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Donte Whitner on Johnny Manziel after loss to Chiefs: 'We have a starting QB for next year'

Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland.com By Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland.com


KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- While Johnny Manziel was at the podium beating himself up for the 17-13 loss to the Chiefs, teammates such as Donte Whitner were down the hall in the locker room christening him the Browns quarterback of the future.

Of course, the Browns -- who will likely have one of the top two picks in the draft -- might have something to say about that, but Manziel continues to win over his teammates and opponents trying to chase him down.

"I think we have a starting quarterback for next year,'' said veteran safety Donte Whitner. "Anyone who's seen the things he's done the last couple of weeks can see we have starting quarterback and he's only going to get better with a little more time, a little more work.''
Whitner said the players are excited watching Manziel zip around the field making plays. He rushed for a team-high 108 yards on 11 carries against a defense that was seventh against the run heading in. It was the most rushing yards by a quarterback in team history, with the previous high being 80 by Frank Ryan in 1962. It was also part of a season-high 232-yard effort, the third-most rushing yards since 1999.

Granted, the Chiefs were without their two best pass-rushers in Justin Houston and Tamba Hali, but it didn't take the edge off for Manziel's teammates.

"He's making plays with his legs,'' said Whitner. "That's a defense's worst nightmare because he can break the pocket and make you miss and get his yards with his legs and throw the ball down field.''

Related: Johnny Manziel beats himself up after 17-13 loss to Chiefs

Whitner has watched Manziel improve each week -- against the Steeler, 49ers, Seahawks and Chiefs -- despite the fact he has only one victory during that stretch, over the 49ers.

"He's showing his leadership capabilities,'' said Whitner. "He's doing things with his legs. I think you can honestly make a comparison to him and guys like Russell Wilson and Alex Smith (six rushes, 54 yards) -– guys who can hurt you with their legs, hurt you with their arms. He's picking up the game more and more. We're excited about what he's doing.''

Normally, Manziel throws well on the run, but his passing game was off in Kansas City. He was playing with a bad cold and sounded horrible after the game, but never let on that he was sick.

He completed only 41% of his attempts -- 13-of-32 for 136 yards with no touchdowns and one pick for a 40.6 rating. In the decisive second half, he completed only eight of 21 attempts, including 5-of-18 in the in the fourth quarter and 3-of-9 on the final drive with the Browns needing a touchdown to win and no timeouts remaining.

But on a day the Browns were thin at receiver, Manziel strapped the game onto his legs and scrambled, slid and dipped his way to only the second 100-yard rushing performance by a Brown this season. Terrelle Pryor was a healthy scratch, former Chief Dwayne Bowe had one pass thrown his way for an incompletion and Marlon Moore left the game with a concussion.

"If it weren't for (Manziel), we would not have been in the position we were in today,'' said receiver Travis Benjamin (two catches, 20 yards). "He made plays and kept his eyes down field. Sometimes, when he scrambled, he looked like the old Johnny where he would get the first down and keep us in the game."

Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford, who started in place of second-leading sacker Tamba Hali, recognized that old Johnny Football from his days at Auburn, when he played against Manziel's Aggies.

The Browns, who promised again to 'cut it loose,' even called some runs for Manziel, who opened the second half with a 34-yard blast that led to Isaiah Crowell's 10-yard touchdown run. He also had a 23-yard gain in the first half that led to a field goal.

"He's scary to play against,'' said Ford. "He's able to extend plays and any quarterback who can do that to a defense kind of frustrates any pass rusher and frustrates any secondary 'cause you have to plaster your coverage."

The Browns kept Kansas City -- who won their ninth straight game to improve to 10-5 and clinch a playoff spot after 1-5 start -- off balance with some new wrinkles, including the read option.

"They did a good job of doing some new things to us and putting him in position to make those types of plays,'' Ford said.

Did he remind him of the Johnny Football he used to know?

"Yes,'' said Ford. "That's what he does. That's what he brings to the table. He rushes the ball. He did a good job."

And can he see him being successful in the NFL?

"Yes, he can really create some matchups problems, especially any defense that's used to seeing just the dropback pass type of quarterbacks,'' he said.

Manziel even earned praise from tight end Gary Barnidge, despite the fact he threw behind Barnidge at least three times and was picked off on one pass intended for him. Barnidge only corralled three of his eight targets for 47 yards.

"It makes it so tough on the defense because you never know what's going to happen,'' he said. "He's able to extend plays 5, 6, 7 seconds when they are done in four. That makes it tough. It helping our running game b/c it forces the defense too keep an eye on another person in the running game. As soon as they commit too much, the passing game becomes open.''

