I just watched every play for Manziel this year...

[NorthwestDallas40]

I was anti-Manziel from a pure talent perspective before watching, but came away very impressed. Now, I am making no judgment about his mental or emotional makeup, this is purely on-field ability. What I saw was NFL-caliber pocket awareness and accuracy, and a strong enough arm. He can find open receivers and put the ball where it needs to be. He really can make all of the NFL throws -- deep outs, deep posts, skinny posts, crossing routes, fades -- and do so accurately. He has an innate feel for the rush (much like Romo). But unlike Romo, he runs rather than buys time to throw. While this can be a huge positive in converting third downs with his legs and making splash plays, it is a recipe for injury and fumbling downfield. But I think "Russell Wilson style" running can be taught to him; run selectively and slide or go out of bounds before taking a big hit. And I think sliding and buying time in the pocket, rather than running, can be taught to him as well. What can't be taught, and what he has already, is eyes in the back of his head (i.e. pocket awareness). His biggest negative is ball security in the pocket and on risky throws. He fumbles too much and throws too many 50/50 balls. But this is a 2nd year player who has only started a handful of games. So, I think he will improve in these areas.

Before this exercise, I was firmly convinced that we HAD to take a QB at 4 in the draft. Now, I think that Manziel might offer as much PHYSICALLY as Goff or Lynch. Of course, mental makeup and leadership are a huge part of the QB equation. But if Dallas is TRULY where Manziel wants to be, maybe we might gamble on him maturing while sitting for next 2 years behind Romo. And take a blue chip talent at another position at #4. Again, i was firmly in the anti-Manziel camp, until I actually watched all his plays on the pro level...

 

[RS12]

He was 36th in Red Zone efficiency. That is 3 spots ahead of Weeden. A monkey can move the ball between the 20s. Give me somebody that can find the end zone.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

He was 36th in Red Zone efficiency. That is 3 spots ahead of Weeden. A monkey can move the ball between the 20s. Give me somebody that can find the end zone.

He played for the Browns... aside from Barnidge, he had very few red zone threats. Not defending him, but watch the tape. He was pretty good.

 

[coogrfan]

"His biggest negative" is that he has the emotional makeup of a 12 year old. Pass.

 

[AbeBeta]

He was 36th in Red Zone efficiency. That is 3 spots ahead of Weeden. A monkey can move the ball between the 20s. Give me somebody that can find the end zone.

I'm not pro Manziel but really, just a mindless analysis. You cannot statically compare guys with vastly different talent around them based in a tiny sample. Well actually, you can. But the conclusions are meaningless.

 

[RS12]

He played for the Browns... aside from Barnidge, he had very few red zone threats. Not defending him, but watch the tape. He was pretty good.

18-55 inside the red zone? That's horrible.

 

[JoeKing]

Thank you for taking the time to research JFB's playing time and reporting to us what you think about what you saw. I don't think the stink with him ever was his on field ability. You don't get the name "Johnny Football" if you can't play the game well. The knock on him has always been his off the field actions and attitude.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

"His biggest negative" is that he has the emotional makeup of a 12 year old. Pass.

For sure. But people do mature. Im not saying this particular one will, but if he does, he has physical talent to be a starting QB IMO.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Thank you for taking the time to research JFB's playing time and reporting to us what you think about what you saw. I don't think the stink with him ever was his on field ability. You don't get the name "Johnny Football" if you can't play the game well. The knock on him has always been his off the field actions and attitude.

Agreed. At some point, if the light ever goes on, someone will get a talented QB. But it may never go on.

 

[AKATheRake]

Can you imagine the possibility of having Manziel and RG3 competing behind Romo for the future?

What a freak show circus and this is probably the place it could happen.

It sounds like both those players have had their last days with their current teams and that we may have interest in either, maybe both.

 

[Bleu Star]

I was anti-Manziel from a pure talent perspective before watching, but came away very impressed. Now, I am making no judgment about his mental or emotional makeup, this is purely on-field ability. What I saw was NFL-caliber pocket awareness and accuracy, and a strong enough arm. He can find open receivers and put the ball where it needs to be. He really can make all of the NFL throws -- deep outs, deep posts, skinny posts, crossing routes, fades -- and do so accurately. He has an innate feel for the rush (much like Romo). But unlike Romo, he runs rather than buys time to throw. While this can be a huge positive in converting third downs with his legs and making splash plays, it is a recipe for injury and fumbling downfield. But I think "Russell Wilson style" running can be taught to him; run selectively and slide or go out of bounds before taking a big hit. And I think sliding and buying time in the pocket, rather than running, can be taught to him as well. What can't be taught, and what he has already, is eyes in the back of his head (i.e. pocket awareness). His biggest negative is ball security in the pocket and on risky throws. He fumbles too much and throws too many 50/50 balls. But this is a 2nd year player who has only started a handful of games. So, I think he will improve in these areas.

