DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Johnny Manziel.....continued

Thanks vers,posted that while waiting for my am dentist appointment, just getting home from work.

That is exactly what I meant. Big difference between going into the draft feeling that you need to take a qb in the 1st round vs feeling that you can wait until the 3rd or 4th vs having no idea where you stand at qb.

Cleveland Browns QB Johnny Manziel thrilled to be ‘just another guy’


Johnny Manziel and Browns coach Mike Pettine shared a laugh Wednesday after what appeared to be the young quarterback’s best practice of training camp.

The calm compared to last year’s storm of national attention has been a breath of fresh air for both, and Manziel credits it as one of the many reasons why he’s been able to make a “solid progression” through the first week of training camp.

“It is nice to come out here and wear any kind of shoes I want and that is not the main story the next day,” Manziel said. “I don't have to have this, this and this … (I am) not a rookie anymore. I have kind of gone through the ringer in a year and got to see everything. Now it is – coming out here and getting better. There is not as much pressure or hype.

“I am just another guy on the team.”

On the field and in the meeting rooms, Manziel has been all business since he returned to Berea for OTAs. Even during his five-week break between mini-camp and the start of training camp, Manziel went through individual workouts with ESPN’s Jon Gruden and arrived back in Berea one week ahead of schedule.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Pettine said Wednesday that Manziel is in a “good place,” especially when he’s inside the Browns Training Facility. His rapport with new quarterbacks coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator John DeFilippo is strong, and all four Browns quarterbacks are holding each other accountable, Pettine said. Before he met with reporters Thursday, Manziel signed autographs for nearly 30 minutes and sat with O’Connell’s family in the end zone of one of the team’s practice fields.

“Now it’s a really simple schedule; just come to work every day, be in the building, do what I’m supposed to do and everything else will take care of itself,” Manziel said. “Just do the next right thing and things will be good. That’s where I’m at right now.”

At this time last year, Manziel was entrenched in an open quarterback competition with veteran Brian Hoyer. Though Pettine hasn’t named a starter for Cleveland’s Sept. 13 season opener against the New York Jets, veteran Josh McCown has taken every repetition with the first-team offense and is “firmly” the first-team quarterback.

Manziel, though, will get a chance at Friday’s Orange and Brown scrimmage to show whether he can carry over his success with the second-team offense to the first group. Pettine said he’ll get some repetitions with Joe Thomas, Alex Mack, Brian Hartline and the rest of the first-team offense in order to prepare him, like any other backup quarterback, to take the reins in the event of an injury to the starter.

Connor Shaw and Thaddeus Lewis will also work with the first-team offense at some point during training camp, Pettine said.

“You don't want the first time that he's out there with that group of guys to be in a game,” Pettine said. “I wouldn't read too much into it that he's going with the ones.”

The hierarchy doesn’t concern Manziel, not this early in training camp and not after last year, when he admittedly got caught up in the daily distribution of repetitions. His relationship with McCown, a fellow Texan, is strong, and the two constantly have been seen interacting after plays and celebrating when the other makes a sharp throw.

“I’d never really been a backup before, so this year I’m definitely just trying to take a different approach,” Manziel said. “If I take care of my business and show that I’m getting better and go out in the preseason and play well, then who knows what will happen.”

Manziel’s performance over the past two practices, in particular, have been filled with obvious moments of improvement. During Thursday’s 11-on-11 red zone period, Manziel appeared to make a change at the line of scrimmage before finding rookie Shane Wynn in the back of the end zone with an accurate throw. On the next play, Manziel went through his progressions before locating a wide-open Shaun Draughn on a wheel route for another touchdown.

On Wednesday, Manziel showed off his arm with a 50 yard completion to Wynn down the right sidelines.

From what Pettine’s seen behind the closed doors of the Browns facility, plays like this don’t come as much of a surprise.

“When you come in every day with a great attitude and you work and it's important to you, you can't help but get better,” Pettine said. “I'm just happy for him that he's getting the results on the field and the guys around him sense that as well."

Thanks for the post, Vambo! It's good to read that JM apparently is making significant progress. Nice turnaround from last year...

Purp: I think Pit answered it well.

Basically, if they are even [and I realize that is a big if] you play Johnny because he will be around much longer. He's what...14 years younger than McCown? The experience of playing live games [like Rish said] combined w/the potential of him getting much, much better is important.

