I think it is very possible they wanted Manziel. I also believe he may have been different here.
I read an article detailing when Manziel decided that the Browns did not give a you know what about him.
https://www.si.com/mmqb/2016/03/15/johnn...and-browns
He had led them to victory in week 2 of his second season because Josh McCown had a concussion the week before and could not play. This was the first victory for the Browns in 10 months. Many of the fans wanted to see Manziel be the starter and go through the struggles of a young QB. But the Browns put back in McCown and Johnny lost interest.
Now this is probably not good but it was not like he was backing up Aaron Rodgers.
The fact of the matter is the Browns traded UP to get him and then NEVER gave him the chance to get all the starter work in the off season, training camp, pre-season, etc. as the first stringer.
Why you would trade up for a QB and then not give him the chance to succeed or fail is a mystery.
I give Spielman credit for sticking with Ponder for practically 3 seasons before making the decision it was time to move on.
If the Vikings would have drafted Manziel he would have been the starter for sure in his second and third seasons. He would have been give every chance and I would argue that the Vikings organization would have provided better support.
One interesting note. DeFilippo was the OC for the Browns in 2015.
Quote: @greediron said:
@ Purplewhizz said:
@ greediron said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
I still dont buy the story that the Vikes actually were going to take him over Teddy in that draft. Yes they were going to move up, but it was going to be Teddy all the way. As much as Zim, Zyg, and Rick talk about high character people, does anybody really think they were going to use a first round pick on a turd like manziel? If anybody had any real information from Winter Park, I have to think it was leaked intentionally to throw the browns off our true intentions. no way.
I wish I could believe that. In my opinion, Rick Spielman has been a brilliant GM, with the exception of two moves: drafting Ponder, and this nauseating feeling I get that it may be true he wanted Johnny Football over Teddy freaking Bridgewater.
What's weird is that it's like top secret information. Nobody in the organization will talk about it. That's either because it's true or Rick is one sneaky bastard, and if he has any hopes of continuing to use the Browns as his bitch, he'd best keep his mouth shut.
Man, I just don't know.
Someone keeps perpetuating that talk, so I would wager it is very good smoke screen from Rick.
if thats true, why did they wait until pick 32 to trade up to take him? I mean they risked other teams taking him if he was their coveted guy.
?? They didn't draft him, Cleveland did.
As to Teddy, they drafted him in the first round to get that extra year and because they found a willing trade partner at 32 I guess. You would have to ask Rick for more details.
I should have been more clear but Bridgewater is who I meant. If they thought enough of him to trade up to 22, why did they wait until 32 and risk the Raiders or others selecting him?
Quote: @JimmyinSD said:
I still dont buy the story that the Vikes actually were going to take him over Teddy in that draft. Yes they were going to move up, but it was going to be Teddy all the way. As much as Zim, Zyg, and Rick talk about high character people, does anybody really think they were going to use a first round pick on a turd like manziel? If anybody had any real information from Winter Park, I have to think it was leaked intentionally to throw the browns off our true intentions. no way.
Same here. It made no sense to me especially after Coach Zimmer's comments about Manziel's pro day being a sideshow. Still don't buy it that he was a serious consideration.
Quote: @Purplewhizz said:
@ greediron said:
@ Purplewhizz said:
@ greediron said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
I still dont buy the story that the Vikes actually were going to take him over Teddy in that draft. Yes they were going to move up, but it was going to be Teddy all the way. As much as Zim, Zyg, and Rick talk about high character people, does anybody really think they were going to use a first round pick on a turd like manziel? If anybody had any real information from Winter Park, I have to think it was leaked intentionally to throw the browns off our true intentions. no way.
I wish I could believe that. In my opinion, Rick Spielman has been a brilliant GM, with the exception of two moves: drafting Ponder, and this nauseating feeling I get that it may be true he wanted Johnny Football over Teddy freaking Bridgewater.
What's weird is that it's like top secret information. Nobody in the organization will talk about it. That's either because it's true or Rick is one sneaky bastard, and if he has any hopes of continuing to use the Browns as his bitch, he'd best keep his mouth shut.
Man, I just don't know.
Someone keeps perpetuating that talk, so I would wager it is very good smoke screen from Rick.
if thats true, why did they wait until pick 32 to trade up to take him? I mean they risked other teams taking him if he was their coveted guy.
?? They didn't draft him, Cleveland did.
As to Teddy, they drafted him in the first round to get that extra year and because they found a willing trade partner at 32 I guess. You would have to ask Rick for more details.
I should have been more clear but Bridgewater is who I meant. If they thought enough of him to trade up to 22, why did they wait until 32 and risk the Raiders or others selecting him?
It takes a willing trade partner, Rick knew what he was willing to pay to move up and some teams didn't think it was worth it. Not to mention once Cleveland picked it limited those in the QB market and I would guess the Vikings had the phones going pretty hard to make sure nobody jumped them.
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