Johnny Football: “The Perfect Teammate”
January 14th, 2014
Johnny’s mate speaks out in St. Pete
Joe hears the anti-Johnny Football crowd — you know who you are.
If these types are not in the Mike Glennon Mob, then they’re satisfied with a boring Bucs offense and hope the Bucs catch lightning in a bottle with a sixth-round-pick quarterback, which happens about once every time someone sees Halley’s Comet.
These anti-progressive, anti-Johnny Football fearmongers want you to believe Johnny Football is not a team player, that he is neither respected nor liked inside the walls of the Texas A&M locker room, thus, is not fit to wear the pewter and red of the Bucs. How the fearmongers know this, Joe has no clue.
So Joe decided to ask someone who would know about Johnny Football. And that is his starting tailback at Texas A&M, Ben Malena, who happened to be practicing for the West Squad at St. Petersburg High School yesterday.
For those who cling to this notion that Johnny Football is a bad teammate, Malena has a word for you: Bulls(p)it!
“He was the perfect teammate!” Malina exclaimed.”He’s a leader on the field and when it came to gameday, he was a winner.”
Now Joe knows the same fearmongers will point to Johnny Football’s antics on the sidelines, beating his chest in front of his defensive teammates, begging for the football, jumping on benches and extolling fans to get on their feet, like a distraction of a exhibitionist prancing about for attention.
Not so, said Malena. He noted all of his offensive teamates were like Johnny Football.
“It wasn’t just [Johnny Football], it was the whole offense,” Malena said. “The [TV] camera was just more focused on him.”
As a matter of fact, Malena’s agent, who was nearby, said it was Malena, not just Johnny Football, who gave a rousing halftime speech that helped rally the Aggies against Duke in the Chicken Bowl.
“It was me,” Malena confessed. “We got the guys in there and I basically told them, ‘Look, this is the last time the 2013 Aggies will be together. How do you want to be remembered?'”
Malena might be a guy to keep an eye on. He is the personification of versatile. Playing in the spread offense run by Kevin Sumlin, Malena was as adept at catching passes as he was running the ball. He also played on four different special teams, serving as a kick and sometimes punt returner.
As a receiver, Malena averaged nine yards a catch out of the backfield. Running the ball, Malena averaged just under five yards a carry.
“And I’m not afraid to pick up a blitz,” Malena said.
January 14th, 2014 at 9:12 am
It’s not that. I just think 1) his frame will get him killed (please save the Russell Wilson argument, he’s one guy and he has 20 pounds more muscle) and 2) Manziel sandlots way too much for a pro team, much like Tebow. Tell what OC wants to sleep on his office couch all week creating a gameplan just for Manziel to drop back and improvise like he largely did weekly.
He was a great college QB. Not every great college QB is a great pro. I just have a different opinion than some of you.
January 14th, 2014 at 9:18 am
Pass.
Afterall, Joe’s idea of a playmaking QB is Cam Newton who’s 25-23 in his career.
January 14th, 2014 at 9:24 am
I’m not against getting manziel, I’m just against giving up draft picks for him. If he falls in our lap at #7 then great. If he’s gone then let him go and get someone else that fills a need and give the kid we have at qb a chance to surprise us.
January 14th, 2014 at 9:25 am
What the hell is he doing in that pic? Is that a roman candle?
January 14th, 2014 at 9:27 am
I am so tired of mediocre QBs, I say go for a big hit and get one of the top 3 QBs in this draft (Bridgewater/Bortles/Manziel). No trades for backups or please no Glennon.
I want to be excited when the offense hits the field b/c of the QB!
January 14th, 2014 at 9:28 am
There are other options Joe….not Glennon, not Manziel, not boring offense. We may have a shot at 7 with Carr or even Bortles. Some think we should trade 3 first rounders & a 2nd to move up for ???
And, I doubt very seriously that we draft another RB no matter how versitile.
January 14th, 2014 at 9:37 am
I think we can have a strong offense with the addition of one more talented receiver. If the D has to account for Martin, VJax, Will and another Watkins type receiver that would make our offense a lot more effective and would be a safer route to getting points than a mobile QB.
Also, I’m not interested enough to look it up myself but it would be something that the staff will be looking at, how is Manziel with securing the ball? Does he throw as many interceptions as he does touchdowns or does he fumble the ball on half of the big runs that he breaks off? If he turns it over then it wouldn’t fit in to what Lovie is looking for but if he’s pretty good at keeping the ball with the offense then they could look at him pretty closely
January 14th, 2014 at 9:38 am
I do not disagree with what the agent is stating about Manziel and Malena, but any words that come out of an agents mouth are going to be nothing but praise about his client or any players for that matter. Additionally, a former teammate is not going to say anything bad about a player, especially before the draft. Take all with a grain of salt.
