Why Johnny Manziel Should Be Cleveland’s Starting QB

Let me start out this article by saying that I am a diehard Cleveland Browns fan and I will be for life.

Just to give you an idea of this fandom I have for my team, here’s a quick story about the photo above. I went out and bought that jersey in Times Square in NYC on my first payday Friday at my first job post grad. I changed in the bathroom and wore it around work all day because it was “casual Friday.”

I grew up cheering for the Brownies and even “attended” many games in the DAWG POUND via my mother’s womb. So you can say we go back pretty FARR 😉

As a team, we have gone through 23 quarterbacks in my 23 years of life.

The most recent? Johnny, Johnny, Johnny.

Here’s my case for why Manziel deserves to be the starter, after just two preseason games:

1. Josh McCowan is downright awful. Sorry, but someone has to say it. Literally terrible. Old. He threw two interceptions in his dismal preseason performance.

2. Johnny Manziel has matured. He has learned from his lessons, and is continually learning.

3. He brings a competitive fire, an ability to scramble and excitement to the fans and the front office.

4. Cleveland had a solid run game last season and adds upon it this season with Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson (*great under the radar fantasy RB pick up*) and Terrance West. Johnny is a running QB, and one of the best of ’em.

5. Throughout the preseason, Manziel has gone 17 for 20 for 160 passing yards and a touchdown.

6. Most importantly, the game has appeared to slow down for him. He’s making better decisions on and off the field. He looks more poised in the pocket. And he wants to win.

The issue may be that his temporary long term elbow soreness may be caused from his throwing motion and could result in longer term issues.

“He does change his arm angle a lot, and quarterbacks that tend to drop their elbow on some throws will have a tendency for this to happen,” Pettine said earlier Monday during an interview with ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike.

The team believes that rest and maintenance can take care of the issue and the Browns expect Johnny Manziel to play on Saturday in the third preseason game in Tampa.

Now it’s time for the Browns to make the right decision and start their first round draft pick, now and for the rest of the season. It’s what the people want.

And that’s not just me saying it! 😉

-Morgan

Here’s a Jawbreaker- Geno Smith is OUT

Photo: Geno Smith Instagarm

Geno Smith is OUT. And the reason why is a jawbreaker… Literally.

IK Enemkpali “sucker punched” Smith in a locker room altercation over something described to be something you might see in “sixth grade” leaving Smith with a broken jaw (two fractures) and a seat on the bench for 6-10 weeks.

According to coach Todd Bowles,

“It was nothing to do with football. … It was very childish,” coach Todd Bowles said. “He got cold-cocked … sucker punched, whatever you want to call it, in the jaw. He’s got a broken jaw, a fractured jaw.”

Let’s go over that again.

I’m sorry, but if you are Enemkpali, you are described as a MARGINAL player and you’re going to SUCKER PUNCH the to be STARTING QB. In what world did that seem like a good idea? Needless to say, Enemkpali was released immediately after the altercation.

“It was something very childish, something sixth-graders could’ve talked about,” Bowles said. “It had no reason to happen.”

For REAL.

But don’t worry NY Jets fans. Your precious pony boy is in high spirits. Smith channelled his inner Arnold Schwarznegger posting this selfie saying “ILL BE BACK!”

So now the question we’re all wondering about… Who’s stepping up to the QB plate now?

The Jets have Ryan Fitzpatrick and Bryce Petty to work with now, but really were not planning on using them this soon. Just months ago we had coach Bowles over and over reassuring Jets fans Geno Smith would indeed be there starter. But hey, this is sports- In other words, be prepared for anything. Like a marginal player sucker punching your season’s future in the face. Fabulous.

Just before the altercation occurred coaches were telling media how pleased they were with Smith’s performance in practice heading into the season. Until Monday, Smith hadn’t even thrown an interception. That’s not to say the back up QB’s are not prepared or qualified to take over. After all, let’s not go over Smith’s past season records…

Veteran back up QB Fitzpatrick will take over for the Jets, but Bowles did indicate they may be adding another QB into the mix. Cue Bryce Petty. Although Petty hasn’t been giving the best performance we’ve seen during camp, the kid is still talented.

But back to Fitzpatrick.

This is NOT a bad deal for the Jets at all. Yeah, I said it. Numbers never lie folks… Last season with Houston, Fitzpatrick killed it for the Texans and frankly, shamed Smith’s numbers.

Last season Fitzpatrick accumulated a career-high 56.7 Total Quarterback Rating on the strength of a 63.1 completion percentage and a touchdown-completion ratio (2.12) that ranked No. 13 in the NFL. Compare that to Smith, whose 1.0 touchdown-interceptions ratio ranked No. 30 in the league. Smith’s QBR of 44.3 ranked at a low No. 26.

See what I’m saying here? Not a bad deal at all.

Smith is one of the most inconsistent QB’s in the league. Yes, the Jets franchise is trying to prove a point as to making a decision in whether Geno is their go to guy moving forward, but it’s not too far off to say the Jets just got blessed by an angel with this jawbreaking news…

– Courtney 

Exclusive! MCM: Connor Halliday

Wishing this Monday you could take a holiday? Well, we can’t give you the day off but we can give you a little HALLIDAY to brighten your day. 😉

That’s right baby! It’s another TCD Man Crush Monday!

This week we give you college QB stud, Connor Halliday!

