Kid’s gonna be a star.
George Whitfield said this guy’s heart is as big as a Toyota, and I believe him. Easily one of the most psycho competitors I’ve seen in my short time watching football. I don’t think a guy with that big of a flame in his heart to win is just going to rest on his laurels. I mean, if you take his pro-day into consideration, even some of his harshest critics like Ron Jaworksi were pretty much in agreement when they said they saw vast improvements in his mechanics, velocity, etc. “George Whitfield has done a terrific job of coaching him up. I did not see those flaws in mechanics [at his pro day]. I saw him stand on his back foot, driving the football. Throwing the football with velocity and accuracy.” I’d also think most people would agree that even after he won the Heisman his freshman season he came back an even better player for his sophomore campaign. So, I personally don’t share Zimmer’s concerns about this guy’s desire to improve his skills.
I also don’t think he has to dramatically change his play style, either. He just needs to learn to get his eight yards and get down or out of bounds. Russell Wilson ran for over five-hundred yards last year while taking very little punishment, and it’s because he is absolutely deft at avoiding contact and living to fight another day. You could certainly question his instincts about protecting himself when the bullets start flying, but I think the kid’s smart enough that I’d take my chances. Mike Tomlin uses a phrase I really like which is “I’d rather say woah than sic’ em”, so I think most coaches would be willing to work with him on that. Also, like Wilson, he has huge hands and size fifteen shoes; which in and of itself means nothing, but it does go to show he’s not your typical six-footer.
I also think he gets a raw deal on his pure throwing ability. Mayock attended his pro-day in person and said without question he has the quickest release and most velocity out of any Quarterback in this draft. Also said he’s a better natural thrower than both Wilson and Kaepernick. "I think he's a better thrower than either (Colin) Kaepernick or Russell Wilson were when they came out (of college)," Mayock said. "This was the most different evaluation I've ever done. At the end of it, you just trust your gut."
Personally, I don’t know what games you’re watching if you would take Bortles or Bridgewater over this kid. Sometimes I think these NFL types out-smart themselves. I’ll take Johnny Swag every single time over a dude who shrinks under the Pro-Day pressure of having all those scouts and GMs watching your every throw. Even worse than that, though, were Bridgewater’s lame excuses afterwards. I mean, if you want to blame your gloves then whatever, but don’t come back a few days later and say Kentucky’s cold weather affected you because you’ve been throwing in Florida. You were INSIDE A DOME, Teddy. No one wants to hear that, especially not a team in a cold weather city.
I'm not a Manziel hater - he's an amazing college QB, but the issue is if that transfers to the next level. Frankly I don't think it will. He will be overdrafted and be a first rounder, but frankly I don't think he's better than third round in this super-draft, and probably on projection should be lower than that.
As for his mechanics: he has different release points for whatever distance he's throwing, and his deeper balls just die at the end - you may think these are minor things but they will be ruthlessly exposed at the next level. His footwork isn't great but it has definitely got better, the other issues I just don't think are correctable. He just doesn't have a cannon for an arm and has compensated via poor technique.
His competitive streak: yes he's definitely competitive - but that doesn't mean he will make it in the NFL - there are plenty more college players who are probably much more competitive who will never even make a practice squad in the NFL, just because they don't have the talent.
His play style: I don't really know what to say about this - if you don't think he has to dramatically change his play style you just aren't seeing the same things I see about his play. His play needs a very dramatic overhaul or his stay in the NFL will be an extremely short one, for the fact alone he will face significant injury issues, let alone anything else (ie his progressions etc).
People keep on mentioning Wilson and Brees in relation to Manziel but they are the exception that proves the rule - if you are a bigger QB you have a greater chance to succeed, that's one reason why Bortles is on top of most QB draft boards for this draft. Bortles talents (size, arm strength etc) just project better to the next level, add to the fact he's been playing in an NFL style offence the last two years - he's basically just a much safer bet than Manziel. Yes Manziel is the better college player, but that doesn't mean Johnny Football will be the better NFL player. As for Bridgewater - he's definitely a better prospect than Manziel, would not be surprised if Manziel goes earlier in the draft however.
Anyway, its an interesting argument, end of the day we aren't really going to know who will be better for at least another 4 years or so - however I will point out the obvious fact there have been a number of stunning college QBs whose talents didn't transfer to the NFL. The list of NFL QB busts is littered with Heisman Trophy winners and National Championship winners - frankly in my view Manziel will be yet another bust and as I've said on here once before, I pity the team that overdrafts him in the first round, or even the second for that matter.