January 14th, 2014 at 9:43 am
Guys, let’s remember that Joe the draft guru was banging the drum for the Baron of Bust, Bjoeren Werner, this time last year. Yes, ol’ Werner played 13 games this and finished with a whopping 2.5 sacks!! Oh, and you guys must’ve seen his dominant playoff performance for the Colts…
Remainder deleted: There is no reason for insults. You’re now back, again, on the moderation/banned list. Sadly, you couldn’t contain yourself. Joe has not time to babysit comements–Joe
January 14th, 2014 at 9:50 am
Actually I think we desperately need a top QB but Manziel is the most likely to be an NFL bust of the top qbs. I’d much rather have Bridgewater or Bortles.
January 14th, 2014 at 9:53 am
@big007hed Says:
I am so tired of mediocre QBs, I say go for a big hit and get one of the top 3 QBs in this draft (Bridgewater/Bortles/Manziel). No trades for backups or please no Glennon. I want to be excited when the offense hits the field b/c of the QB!
AMEN BROTHER!!!
January 14th, 2014 at 9:54 am
@ Patrick in VA
His career TD/INT 63-22…..unable to find stats on fumbles….but I think he is OK there….
I’m with you…I don’t want to trade picks to get a QB…if Manziel, Bortles or Carr fall to 7….OK…
Maybe trade in 15 if Glennon or other doesn’t work out.
January 14th, 2014 at 9:55 am
Joe, he will never fall to the Bucs. There are multiple reports that the Browns are in love with him. Would it possible to trade up to number 2 and get him? Is it worth it? We would at least have to give up the 2015 and 2016 first round picks plus a 2nd or 4th this year.
January 14th, 2014 at 9:56 am
@Tampabaybucfan Says:
There are other options Joe….not Glennon, not Manziel, not boring offense. We may have a shot at 7 with Carr or even Bortles. Some think we should trade 3 first rounders & a 2nd to move up for ???
I said that is what Washington gave up to get RG3. But, YES, to get Teddy, I would give that up and not even blink. If we keep Glennon, we will have a boring offense.
January 14th, 2014 at 9:56 am
Johnny Football is no different than the majority of the NFL playmakers when it comes to chest thumping, end zone dances, and post sack gyrations. He is animated and that is a good thing IMO. We are so infected with the notion of “The Buccaneer Man” from the Schiano era that we that we measure the quality of a player by the way he handles himself around adults. I am ready to win football games. As long as the players aren’t dopping or beating their girlfriends let them have fun, party, and express themselves on the field. We need Johnny.
January 14th, 2014 at 9:56 am
Most of us don’t know how to truly evaluate a player’s potential. With that said:
Pro: It would be nice to have some publicity magic on our team. Were always a second tier (at best) team when the media focuses mainly on other.
Con: It would royally suck if we got him and his on-field performance does not live up to the hype. Then we have a marketing circus that gets us criticized in the media with no attention on the other good parts of the team.
I’m undecided.
January 14th, 2014 at 9:56 am
Guilty as charged….No Johnny Millennial, he is an injury bust looking for a place to happen and a big contract to pay him for it. No thanks, he’s physically smaller than RG3, and we have seen what full-sized men do to RGIII, this ain’t college, let Johnny Headache go to Canada and see if he can take the punishment doled out by Canadian defenders, plus it’s really more his kind of play up there…
January 14th, 2014 at 9:58 am
Remember, Tebow had this kind of fanatical circus following him. He was too religious to hire marketing professionals.
January 14th, 2014 at 9:59 am
You could have at least got the kids name right (Ben Malena).
The bitterness of readers always amazes Joe. Oooh, a typo, how dare Joe. –Joe
January 14th, 2014 at 10:01 am
Correct me if I’m wrong, we just got rid of a QB that partied too much? No way I want Manziel on this team.
January 14th, 2014 at 10:02 am
What do you expect a bunch of 22 year old friends and teammates to say? Manziel was always the life of the party. He’s either the reincarnation of Joe Namath (social partier with talent) or he will diminish his talent and image abusing alcohol, like Kerry Collins did. It ended Kerry’s promising career too early. The stigma that follows Manziel is his immaturity off the field. Yes, college students like to pound brewskies, and so do I, but when the leader of the football team is always the leader of the party brigade, it reflects poorly on Manziels prognosticated future ability to be a leader NFL players will look up to, or take seriously.
