It seems that everyone is in agreement that Johnny Manziel's Pro Day went well. I don't think that should have been a surprise to anyone. Most people that care about stuff like a Texas A&M Pro Day probably saw at least a game or two of Manziel's two-year college career. He was pretty difficult to miss. He even won the Heisman Trophy after that first season. His ability to play football should never have been in question after those two college seasons. He can throw the football. He can throw on the run. He can throw in awkward positions. He can throw in the safety of a comfortable pocket. He can do all of that against a defense. He should be able to do all of that against no defense at a Pro Day. If anything, yesterday's performance should have served as nothing but a reminder of what Johnny Manziel can do with a football. The only real question about the quarterback is his size. Can he stand up to the size and speed of an NFL defense? If they can catch him, they might break him. If Manziel were a careful, nailed to the pocket quarterback, his slight frame might not be as much of a concern but he doesn't play football that way. He plays on the edge. He's got rare physical gifts that allow him to play quarterback in a manner that's rarely been seen. Can he survive in the NFL? Can he reel in some of his spontaneity for the sake of his NFL survival? Those are questions that can't be answered until he's in the NFL. Some team will take him in the first round. Likely, top-10. Possibly, top-5. First pick? Maybe. All of that should have been the case before the "sideshow" that was his Pro Day.
The Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears were the only teams not at Johnny Manziel's Pro Day. Maybe the they got lost. The Bears have a quarterback. They also have two giant receivers so Mike Evans may be of no interest to them. Evans was also on display during Manziel's day. The Browns could use a quarterback. They do have a private workout with Manziel next month so it's not like the quarterback-needy team just lost their minds. Which they have done a few times this offseason. This was the Johnny Manziel show. It was a circus. 350 people were in attendance. Eight NFL head coaches. Eight general managers. 30 of 32 teams. Of the 350 in attendance only 75 represented NFL teams. I guess that the media, Texas A&M people, and others there simply for giggles made up the remaining 275. Former President George H.W. Bush, along with wife Barbara, made an appearance. That doesn't happen often with college Pro Days. I even saw a picture of Mrs. Bush walking their dogs on the sideline. I've never seen that at a college Pro Day. The governor of Texas was there as well. Manziel even asked for some music to liven up the atmosphere. The quarterback tried to make the workout as real as possible by wearing helmet and pads. I can't recall ever seeing that. When asked about the helmet and pads, he replied: "Isn't the game played with them on?" Nice.
The Minnesota Vikings were well represented with general manager Rick Spielman, head coach Mike Zimmer, offensive coordinator Norv Turner, and quarterback coach Scott Turner. Zimmer was chatting with Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin during a portion of the workout. They might have just been catching up as they were both at Washington St. for a couple of years in the early 1990s. Zimmer shrugged when asked about the workout: "It was was different." It was a different workout." Also called it a "sideshow." Any college workout that can bring a visit from a former President and his dogs should be considered a "sideshow." The Vikings delegation took Manziel out for dinner last night and will have a more formal, individual workout today. Clearly, there's some interest there. The Vikings need a quarterback. There should be interest there. Now, will Johnny Manziel be there when the Minnesota Vikings select at #8.
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