Let’s start with a simple question; Mr. Goodell, are you ready for some Johnny Football? As a matter of fact, let’s address that to the entire 32 teams; coaches, staff and players alike. Also, when Johnny Manziel enters the National Football League, will his new team be ready for the attention, the constant media craze and possible drama?
There’s no denying that when Manziel is officially a professional football player, that some members and teams as a whole will hold their breath in fearful anticipation. He is a 21-year-old ball of fire that does as he pleases on the field and has caused quite a stir since he was accused of receiving money for multiple autographs last year, which resulted in a half-game suspension and, let’s be honest, one epic taunting penalty versus Rice that was well worth watching. His arrogance and immaturity has always been a red flag for many people, often making them think he is unworthy of any attention that would continue to fill his ego.
Then I thought a bit of research might prove essential, as far as getting a real look into how Manziel got to this point and why Texas A&M games are filled with raw emotion and well thought out touchdown celebrations. Choosing to ignore the hateful opinions of others, SportsCenter, Twitter and Johnny Football haters of America, I asked a few people who do actually like him what their reasoning is and how they even begin to justify some of the things he does on the field.
The answers I received put any excuse I had for disliking him to shame, and have forever changed my opinion of the kid from Kerrville, Texas; the quarterback no one wanted to deal with and thought would never make it through a college football career due to his size, let alone win a Heisman Trophy as a freshman. One fan said, “He wears his emotions on his shoulder, wins at all costs and isn’t afraid to take a chance.”
Tell me, who wouldn’t want to watch someone like that play as a professional, mixed in with all of the other great personalities we hold so dear every wintery Sunday?
Now getting to a logical standpoint, you must ask yourself, where would he fit in best? First, when deciding this, it’s important to think about who actually needs a quarterback and who would utilize his talents best, instead of letting them waste away, like we’ve unfortunately seen happen too often in the last few years. With a few teams in dire need of their early first round draft picks, it’s safe to say there are a few teams where he would fit in well. Now, the need of a quarterback alone and an easy starting spot won’t help Manziel’s quest in the NFL a cake walk. With his size (6’, 210lbs), he’ll need a solid offensive line to protect him, as pocket-passing efficiency is something that the NFL will find desirable as well as something he has been improving in the last year. A strong offensive line will help him not only improve his passing efficiency, but allow him to target his receivers as far down the field as he pleases.
There are some that might bring up his ability to scramble and get out of sticky situations when an O line fails; however, we all know too well how that turns out and how devastating it can be to an entire team when a quarterback can’t stay put…all I need are two names: Michael Vick and Robert Griffin III. I won’t say it’s not fun to watch, it’s absolutely thrilling to see a quarterback gain his own yardage and send a defense into fury because they’re unable to stop the “passer” from scoring. The downside to that is one of them was just benched halfway through the 2013 season due his coach being so afraid he would get injured again that he wouldn’t even play him (ahem, Shanahan and Griffin), and the other only made it through two games because of a nagging hamstring injury, also due to running around too much.
A desirable quarterback is one that will trust his receivers, his offensive line and keep his coach happy by staying safe and inside the pocket. That also sounded like a completely boring quarterback, but it’s all about making sure you’re going to be around for the rest of the season and beyond, safe and sound.
With all of that being said, Manziel will need a team that will guide him and show him the ways of being a successful NFL player, because all too many people are expecting him to be another flop (I’m sure you all have a couple in mind without saying so). It’s guaranteed that whomever chooses him as their next quarterback will also bring along the media, attention, drama and propaganda that is “Johnny Football,” although how they handle it and whether or not he decides to mature and grow as a player is a different story.
When I first began making notes and writing things I wanted to point out in this article, I was all about how he will certainly fail in the NFL, how he’s too young, not ready and will just be some hot head out on the field; and he still might. But the more I researched and the more I learned, the less I wanted him to. Now, all I feel for him is worry. Worry that he’ll get hurt and the all too assumed fate of this fantastic player will become the truth. My hope is that those who doubt him will realize his potential and that he too, will figure out that all of the college antics must come to an end once he puts on the “big boy” jersey.
Although I wouldn’t expect him to stay tame all of the time, Johnny Football will always have something up his sleeve…or better yet, an autograph to sign.