January 14th, 2014 at 10:03 am
I can remember when Cam Newton came out and all the media could do is call him a punk or Scam Newton. Why is Jonathan Football exempt? Oh nevermind… I forgot the media doesn’t like chocolate. Joe talks about a “boring offense” its an offense in Seattle and San Fran that’s boring yet effective. Also I don’t mind watching Peyton Manning and Tom Brady dink and dunk down the field. That exciting offense in Detroit and New Orleans are watching the games just like me… LMAO!!!!!
January 14th, 2014 at 10:03 am
Rather than trading 3 first round picks & a 2nd….How about lets get Sammy Watkins….and get a little creative in the backfield with Martin/James Martin/Demps Martin/Rainey
Or get a FB that can run & catch.
A new OC & 3rd WR could do wonders for our “boring offense”
Most exciting offenses don’t use a FB….Manning was playing with an empty backfield much of the game Sunday.
Rather than FB, use 2 TEs….need to pick up a TE that can receive & block.
January 14th, 2014 at 10:03 am
Glennon’s our QB. You might not like it but you better learn to love it,,,Whoooooooo
January 14th, 2014 at 10:05 am
LOL @ Barry!
January 14th, 2014 at 10:07 am
Lets see off the field issues, ego (like Lovie is going to play that game), and cant stay healthy. Tell me if he cant stay healthy in the shorter less talented college ranks, how will he ever play a 16 game NFL season.
Johnny Football will get picked in the top 5 by someone that falls in love with him and they will regret it as he will be the next Jamarcus Russel bust.
The most NFL ready QBs are barely getting in run, oh because they are not exciting? or they aren’t winners? Im pretty sure Alabama, Georgia and LSU all have done pretty well in recent years.
January 14th, 2014 at 10:07 am
@Tampabaybucfan Says:
“Maybe trade in 15 if Glennon or other doesn’t work out.”
I suspect this is a lot of pals fall back position, to trade up in ’15. But let me make a point here as to why ’14 is the best opportunity for the Bucs to trade up.
I am expecting us to have at least 7-8 wins in 2014 with Lovie as our coach (more would be cool). So lets say that many wins puts the Bucs in the 11th to 17th slot in the 1st round. Washington had to trade THREE 1st rd picks and one 2nd to move from the 6th slot to the 2nd in 2011 to draft RG3. Do you realize what you would have to give up to move from say the 11th slot to one of the top 3 picks??
January 14th, 2014 at 10:10 am
@ Harry
Exactly….that’s what Washington gave up for RG3….and its a good thing they drafted Cousins because of the RG3 injuries.
It did wonders for Mike Shanahan & Son.
The jury’s still out on RG3…but that is a huge gamble to take.
You think Manziel or Bortles is worth that?….because Houston will pick Bridgewater.
January 14th, 2014 at 10:11 am
Get Johnny!!!!!!! At all cost
January 14th, 2014 at 10:13 am
@Tbbf
Rather than trading 3 first round picks & a 2nd….How about lets get Sammy Watkins….
These are all special players. But it amazes me watching Brady or Payton and they make their 3rd string players look like All Pros. VJ is a stud, but Glennon did not make him look like one. How many studs do we need for Glennon to be able to shine? I don’t think Brady has very many right now, but they march up and down the field.
January 14th, 2014 at 10:18 am
LOL @ joe
January 14th, 2014 at 10:19 am
I, like many of you don’t want Manziel UNLESS HE FALLS TO US AT 7. Th long term plan here may be for Jameis or Mariotta. Both of whom I like better than Manziel. Full disclosure, I’m a Nole. Still, they both bring the same gamer/winner factor that Manziel has with less distraction and more size.
So, if they don’t grab Manziel, bring in an Aaron Murray, or a mcCarron type and let he and Glennon duke it out in camp. The. Next year, go up and get your stud. (After you stacked the roster w more talent this offseason. Then make your run w Jameis. It’s not like the guys learning curve will be great. He runs a pro style now, and the kid is like 14 and just won the heisman. Come on. He can do it all.)
January 14th, 2014 at 10:41 am
Joe is getting drunk on the Manziel Kool-aid!
January 14th, 2014 at 10:49 am
Johnny Manziel will scramble one day and a real man will hit him instead of a college boy and he will be out of work!