Halliday went to Washington State University to play quarterback for the Cougs and boy were the Cougs fortunate to have him! As a junior in 2013, he started all 13 games setting multiple records including Pac-12 and WSU records with 449 completions and 714 attempts. In the game against Oregon, he broke Drew Brees‘ record for pass attempts in a game with 89. His 4,597 yards were also a school record and his 34 touchdowns tied Ryan Leaf for most in school history. 

As a senior he would complete something no other NCAA quarterback has done. On October 4 in their game against Cal, Halliday set the NCAA FBS passing yardage record by passing for 734 yards. SAY WHAAA?!

Halliday signed with Redskins this year, but has since made a statement that he will be retiring. We’ll be sad not to watch this entertaining QB out on the field, but we’re glad we got to see you impress in college!

Check out what Halliday told TCD this week and prepare to swoon at his proudest moment. #sopresh

MCM: Connor Halliday

Thanks for telling TCD all about ya Connor! We wish the best for you in the future to come! ❤

Until Next Time,

Geno Smith at Starting QB Is Still Raising Some Eyebrows

Geno Smith is currently the penciled-in starting quarterback for the New York Jets.

In other words, the squad is still counting on Smith to carry their team to victory each and every Sunday afternoon this Fall. But after last season, is this really going to be what’s best for the team? The new Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey has some great offensive additions brought on to the team for this upcoming season, but is that really enough?

According to ESPN’s QBR metric, Smith was the second WORST passer in the league (my man Russell was number twelve, just sayin’) right in front of Blake Bortles. Putting up these kinds of numbers is not going to get Smith, let alone the Jets, anywhere. Granted the team does also have Ryan Fitzpatrick, and rookies Jake Heaps (out of Washington, what what!) and Bryce Petty, who can also step up to the plate if need be.

Frankly, with Petty as a fourth round draft pick out of Baylor University, why not take advantage of the new talent? If you take even just a quick glance at his stats from Baylor (see right for just a few), you can see that he has quite the resume, and these aren’t even all of his accomplishments.

The team wants to win and the team wants to succeed and at the end of the day, Smith isn’t going to be able to provide that. Smith has proven to be a fabulous quarterback in the past, but the truth of the matter is, he is no longer performing like he used to.

If the Jets want to succeed this season, they’re better off without Geno Smith.

– Alexa

Mariota Tops Jersey Sales for Month of May- Which College QB will be Next?

Two words. Marcus Mariota.

If you are a football fan, you know the name. The University of Oregon quarterback had a stellar senior season that was topped off by winning the 2014 Heisman Trophy Award.
Out of 445 attempted passes, he only had 4 interceptions. He threw for 42 touchdowns and 4,454 yards. His ability to run the ball did not go unnoticed either. He ran for 770 yards and had 15 rushing touchdowns.

Mariota led his team to wins in the PAC-12 Championship against the Arizona Wildcats and in the Rose Bowl against the unbeaten Florida State Seminoles. Although the Ducks could not pull off the win in the National Championship against Ohio State, the work Mariota put in all season did not go unnoticed.

In the 2015 draft, Mariota was selected second overall to the Tennessee Titans. He is already one of the most popular NFL players, and he hasn’t even played a down yet. Mariota’s jersey is the top seller for the NFL for the month of May.

With the college football season rapidly approaching, the question is who will rise as the next greatest quarterback? One thing’s for sure – they have pretty big shoes to fill.

Cody Kessler (USC)

Leading an offense that’s expected to be one of the best in the nation, a lot of eyes will be on fifth-year senior Cody Kessler. During the 2014 season, Kessler put up big numbers under Coach Sarkisian’s offense. He threw for 3,826 yards, 39 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions. He is efficient and has well-timed passes. According to Dan Hope of Bleacher Report, “More important than Kessler’s deep ball, which is not awe-striking but still effective, is his ability to fit intermediate throws with precise timing in between tight windows.” Kessler’s odds to win the 2015 Heisman are 12-1.

Trevone Boykin (TCU)

Boykin is coming into this season with some hype to live up to. It could be due to the fact that he is one of four football players to be on the cover of the ESPN College Football Preview. Or, it could have something to do with his record breaking season last year in Texas. Boykin threw for 3,901 yards, 33 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. With these numbers he broke the records at TCU for single season touchdown passes, total passing yards and total offensive yards. According to Dane Brugler of CBS Sports, “Although he lacks ideal height, Boykin has terrific physical gifts with explosive athleticism and above average arm strength.” With a solid line protecting him, Boykin looks to break records again.

Connor Cook (MICH ST)

Cook did not declare for the draft and will go back to Michigan State for his senior year. Last season he threw for 3,214 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He will need to find targets on his offense with his go-to man, Tony Lippett gone. Cook struggles with his downfield accuracy and needs to improve on his footwork. NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter describes Cook as having, “the prerequisite size, athleticism, anticipation, toughness and football intelligence to excel at the next level.” Once he tweaks a couple things in his game, he will be a force to be reckoned with.
Dak Prescott (MISS ST)

In Prescott’s junior season, his first full season as a starter, he made a name for himself. He threw for 3,449 yards, 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Prescott is strong and physical and he is not afraid to knock opponents over. Not only can he pass, he can run as well- 986 yards worth. “As a sophomore, he showed he had the talent. As a junior, he showed he could produce. What he does next year as a senior will define his career,” says Alex Scarborough of ESPN. SEC defenses will have their hands full with Prescott, at the rate he’s going.

College football is coming and it’s coming fast. Look out for these quarterbacks to be throwing passes, touchdowns, winning games and showing the nation why they deserve to hear their name called out on next years draft day. And furthermore, their name mentioned as the month’s top leading NFL jersey sales after draft day.

– Paige