— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveTheSticks/statuses/440234779691057152">March 2, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Not Manziel related: Spoiler <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Watched a cutup of Bortles TDs/INT's for 2013… Inside the pocket 18 TD//8 INT. Outside the pocket 7 TD/1 INT.</p>— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveTheSticks/statuses/440240676937007104">March 2, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Finished watching a cutup of Bridgewater's TD/INT for 2013. Inside the pocket 26 TD/4 INT. Outside the pocket 5 TD/0 INT.</p>— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveTheSticks/statuses/440253330288168960">March 2, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I'm a Manziel fan, but to be fair, if the guy wants to analyze ints that could have been catches, he should also analyze all the bad passes that could have been ints.
I didn't write that; that was what the writer actually wrote. I just pasted what he wrote. It's in the link
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/03/03/nfl-n-word-ban-monday-morning-quarterback/5/ The game is changing, which is why Johnny Manziel has a chance to win. Last week, former quarterbacks and current tape students Ron Jaworski and Phil Simms both came out as skeptics of Johnny Manziel. I liked it. If you’re an analyst and don’t voice your real opinion, what good are you? And there is much work to be done by the teams in the top eight that need a quarterback (Houston, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Oakland, Minnesota and maybe Tampa Bay). Last week, Manziel’s quarterback coach, George Whitfield, said they are focusing on Manziel’s throwing and decision-making from the pocket as they prepare for his pro-day workout on March 27. Manziel was such a wild stallion as a quarterback at Texas A&M, often leaving the pocket early instead of staying home. But it is folly to say he hasn’t played well at times in the pocket; some of his best plays—though maybe not always with good footwork—came with traffic around him, and Manziel finding the receiver he needed to find. But Whitfield knows you don’t want to neuter all of his instincts and you don’t want him exposed to the number of hits he faced in college either. The people I spoke with at the combine who have an interest in drafting a quarterback want to see Manziel play better when hemmed in, as he was against LSU last year. I find it interesting that Nick Saban didn’t emphasize keeping Manziel inside the tackle box (or if he did, it just didn’t work) the way LSU coach Les Miles did. Check out how Manziel did in his two meetings against LSU and Alabama. Saban, I would argue, is the biggest test for a quarterback in college football, given his track record on the pro and college levels. Code: Team W-L Comp-Att, Pct. Yards TD-Int Rushes Yards LSU 0-2 45-97, .464 500 1-5 29 119 Alabama 1-1 52-70, .743 717 7-2 32 190 “I understand he’s not for all 32 teams,” said Phil Savage, the color man on Alabama radio broadcasts, executive director of the Senior Bowl and former NFL GM with the Browns. “But he’s so instinctive, such a playmaker and such a smart football player that I think there have to be a few teams that think, We can shape our offense around him and use his skills for what he does best. We can win with him.” My guess, two-plus months out from the draft: Jacksonville, at number three, or Oakland, at five, make the most sense. If I’m Jags offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, who is one of the most imaginative young coaches in the game, I’d love to get my hands on Manziel.
From ESPN of course: Johnny Football is now property of Nike. Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner and potential first overall pick in May's NFL draft, informed the world's largest shoe and apparel brand that it had won the sweepstakes to outfit his feet and use him in marketing campaigns, Nike spokesman KeJuan Wilkins confirmed Thursday night. Financial terms were not disclosed, but sources told ESPN.com that it's a multiyear deal that will be the highest price paid for a rookie in this year's class. Manziel's team negotiating the deal included LeBron James' business manager, Maverick Carter, and Fenway Sports Group. Adidas, Under Armour and New Balance's Warrior brand all submitted bids for Manziel's marketing rights. Although his future prospects are far from certain, Manziel is the prize rookie of this year's class.
Well it's usually great players that get deals like this so there's not much to worry about. Except in this case I guess. Manziel has a lot to prove.
That's why you hire some professional to do it for you and all you have to do is sign on the dotted line.
Yeah, he had discusions with these companies on his days off. Not like he passed on his work outs for this. He has passed on other money making opportunities to work out. He seems pretty focused on being as prepared of the NFL as possible. Like someone said though, can't blame him for taking a deal now. Even if he flames out (which I don't think he will, has plenty of talent and the drive to be great) he has made some of his own money to fall back on.
Why there is no guarantee he will make it big. You got to take that guaranteed money. One bad knee injury and you are done. There are a plenty of talented guys who just don't make it. I had this whole BS about being a team first guy and all this crap teams put out. They won't hesitate to cut you when they feel you are slipping.
I get antsy on drafting Clowney thinking he's going to give all out effort for O'Brien when he didn't give it for Nick Saban. I also get antsy about a dude who shows up at the combine and says he hopes Atlanta trades for the #1 pick. But would you not have taking the money from Nike...???
Anyone who questions Manziel's work ethic or competitive spirit isn't misinformed. Still doesn't mean he can play. Or become a distraction (I doubt it). But he puts in the effort.