January 14th, 2014 at 10:51 am
The NFL has changed. The rules now dictate a throw first, penalize the defense league. Without a mobile QB that is accurate and elusive your not ever going to win. The days of the run setting up the pass are OVER. Defense becomes less and less important as a clean hit in 2000 is 15 yard penalty in 2014. You can not sack the QB as all they need to do is make sure when you hit them your hitting their helmet and a sack becomes 15 yards of offense. We need a REAL quarterback or the Bucs will never sniff the playoffs even with 10 or 11 wins.
January 14th, 2014 at 10:53 am
I’m part of the Mike Glennon Mob, but I also really like Johnny’s game. I would agree with Joe on his assessment of Johnny, but I think Joe will be on the wrong side of history when it comes to Glennon. Glennon’s strength is his intelligence. He needs a scheme that can utilize this strength. For instance, give him the ability to make reads and checks at the line of scrimmage and design a scheme that will allow the ball to come out quicker with more passing targets. I thought it was extremely impressive what Glennon did this season given the circumstances of playing the leagues top defenses with inadequate offensive weapons and an offensive scheme not suited to his game in a culture where half time adjustments were not a priority.
January 14th, 2014 at 11:00 am
I don’t dislike Johnny football.
I just know there is no sense in getting all worked up about him when there is zero chance the Bucs will draft him.
January 14th, 2014 at 11:06 am
@ Harry
The reason why VJax didn’t look more like a stud is that Tiquan Underwood was our number 2.
Imagine a good offensive scheme with VJax, Watkins & MW19 as our number 3….add Wright to that and a healthy Doug Martin and…things would look a lot differently!!!
January 14th, 2014 at 11:12 am
Two things I don’t worry about Johnnys on field performance I’m more worried that he will not be able to handle the off field distractions.
As far as Glennon, he had a horrible supporting cast and played very well. People seem to want to goof on him because of his physical appearance but dies anyone remember what Payton looked like when he came out? I think Glennon earned the right to compete to start next year.
January 14th, 2014 at 11:16 am
He can be a buc. That is if we can get him in the 5th round.
January 14th, 2014 at 11:19 am
Kerry Collins played 16 years and made about 70-75 million dollars in the NFL he didn’t have a short NFL career and alcohol was never a factor. Why do people talk crap about things they have no idea about?
January 14th, 2014 at 11:24 am
Thank you, d-money. The Johnny Football madness is over the top; he won’t be there for the Bucs to select at number 7. I think a lot of people forget that while the Bucs finished 4-12, so did a half dozen other teams, and the Bucs strength of schedule is the strongest, so without trading up, you can cross off Bridgewater, Johnny Football and Jadevon Clowney from our wishlist.
Also, the cost of trading up is likely too much, and the Bucs are without a third round pick this season. I’d love for the team to land one of the three guys I mentioned above, but it seems highly unlikely that will happen.
January 14th, 2014 at 11:26 am
I’m sorry I’m not paying to see a 21 year old diva and party animal!
January 14th, 2014 at 11:26 am
JOE….
All these posts about Johnny….Maybe I missed it….but have you advocated trading up for him….if so, what picks? Or, do you actually think he will fall to us at 7?
Because…that’s the only way he’s a Buc.
What is your position?
January 14th, 2014 at 11:38 am
not crazy about Johnny’s 5-5 record against ranked teams. Mike Glennon was 2-2 for the sake of comparison.
January 14th, 2014 at 11:40 am
“anti-Johnny Football fearmongers want you to believe Johnny Football is not a team player, that he is neither respected nor liked inside the walls of the Texas A&M locker room, thus, is not fit to wear the pewter and red of the Bucs. How the fearmongers know this, Joe has no clue”
_____________
Funny Joe, but you’d have us believe that Blount wasn’t a team player, but none of his teammates ever said anything negative about him either.
Johnny Lush is the second coming of Ryan Leaf.
January 14th, 2014 at 11:48 am
I’m quoting someone but why does Matt Ryan get a pass but Glennon doesn’t? I understand that Matt Ryan has been there…with a full s
January 14th, 2014 at 12:00 pm
continued…squad of players but with injuries this year and a questionable OLine he was average. I do want an exciting offense and Glennon could provide that if he can move us down the field to score on a normal basis. I am torn though because I want someone exciting. Just pick Lovie!
January 14th, 2014 at 12:08 pm
Johny Football= Winner
Bortles=bust
Please stop with the trade up for Bortles crap
Johny is worth a huge trade up.Who cares if we have to give up picks.1/2 don’t pan out or are just mediocre.Trade up get a stud,Sign some guys to fill in holes and lets go.Why does everyone think every precious draft pick is gold.We will not be picking this high again for a decade so make it count.
