(07-18-2013 12:09 PM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote: I don't think Manziel sneaked up on anyone (as an aside, when did "snuck" become a real word?). I think he is a brilliant improvisational quarterback playing in the most QB friendly system in football. I can't speak to the Tarkenton comparison as Fran played before my time (though I do vaguely remember my beloved Steelers absolutely killing him in Super Bowl IX). Manziel reminds me a lot of Doug Flutie when he played at Boston College and that is intended as a compliment as Flutie was awesome at BC.
However, like Flutie, I believe that Johnny Football's physical skills will not translate well to the NFL. Unlike Flutie, the kid seems to be a bit of a wild child and that too would concern me if I were an NFL GM - especially for a kid who is not an overwhelming talent.
I'd stay away from him if I were an NFL team and if I'm being honest I'd be surprised if he went terribly high in the draft whenever he eventually does come out.
I would have to agree with the large majority of your statement and I am doing so in order to save myself some posting time. I was even going to make the Doug Flutie comparison.
What I think is different now compared to then though is the mindset up in the NFL about that particular quarterback style. I think the League is more friendly to that style and that stands in Manziel's favor.
In regards to his mental issues, I was strongly against him winning the Heisman because of how big of a spotlight it would have put on him as only a freshman. All of a sudden people aren't looking at him as a kid just finishing his freshman year of college, they are looking at him as they would any other heisman winner.
We are all products of the challenges in our lives, those challenges mold us and create who we are now and who we will be in the future. These challenges that Manziel is having to face mentally are going to very strongly shape his psychology. I do think eventually he is going to grow tired of being slammed. He will realize it is all directly due to his own actions. He will realize what it requires to live in the spotlight. Personally I think once he is able to get back on the field where he thrives, all this personal **** will get pushed behind him. I also think next off season, he will be much more capable of handling the pressure. Finally....I think all the negative stuff that has happened, it has conveniently bought him some more time in college football.
If there was desire up in the NFL ranks to bring him up way too early, I think he has been of the mindset to easily be talked into it. Now, due to his antics, I think there will be much less desire to take him after this coming season. He will have to stick around until atleast after his junior year. That will allow him two more seasons to grow further as a quarterback. The way he currently plays will get him eaten alive in the NFL.
In regards to the comparison with Tebow. Manziel is lucky to be coming forward as the bad guy. Tebow garnered bad feelings towards him from his team mates due to how much focus was always on him by the media. "Such a good guy whom isn't being given the shot". I have heard so much bullcrap spewed about Tebow by people who irrationally supported him due to his over the top public presentation of his spiritual beliefs. He has been propped up because of it and quite frankly that hasn't allowed him to gel with team mates very well.
Manziel will be coming in with a different light so to speak. I think the People standing in front of him on the field will be more likely to give that little extra effort for him because they will like him, or atleast they won't Dislike him as is the case with Tebow.