MMQB: 5 QB experts sound off on Manziel

[zoogs]

MMQB: 5 QB experts sound off on Manziel

Loved this article, even though as a rule, I don't like reading about Manziel -- he's overcovered. But this is a collection of analysis from five guys who know what they're talking about, headlined by Duke's David Cutliffe (the others are Mike Holmgren, Doug Flutie, Kevin Gilbride, and Rich Gannon).

And they run the gamut. Cutliffe is effusive in his praise. Some of the other guys are tearing into him. Two examples.

Cutcliffe: “This is why I think he can be a good pro quarterback. He has great vision of the field. Down here at the 10-yard line, see 32 of Alabama there? Johnny Manziel is aware of him or he throws an interception right here. Anytime you see backers running laterally, you know it’s man. Now you’re trying to throw it on time. See how he thinks he’s getting that guy clean? I’m telling you—seven out of 10 quarterbacks throw that. So he saw it. Bill Walsh said it best: When you’re scrambling, make first-and-10 decisions—which means conservative decisions. More games are lost than won in football, really. This is an opportunity to lose a game.”

Gilbride: "His mechanics are awful. It’s hard not to be influenced by the things you’ve heard, that the problem is lack of discipline. That manifests itself off the field and in the way he plays. Even just carrying out fakes—it’s just like, ‘Ah, screw it.’ Those guys don’t make it usually. But he’s athletic enough and talented enough that if he works, he can make it."

On a semi-related note, another SI article highlighting some under-the-radar later round prospects spotlighted Wyoming's Brett Smith as a guy with the same upside of Manziel, who could turn out to be even better -- but he's just less known.

How crazy is that? We've faced some good quarterbacks out of conference over the past few years, including Smith and possible first rounder Derek Carr, whose stock has rocketed in recent weeks. There's also UCLA's Brett Hundley, who is shaping up to be one of the top QB prospects in next year's draft. And Keith Price out of Washington, who maybe could land on an NFL roster as a free agent.

I tend to agree more with the guys who say he's going to struggle. Especially if he's drafted high, with the expectations that come with that and the kind of team he likely lands on, that won't be a great situation. And I get the impression that he isn't quite the total package -- it's mainly about his athleticism and his improvisation. Of the 1st round QBs, I like Carr's chances best, if he gets drafted in the late 20s. Really interested in seeing what Smith, Carr, and Bridgewater do in the league.

 

[tschu]

It's really interesting how many different opinions on Manziel we get even from all of the top scouts and supposed experts.

I've always been on the "he'll struggle in the NFL camp," but lately I'm not so sure. Guys with all talent and no discipline or traditional skill (think Brett Favre) have succeeded in the NFL. Guys like Michael Vick and Cam Newton and healthy RG3 have succeeded in the league using their legs and making off-the-wall plays. For me, I think taking a chance on Manziel is the way to go for a franchise like Jacksonville - they have nothing to lose, and there's a chance he could be an all-time great. (also a decent chance he's a bust, but hey, nobody would blame them for taking this shot.)

I still think the best prospect in the draft is Bortles. And Keith Price might be pretty underrated.

 

[mrandyk]

Save some money, sign Tebow.

 

[The Dude]

My wild prediction is that he'll end up like Griffin. He'll be hot sh#t (and wildly overrated) until the league figures out his tendencies and/or beats the crap out of him.

 

[StPaulHusker]

The problem with him is he is going to go to a terrible team and get the crap kicked out of him. So his chances of success are highly diminished. If he were to get drafted by a team who has a QB that could be on the way out in 3-4 years like Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre, he could probably do some good later on.

 

[HuskerShark]

My wild prediction is that he'll end up like Griffin. He'll be hot sh#t (and wildly overrated) until the league figures out his tendencies and/or beats the crap out of him.

Manziel really doesn't have tendencies. He's so multiple, he can literally do anything. He can throw the deep routes, intermediate routes, he can finesse the short throws. And he's a phenomenal athlete, in the same mold as Aaron Rodgers.

I'm of the opinion that Manziel will be a super star in the NFL, especially if he stays healthy. The league really hasn't seen someone like him since Steve Young, and Manziel is probably more elusive than he was.

The thing that makes me like Manziel a lot is his competitive nature. When he gets on the field he's a fierce competitor, kind of like Michael Jordan. I would really like Tebow a lot for the same reasons, but Tebow doesn't have the physical tools that Manziel does. JM can literally do anything, and as long as he has a coach who is smart enough to use him the right way (like how Seattle uses Russel Wilson) he will be an instant success.

