"Johnny Football" is Astonishing!
Johnny Manziel hasn't even graced the surface in his football career. Having played only two seasons at Texas A&M, he still amassed a numerous amount of breathtaking type plays! I have narrowed down the number of top plays, to the top ten.
Enjoy!
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Counting Down The Top 10 Spectacular Plays:
10.
If you weren't a believer in Johnny Manziel, now you should be. In a game versus Louisiana Tech on October 14, 2012, Manziel exhibited an intangible trait, heart. You might be wondering why this play doesn't have him scoring a TD, or throwing a bomb after scrambling around (those are coming later), but this play showcases determination and an unwillingness to give up. As a freshman in 2012, for him to show that kind of effort that young really speaks about his character. The Aggies were cruising, up sixteen, even more of a reason for Manziel to not sprint after the defender, but Johnny Football isn't normal. About every sports fan knows how athletic Manziel is, this clip shows more than that. Manziel has skill AND heart, watch out NFL.
9.
Classic Manziel. Running around in the backfield as if it were a game in the backyard with his buddies. That's how easy this guy makes the game seem! This clip came in a game versus Ole Miss' on October 12, 2013. Yes there are two scrambling plays, and there should be! Those plays were made on the same drive of the game. Ole Miss' knew Manziel wanted to scramble, and they still couldn't stop him! Johnny really emphasizes his explosive speed when he splits the defense, and runs right up the middle for a huge chunk of yards. Manziel also has the quality to keep his eyes down field while in the mist of scrambling for a big gain. Will his speed apply the same way in the NFL? Watch the NFL draft in May to see which team snags him up.
8.
On September 7, 2013, Johnny Manziel did something only few knew he could accomplish. On third and four and lingering in the red zone, Manziel took the rock, rolled out right and scrambled in the end zone for a touchdown. The scary part is, was how he scored that touchdown. Rolling out to his right not seeing any receivers open, he decides to tuck the ball and accelerate past one defender as well as trucking another. That defender was Sam Houston State defensive back Shelby Davis (#3). Johnny football goes head-up with Davis, who is listed at 5 feet 11 inches and 160 pounds, and bulldozed his way into the end zone. Manziel may not be very big himself (6'1, 201 pounds), but he certainly doesn't shy away from contact. If the NFL isn't paying attention yet, they better wake up!
7.
The term, "threading the needle" is needed to describe this play. Not only did Manziel throw a frozen rope to wide out, Mike Evans (#13), he did so while being backed up into his own territory. Manziel launched the pass a good five yards deep in the end zone, and still managed to sneak it by the defensive back, to the wide out at the forty yard line. Incredible! Looking closely at the play, you can witness that Johnny Manziel throws off his back foot. Some might think, - "what's so special about that?" - For a quarterback to be off balance and perfectly place the ball in a small window, to hit a receiver in stride, while being pursued by the top defense in the nation, requires tremendous arm strength. Manziel demonstrated to have the ability to throw from within the pocket, something many scouts have doubted. Johnny Football has arm strength people, the proof is in the pudding.
6.
Speed kills! In a game versus Louisiana Tech in 2012, Manziel and Co. lined up in the pistol formation, running a QB draw. Manziel kept the ball, and saw a hole developing from the right side of the offensive line. Once Johnny reached the second level, it was over. Nobody on the defense was going to catch him. He even burnt past two defenders on his was to his longest touchdown run of his career, 72 yards! According to Rivals.com, Manziel runs a 40 yard dash in 4.53 seconds, exactly the same as San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. True speed, like Manziel possesses can't be matched, or can it? We will see if the amazing athletic ability in the NFL is able to stop this kid.
5.
A Heisman trophy winner, and a STUD! That is what Johnny Manziel is. He showed us why in the Cotton Bowl, on January 4, 2013 versus Oklahoma University. A few weeks after being in New York City for the Heisman presentation, Johnny Football appeared back on the gridiron doing his thing (oh yeah, he won too!). Playing on national TV was the perfect time for him to show off to America, and show off he did! On first and ten, with about ten minutes left in the half, a typical QB draw was ran for Manziel. Just as Manziel had done all season, (rushing for 1,181 yards) he was gone for a huge chunk of yards. Mr. Football has explosive speed, which helps get himself into the secondary, pulling out some school yard juke moves to get more defenders to miss. After all was said and done, Manziel gained a total of 44 yards, and gave his team a monumental momentum shift! Will Johnny Manziel be able to motivate his NFL teammates?
4.
WOW! This play comes in at number four, so I'll give four reasons this play is AMAZING!
