Johnny Football’s Work Ethic
February 21st, 2014
Hey, today is the day Bucs fans. The franchise quarterback of your dreams, Johnny Manziel, aka Johnny Football, is expected to take the podium to talk with Joe and other assembled NFL media at the NFL Scouting Combine from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Joe is expecting a Manti Te’o-like mob scene for the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and most exciting college signal-caller Joe can remember.
Yes, there are Johnny haters; Joe understands that. In Joe’s eyes, far too many Bucs fans are content with mediocre if not boring play rather than excited the Bucs could land a quarterback for the ages (and who says the Bucs are picking at No. 7? Give Joe those Lotto numbers from that same crystal ball).
Joe understands if folks think that Johnny won’t last in the NFL because he may be frail or smallish or perhaps doesn’t have a John Elway arm. Those are legitimate concerns. What Joe doesn’t get is people saying Johnny will be a cancer. Based on what? Because his girlfriend is well-endowed?
There has been nothing, absolutely no inkling or hint coming out of the state of Texas that Manziel has been anything of the sort. Joe spoke with his running back, Ben Molena, who called Johnny “the perfect teammate.” Aggies wide receiver Mike Evans has said similar things.
Then there is All-World offensive tackle Jake Matthews of Texas A&M (who Joe sure wouldn’t mind seeing on the Bucs). Matthews too was asked about Johnny being a noose around the Aggies necks and he quickly dismissed such nonsense.
“Everything I’ve ever seen him do is all out,” Matthews said when asked about Manziel’s worth ethic. “He worked hard at everything he did. When it was time to practice, he was out there competing just as hard as he would in a game. That’s all I ever saw.
“There was definitely things he worked on all the time to try and get better at. My biggest thing was just trying to give him time because he’s proved that he’s gonna make plays. All I’ve got to do is try to give him those opportunities.
“I never really had to talk to him about anything (negative). He was always there for practice, always came in and worked hard. I never really had any issues with him.”
Nor was Johnny selfish, per Matthews.
“No, I don’t consider him a me-first guy at all,” Matthews said. “My whole experience with him coming in as a quarterback was nothing but good things.
When he was on the field, he was just a tremendous competitor, great leader, someone that I loved playing for, and I was glad to have him as my quarterback.”
A real cancer, huh? Selfish player, huh? Rotten to the core, huh?
Joe understands there are fans with legitimate fears of the Bucs pursuing Manziel. Just don’t invent fairy tales to support your hatred of the young man.
Yeah, would trading up be a pinch in the price to get Johnny? Sure. But guess what the ransom for a quarterback will be if the Bucs are putzing around .500 and Mike Glennon doesn’t work out, and the Bucs have to trade up from 12 or 18 to get a quarterback.
Be prepared for sticker shock then.
Joe is convinced people hate Johnny because they are jealous they couldn’t pull in college.
February 21st, 2014 at 10:06 am
don’t forget your pom poms when you rush the stage joe.
I clicked on his GF link. now there is something I like about the guy. mad props, shes smokin
February 21st, 2014 at 10:09 am
This propaganda machine is working on me. I’m actually starting to hope we have an opportunity to take a chance on this guy. It’s a risk, but I kind of want to take that risk. Thanks Joe
February 21st, 2014 at 10:14 am
“….guess what the ransom for a quarterback will be if the Bucs are putzing around .500 and Mike Glennon doesn’t work out and the Bucs have to trade up from 12 or 18 to get a quarterback….”
Not only the ransom of trading up, but for those of you that have to draft a “sure thing” (I did not know there was such a thing) QB, an “Andrew Luck” type, what team is going to give up that up? And if they do, how do you think the “bidding” competition will be then? Some of you are just very unrealistic to think “there is always next year” for drafting a QB
February 21st, 2014 at 10:15 am
Yeah … let’s not do to him like we did to Josh Freeman. At least with Johnny we know exactly what to probably expect where with Freeman we seemed blindsighted that he could possibly and allegedly doing anything wrong. So don’t be hard on Joe’s guy. Only Joe has the right to be super critical of a “PLAYA”.