 

[Ulty]

My wild prediction is that he'll end up like Griffin. He'll be hot sh#t (and wildly overrated) until the league figures out his tendencies and/or beats the crap out of him.

Manziel really doesn't have tendencies. He's so multiple, he can literally do anything. He can throw the deep routes, intermediate routes, he can finesse the short throws. And he's a phenomenal athlete, in the same mold as Aaron Rodgers.

I'm of the opinion that Manziel will be a super star in the NFL, especially if he stays healthy. The league really hasn't seen someone like him since Steve Young, and Manziel is probably more elusive than he was.

The thing that makes me like Manziel a lot is his competitive nature. When he gets on the field he's a fierce competitor, kind of like Michael Jordan. I would really like Tebow a lot for the same reasons, but Tebow doesn't have the physical tools that Manziel does. JM can literally do anything, and as long as he has a coach who is smart enough to use him the right way (like how Seattle uses Russel Wilson) he will be an instant success.

LOL at comparing Manziel to Aaron Rodgers, Steve Young, or Michael fking Jordan!

Manziel is too much of a wild card to say for sure, but he surely draws closer comparisons to guys like Tebow, RG3, Vince Young, Michael Vick. Guys who have had various degrees of success but were ultimately unsustainable for a meaningful career (RG3 still has a chance). Manziel (and RG3 too) are very entertaining to watch, and it would be good for the NFL for them to do well. But it's honestly hard to imagine.

The comparison to Russel Wilson is interesting, because of all of the athletic tools, which Manziel undoubtedly has. But Wilson has some things that Manziel doesn't: intelligence, humility, character, and leadership. It may just be my dislike of Manziel's personality that subconsciously wants him to fail, but these traits are important in a QB and a teammate. I tend to believe that feeds into Wilson's success, and it may be the difference between Manziel being a flash-in-the-pan talent versus being able to lead a team to championships.

If I had to bet, I'd say that in 10 years, we'll still be talking about Wilson as one of the top QBs in the league, and Manziel will already be gone and largely forgotten.

 

[HuskerShark]

My wild prediction is that he'll end up like Griffin. He'll be hot sh#t (and wildly overrated) until the league figures out his tendencies and/or beats the crap out of him.

Manziel really doesn't have tendencies. He's so multiple, he can literally do anything. He can throw the deep routes, intermediate routes, he can finesse the short throws. And he's a phenomenal athlete, in the same mold as Aaron Rodgers.

I'm of the opinion that Manziel will be a super star in the NFL, especially if he stays healthy. The league really hasn't seen someone like him since Steve Young, and Manziel is probably more elusive than he was.

The thing that makes me like Manziel a lot is his competitive nature. When he gets on the field he's a fierce competitor, kind of like Michael Jordan. I would really like Tebow a lot for the same reasons, but Tebow doesn't have the physical tools that Manziel does. JM can literally do anything, and as long as he has a coach who is smart enough to use him the right way (like how Seattle uses Russel Wilson) he will be an instant success.

LOL at comparing Manziel to Aaron Rodgers, Steve Young, or Michael fking Jordan!

Manziel is too much of a wild card to say for sure, but he surely draws closer comparisons to guys like Tebow, RG3, Vince Young, Michael Vick. Guys who have had various degrees of success but were ultimately unsustainable for a meaningful career (RG3 still has a chance). Manziel (and RG3 too) are very entertaining to watch, and it would be good for the NFL for them to do well. But it's honestly hard to imagine.

The comparison to Russel Wilson is interesting, because of all of the athletic tools, which Manziel undoubtedly has. But Wilson has some things that Manziel doesn't: intelligence, humility, character, and leadership. It may just be my dislike of Manziel's personality that subconsciously wants him to fail, but these traits are important in a QB and a teammate. I tend to believe that feeds into Wilson's success, and it may be the difference between Manziel being a flash-in-the-pan talent versus being able to lead a team to championships.

If I had to bet, I'd say that in 10 years, we'll still be talking about Wilson as one of the top QBs in the league, and Manziel will already be gone and largely forgotten.

I compare Manziel to Jordan purely off of mentality. You may have forgotten, but MJ wasn't the tamest competitor in the world. He was always up in the other guy's face taunting him. Manziel is much the same way.

 

[The Dude]

The comparison to Russel Wilson is interesting, because of all of the athletic tools, which Manziel undoubtedly has. But Wilson has some things that Manziel doesn't: intelligence, humility, character, and leadership.

And a better arm.