Remember between Meshawn and Chucky we gave up a shit ton of high picks (ones)and low and behold we won a Super Bowl with Vets.When a player plays balls out and has the “it”factor you make a move.
January 14th, 2014 at 12:10 pm
“not crazy about Johnny’s 5-5 record against ranked teams.”
Wow, imagine Johnny playing on a team that actually plays defense.
If we had a 3rd rounder, we could move up to the #4 slot and select Clowney or even Manziel. It looks like the Bucs will have to wait and see who falls down that far.
There are always shockers that change the way the draft plays out and Oaktown is two picks ahead of us.
Murray may fall into the 4th round.
January 14th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
@Tbbf
I can’t imagine that since Glennon is going to be throwing them the ball. That is my whole point. The Brady’s and Manning’s of the world make their teammates better. Glennon does not do that.
January 14th, 2014 at 12:47 pm
lol whats he supposed to say?? and manziel seems like a cool guy anyways, the guy was the center of attention and party hard in college and balled out every saturday i mean you can ask for a better life in college. however, in the nfl you are leading grown men and you have to adapt to some different things the guy has talent i dont mind bringing him in here but if the watkins is available at 7 i just dont see how can you pass on a guy like that especially when we need a slot receiver asap. williams, jackson, watkins, and glennon i am all for it.
January 14th, 2014 at 12:49 pm
That would be stupid and dumb to give up so much for a player expecually for a player that history has thought that his percentages of succeeding are low look at the redskins and how they are having to give out there num. 2 overall away smh I find it funny how some of you gudge a player on one year expecually when he’s a rookie some off the best qbs right now in football struggled there first year give people time to develop it’s what the nfl is about if lovie can’t make it to the super bowl with gross man wat makes people so sure he can’t with Glennon that is much better
January 14th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Joe in the next Manziel article. Can you please mention us fans that think he will get hurt quite often? Because his size is the main problem for me and many others.
January 14th, 2014 at 12:52 pm
hahaha. This guy is the life of the party. I’m all in.
January 14th, 2014 at 12:53 pm
Harry
Glennon is commin out his first year why u so quick to judge what he can and can’t do a qb takes years to develop why u so confident that manziel could do it in a nfl level defense
January 14th, 2014 at 12:59 pm
@harry
ok let me get this straight glennon doesnt make his teamates better according to you, who is he supposed to get better jackson, i dont know if you saw jackson stats but the guy had 78 catches for over 1000 yards, thats pretty darn good too me with a guy that was getting triple team most of the game and also dropped some catches, also glennon number 2 receiver was i believe the journeymen out of rutgers tiquan underwood who would be a number 4 receiver in any other team and actually glennon for a rookie made the guy look somewhat decent in a couple of games, in addition, who was the bucs slot receiver skye dawson the guy didnt know how to run routes and wasnt a very good catcher. is not just glennons fault that the bucs offense was 32nd in the league it was coaching because like other teams like patriots, they know how to adapt and know how to use the talents of their players, unlike mr schiano. so please mr harry dont blame this on glennon
January 14th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Why draft Manziel with a top 10 pick,
When you can sign Michael Vick!
He is still faster than McCoy, the top RB in the NFL this year!
I know hes 34. But who would u rather trust to be QB while Darelle Revis, the greatest CB in NFL is on our roster.
We have a great 2-3 yr. window to win the Superbowl with this core of defensive players- McCoy, David, Revis, Barron. All we need are 2 more pass rushers. Calyborne is GREAT for 1st and 2nd down. So is Gholston for that matter. Did you see him bullrush people this year? Man! Hes huge!
We have a great core. Except a legendary DE. Like Simeon Rice, Javon Kearse, or Kevin Carter.
We need Julius Peppers AND Jared Allen.
Plus Tillman.
Boom.
But? QB? Man. Its a depressing problem.
January 14th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
The Bucs will be putting a ton of research into Johnny Football and will know more about him than all of us combined. I think their research will determine how they rank him, whereas our research is speculation and Internet stories about slamming beers and having threesomes. It IS fun to do that, though. My gut tells me the Bucs go defense in the first round.
January 14th, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Proudly in the anti Johny “Spoiled Rotten” Football club. Sorry Joe, despite your comments I am a true Bucs fan since 1976. Just the fact that you keep producing these pics of this clown is a red flag for future trouble. I just don’t think this guy is the answer either.
January 14th, 2014 at 1:02 pm
TBBF…as far as I can tell. Joe does not have a position on Manziel or how the Bucs are going to get him. Maybe we will find out in late March or so after the combines and such.