February 21st, 2014 at 10:18 am
Why get all excited about the Browns (?) new QB. We are Bucs fans.
February 21st, 2014 at 10:18 am
@Chef Paul:
The more I read about Johnny Football, the more I put him at the top of the food chain. Even the persona is getting to be attractive to me as a Bucs fan. A JBF type website for CLE did a exhaustive scouting report, both negative and positive, on him – great piece (I put the link on here yesterday, but Joe took it down). It really made me want to have the Bucs draft Johnny
February 21st, 2014 at 10:21 am
Joe… Wearing a jock strap over your head and chanting man crush man crush man crush would get his attention.
This is the 1st article I did not read and went directly to the comments. Which I found to be much more entertaining.
February 21st, 2014 at 10:22 am
“Joe is convinced people hate Johnny because they are jealous they couldn’t pull in college.”
Oil Derrick Brooks is convinced that people who couldn’t pull tail in college are living vicariously through him. If you are the starting QB at ANY big time school and you can’t get trim for days, then something’s wrong with you.
February 21st, 2014 at 10:22 am
“Joe is convinced people hate Johnny because they are jealous they couldn’t pull in college.”
This has to be the most sophomoric thing ever written on here. Like Johnny is the only college football player to “pull”. Have you seen Blake Bortles girlfriend – she blows Manziel’s out of the water?
As a man who is in his mid 40’s and has been married nearly twenty years, I’m envious of all guys in college, whether they play sports or not, who get to party with coeds on a regular basis and “pull”.
My not wanting to draft Manziel has nothing to do with his “pulling” ability, nor drinking ability, but has everything to do with his over-hyped football skills.
February 21st, 2014 at 10:23 am
“Joe is convinced people hate Johnny because they are jealous they couldn’t pull in college.”
HAAAAAAAaaaaaa Joe, you sure know how to keep the Glennon Mob coming back for more, huh?
Btw your font for the JoeBucsFan.com banner is now throwback. I say keep it, but are there any plans to update the site in Licht (see what i did there) of the “logo changes”?
February 21st, 2014 at 10:24 am
coughkansasstatecough
February 21st, 2014 at 10:24 am
I’d much rather have Matthews or Evans than Manziel. Bridgewater or Bortles are the only 1st round qbs we should consider.
February 21st, 2014 at 10:25 am
And this is just offensive garbage. I don’t see why you have to be an asshole about it.
February 21st, 2014 at 10:27 am
“…coughkansasstatecough…”
LMAO!!!
February 21st, 2014 at 10:31 am
“the chance the Bucs could land a quarterback for the ages (Give me those Lotto numbers from Joe’s crystal ball).”
If you get the chance will you ask Manziel why he isn’t going to throw at the combine?
February 21st, 2014 at 10:33 am
Hope MW replacement doesn’t compromise our chance to trade up.. If we need to draft another WR it’s one less pick for trading up
February 21st, 2014 at 10:35 am
“If you get the chance will you ask Manziel why he isn’t going to throw at the combine?”
rdbucfan,
He can’t. He’s already booked a cuddling session with Joe in the corner during that time.
February 21st, 2014 at 10:39 am
If we get JFB I’ll be happy. If we don’t, I’ll be happy.
February 21st, 2014 at 10:41 am
Without a doubt the wildcard of the draft.
February 21st, 2014 at 10:41 am
Did Joe pack extra knee-pads for the occasion?
February 21st, 2014 at 10:47 am
Don’t forget to Cuff the Balls Joe…
February 21st, 2014 at 10:55 am
Lol..best Johnny Footabll love-letter EVER!
(Should be good for ~150 replies, give or take)
Go Bucs!
February 21st, 2014 at 10:56 am
Is that k-state reference about Freeman?
February 21st, 2014 at 10:59 am
All of it doesn’t matter because he is gone by the time the 7th pick is on the clock.
