Do you want Johnny Manziel at #8?

[J. Kapp 11]

Didn't Kaepernick take his team to the SB and has also started every game since taking over for Alex Smith? Newton has also never missed a game. RGIII got hurt because he never protected himself.

Kaepernick also ran the read-option a lot less last year than he did in his Super Bowl year. And Newton is out at least four months following ankle surgery, putting the start to this season at risk. That's not to say he's injury prone, but he's not indestructible.

[NextQuestion]

Newton is projected back in July. I also watch a ton of SF games and they run the option a good percentage of the time, however, they had Kaepernick hand the ball off or toss it to Boldin all year. Not a bad idea. He still had a few rushing TDs

[King James]

Not taking anything away from Russell Wilson but I think the defense was the main reason they made, let alone win the super bowl. Same thing with Colin Kaepernick, had a great defense that super bowl season. But those two QBs are diamonds in the rough. They, unlike most read-option QBs, know how to throw on their feet and still make plays. Many QBs who run the read-option don't pan out, despite how successful they were in college.

As for Manziel, I still think he fits into that mold that won't pan out in the NFL level.

[Purple bruise]

Well there's an article out that Zimmer is a bit skeptical about Manziel's off the field props and character. I don't blame him. As many of us have speculated, Manziel may not be as dedicated to working on his game as one wants from his franchise quarterback. So either this is a huge smoke screen from Zimmer and co., or it has confirm that there are character issues with Johnny Football.

If the Vikes are serious about drafting JFB, it would only be a smart and logical move to downplay the kid in case they want to move up and draft him or make other teams believe that they are not interested in him. Maybe your "smokescreen" comment is not to far off.

[mondry]

I just don't see very much at all that tells me Manziel has poor work ethic. He was criticized as a pocket passer 2 years ago and worked his butt off to improve in that area in the off season. Everything on the football field screams he wants to get better, that he wants to win, that he's a competitor.

I read the Zimmer article and it's either a smoke screen, or he doesn't think his personality will match with Manziels. That doesn't mean Manziel is doomed to fail as an NFL QB though, it just means they might not always see eye to eye or it could mean the Vikings avoid him which ultimately could prove to be either a great or bad move but it doesn't really tell us anything as of right now.

[cogitator]

Kind of hard to tell if Zimmer is throwing up a smoke screen or is just an old school guy who wants someone like Johnny Unitas. I recall that when the Broncos, still under Shanahan at that time, drafted Cutler, Shanahan would not even have a personal workout or interview with Cutler for fear of tipping his hand.

[Slick Rick]

I am surprised that Johnny's stock has taken off so much due to his Pro Day. My surprise comes from: 1) folks saw something that they didn't already know about him? Watch his games! Look at his numbers! He was crazy accurate with defenders trying to take his head off, of course he'd be accurate in a pro day context! He has a strong arm? No kidding? Watch his games! He had plenty of bombs… and no, they aren't all jump balls to Evans.

2) I'm surprised that folks put much stock in these highly artificial exercises: enough to make a guy go from possibly sliding out of round 1 to being almost certainly gone by pick 8? I guess it reflects just how polarizing JFB is and how important franchise QB is to a team and how hard it is to make determinations about QB prospects.

I don't think that his stock actually took off much at all. I think it's been blown out of proportion by the media, and he's always been considered a top prospect. IMO he's always had the highest ceiling. My biggest questions were always his footwork and his pocket passing. I think those are still big questions, but nothing that coaching and hard work can't fix.

One thing that I think has always been noted by scouts across the league is his ability to make plays on the run, and the way he runs. He runs with a certain intelligence, not unlike Russell Wilson or Colin Kaepernick, where he almost seems to outsmart the pursuing defenders. Sometimes you'll see him run one way and just open up a huge lane to gain a bunch of yards. All the while, he seems to mind his receivers, and often times will sneak a pass in to broken coverage. I think that creates another question, though. Does that translate to the NFL? I'm not entirely sure, and I don't think anyone else is entirely sure either. I'm not sure if he's going to be the next Fran Tarkenton, or the next Christian Ponder.