Additionally, we can't forget the fact that he was a first round draft choice that probably was brought in, at least in part, because of marketing.

Furthermore, it's not like we are switching from a guy who is firmly entrenched as our starter. McCown hasn't even played in a preseason game for us.

Good points, and I agree about the marketing part.

But there is also the consideration of having to balance Johnny's development with the development of the team. In many ways they are the same, and in others they are separate due to the unique nature of the position.

I guess a lot has to do with how "all things being equal" is defined. I mean, you can have 2 QB's with the same amount of production, yet have vastly different games. Then you also have to figure out where your QB's compare in terms of ability to focus and maintain their mental/emotional stability through 4 quarters.

Generally, I agree with this. If its even go with youth and upside but I think before Manziel gets a real shot, he has to beat out McCown in the eyes of Pet. Pet is in no rush to turn to Johnny right now that much is clear.

Johnny needs to clearly out perform Josh or Pet just isnt gonna go that way. Even more so this year, Pet is making these guys earn it. Bitonio has been the only one that was thrown in early because there was no competition and he was great from day 1.

Under Pet, you are gonna have to earn it by outperforming or by default if the guy in front of u sucks or is injured.

I watched Manziel's full presser yday. In typical JF fashion, he says the right things at the right times... but I need to see it translated to the field.

Preseason going to be big for him. Heck today's scrimmage is going to be big for him.

Nice!

(I hope the correct videos posts here!):

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap3000000507741/Manziel-starts-off-hot

Johnny looked pretty good in the small amount of footage I saw on NFLN.

It's still a glorified practice, but it shows a little bit of progress. I can't wait to see what he looks like in the preaseason. I have a feeling he may get more preseason snaps than any other QB on the roster.

Really hard to believe it all starts on Thursday. I guess we have the Cavs to thank for that, haha.

JF made some nice throws that I've seen. So did Josh though.

Jor Thomas appears to have a different opinion about Johnny compared to last year .....

I might be coming around too. He made some really nice throws tonight, and I have seen nice throws in all of his highlights so far. If he is learning the offense through and through, then we may actually get what we hoped for last year.

The odds are that McCown will miss a game at some point this season, and I feel a lot better about the odds of Manziel being ready to go this year than last.

Joe Thomas: Johnny Manziel has proved 'he's ready to be an NFL starting quarterback' | cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ss...t_story_package

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Johnny Manziel didn't work with the first team during Friday night's Orange and Brown scrimmage at Ohio Stadium, but he won over one of the most important starters on offense and one of his harshest critics from last year: eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas.

"He's really proved to a lot of people that this is important to him and he's ready to be an NFL starting quarterback,'' said Thomas. "Playing well in the scrimmage tonight and looking like an NFL quarterback is another good step in the direction that he wants to go. He's just earning that trust of his teammates that he's going to need to do if he wants to be that starter. He impressed a lot of people out here tonight.''

In four series of work, Manziel completed 9-of-11 attempts for 93 yards and two touchdowns, a 4-yarder to tight end E.J. Bibb on the left side of the end zone, and an 18-yarder to first-year receiver Josh Lenz, a beautiful back shoulder throw on the left side of the end zone, where he beat Kendall James.

On the latter drive, Manziel went 5-for-6 for 65 yards, including a laser shot over the middle to Marlon Moore, a 17-yard bullet to tight end Rob Housler off a rollout left.

"We always knew he had the talent,'' Thomas said. "So it was never a matter of the talent that he had. You're starting to see the work that he put in off the field, but the commitment that he's made in the meeting room. Studying film when he doesn't need to be. Doing the things that a starting quarterback has to do. I think you're seeing it now that he's in competitive situations he's able to let that talent go and play well. And that's what you saw today.''

Thomas was quick to point out, however, that even though Manziel is proving he can do the job now, he's still firmly in Josh McCown's corner too.

"Josh has done so many good things that to me it's not really a conversation about who should be the starter right now,'' said Thomas.

Coach Mike Pettine said Manziel didn't work with the ones -- as anticipated -- because of all the injuries on offense and not enough reps to go around. As it was, McCown played only two series, including one in the red zone.

"It'll happen in the preseason game, but the way we were depleted with injuries and being cautious with guys, there was just no way to do it without putting other guys at risk,'' said Pettine.

Manziel took it in stride, like he has everything else since he rejoined the team in April after 10 weeks in rehab.