Joe I wouldn’t put much more time into Manziel postings.
February 21st, 2014 at 11:07 am
“Joe understands if folks think that Johnny won’t last in the NFL because he may be frail or smallish or perhaps doesn’t have a John Elway arm. Those are legitimate concerns”
Then how about one singular article covering these legitimate concerns, to counter the torrent of cheerleader Manziel pieces? No one is asking for equal coverage. Just one counter piece. A 50:1 ratio.
February 21st, 2014 at 11:14 am
More garbage from Joe. As BigDog told you last week, you don’t have the ammunition to move up to #1 or 2. You can’t give up a #1 this year, #1 next year and #1 in 2016 (or very close to it). There is no Andrew Luck in this draft.
If he falls to #7, then draft him. If not, go with Watkins or Mack.
Can’t take Joe seriously anyway….I haven’t seen him throw a football lol (or play baseball etc if he cares to chime in on other sports)
February 21st, 2014 at 11:16 am
Just like in high school in the 1960’s, the QB or the player most popular get’s the choice of the most beautiful cheerleader. Hot girls are attracted to the limelight, even more so today.
February 21st, 2014 at 11:24 am
“No one is asking for equal coverage. Just one counter piece. A 50:1 ratio.”
Sorry, Joe owns the site, Joe picks the ‘ratio’, don’t like it, go to one of the millions of other sites that talk about football. Your choice to leave, if you dislike the ‘ratio’.
Course, it begs the question, if you dislike the ‘ratio’ so much, why are you here commenting? Better response might be to ignore the posts you dislike & read only those you like. That way you can always have your opinion validated.
February 21st, 2014 at 11:25 am
Lol C’mon now. I’m sure Joe was just having a little fun with his readers. Why so angry? I’m guessing it might be true.
Off season is starting to make people crazy I see.
February 21st, 2014 at 11:28 am
Anybody else think Johnny ‘Beer Bong’ Manziel looks like Bobby Boucher?
Mama says that alligators are ornery ‘cause they got all them teeth but no tooth brush.
February 21st, 2014 at 11:34 am
Dang Joe, you even have your own cheerleaders answering for you. Good work.
February 21st, 2014 at 11:39 am
I don’t think an improvisor is worth the risk and the price after 5 years without a playoff game. Also, a guy who’s already known for his partying and pulling tail is an instant circus that this team doesn’t need. After MRSA and Freeman and rushing kneeldowns, let’s only be on Sportscenter for winning football games. No drama.
February 21st, 2014 at 11:40 am
Fritz50,
I think I hear Joe calling you. He needs more lotion on his back!
February 21st, 2014 at 11:50 am
Joe you have contributed to turning the MOB into alcoholics. I think they are having tequila shots before witting their opinions. By draft day they will be rioting in NYC.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:02 pm
Nonsense. Please cite the NFL bylaw that you cannot swap No. 1s or trade away future draft picks.
And, no, Joe doesn’t believe it would be that pricey to trade up a few slots. And as Joe stated in the article, think it’s expensive to trade up now? Imagine the ransom for trading up later when the Bucs are stuck in the middle of the pack and need a quarterback.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:04 pm
Same argument(s) can be made with just about any quarterback not named Andrew Luck.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:18 pm
“Same argument(s) can be made with just about any quarterback not named Andrew Luck.”
You could simply say, “I choose not to discuss the possible flaws in Manziel’s game and only cover the positives.
But, I suppose the non-answer will suffice.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:23 pm
OilDerrick,
You ain’t gonna get no where with Joe. Ever heard of the phrase “Love is Blind”?