And while Manziel -- who had three chances in the fourth quarter to win the game -- blamed himself for botching the end when time ran out on him and he couldn't run a final play, Barnidge took the onus off the young signal caller.

"It's tough we ran out of time,'' said Barnidge. "He was doing a good job. He was hustling up the plays. You could see the leadership in him. He got everyone going, got the plays called. I don't think we wasted any time.''

Crowell, who rushed for 88 yards on 16 carries, cited Manziel's leadership in the huddle.

"I felt like Johnny was in control,'' he said. "We made some good plays and we made a couple of bad plays. We made a bad play at the wrong time and I feel like that cost us the game."

Coach Mike Pettine felt Manziel took a "step forward'' against another good defense and feels the Browns have something to build on. Defensive end Desmond Bryant agrees.

"Absolutely,'' he said. "Johnny has been progressing more and more. He's getting more comfortable back there every game. I saw a lot of great things out of him today. If he can continue to do that, we're going to great places."

But will Manziel be around to take them there?

linky

I know it sound petty, but the Helmet slam was amazing. That is the kid I saw at Texas A&M. That passionate leadership.


The problem is, can he stay on his rehab or will he go back to the same ol Johnny. A new Regime would be taking a giant leap of faith.

Like I said in the gameday thread, the team looks like it's playing for Johnny. Probably the first time many of them have tried all season.

As I've said, I think we will regret letting him go if we do.

I think he also saves Pettine's job.

Haslam isn't going to hire another coach for fear that coach will want to replace him.

It's great that he ran the ball well and all but you have a QB so you can throw it. He has yet to show he can consistently throw the ball accurately and well. To me he is just a smaller and weaker Tebow atm. He can't seem to find benji very much either. All I know is that he sure is not putting up very many points since he took over.

Give him the keys... #2016

I didn't know Manziel was sick, that explains alot. His eyes looked glazed over at times and he was gassed at the end of those drives in the 4th, I've never seen him look tired on the field.

Bench a party JFF

Play a sick J. Manziel

3 games closer to our SB goal, 2016 draft day.

I didn't know either. In fact, I told my wife, I think he looks hung over..

I don't disagree with this, but if this is true, then doesn't he also save Farmer's job? I still want both to say but BOTH have improving to do.

If we had a GM with half a brain that would draft a couple six foot plus WR's for weapons , maybe just maybe !

Ha! yeah...Like Paul Warfield & Jerry Rice. Both just over 6' by a hair.

I have seen this type of statement many, many times. I don't get it. How do you guys KNOW that another coach would want to replace him?

There are thousands of examples where a new coach comes in and rolls w/the existing qb. There is no guarantee that the a new coach will want JM gone.

With that said, I think we should keep Pet, but I think it would help JM more than anything else. We surely don't want to give the kid the task of learning a 3rd new system in 3 years.

He will learn to play in the adverse conditions. I think he did a pretty good job, despite the OL, once again, doing a poor job protecting. If the new GM can put some legit play makers around him and give him some protection, the Browns may have a legit dual threat QB.

Regarding Johnny's potential:

I saw a lot of negative posts in the Post Game Thoughts thread. I was pretty astounded by the negativity. Having some time to sleep on it, I realized it was probably due to so many who just hate Manziel and were waiting for an opportunity to rip his play, rather than just his character.

Yes, his numbers were very poor. Yes, he was inaccurate on too many throws. Yes, his mechanics were a mess.

However, the kid showed that he has the heart of a champion. He made plays out of nothing. That was a very good defense he was playing against. His will to win was very evident. He is one of those types of players whose value transcends mere numbers.

Additionally, do people really think he is a finished product on the field? What would they be saying if he threw 4 picks like Carr did a couple of weeks ago? Or, if he had all the turnovers that Bortles had last year? Or, had clunkers like Teddy has had?

These guys are young qbs w/a lot of talent. They are going to have their ups-and-downs. They need playing experience.

Heck, even older QBs have bad games. Eli threw multiple picks last night and has thrown a ton of picks throughout his career, yet he has won two Super Bowls. I saw Namath throw 6 in a game and that was after he won a Super Bowl. Rodgers looked like crap last night. Peyton has had horrendous games. ALL qbs have poor statistical games.

The kid has shown he has what it takes on the field. He has something about him that you rarely see in qbs. Give him time.

Donte is a no bs, no candy coating type player. I do appreciate hearing him say the things regarding Johnny.

I still just having overwhelming concerns regarding Manziel's off-field life. Simple as that.

I really do love seeing him throw tablets, helmets and show passion for not winning or manning up to a mistake on the sidelines there. With a season where there's absolutely nothing to play for, he clearly wanted the W. I admire that, very much!