"Like I said I was leaving that up to Pett and if I got some reps good, if I didn't I was just going to go out and control what I could control and that was one thing that I couldn't,'' he said. "When they told me to go in, I went in and tried to handle whatever situation I got the best I could."

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was excited about Manziel's spirited scrimmage, in front of 49,734 fans at the 'Shoe.

"One of our coaches reminded me today he should be a college senior,'' said Haslam. "He's still 22, so he's a young guy. I think Johnny's starting to grow up and he's starting to understand you've got to work hard, and you've got to get after it every day. So he's learning to do that and he's got to prove he can do that over a period of time. But so far, so good. He's making good progress and he's working hard.''

McCown, who put a touchdown and a field goal on the board on his two series with the first-team offense, was most impressed with Manziel overcoming adversity on his opening drive. Manziel just missed Lenz deep down the right side on his opening play, and the drive fizzled five plays later on a sack by Nate Orchard, with heavy pressure from top pick Danny Shelton.

Manziel came back on his next drive, a red zone drills, to complete the 4-yarder to Bibb, who beat Orchard at the goal-line. Two drives later, back on a college football field, he showed some of that Johnny Football flare in going 5-for-5 and firing it in to Lenz.

"Oh man, it was sweet,'' McCown said of Manziel's perfect drive. "I was proud of him. He started off okay and then kind of had a lull and then that's the thing about playing this position. You can't create false adversity, it just has to happen.

"When you go through some things like tonight where you kind of have a couple of drives that don't go your way and then you pull yourself out of it, that's the main thing. The throw was terrific, but just the way he battled through it was awesome and that's the mark of making progress in my opinion and of a quarterback maturing and I'm very pleased with how he played. He played very well. He's really coming along.''

Manziel acknowledged that he shook off the opening drive and finished well.

"Sure, we came out guns blazing right there and almost threw an 80-yard touchdown on the first play,'' he said. "We just missed it. So I think Flip (offensive coordinator John DeFilippo) did a good job of dialing up some plays there. We got a first down and then three and out. After that, we got into the end zone and that's what we wanted to do. So i was happy about it."

Browns coach Mike Pettine was most pleased with Manziel's poise in the pocket. He rolled out and utilized his mobility with a purpose, but didn't take off running prematurely.

"I think the think that jumps out is that he's much less antsy in the pocket,'' said Pettine. "He sets his feet, which is something you really didn't get to see much last year, and he's trusting his reads and I thought he placed the ball, I thought his location and accuracy was very good tonight."

Manziel, who had his right arm throwing arm wrapped with ice after the scrimmage like he does after every practice, was buoyed by the performance.

"Yeah, I think that's the thing -- stringing three or four good days in a row together and felt really comfortable out there today,'' he said. "I was really looking forward to getting out here in front of these guys for the scrimmage and getting into a little bit of a live setting, and I think it really went well for all guys. I think Josh did a good job with the ones. I think Connor (Shaw) and Thad (Lewis) did a good job handling the threes as well. So all around just looking at our room as a whole, I thought it was really nice."

He acknowledged that he's starting to feel less a sense of urgency to bolt up field at the first sign of trouble.

"Yeah, I thought made some good throws today in the pocket,'' he said. "So it's not like some of those games later in the year last year where I was trying to escape to right away. I really trust these guys that I have and these protections. When we're hot, we're hot and we know it and we're getting the ball out. Feeling comfortable is a good thing."

Manziel, who's developed good timing with backups such as Lenz, Shane Wynn and Darius Jennings, saw the field well on his deep touchdown pass to Lenz.

"Just went single safety,'' he said. "I think me and Josh have had good chemistry throughout training camp. I really trust him and put it on his back shoulder there and he made a great play. So both those drives where we had touchdown passes there, I think Bibbs made a heck of a catch there on our stick route and then Josh getting in the end zone as well.

"That was the way I wanted to finish off the day, especially coming out after halftime and stalling. To get that in was big time especially moving it and I think maybe completing every pass on that drive."

The drive -- and Manziel's entire camp -- has been impressive enough to sway even the team's most hard to please veteran.

Joe Thomas is enough for me. I know what McCown is (bad).

'Manziel shines as Browns scrimmage at Ohio State'

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/pryor-returns-ohio-state-browns-scrimmage-214134086--nfl.html

By TOM WITHERS (AP Sports Writer)
9 hours ago
AP - Sports

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Johnny Manziel's comeback is picking up speed.