February 21st, 2014 at 12:26 pm
I don’t think ANYONE “hates” Manziel, but YOU are the one who perpetuates these “love/hate” tags. And it does nothing but antagonize people, rather than foster good debate. It’s gotten very old, immature, childish, and makes it almost impossible to have an intelligent debate. Maybe, I’m old school but the childish, derogatory name-calling, of our own players is pathetic, IMO. You’ve taken the deviciveness angle to another level, and time will tell how long it will work.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:27 pm
I just want to take the time to thank Joe and the commenters. This article’s comments and Joe’s rebuttals have been some the best so far. Everyone has been funny and showing great senses of humor. No sarcasm. I’ve enjoyed almost every word.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:33 pm
@Buccanay
I agree with you 100%
February 21st, 2014 at 12:34 pm
The MGMers just wants to sit on their hands and when MG8 fails next year, then they will be crying about “why didn’t we trade up and draft a QB like ____________ (fill in the blank of the rookie QB who had a successful yr)? Hind sight.
If Jesus was in the draft, the MGMers would find fault with trading up to draft him.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:44 pm
@buccanAy Says:
“…YOU are the one who perpetuates these “love/hate” tags.”
“…does nothing but antagonize people, rather than foster good debate.”
“…impossible to have an intelligent debate. ”
“…the childish, derogatory name-calling, of our own players is pathetic…”
1) I find it is usually “love/hate” things that stir the good debate
2) How is what is being written here antagonizing? Can’t ppl go to other websites? Is Joe responsible for others actions and what comes out of their mouths?
3) It is impossible to have good debate when ppl claim MG8 is as good a Bress, or B_rady, which they have.
Maybe I am missing something, but I don’t see where Joe is calling our players names; on the contrary, he usually says nice things about Glennon as a person; as a QB he is only expressing his opinion, as you are, about MG8s abilities
February 21st, 2014 at 12:47 pm
@Harry. You could not be more wrong.
If there were an Andrew Luck in this draft, I would be begging them to trade up.
But, there’s not. It’s just really bad luck for a QB needy team this year. The draft is DEEP in many positions. But, not at QB.
I just feel this team has way too many holes to blow a first round pick, or trade up and blow all those picks on someone simply because the team thinks they need a franchise QB.
When people are talking about Blake Bortles in the first round, trust me, it’s a bad QB year.
Just look back to desperate team LAST YEAR. Geno Smith in the first? EJ Manuel? (I’m a Nole, and I’m saying that).
Don’t believe the agent hype. These guys are not legit. I like Bridgewater, but, I wouldn’t bet the farm for him.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:53 pm
3) It is impossible to have good debate when ppl claim MG8 is as good a Bress, or B_rady, which they have.
—————————————————-
Yes it is impossible to debate with people like you who take something ridiculous 1 person said (that im aware of) and label everyone who likes Glennon as having that same opinion.
And yes Joe has called Glennon names before. I’m not going to bother going back and looking for it as I’ve moved on from that immature BS.
Names? Really? Please. The best Joe can recall is finding it humors when Steve Duemig called him “beanstalk” and “Opie” on the air. –Joe
February 21st, 2014 at 1:12 pm
“And, no, Joe doesn’t believe it would be that pricey to trade up a few slots”
CLUE-LESS. He won’t last past #2 and it will take a swap of this year’s 1sts, next year’s 1st and probably at least a 2nd in 2016. Ask any GM since you have all the sources
February 21st, 2014 at 1:49 pm
@Oil Derrick Brooks Says:
“…If there were an Andrew Luck in this draft, I would be begging them to trade up.”
“…I just feel this team has way too many holes to blow a first round pick, or trade up and blow all those picks on someone simply because the team thinks they need a franchise QB…”
1a) A “can’t miss” prospect like Andrew Lucks is VERY rare. I honestly don’t recall the last one that some analyst was not claiming he was going to fail. But, Ok. My question is what team is going to trade away and Andrew Luck? Heck, the Colts let Manning go to take Luck. Yes Payton was broken, I get that, but the point is still valid. In fact, it is arguable, IMO, that not one of the teams above us would not take an Andrew Luck, even ATL. I would take Luck and trade Ryan for more pics.
1b) So lets say you find that team that is willing to trade Luck. With all the QB needy teams, what do you think it would cost in draft picks for a “can’t miss” QB? I don’t understand why ppl feel they should only trade up for a “con’t miss” prospect, when every player, EVERY SINGLE ONE, has some degree of risk.
