Mike, I can't believe you talked about Johnny staying in the pocket more.
(Late insertion: just read Mike's statements on that comment. It was about missed first reads (and holding the ball). My criticisms of Mike on that basis are premature and unfair)
Look, I get it: The pocket is the best place for an NFL quarterback, where he can access both sides of the field, plant his feet, and his protectors know where he is.
But what about Russell Wilson, Mike? What does Pete Carroll know that you don't?
You remind me of another Browns head coach named Chris Palmer. Tim Couch was a shotgun quarterback. At a time when the rest of the NFL was going more and more to the shotgun, Palmer put the rookie almost exclusively under center.
Couch made some of his biggest plays after being chased out of the pocket, showing a real ability to think and throw on the move.
Chris didn't care. No rollouts. No shotgun. Tim Couch had great talent, but was battered out of the NFL.
Palmer was a blockhead, Mike. So are you. Listen to DeFelipo. We know he wants to do some different things with Johnny, and it seems clear that you don't want to let him.
"Settle him down"? I wasn't able to watch the game. I just saw highlights of his best plays. Some of those were off scrambles, and some from the pocket, but I never saw him flee the pocket until he had to, and I can't see what you're even talking about. Is he supposed to throw it away rather than buy a little more time or a few yards with his feet?
In fact, Josh McCown has made a lot of plays on the move himself, so I guess you need to "settle him down" as well!
As Mike Hoag wrote, Manziel was victimized by his own receivers. Especially Gabriel. Especially in critical situations. Of all people, Dwayne Bowe was the only guy who didn't drop at least one accurate pass.
Mike wonders why you abandoned the run completely in the second half. Through the first half, it was competitive---thanks in large part to Johnny's running around. In the second half, he did like you said and stayed in the pocket. Congratulations.
And if you tell us today that Josh McCown will start next week if able to crawl into the field, I will join the lynch mob and bring the rope.
Gary Davenport really nailed this down. Manziel showed that he belongs in the NFL, and can make things happen when he's not stifled by a blockheaded Coach.
You DO need to find out if you need yet another new quarterback before the draft. Let the old veteran heal while his adopted son tries to make him proud.
Hey! Since you're letting Josh do your job anyway, how about listening to what I'm positive he and Flip are telling you about rollouts, pistol, shotgun, and read-option?
Russell Wilson has been around for awhile now, and still isn't a true pocket passer. If Chris Palmer coached the Seahawks, that little guy would be a career backup.
I'm so disappointed in you, Mike. I had no idea you were so rigid and intransigent. I told everybody you would adapt your schemes to your personnel. You make me look dumb, Mike.
When Kyle Shanahan left and Flip was hired, I had high hopes for creativity and adaptability on offense too. I never thought you'd just pick his brain a little and then lock him in the basement!
I can't defend Mike Pettine any more. I still hope that Jimmy Haslam doesn't have to fire him, but man...
Remember Don Shula, Mike? He won a Super Bowl with Bob Griesy, a brutal running game, and a no name defense.
Then he got Marino and the smurfs, and ran a diametrically opposite offense.
That was a long time ago. Can't you learn something from that?
Best wishes, Mike. But WAKE TF UP!!!
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