Can Johnny Manziel Win in 2014?<\/h2>\nToo Small?<\/h3>\n
[sc:NFL240banner ]If Johnny Manziel were a 6-foot-5, 250-pound quarterback, there would be a lot fewer people questioning his future in the NFL. The most highlighted knock on Manziel is his size, or lack thereof. Standing only 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds, the former Heisman Trophy winner can\u2019t be mentioned in the same sentence as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or even fellow dual threat QB Robert Griffin III when the discussion shifts to physique.<\/p>\n
Manziel’s stature was met with the same negativity when he entered the college ranks as a highly-touted high school QB. And then he became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. The door is still very wide open for Manziel to become the antithesis to the traditionally accepted concept in the NFL: that size matters.<\/p>\n
A Sub-Par Pocket Passer?<\/h3>\n
Manziel likes to get out of the pocket, finding cracks either by using his legs or by slinging the ball mid-scramble. For Manziel to be an MVP in the NFL, it\u2019s either by continuing to have his way offensively or by developing into a constant threat as a pocket passer.<\/p>\n
As noted above, Manziel doesn\u2019t exactly have the ideal size for a would-be successful quarterback in the NFL. Manning, Brady, Andrew Luck, and others are big dudes. These QBs are all traditional signal-callers that call the pocket their office and they are all considered MVP contenders. Smaller QBs like Drew Brees and Russell Wilson are the best players to compare to Manziel size-wise.<\/p>\n
However, Brees excels mainly because he\u2019s a great pocket orchestrator. He doesn\u2019t run as much. Wilson, on the other hand, can rush the ball just like Manziel, but it he wasn\u2019t as large of a reason why the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl last season as the team\u2019s defense and organized rushing game. Take note that the Seahawks finished just 26th<\/sup> in passing yards per game (202.3) in 2013, but are fourth in rushing yards (136.8 yards) and first in opposing teams\u2019 total yards (273.6). Wilson\u2019s passing is not the center of the team\u2019s success.<\/p>\n That\u2019s also the same reason why Wilson isn\u2019t even the most valuable player on the team’s offense, a title that belongs to running back Marshawn Lynch instead.<\/p>\n Manziel has a shot to become an MVP even if he does not develop into an effective pocket operator right in his very first season in the NFL, but it certainly would tremendously help him win it if he becomes one.<\/p>\n Manziel\u2019s No. 1 weapon by his side right now is the Cleveland Browns\u2019 new offensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan has the experience of working with a big-name rookie QB, having supervised the Washington Redskins\u2019 offense back in 2012 when Robert Griffin III was still getting his feet wet in the pros.<\/p>\n Shanahan specializes in the zone running scheme, which is even made more effective when an athletic, mobile quarterback factors into the equation. With Manziel in the fold, Shanahan will have almost the same piece he had in Griffin before.<\/p>\n On the field, Manziel will not see wide receiver Josh Gordon down the field for at least a few weeks because of suspension. Manziel is used to having an elite receiver waiting to catch his throws, just as he had in College Station when he often connected with Mike Evans, who was picked seventh overall by Tampa Bay in the recent draft.<\/p>\n Minus Gordon, Manziel will be left with Miles Austin, Andrew Hawkins, and Nate Burleson as his top options. These receivers have health issues of their own, and if Manziel is to succeed this season, his targets must stay healthy.<\/p>\n With the receiving staff looking unstable, it\u2019s likely that the Browns will be more of a rushing team next season. If so, then Shanahan and offensive line coach Andy Moeller should be busy right now planning how their men will protect and provide rushing routes for Manziel and the backfield. Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas and center Alex Mack are a good start to the O-line for Cleveland, but the talent overall is not enough to pose serious threat to opposing teams.<\/p>\n Last season, the Browns\u2019 offensive line was ranked 17th<\/sup> in pass protection and 18th<\/sup> in run blocking. They\u2019ll come into next season, though, as a marginally better crew, particularly because the Browns drafted former University of Nevada offensive tackle Joel Bitonio in the second round of this year\u2019s draft. Bitonio is a described by scouts as a versatile piece in the O-line, who can play any position within the group.<\/p>\n It remains to be seen whether Manziel’s improvisation and scrambling skills will translate to the NFL and compensate for his O-line\u2019s likely shortcomings.<\/p>\n Manziel\u2019s offseason lifestyle<\/a> has, if only because of the amount of attention it’s getting in the media, become a storyline. If coach Mike Pettine chooses him to start over Brian Hoyer, that effect with only grow. Others argue that Manziel is merely a kid doing what other 20-year-olds out there are also doing. It\u2019s a polarizing topic, but Pettine appears to be okay with it, since he sees no issues with Manziel when he\u2019s practicing with the team. The key obviously is for Manziel to not let his partying affect his game.<\/p>\n Manziel will make an immediate impact with the Browns, whom he will lead to a slightly improved 7-9 SU record. Cleveland is priced +135<\/a> to go over 6.5 wins next season, and if you want to bet on whether the Browns will clear that line or not, then create a betting account with Top Bet now<\/a>.<\/p>\n[sc:NFL490Banner ]\nDoes He Have the Right Targets?<\/h3>\n
![\"Johnny](\"http:\/\/topbet.eu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Johnny-Manziel-Cleveland-Browns-NFL.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIs the Browns\u2019 Offensive Line Good Enough?<\/h3>\n
Off-Field Distractions?<\/h3>\n
Prediction<\/h3>\n