Cleveland Browns vs. San Francisco 49ers: Film room session

Manziel is hanging out in the pocket, looking comfortable 

In the fourth quarter the Browns were leading 17-3 and were faced with a key 3rd down and one. The Browns are in an empty formation with trips left. The design of the play is to go to the trips side using a short stick concept to pick up the short yardage needed for the first down.

Source: NFL Game Pass

The Browns play design is a quick underneath routes to pick up the first down. However, the 49ers zone coverage takes away all the short routes. Manziel scans from right to left and works his progressions. The 49ers only rush four and the Browns block against it well. Manziel has all day to throw and find an open receiver. Manziel can’t find any open receiver but doesn’t panic and hangs in the pocket with no pass rush for about seven seconds. This is a huge step in Manziel’s development and showing he is developing a pass first mentality.

Source: NFL Game Pass

After standing in the pocket for nearly seven seconds without finding a receiver, Manziel uses his legs and scrambles to pick up the first down in the short yardage situation. This play is a perfect example of how Manziel can hurt defenses. He stayed in the pocket as long as he could give his receivers chances to get open but after nothing was there Manziel used one of his biggest strengths to pick up the first down. The key here is Manziel is thinking pass from the pocket first then run and scramble second. This is what the Browns coaching staff loves to see from their young quarterback.

Source: NFL Game Pass