You might be closer to the truth.

Johnny caught partying again

Man, you got it bad.

looks like a energy drink to me.

I'm literally seeing natural daylight coming out of the window behind him. There's not even any girls in the house either. How is this even close to "Partying"?

It's a black cherry 4 loko.

Don't kill the messenger. Just posting what I saw.

redbull in basement listing to music


Becomes

Cocaine cowboy - seen with stimulant participating in hedonistic behavior in underground club

JM needs to have his handler chuck his and his guest phones out a window, then they all can party to they all puke.

Looks like he was recording it himself. Which means that someone he sent it to must have posted it. Time to start whittling down the friend list I think.

I know, like he can't have some fun with friends over the holidays. I hope all these haters never drink or have told a lie in their lives the way they attack Manziel.

Yup...Me thinks he get's smart by ditching the smart phone, a few bad influences, and stepping far far away from all social media.

I've been beating this drum for a long time. Cleveland fans hold their own to unrealistic expectations. They do not apply those same expectations to other team's players. But as soon as another team's player has a great game, they are sure to let the comparisons run rampant.

Manziel is still learning and developing. He's not a finished product. He's earned the respect of his team. They want him to be the QB. And make no mistake about this ... when the team feels they have a legit chance to win, everyone plays better, including the defense. Let him continue to develop and grow. Build the team up around him.

Vers, as to your other question about a new coach not wanting Manziel ... I don't think a new guy will want to hitch his wagon to Manziel. Too many variables ... to many unknowns ... too many uncontrollables ... to hitch your career to a guy that wasn't yours to begin with...especially when you have the opportunity to draft a QB high in the draft. Pettine and Manziel are already hitched. I think they help each other survive. Just my thoughts on the situation.

I wanted to believe that we wouldn't see them "blow this thing up" again, and that a New coach, and New Quarterback weren't on the way to Cleveland, but:

After listening to the Cleveland Browns Radio Network's, two commentators and announcers, yesterday during the game Broadcast. I can't believe that anymore.

These guys, I assume work for the team.
And every single comment these guys made for 4 hours, pretty much concluded,

Pretty much, message to fans, read between the lines, it's already a done deal, just wait 8 days, it's a done deal.

But the Biggest comments they made repeatedly were.
This Manziel style isn't what we want to see, it's just not a starting quarterback, it's just not good.

and 2ndly.
Forget about continuity, you have to have continuity with the right people. (meaning new people) .

QFT

I can't speak for anyone else, but I think I saw it the way you do. He had problems and issues yesterday, some of which weren't really of his making, but still, he didn't overcome them.

But what I wasn't aware of is that he wasn't well. I didn't know he had a cold that knocked him down a bit.

Now, looking back, I can see that towards the end of the game, he appeared gassed.. Just beat. Now I think I know why. Makes a lot of sense.

My take, for what it's worth, is that from a talent and ability standpoint, Johnny can be the starting QB for the Browns next year.

My concern on him is no longer on field. My concern continues to be his off field issues. I continue to think, "can we count on him"? This coach has already shown he'll bench Johnny for off field issues, (will the next coach do that also)

I think I heard the announcers say yesterday that we are probably going to either get the first or second overall pick in the draft. And at this point, I don't see a QB any better than Johnny in this draft. JMO

My opinion, Johnny is the man to build around.

Four Loko is just about the worst thing a person can put in their body. I'd probably rather have him doing cocaine.

Seems like people are making a lot of excuses for the guy. A cold? Really?

I want to see how we do vs the squealers first..

BUT.. right now, my feeling is I want JFF to be the 1st QB in camp next August.. I want him doing reps with the 1st team.. and the awesome WR we draft. I want to continue with Crow and Duke.. my whole table was commenting yesterday that Crow seems to be seeing the holes much better the last few games. And we loved the way Duke catches out of the backfield. We have a solid TE in Barnidge.. lets get JFF some weapons to work with.. leave away from drafting a QB high.. lets get this team some weapons and get the defense back and healthy next year.. let TRY to recover from Farmer's stooopid decisions and build some on field continuity!

I don't see that,, But for sure, he didn't bring up his cold that I read or saw! So he's not using it as an excuse.

I have never heard him make excuses for himself. He he went to post game interview and stood up there and took all the arrows, for what it's worth that says alot about character.

He has played pretty well in his last 3 starts, Pitt, 49er's, Hawks. He's only human, sooner or later he is going to have a bad game. The vultures have been in a holding pattern for a while now, you knew they were going to swoop in the first chance they got.

He did indeed. I was mostly talking about people on here making excuses.

If that's how Manziel plays when he has a cold, then how will he play when he has an actual injury?