Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel made his starting debut against the Cincinnati Bengals last year to less than stellar results. Manziel completed 10 of 18 passes for just 80 yards and two interceptions. Now the man that helped to produce that performance, Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, has some advice.
"Honestly, I think the kids need more time," he told ESPN. Guenther devised a defensive strategy meant to keep Manziel in the pocket where his slight 6-foot-0, 2010-pound frame would be more susceptible to punishment. But that doesn't mean that shorter quarterbacks can't learn to work effectively in the pocket.
"Drew Brees did it," Guenther said. "I know Drew is a little bit thicker than Johnny but about the same height....I don't see any reason why he can't do it up there. [Manziel] was such a high-profile guy out of college and everyone expected what he did at Texas A&M, but it's a man's game, it's a lot different, and it takes time. You have to take your lumps a little bit."
The Bengals forced the Browns into their first home shutout since 2009. Manziel followed in the footsteps of Tennessee's Rusty Smith as the first QB to be shutout in their first start.
Manziel is currently backing up free agent journeyman Josh McCown in Cleveland. He has made several comments this offseason about separating himself from his celebrity image and become more responsible and mature. This was accentuated by his voluntary stay in rehab earlier this year. Now he can focus solely on the game.
"I think he has good feet, is obviously a threat to run it, and I think in the right system he can be a good player," Guenther said. "There was so much expected in his first game, and maybe some of that was self-warranted, but it was so much from the fan base that you have to let him make mistakes."
Early reports from OTAs made it sound as if the Browns were moving on from Manziel. Even if he isn't with the organization, at least one football voice out there believes in him.