2) My position is not to draft/move up just bc we “need” a QB, only if Lovie & Co feel a Teddy or Johnny grades out. So, I would use the words “if the QB is worth trading up for. And we are not going to fill all of our needs via the draft; I know you know this. For example,
Draft:
1st – QB
2nd – WR (draft is deep) or TE or O-line
4th – OT (groom to repl penn)
etc
FA:
DE – Allen
WR – Burleson
DB – Spillman
That fills a lot of needs.
And I am kind of with you on Bortles, I think he is a project at best.
February 21st, 2014 at 2:00 pm
@Couch Fan Says:
“…is impossible to debate with people like you who take something ridiculous 1 person said (that im aware of) and label everyone who likes Glennon as having that same opinion.
And yes Joe has called Glennon names before…”
I have read comments comparing Glennon to several HOF QBs many times or I would not have pointed it out. But most importantly, I have never label ALL of the MGMers as having the same opinion. I have very good discussion with both Patrick in VA and ODB, even though they are wrong in their opinion (lol)
And, I am on here every day, like you, and I never recall Joe calling Glennon names. But I am glad you pointed it out, bc his response of Steve Duemig called him “beanstalk” and “Opie” on the air, was hilarious!
February 21st, 2014 at 2:06 pm
Harry we just have opposing opinions. You seem to think there are QBs worth trading for. I simply don’t. No biggie. We disagree.
Just like yesterday, we disagree about franchise tackles. You draft them in the first. Look at all the HOF tackles. Look at all the highest graded tackles recently. These are premium players. They are gone by the third round. I completely disagree with Dominick’s line philosophy.
February 21st, 2014 at 3:36 pm
The Johnny Manziel leg humping is outrageously hilarious
February 21st, 2014 at 3:51 pm
@ODB
“…Harry we just have opposing opinions. You seem to think there are QBs worth trading for. I simply don’t. No biggie. We disagree…”
I agree. If you and I were GMs, your team would have a studly offensive line with no QB and mine would have Payton Manning with a porous offensive line. Its cool ODB, at least you have intelligent opinions so I like debating with you from time to time.
February 21st, 2014 at 4:10 pm
Bust in waiting
February 21st, 2014 at 4:56 pm
Wow!! I thought Tannehill’s wife was hot!!
Maybe we should send the #7, our 2nd rounder and 4th round picks to the Texan’s for Johnny Freaking Football.
We got the cool helmets! Now we need the cool (busts in waiting) babes.
February 21st, 2014 at 6:03 pm
RG III was the 2nd pick in the first round in 2012. Washington traded THREE 1st’s and a 2nd rounder to move from 6th to 2nd in that year to draft him. The first three picks were turned into 7 players for the Rams, including three defensive starters, as well as the 2nd best rookie rusher with over 800 yds. The last pick is Washington’s 2014 first round pick, which just happens to be second overall in this year’s draft. For all you who want to move up in the draft to get a “franchise” QB, it seems the best way is to trade all of your premier picks for your franchise QB, and just wait a couple of years when you are then drafting at the top. Simple really! The only problem I see is that the pick at the top of the draft now belongs to the team you were foolish enough to trade with in the first place. Sounds like a plan!
tickrdr
February 21st, 2014 at 6:12 pm
I’m not deficient in that area because I have a beautiful wife…so I didn’t even know what Joe was talking about until I read the comments. Lol
Lightning, I hit 20 years in april, and I’m nearly 50.
February 21st, 2014 at 7:07 pm
Here’s a question, if we are talking about the Bucs trading the farm to the Texans, why not consider Bridgewater over Johnny Boy? Johnny Boy may very well turn out to be better than Bridgewater, but many believe that Teddy is the most NFL-ready QB in the draft with the questions surrounding Johnny Boy. But I think we would only have to trade with the Browns or Jags to get Manziel. Dont think either will happen.