Tom Moore on Johnny Manziel: ‘We all know that he’s an outstanding football player’
There have been a few theories floated around regarding the Cleveland Browns main motive to try and extend veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer, and some of them unsurprisingly involve Johnny Manziel. While I believe that the Browns are merely trying to lock up a top backup and potential starter should Manziel falter, others believe that it’s a false leak planted to motivate Manziel or a sign that the Browns truly want Hoyer to start. I don’t see either as being legitimate explanations and see them as unfounded conspiracy theories.
It’s still unclear who will start for the Browns at quarterback this upcoming season, and it’s very much an open-ended competition between Hoyer and Manziel. If Manziel can prove that he is a better quarterback than Hoyer now, then there’s no reason for him to sit on the bench. Some say that it’s better for a “raw” QB to learn behind a steady veteran, while others say there’s nothing better than learning on the job. Unless if a player is rattled easily, then learning through on-the-job experience seems the best way to go. Manziel doesn’t seem to be rattled easily at all, but both philosophies should cancel each other out anyway; the bottom line is whether or not Manziel is better than Hoyer.
Arizona Cardinals consultant Tom Moore is one of the most respected quarterback evaluators in the history of the game, and the 75-year-old is best-known for his work with Peyton Manning on the Indianapolis Colts. Moore is currently helping Bruce Arians develop rookie Logan Thomas, among other important things. He took the time to speak with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter, “We all know that he’s an outstanding football player and I’m sure the Cleveland Browns will do the right thing. Everything will be good. He’s a good person. The Browns are a great organization and everything will work out OK.”
Manziel is obviously a polarizing player, and his success in the NFL depends on some factors that are in his hands and some (such as coaching) that aren’t. Moore trusts both Manziel and the Browns organization, and that’s a pretty good endorsement for Ray Farmer, Mike Pettine, Kyle Shanahan, Dowell Loggains, and their first-round QB.