January 14th, 2014 at 1:06 pm
@teachermen777
i actually wouldnt mind bringing in vick we all know he wants to prove he still got it and after all he has taken some teams to the playoffs. good point.
January 14th, 2014 at 1:12 pm
I don’t think the mention of him being a bad teammate was the big issue….. I believe it’s his off the field antics that make people go “hell no”
But joe who loved L. David seems to had worked out and I have been hugely against Johnny….. He reminds me of tony homo… Very talented, but not clutch. So for joe’s sanity I say we draft him, if he is right, joe needs to be given a scouting position. If not joe can never be trusted when it comes to the QB position and doomed us for another five year suckage
January 14th, 2014 at 2:09 pm
It’s funny that everyone judges Johnny football based on pictures and his social life. It sounds an awfully lot like jealousy. It is certainly possible that he doesn’t turn out to be a great nfl QB. But his social life has nothing to do with that. It’s not like he is trying to hide the fact he likes to have fun. He’s being himself. And as long as he stays in the spot light and isn’t doing crack in the shadows, I’m fine with him being a kid. He’ll eventually grow up. We are looking to draft a player for the future, in the future Johnny will mature as the nfl life structure will help him mature.
It’s not like he’s getting caught doing anything illegal. Women love him and he loves women, he loves having fun and making the most out of his life. That isn’t a negative it’s a positive. He isn’t afraid to be who he is. And that is awesome, better than him trying to be someone he isn’t and just being a good boy for the camera to make a good impression.
This is really the first time in a long time that a QB has come out that acts like Johnny. Most qbs try to be humble and try to act like a professional (when they aren’t). But Johnny is an open book. What you see is what you get. If you can’t handle a guy enjoys the company of woman and drinks a few beers in the off season then go watch soccer. Football is clearly to much for you to handle. Besides the media hypes it way more than it really it is. Like the article saying he got invited to a pool party by an opposing teams cheerleader… He didn’t even go but it gets announced all over the world that hes going to parties all over the place. it’s just not true. Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet.
I say this but I really could care less about getting Johnny football. Chances are he won’t be a buc as other teams will be clamoring for him. Our best hope is to hope that clowney, Watkins, and lewan are gone before us so that a QB falls to us at 7. Which ever QB is there we should take. Glennon blows.
January 14th, 2014 at 2:17 pm
You know how many Heisman winning QBs have won the Super Bowl? ONLY 2. Enough with the Heisman crap, that doesn’t mean anything. He was a great player in college, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to the NFL. Forget about his off-field antics, this guy is a huge gamble. We’re better off drafting Watkins or shoring up our pass rush.
January 14th, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Anyone who talks about trading up for a QB has apparently forgotten how it worked for Washington with RGIII, the Jets with Sanchez, even the Bucs with Freeman (even though they only gave up a mid-round pick I believe). The point is, college QBs are too hard to predict how their game will translate in the NFL, especially if they are not in the perfect system to accentuate their strengths and mask their flaws (something Sully and Schiano’s schemes never did for Glennon nor Freeman).
As for Manziel, I am a firm no simply because I do not see his game translating in the NFL. I love watching the kid play, but go watch a game from this season and watch him attempt to throw and out-route; it simply will not work in the NFL. He’s a small guy with an average arm who plays like Brett Favre; the difference is Favre had a cannon and could get away with risks more often than not. Lots of guys are winners in college, but that does not mean they are going to be winners in the NFL.
January 14th, 2014 at 2:46 pm
I gotta say I am with you on the Johnny Football train Joe. Although I was quite skeptical at first due to his size and reputation, but he would be working with big league trainers who can help him add a little bulk in a smart way and coaches who can teach him how to use that to his advantage. As for his reputation, his teammates only have positive things to say about him and he’s never been in trouble with the law, as far as I know. The guy is a straight-up leader and can bring it on game day. With the success of Wilson and Kaep, who are similar in style, I am sold.
January 14th, 2014 at 3:06 pm
The unfortunate thing is your spending so much time advertising Manchild but in the end it’s only going to be harder on you when he ends up with another team’s jersey.
There’s a 0% chance that he’s a Lovie guy and there’s a 0% chance that Lovie gambles on his second shot back in the NFL with the biggest question mark QB propect coming in.
Hey may be a Joe guy, heck he may be Joe’s best friend, but he’s not a Lovie guy.
