Former NFL player and ESPN analyst Merril Hoge spoke on the Dan Patrick Show today about his lack of confidence in Johnny Manziel in 2014.
The Cleveland Browns selected Manziel 22nd overall in the draft, which received mixed reviews from critics. However, Hoge had already predicted that Manziel would be a bust before he even stepped on the field.
Hoge explained that when evaluating players, the foundation of their performance is studied through video footage. However, he found it disturbing that Manziel never played within a structured system and rarely executed plays properly.
Hoge cited Steve Kragthorpe, Manziel’s former quarterbacks coach at LSU. Who spoke about his exciting style of play but also his reckless attitude. He also mentioned a comment from Manziel during his redshirt season in 2011. When asked what he learned, to which he replied that he didn’t learn anything.
By the time Manziel entered the 2014 NFL Draft, he was already an All-American quarterback for Texas A&M and had won the Heisman Trophy as a freshman in 2012. However, Hoge appeared on ESPN’s First Take prior to the draft and argued that Manziel would not make a successful transition to the NFL and would become a bust.
Hoge expressed his concern about Manziel’s reckless style of play and how it could be problematic in the NFL. He had not seen any evidence in Manziel’s game to suggest that he would be able to make the transition successfully. When asked if he was calling Manziel a future bust, Hoge doubled down and suggested that he was only worthy of a fifth or sixth-round draft pick.
Manziel’s tenure with the Browns ended after the 2015 season. During which he had a 2-6 record as the starting quarterback. His on-field struggles were overshadowed by off-field incidents. After just two years in the NFL, Johnny Manziel played in several other leagues. Including the Canadian Football League and Alliance of American Football. He most recently played as the starting quarterback for the FCF Zappers of the Fan Controlled Football League.
Ohio residents can now place bets on sportsbooks such as FanDuel, Barstool Sportsbook, Caesars, and DraftKings.
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