The second-year quarterback showed poise in the pocket and made several nice throws - all against Cleveland's backups - on Friday night as the Browns held an intrasquad scrimmage before 50,000 fans at Ohio Stadium, which also welcomed back former Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Manziel completed 9 of 11 passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns, a solid performance for the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner trying to bounce back from a disastrous rookie season followed by a rehab stint and questions about whether he can succeed in the NFL.

Manziel has a long way to go, but some of the small steps he's taken are getting longer.

''I wouldn't make a huge deal about it, but it's progress for me,'' Manziel, his arm wrapped in ice, said afterward. ''It's better than I played last year in the scrimmage. A year later, there's a lot of progress. I'm happy about it and happy about stringing some good days together. That's what I wanted to do.''

Manziel completed a 3-yard TD pass to tight end E.J. Bibbs, and an 18-yarder to Josh Lenz on a strong back-shoulder throw.

It's early in training camp, but the Browns are excited about Manziel's growth. He's shown maturity off the field, and he's beginning to earn the respect and confidence of his teammates.

''It's a good step for him because he knows he didn't do the things he wanted to last year and have the type of season he wanted to,'' Browns Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas said. ''He had to make amends for the mistakes that he made last year, 50 good things are wiped out by one mistake in this business.

''So he had a long way to go to get back into the good graces with the team, but he's made all the right steps since he stepped back in Berea back in April, and even before that. He's really proved to a lot of people that this is important to him and he is ready to be an NFL starting quarterback.''

Manziel remains behind veteran Josh McCown, who threw a 10-yard TD pass to wide receiver Brian Hartline on his only series with Cleveland's starting offense. Manziel, who didn't play with the Browns' first stringers, isn't threatening McCown at this point, but things could get interesting later this summer if the two QBs perform equally.

Browns coach Mike Pettine said Manziel is displaying composure that wasn't apparent at any point last year. He's seeing the field better, and delivering the ball on target.

'The thing that jumps out is that he's much less antsy in the pocket,'' Pettine said. ''He sets his feet, which is something you really didn't get to see much, and he's trusting his reads. I thought he placed the ball and thought his location and accuracy was very good tonight.''

For Pryor, the night was a homecoming to the school he left in disgrace.

Attempting to make Cleveland's roster as a wide receiver, Pryor was back on the field where he starred for the first time since he abandoned Ohio State amid a tattoos-for-memorabilia scandal that led to the firing of coach Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes being sanctioned by the NCAA.

Pryor didn't play in the scrimmage because of a hamstring injury, but he was thrilled to return to an iconic stadium where he racked up wins and memories.

''It's a blessing for me to come back and be around all of this,'' Pryor said while signing autographs. ''We had a lot of success here. There are a lot of memories out there. I love this place.''

Before the scrimmage, Pryor said he spoke with Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith and met coach Urban Meyer for the first time. Pryor plans to be back, but his short-term goal is to show the Browns he can help them win.

''In terms of athleticism and making plays, like I've always said, I'm the best on the field when I step on the field,'' he said. ''That's how I see myself.''

NOTES: Rookie DL Danny Shelton twice put pressure on Manziel, forcing him out of the pocket, and the 339-pounder hustled down the field to knock WR Marlon Moore out of bounds. ''I know he is not the fastest guy, but when he gets there, he packs a punch,'' Pettine said. ''I was just happy to see Marlon get up from that shot.'' ... K Travis Coons, who is competing with Carey Spear for the starting job, kicked field goals of 47 and 53 yards. ... Pro Bowl CB Joe Haden was kept out as a precautionary measure and C Alex Mack didn't play as he works his way back from a broken leg suffered last season.

---

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

All the reports out of training camp sound good. Let's hope JM can keep getting better and mature as a player. We just may have our future franchise qb.

I made a more elaborate post on JF in the "scrimmage stuff" thread - but to piggy back off that I want to say that I can finally say that I feel JF just needs to continue on his current track and mindset.

His footwork seems improved, his overall craft seems improved and perhaps all the positive articles that have come/are to come are truly "deserving" and the kid has taken a step in the direction we NEEDED him to.

As Josh McCown would say, just keep stacking those days Johnny.

*do you guys realize this is perhaps my first positive JF post ever, if not ever then for sure in quite a long and extended period of time?*

Like JM, it seems you have as well...