Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals: Film Room Session
Stay in the Pocket Johnny
Johnny Manziel’s play Thursday night was a mixed bag. He made some impressive throws and plays outside the pocket and also showed he was capable of operating inside the pocket. However, in the second half Manziel often dashed out of the pocket to early and tried to make a freelance play. Here is an example of Manziel on the third step in his drop, working from a relatively clean pocket. The Bengals only rush four and drop seven into coverage. Carlos Dunlap is bringing slight pressure off the right edge working against Mitchell Schwartz.
Source: NFL Game Pass
Carlos Dunlap is beating Mitchell Schwartz and pressuring Manziel. Schwartz does a good job of fighting back and giving Manziel the opportunity to step up in the pocket. The rest of the Browns offensive line is winning their battles. Manziel feels the rush from Dunlap and this is where Manziel needs to simply slide up in the pocket keeping his eyes downfield. Dunlap is the only Bengals rusher providing pressure.
Source: NFL Game Pass
Manziel attempts to slide up in the pocket to avoid the pressure by Dunlap, but instead of looking to throw he is trying to scramble. Manziel steps up to avoid the Dunlap rush but immediately drops his eye level and becomes a running back so to speak. Manziel cannot see any of his receivers and is trying to run and scramble out of the pocket. If Manziel slid up and to the left he has a clean pocket to work from.
However, Manziel dropped his eyes and panicked. He tries to scramble to the right where Carlos Dunlap is able to make the sack. If Manziel kept his eyes downfield he has a simple check-down to Isaiah Crowell in the left flat. His is a lack of pocket presence and awareness by Manziel.
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Manziel is most comfortable outside of the pocket, so even with slight pressure he will revert to what he knows best and that’s scrambling. The only way for Manziel to improve his pocket presence is continuing to play. Manziel has only made four starts and is extremely raw in terms of his pocket play. The more he plays the more comfortable he will be in the pocket.
Source: NFL Game Pass