I'm sure this has already been discussed already, but this week's Bama/Tamu game got me to wondering.... What is the secret to Johnny Manziel's run of success so far? How does he scramble up and down the field, and find so many open receivers on great defenses like Alabama and Oklahoma? Is it field vision? Speed? Downfield blocking? A great Offensive Line? The little fart is so short, small, and unathletic looking that it looks like the defenders are purposely not tackeling him so he can score.
Johnny Manziel.....what's his secret?
- Thread starter WayboDawg
- Start date
Looking at the guy on the field - he could pass for a Martin Gramatica. By appearance only - you wouldn't think he could dominate a college football game.
But "unathletic looking" is. Never would I think that guy could do that on the field. He looks like a guy you'd stuff in a garbage can in middle school...
I think it's mainly because you just can't plan for that degree of improvisation.
Call it field vision or whatever you want, but if you've got good coverage on the receivers combined with a stout O-line, the defense is spread all over the place. If he just gets by that line of scrimmage, the guy is just like a waterbug. He's surrounded by good talent, so if the (pass) play falls through, he just vanishes.
Call it field vision or whatever you want, but if you've got good coverage on the receivers combined with a stout O-line, the defense is spread all over the place. If he just gets by that line of scrimmage, the guy is just like a waterbug. He's surrounded by good talent, so if the (pass) play falls through, he just vanishes.
For running the ball: He has unbelievable quickness but it is also something about the way he runs, as in his posture. He runs almost leaning backwards (at least it looks that way). He shuffles his feet, i.e., short strides, and never really commits to one direction or another unless he ends up in space with no one in front of him. By shuffling he appears to strike the ground under his center of gravity consistently which makes it easier to change directions.
Plus, it has to look totally odd to a defender who is used to seeing most people run with shoulders forward. It ends up killing their angles and he can move a new direction on a dime. Again, quickness helps with this style of running.
Plus, it has to look totally odd to a defender who is used to seeing most people run with shoulders forward. It ends up killing their angles and he can move a new direction on a dime. Again, quickness helps with this style of running.
Yeah Heawww. I still like the guy. He is an incredible athlete. Fun to watch. This weekend.....
See Johnny Run
See Johnny Pass
See Johnny kick the Gumpers ***.
See Johnny Run
See Johnny Pass
See Johnny kick the Gumpers ***.
I will cheer against him, but I will acknowledge that he is phenomenal...
which is exactly the way I feel about Tiger.
which is exactly the way I feel about Tiger.
This will not be news to anyone on SPS but your reading comprehension skills appear weak. Notice I said "appear". You might be great at it, but this response doesn't make it appear so.
In a similar manner, I said JF doesn't look athletic. His general appearance on camera does not look threatening, although he actually IS a beast. If I had to guess at his size, just looking at a picture, I'd guess 5'10" - 6'0" around 180lbs and plays the piccolo, not starts in the SEC at quarterback. You see now? I was talking about the way that he appears not being the way that he actually is. But, based on this message board challenge(and my sole identity in life being my message board cred), I might try to stuff him in a garbage can if I ever meet him in person.***
ETA: Even though I went to public school, I don't recall any 6'1" 210 lb. lightning quick athletes in my middle school. They may have been moving so fast that I couldn't see them, however.***
In a similar manner, I said JF doesn't look athletic. His general appearance on camera does not look threatening, although he actually IS a beast. If I had to guess at his size, just looking at a picture, I'd guess 5'10" - 6'0" around 180lbs and plays the piccolo, not starts in the SEC at quarterback. You see now? I was talking about the way that he appears not being the way that he actually is. But, based on this message board challenge(and my sole identity in life being my message board cred), I might try to stuff him in a garbage can if I ever meet him in person.***
ETA: Even though I went to public school, I don't recall any 6'1" 210 lb. lightning quick athletes in my middle school. They may have been moving so fast that I couldn't see them, however.***
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Exhibit 1 - One of these guys, looks like an SEC quarterback. The other, not so much. (I won't tell you which is which, so as not to spoil it for you when you figure it out.). You know what's even crazier? The one who doesn't might even be the better QB. #trojanhorse
I'm not sure how we got from what he looks like to him actually popping me in the face, but I've filed an exhibit to support my case. I sure hope that the Internet Revisionist Bully title doesn't stick. It's not how I envision myself. I don't think. What does it mean anyway? Sounds like it could be offensive...or not...
I'm done. You appear to be having an argument with...well, nobody actually! Nobody said he wasn't a stud on the field. He is. He just doesn't look like he should be. Got it?
As far as "looks," look at his hands and feet. He wears like a size 14 shoe at 6'1". I actually think he's a good height for his style of play. Tall enough to be an effective passing QB, not so tall that it diminishes his running.
His running threat absolutely has to be respected. That opens up his receivers a lot of times. He's quick and seems to have a great mental clock and a feel for the play. Nobody open in a certain amount of time, he scrambles or moves around to buy time.
Can't discount the coaching and the adjustments they make on offense when the defense makes adjustments.
No secret. Just very talented and a very well coached team.
Don't care who wins this weekend, but I wouldn't mind both teams limping away. I would like Johnny to be healthy when OM goes to college station though.
His running threat absolutely has to be respected. That opens up his receivers a lot of times. He's quick and seems to have a great mental clock and a feel for the play. Nobody open in a certain amount of time, he scrambles or moves around to buy time.
Can't discount the coaching and the adjustments they make on offense when the defense makes adjustments.
No secret. Just very talented and a very well coached team.
Don't care who wins this weekend, but I wouldn't mind both teams limping away. I would like Johnny to be healthy when OM goes to college station though.
I see you chose this thread to highlight your daily inability to comprehend words.
Manziel is an awesome college QB.
If I didnt know who he was and hadnt seen him play, he most likely wouldnt be my first pick in a pickup game.
Thats the point, he doesnt look the part- even though he plays it.
Against us last year. Watch this play to see what I mean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC5sVvbypOE
Go to the 1:48 mark where he scores a TD.
When he breaks out of the backfield and has open space he leans forward and runs hard. As he starts to get into some traffic he slows down slightly, starts to lean back, shortens his stride, and then the guys around him have trouble figuring out what way he is about to go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC5sVvbypOE
Go to the 1:48 mark where he scores a TD.
When he breaks out of the backfield and has open space he leans forward and runs hard. As he starts to get into some traffic he slows down slightly, starts to lean back, shortens his stride, and then the guys around him have trouble figuring out what way he is about to go.
Given you insistence that Michael Phelps is not an athlete, I'll have to take your opinion with a grain of salt.