January 14th, 2014 at 3:30 pm
Atleast that’s what my crystal ball tells me lol
January 14th, 2014 at 4:06 pm
Is it just because Glennon looks like Napoleon Dynamite that everyone wants to hate on him? Im trying to make sense of where all this talk of WE NEED A QB first pick is coming from??? Glennon is a pocket passer with a big arm and good accuracy (Actually moves in the pocket well for being so tall)…For a rookie he made great decisions and only threw 9 ints in a terrible offensive system!! Real needs on this team are WRs, DEs, DTs, and a kicker! Manziel doesnt fall to 7 so lets end this talk about Manziel, Watkins doesnt fall to 7 so no need to talk about him nor Bortles who will also not be available. I feel Clowney will be scooped up before we have a chance at him so cmon Joe lets talk about the other options who will be available! Anybody see the WR who made Manziel look like a stud all year!? Mike Evans is freak and would be a huge addition to our team, VJAX and Evans on the outsides and Mike Will in the slot, now that is dangerous and “exciting” no matter who is throwing to them! I think this team can win a superbowl with Glennon, if ya dont then you dont remember who the QB was when the Bucs actually won a superbowl!! Very similiar QBs and he will get better with the “QB Whisperer” who can make mediocre QBs First Round picks!
January 14th, 2014 at 4:23 pm
We got rid of a QB that parties too much just to get another one that seems to like to do same from the picture? Did you just get back from Colorado Joe? That picture says it all and that is who you want as the face of the franchise?
January 14th, 2014 at 4:23 pm
Joe you’re acting like Steve “Big Dog” Duemig when he use to talk about Mike Alstott. He use to sound like he had his pants down by his ankles when he use to speak of him.
Johnny Manziel will not be on this team. He is too big of a risk. I can’t wait till the drafts over with. We wouldn’t have to hear of Johnny “Bluto Blutarsky” Manziel (John Belushi’s creator on Animal House) and the Bucs in the same sentence.
Speaking of Johnny “Bluto Blutarsky” Manziel. There’s another red flag he put up. He just announce that he would not be active on Twitter until after the draft. Oh how convenient that he doesn’t want to be in the public eye right now. LOL!!! What a joke! Now you want to look good for the NFL? You can’t fool G.M’s and coach’s.
January 14th, 2014 at 4:42 pm
I got a buddy that goes to a&m. He said he mostly takes online classes but when hes out he,s a total ass. Such as screaming “MANZIEL IS HERE!” in a quiet library and turning it into a frenzy and a pain in ass for students actually trying to study.
January 14th, 2014 at 4:57 pm
Joe
If you could chose between Clowney and Johnny, whom would you choose?
Tampabaybucfan Says
“There are other options Joe….not Glennon, not Manziel, not boring offense. We may have a shot at 7 with Carr or even Bortles…”
I agree, though Carr worries me a bit.
My personal order of preference is Clowney, Bortles, Manziel and then Mathews. Watkins? No. Sorry. I get flashbacks the last time the Bucs took a wr in the first round was Dexter Jackson. Not a good track record, and it will not sell tickets.
Clowney or a QB would sell tickets.not many others.
January 14th, 2014 at 5:22 pm
For everybody that keeps saying Johnny is a winner. He is 20-6 as a starter in college. 10-6 in the SEC. No division championships, no conference championship appearances and no national championship appearances.
What exactly makes him a winner?
January 14th, 2014 at 5:25 pm
Bonzai, Dexter Jackson wasn’t a first round pick
He was pick 58, round 2
January 14th, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Mike Glennon just was named to the 2013 PFWA all rookie team.
January 14th, 2014 at 6:07 pm
PRBucFan
My bad. It was that other wr…what was his name? Ah, Michael Clayton. Still not a good track record.
January 14th, 2014 at 6:08 pm
”He’s a leader on the field and when it came to gameday, he was a winner.”
= vince young and so many other college phenoms. seems carefully worded to not address any aspect of what sort of guy manziel is outside the lines
January 14th, 2014 at 6:14 pm
also, he will average 12 games a season at best a la mike vick unless he transforms his game
January 14th, 2014 at 6:16 pm
Hopefully since that was 10 yrs ago (even though he was the rookie of the year) it will be a completely different regime picking a WR if they indeed pick one.
Sammy Watkins and Kelvin Benjamin are can’t misses in my opinion.
January 14th, 2014 at 6:34 pm
How come Johnny Football is considered Al Capone for a disorderly conduct charge while Sammie Watkins was suspended two games at the start of the 2012 season? For a drug charge where he had weed and pills in his possession for which he had no prescription. Does that one sound familiar?
Smoking weed better than drinking?