[headless_norseman]

If the Vikes are serious about drafting JFB, it would only be a smart and logical move to downplay the kid in case they want to move up and draft him or make other teams believe that they are not interested in him. Maybe your "smokescreen" comment is not to far off.

I've posted otherwise from the Zimmer staff, but I think JFB is one of the 2-3 they have pegged on their board for first rounders. Just my feeling, but I think that's the case.

And I think there's enough offensive talent around him to keep him straiight and working hard. And I think he has it in him. I also think the Browns will grab him, so point is probably mute.

[headless_norseman]

anyone who thought manziel was a second rounder before or after his pro day needs their head examined. i wouldn't be surprised to see him go to the texans.

I think the Texns go Bortles, IMHO.

[Angels Wings]

Well there's an article out that Zimmer is a bit skeptical about Manziel's off the field props and character. I don't blame him. As many of us have speculated, Manziel may not be as dedicated to working on his game as one wants from his franchise quarterback. So either this is a huge smoke screen from Zimmer and co., or it has confirm that there are character issues with Johnny Football.

I don't think it's a smoke screen at; I think Zimmer is legit in his concerns and wouldn't assassinate his character like the Eagles did Desean Jackson. Remember, he was at Cincinnati where guys got arrested on the regular, so I don't blame him. Now, if Manziel is there at 8, the Vikings take him and Zimmer and Johnny iron that out...

[NextQuestion]

Love that Zimmer had a defense LOADED with red flags in Cincy but we somehow flinch when it comes to a potential franchise QB?

[Purple bruise]

I don't think it's a smoke screen at; I think Zimmer is legit in his concerns and wouldn't assassinate his character like the Eagles did Desean Jackson. Remember, he was at Cincinnati where guys got arrested on the regular, so I don't blame him. Now, if Manziel is there at 8, the Vikings take him and Zimmer and Johnny iron that out...

If it was not a smoke screen then it appears that he was foolish to make that type of comment. Even if they did not intend on drafting JFB, what if he slipped to #8 and any other interested teams would not offer to trade up to get him there (with the Vikings) they would wait until the team with the 9th pick to negotiate with them. I bet Spielman was cringing after hearing Zimmer make that comment if it WASN'T a smokescreen. IMO

[Texas Vike]

If it was not a smoke screen then it appears that he was foolish to make that type of comment. Even if they did not intend on drafting JFB, what if he slipped to #8 and any other interested teams would not offer to trade up to get him there (with the Vikings) they would wait until the team with the 9th pick to negotiate with them. I bet Spielman was cringing after hearing Zimmer make that comment if it WASN'T a smokescreen. IMO

I would guess that most front offices are very skeptical about anything said in the press this time of year. I would also think that most folks around the league are very wary of Spielman, knowing that he's been a trickster in the past and seems to pride himself on it. Zimmer seems to be a straight shooter, but I'm sure many detect Spielman's (grinning) figure peaking over Zimmer's shoulder and are likely unsure whether Zimmer is being sincere or deceptive.

[Purple bruise]

Tex Vike:
I would guess that most front offices are very skeptical about anything said in the press this time of year. I would also think that most folks around the league are very wary of Spielman, knowing that he's been a trickster in the past and seems to pride himself on it. Zimmer seems to be a straight shooter, but I'm sure many detect Spielman's (grinning) figure peaking over Zimmer's shoulder and are likely unsure whether Zimmer is being sincere or deceptive.[/quote]

I really like that about Mr. Spielman

[Mothman]

If you look closely, Zimmer hasn't really said much beyond pointing out the obvious: there are a few red flags with Manziel. We all know about them because they've been well-publicized. Beyond acknowledging what everyone already knows, most of Zimmer's comments about Manziel have been about what he'll need to be at the in the NFL or they've been questions, not statements. He's saying a lot of things like "Will this guy lead our football team?" and "Will he be in to work early every single day? Will he be the last to leave? Will he be the guy that is working the hardest to get better?". However, he's not making definitive statements about how he or the Vikings actually view Manziel. It's clear they are interested in him and it's clear they are doing their best to get to know him, research him and make an informed decision on draft day.