Johnny Manziel: Time to name him the starter
Aug 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass during the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
A couple of weeks ago, I suggested that Johnny Manziel be named the Cleveland Browns starter for the regular season opener. Just like many posts I write on Dawg Pound Daily, I was met with opposition.
"“Lol this was a nice laugh to hold me over until the Patriots writers post their excuses.”– Trinity“Johnny Manziel should not be aloud to start a car.”– Derek Buttery“We can’t put in a QB who hasn’t earned the starting job without consequences.”– VMI1998"
Yet, I still stand by my words, and now I have more validity to back them up after two preseason games.
Last night, Manziel looked poised. The quick rhythm west coast offense seemed to suit him perfectly. The ball was coming out quick, and with accuracy. While, also showing off his ability to by time, and make plays outside the pocket.
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His overall numbers weren’t flashy – 10 for 18, 118 yards, and a touchdown – but let’s also keep a couple of things in mind. For one, the Browns offensive line was dreadful in pass protection, and maybe the reason Manziel was put in quick step drop-back situations.
The receivers were also having a tough night, many of whom will not be on the roster by the start of the season. When you put both those two things into perspective, you can take his final numbers with a grain of salt.
For the most part, his night reflective his 9 for 12 start. The last drive of the game is what really hurt him, but the way he led a 96-yard drive with a touchdown pass rainbowed into Shane Wynn’s hands, gives you a reason to be optimistic.
Let’s put aside the numbers for now.
So far, I’ve seen a player who is comfortable. He seems like he understands his role, and his objective. For most of his life playing football, he was always one of the superior athletes on the field, so his attention to detail was very limited.
His college football highlights looked like backyard football. Running around, making plays that simply didn’t translate in the NFL game. “Reading a defense” wasn’t necessary, and the main reason why only about one quarterback every year comes out of college and succeeds at the NFL level. If that at all.
Last season, everything looked like an improv with Johnny. Decisions made without any preparation.
We saw Manziel change plays at the line, and legitimately command a huddle last night. Personally watching the game, it looked like “his” team on the field. Which is something you see with legitimate starters in the NFL.
Again, I say this a lot, but I judge a lot on body language. I just see a different player, and more importantly, a different person.
I know some of you don’t believe in his skill to start, and I understand. I’m not sitting here saying Manziel is going to be a perennial Pro Bowler. We still have no idea how his arm strength and overall play will be when it gets cold and windy down by the lake. But, to say Josh McCown is unquestionably the starter over Manziel is ludicrous.
This isn’t the Brett Favre/Aaron Rodgers situation, where Favre was still one of the game’s ten best quarterbacks. McCown to me is maybe a hair better than Manziel, and I just don’t see why keeping the young quarterback on the bench makes sense.
We know who Josh McCown is at this point.
He’s mostly been a career backup, that carries a 76.1 career passer rating and almost as many touchdowns as interceptions entering his 13th season. I think that’s a pretty big sample size to judge what type of performer he is.
Remember when Bill Parcells said, “you’re what you record is?” Well, at this point in his career, McCown is what his numbers are. Why should you expect that to change? His best season with the Chicago Bears, featured an offense surrounded by Pro Bowlers. He has the opposite of that in Cleveland.
My call for Manziel to be the starter isn’t out of the “what do we have to lose” category. It’s because he’s changed, and we need to judge his performance in the regular season. His sample size is to small to give-up o him, so let’s see if his positive preseason play translates to the regular season.
I think he’s earned that much at this point.
What do you guys think? Is it time to name Johnny Manziel the starting quarterback?