Before this exercise, I was firmly convinced that we HAD to take a QB at 4 in the draft. Now, I think that Manziel might offer as much PHYSICALLY as Goff or Lynch. Of course, mental makeup and leadership are a huge part of the QB equation. But if Dallas is TRULY where Manziel wants to be, maybe we might gamble on him maturing while sitting for next 2 years behind Romo. And take a blue chip talent at another position at #4. Again, i was firmly in the anti-Manziel camp, until I actually watched all his plays on the pro level...

On the field, no question he has all the tools and can be a star. Off the field, he has all the tools to become one of the biggest headaches to grace the final 53 in Cowboys history. I have to admit though... I am intrigued. But don't tell anyone else that. It'll be our little secret.

 

[Jstopper]

I want him and rg3 both in here competing with each other. Let the winner sit behind Romo for a couple years and get even better. Then get a lot of blue chip talent in the draft and sign a few FA for safety and 1 tech. Perfect off-season

 

[cowboyschmps3]

All those thing can be taught while he's behind Romo and watching him. Thanks for sharing.​

 

[cowboyschmps3]

I want him and rg3 both in here competing with each other. Let the winner sit behind Romo for a couple years and get even better. Then get a lot of blue chip talent in the draft and sign a few FA for safety and 1 tech. Perfect off-season

I'd say at least one of them.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

He is a good athlete but comparing him to Lynch?

Come on.

 

[Redball Express]

He was 36th in Red Zone efficiency. That is 3 spots ahead of Weeden. A monkey can move the ball between the 20s. Give me somebody that can find the end zone.

I dont think anybody has said he couldn't make the plays.

Its been more about investing in him vs. him being suspended potentially for drug abuse/alcohol and behavior considered not team oriented.

I think personally all of his issues are because he doesn't want to be in Cleveland. He's a Tecas guy and wants to be in Dallas.

I can understand that.

He has to be careful not to do something that will land him on the suspension list.

Otherwise..I think he's done all this on purpose.

Listen..

Eli Manning didn"t want to play anywhere else other than NY and he and his father made it clear that unless the Giants traded for him..

any other team would be wasting its time selecting him.

So this is nothing new.

Hope he lands hete.

And I hope it happens before April.

Getting him in here and learning as quick as possible would be very good.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

For the record, I think RGIII will never be a good QB. He is not accurate, has poor pocket presence (gets sacked a very high percentage of drop backs), and cannot read a defense. Do not want him in any capacity.

 

[RS12]

I dont think anybody has said he couldn't make the plays.

Its been more about investing in him vs. him being suspended potentially for drug abuse/alcohol and behavior considered not team oriented.

I think personally all of his issues are because he doesn't want to be in Cleveland. He's a Tecas guy and wants to be in Dallas.

I can understand that.

He has to be careful not to do something that will land him on the suspension list.

Otherwise..I think he's done all this on purpose.

Listen..

Eli Manning didn"t want to play anywhere else other than NY and he and his father made it clear that unless the Giants traded for him..

any other team would be wasting its time selecting him.

So this is nothing new.

Hope he lands hete.

And I hope it happens before April.

Getting him in here and learning as quick as possible would be very good.

So you are saying he is a 30% red zone passer to force his way out of Cleveland? Not sure I buy that theory.

 

[Hoofbite]

Just curious. Have there been any NFL players with baggage who have gone to another team and actually worked out? At least in the last 10 to 15 years? All sorts of stuff was given a free pass in the 90's so I would guess it's probably likely it happened back then. But more recently, have any of these guys panned out?

Talking real baggage here. Not on the order of, "he's just a disgruntled player", but real baggage. Real off-the-field issues that ended up being that player's 1 true mistake.

This is an honest question. It kind of seems like the league as a whole has a pretty high tolerance for extracurricular transgressions so the fact that a player could be cast aside without any concern at all kind of suggests that the individual just isn't capable of controlling himself.

I'm not even sure why people think Manziel is even aware that he has a problem. He honestly just doesn't seem to care.

 

[Hoofbite]

So you are saying he is a 30% red zone passer to force his way out of Cleveland? Not sure I buy that theory.

If he had the right mindset and was dedicated to the game I think he could be a solid player. Fact of the matter is, he's a flake and flakes are next to useless in this era of football. They require preferential treatment and they're always flirting with suspension.

Why even subject yourself to the scrutiny and possibility of wasting time, money, and effort on a guy who could become unavailable at a moments notice simply because of stupid decisions?