Or is this a double standard?
January 14th, 2014 at 6:47 pm
I don’t want either with our first pick lol
BRIDGEWATER OR BUST
January 14th, 2014 at 10:10 pm
Of course!
January 14th, 2014 at 10:10 pm
Johnny!
January 14th, 2014 at 10:11 pm
Guessing you never saw what Texas A&M trotted out there for a defense.
January 14th, 2014 at 10:40 pm
Teddy and Johnny spoiled richball together couldn’t carry Bortles jock…
Go Knights, suck that usf scrubs
January 14th, 2014 at 10:45 pm
The Brady’s and Manning’s of the world make their teammates better. Glennon does not do that.
And Brady and Manning made their team better in their rookie year’s how??
January 15th, 2014 at 1:51 am
Bortles…put an A in front of it and thats probably what you have with this QB. Go Bulls eradicate those ucf encroachers.
January 15th, 2014 at 2:11 am
I know, lets draft a guy who’ll get broke in half by 300 pound linemen – that are just as fast – and just as quick as Johnny Football – who will spend more time on the sideline than the guy who can’t move.
C’mon, at least it’ll be exciting when we lose! It’ll be like NASCAR – you’ll never be sure if the wreck happens on the field, off the field, in da club, or in turn 3…
Yes, you too could be a Washington Redskin fan!
January 15th, 2014 at 3:03 am
Did the Glennon mob actually watch the games this season? They bring up stats, but they don’t talk about his overall performance. Glennon is a terrible. He throws the check down more times than not. He can’t handle pocket pressure. He’s terrible on third down. He’s terrible in the second half of games. He’s terrible in the 4th quarter….
Oh but he’s good at not throwing interceptions… If you threw 3 yard check downs all game you probably wouldnt throw many interceptions either.
I agree the kid can throw the ball. He can be accurate at times and he has a strong arm. He’s great at playing catch, but is terrible at playing QB.
January 15th, 2014 at 3:04 am
I just can’t understand your huge obsession with Johnny Boy that you would post article after article exclusively about him, and also hint or imply him to be drafted in other articles on a Bucs site. There’s nothing wrong with hoping and dreaming Joe, but there’s also a fine line between that and obsessing and you’re flirting with it. I have a feeling that if Johnny Boy ends up drafted by another team (which is likely unless the Bucs trade up) you’d still be typing up Johnny Boy articles for whatever reason (Bucs QB flops and/or Manziel does well).
Anyway, it’s your site and you can type about whatever/whoever you want, plus it’s the offseason so it’s understandable that you bring up players who are entering the draft. But why so many about one guy? As if he is the only missing piece to the Bucs being a Super Bowl team. What about our O-Line? Jake Matthews or Taylor Lewan could be good picks, after all how good would Johnny Boy be behind the current Bucs O-line? How about WR? Maybe Sammy Watkins? The depth at WR is very thin and the need for a reliable WR in the slot is great. Or defense? Imagine GMC paired with the likes of Clowney. Or adding a good CB to compliment Revis (not sold on Banks or Johnson). And was Glennon really so bad that we need to start fresh and not try to build around him? Half his offense was injured or playing through injury not to mention he was thrown to the wolves following the Freeman debacle and he still managed to play pretty adequetly if not well. Look, you still deliver the best news when it comes to the Bucs IMO, but I think I speak for many of your Bucs fan visitors (not all of course) that these very frequent articles going in depth on Johnny Boy are getting more stale with each one.
Not trying to insult you Joe, just a regular reader that enjoys your articles trying to understand your process with Johnny Boy. Anwyway, keep up the good work.
January 15th, 2014 at 8:31 am
Trubuc, I think most of the MGM just wants to see Glennon given a chance with a decent coaching staff. Everyone points to the checkdowns, inaccuracy at times, and that he didn’t make the players around him better. However, we don’t know that Schiano didn’t tell him to take the checkdown, and we know the scheme was horrific (constantly running go routes on third-and-5 or running three-yard routes). The inaccuracy often seemed to be due to Glennon not knowing his players well enough and not having confidence that they were going to run the same route he was reading in that option-route scheme (he was always accurate and quick with decisions when running an up-tempo offense where he called the plays). And you can only make a bunch of undrafted guys look so good. I just think we need to see what Tedford can do with Glennon in a different scheme and with better coaching before making a final decision on Glennon. He definitely needs to show improvement, and he needs to have competition via a draft pick or veteran. After this season, we’ll definitely know what we have, and whether he’ll ever be more than a solid backup or below-average starter.