NFL Playoffs: Final 8 QBs Versus Johnny Manziel
As we all take in the NFL Playoffs that we hope to sometime cheer on our own Cleveland Browns, it is hard not to compare teams to the Browns. It is what you do when someone has something you want, you figure out if you can get it.
The final 8 teams in the NFL Playoffs each seems to have their own identity, have a ton of talented players and have an identified star at the quarterback position. Some teams are built around their dynamic passing game, some their defense and others a great run game. Yet all have their quarterback.
When looking at the final 8 QB’s, and comparing them to Johnny Manziel, it stands to reason that the Browns have to wonder if they have the answer to their QB problems. Since Manziel has played so few games it is hard to compare these eight QBs success to that of Manziel.
Yet we can compare a few things about them that are non-arguable. Based on some of this information we wonder if Browns fans will have more or less concerns about Johnny Football as their future.
| Name | School | Conference | Years in School | Height | Weight |
| Russell Wilson | Wisconsin/ NC State | Big 10/ACC | 5 | 5’11 | 206 |
| Cam Newton | Auburn | SEC | 4 | 6’5″ | 245 |
| Joe Flacco | Delaware | FCS | 4 | 6’6″ | 245 |
| Tom Brady | Michigan | Big 10 | 4 | 6’4″ | 225 |
| Tony Romo | Eastern Illinois | FCS | 4 | 6’2″ | 230 |
| Aaron Rodgers | California | Pac-10 | 3 | 6’2″ | 225 |
| Andrew Luck | Stanford | Pac-12 | 4 | 6’4″ | 220 |
| Peyton Manning | Tennessee | SEC | 4 | 6’5″ | 230 |
| Johnny Manziel | Texas A&M | SEC | 3 | 6’0″ | 210 |
Things that stand out as interesting:
- Quarterbacks can come from all over the place including the SEC, Pac-10/12 and even the FCS.
- All but Aaron Rodgers and Johnny Manziel spent at least 4 years in college.
- Only Russell Wilson is listed smaller than Manziel.
- After Wilson, Rodgers and Romo are 2 inches taller and 15 to 20 pounds bigger than Johnny.
- Only Manziel is most known for his ability to run.
- Newton and Wilson are obvious run threats but have huge arms.
So while there are plenty of more important things that will, and have been, been analyzed about Manziel, his history and size presents some concerns. The closest comparison related to size is Wilson but combining size and college experience it may be Rodgers who is interesting to line up with Manziel.
Two tweets this morning about Rodgers given an important view of Rodgers coming out of college and the Rodgers that is dominating the NFL:
Aaron Rodgers is a player whose game & skills have changed so much since college that any pre-draft takes on him are essentially irrelevant.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) January 10, 2015
Rodgers overhauled mechanics & his arm became significantly stronger, which is pretty rare. Totally different guy than QB who played at Cal.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) January 10, 2015
So the Rodgers that started taking over the NFL after Brett Favre retired was a far different one then who came in his rookie year. He didn’t develop before starting in the NFL, he changed. He changed his delivery and how he played the game.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- Cleveland Browns critics continue to misplace their judgement
- 3 Cleveland Browns players who don’t deserve another season in 2023
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
This was the recommendation we had for Manziel prior to the season, even prior to the NFL Draft. He needed to be remade. The talent, the passion and the seeming desire was there but his mechanics and muscle memory needed changed. Just like you can’t change a car’s engine while driving it, you can’t change a QB’s mechanics while he is playing. It only works from repetitions in practice, over and over again.
That doesn’t mean that Manziel can’t be successful, this off-season is huge for his future with the Browns for sure, but his effort and work is vital. As a smaller QB, with less college experience, it seems he is behind the 8 ball and needs to work his way out of there.
Watching the Final 8 quarterbacks in the NFL Playoffs doesn’t give us a ton of hope that Johnny Manziel is the one to lead us to the same position. We hope he proves us wrong.
When you watch the NFL Playoffs and the QBs left, what do you think about Johnny Manziel and the Browns?
Connect with Dawg Pound Daily