Dec 7, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Colts beat the Browns 25-24. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
If you have ever turned on ESPN’s Sportscenter in the past year, the name “Johnny Manziel” has been said at least once every single week. Whether it be for his off-the-field antics on twitter or his play on the football field, Manziel has earned his share of publicity.
As of late, the Brian Hoyer-Johnny Manziel QB controversy added yet another chapter to its infamous story line. With a 1-3 record, 245 yards and 50.2% completion per game, eight interceptions, 48.475 passer rating and just one touchdown in the past four gaems, Brian Hoyer has been yanked from his starting position in favor of rookie QB Johnny Manziel.
In this article, I will be reviewing the arguments for both QBs and each QB’s implications on the offense. Ultimately, I will give my opinion on whether the Browns made the right choice and how they can find a way to win their next three games to make it to the playoffs.
So that I don’t repeat anything, here is exactly what I had to say about the QB controversy before the season started. (Check out original link here).
“As it stands right now Johnny Manziel is not one player at all. In fact in the grand scheme of this draft Johnny Football is two players: a). an absolute bust with improper mechanics and small frame or b). an unstoppable offensive dynamo. On the boom side, he is fast and incredibly agile. As you have seen in his college days at A&M, Manziel has the ability to start and stop and zoom around defenders with relative ease and composure. Where Manziel is a boom candidate is not only in that he can run, but that he can escape pressure and make plays. Look at the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against Duke. Manziel and the Aggies were down by a 21 point half-time deficit and ended up scoring 35 points to win the football game 52-48 over the Blue Devils. Say what you want about the kid; “he is the next Tim Tebow,” “he’ll never be a proper NFL Quarterback,” “he’s got bust written all over him.”
The fact of the matter is that he makes plays. You can not deny his play making ability and the ability to make something out of seemingly nothing.
From an owner’s standpoint Manziel is a goldmine. Not only will you get added ticket revenue, but you will get jersey sales and people actually watching your games. At the same time though, I have to admit Manziel has some bust tendencies. He is not as big as some of the other QBs, which does have its own downsides, however that shouldn’t necessarily define him as a player. Time and time again people have considered height into the equation of future NFL success and I can say that nobody has truly solved the equation quite yet to be making judgements based on size alone. Often we have seen a bit of inappropriate on and off the field behavior that NFL owners will cringe at.
However, that is what fuels his competitive drive and spirit and is exactly what Cleveland needs at a time like this. In the long run, the Browns are perhaps more set up than we actually realize. They already have a solid franchise QB in Brian Hoyer who is waiting to shine. The Browns have already showed that Hoyer is the starter and that Manziel is the automatic backup. What Manziel has to do from here is work extremely hard on his footwork, his throwing mechanics and overall being NFL-tough mentally and physically. What he also must do is be lucky; something that Manziel already has on tap. Regardless of what he does in training camp, Manziel is most likely going to be benched for the first week of the season. What Manziel needs to do is be patient and hope that Hoyer slips up in order to get that starting job. The Browns made a good choice in taking Manziel not only for his scoring potential but also as a good motivator for Hoyer to do better. Look out Cleveland, you may have another messiah on your hands (fingers crossed). ”