1- His escape from pressure is simply beautiful! He manages to roll away from an oncoming rusher, allowing him more time for Johnny's magic.
2- His throw. WOW! WOW! Can I say wow again? WOW! Johnny Manziel threw a 20 yard dart one-footed! If that doesn't get you excited, I don't know what does. He did complete that pass after scrambling away from defenders. Just sayin'.
3- Johnny Manziel is the ultimate competitor. Texas A&M is already up 20, but that doesn't stop Manziel or the Aggies to keep playing as if they were down 20. That attitude starts with their fearless leader, Manziel, who will always give his all, no matter what. He competes all four quarters, what more do you want from a QB?
4- Oh, this play also resulted in a touchdown! Yeah, Manziel didn't run into the end zone himself, but he did start it al. It's a perfect example of "Johnny Football" doing magical things to take over a game.
3.
Manziel continues to amaze us with these types of plays! Im shocked myself that I chose this play as number three, but here is why:
1- Manziel is slippery, very slippery. Playing at home in College Station, Manziel completed what is officially ruled a 12 yard pass. However, the pass traveled 45 yards through the air! Manziel escaped a sack from Alabama linebacker, C.J Mosley, (future NLF player) and managed to run so for in the backfield that he needed to heave the ball in the air, hail-marry style!
2- This play is number three, and not higher because the final two result in touchdowns! ( the plays are AMAZING, so you should still watch!) Also, I'll be the first to admit that a little bit of luck was involved in this play. Yet, still an awesome play from Johnny Football. I expect nothing less.
2.
The final two is now amongst us! Johnny Manziel's last college football game. New Years Eve 2013, playing in the Chick-Fil-A-Bowl versus Duke. The Aggies found themselves trailing by twenty-one. That didn't stop Johnny Football from making one hell of a play! It all started on second and seven, Manziel in shotgun formation. Ball snapped, Manziel scanned the field for open receivers, not finding anybody open. What happens next is unheard of! Manziel attempts to take off with his legs, until he hurdles into his own teammate, Jarvis Harrison (#51), an offensive lineman tipping the scales at over 300 pounds. Manziel, who hadn't crossed the line of scrimmage, backpedaled and threw a pass to an outlet receiver. The rest is history! As mentioned before, Manziel possesses this insane quality to never give up! Manziel and the Aggies ended up with a comeback victory over the Duke Bluedevils, 52-48! I point to this play, as the turing point of the game, and of course it's Johnny Football in the middle of it all!
1.
Here it is folks, the NUMBER ONE play! There are two main reasons for why I chose this play as the cream of the crop!
- This play demonstrates numerous attributes that are within Manziel's arsenal.
- Awareness
- Manziel attempts to run the ball himself, after initially scanning the field for open receivers. However, his awareness allows him to see the running lane close quickly.
- Back to option one, pass the ball!
- Elusiveness
- According to ESPN, Manziel was only sacked 22 times out of 434 pass attempts the entire 2012 season! That's a 5% sack rate!
- I'm not surprised by that stat when Manziel pulls moves like this!
- Vision
- Vision as an attribute for a QB is underrated. To be a successful quarterback in any league, it's important to maintain site of your receivers.
- Johnny Football keeps his eyes on his receivers at all times, even while evading pass rushers. It pays off! Big time!
- Arm strength
- Manziel completes the pass for a touchdown to wideout Ryan Swope (#25).
- The touchdown pass wasn't a missile, but arm strength was definitely a factor in completing the pass.
- Manziel threw the ball across his body on the run! A type of throw, that can't be completed without arm strength.
- Again, across his body on the run! That is HARD! He made it look simple.
- This game was played in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Not an easy place to play, let alone win! Manziel and the Aggies did exactly that on November 10, 2012 versus Alabama. Johnny Manziel was a freshman, and for him to march into that stadium and execute all afternoon (with plays like the one above) is phenomenal. Looking closely at this play, I saw before the touchdown the Aggies had a 7-0 lead over the crimson tide. Add that amazing play for Manziel, and the Aggies are up 14-0! Wait, thats only seven minutes into the game! UNBELIEVABLE! Texas A&M, led by Manziel, came out with a win against the nations top team, which had a defense full of NFL quality players.
Whose laughing now?
Draft exports all around the country, especially ESPNs Mel Kiper Jr, have projected Johnny Manziel to be selected number one overall in the NFL draft. Will he be able to keep making plays, like the ones above? Or will the NFL turn Johnny Football, back into Johnny Manziel? Leave a comment with what you think.
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