Browns, Manziel to have private session

The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND

Did the Browns save their best for last?

After conducting private workouts with top quarterbacks such as Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr over the past few weeks, they’ll put Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel through the paces this weekend, a source confirmed.

ESPN’s Adam Caplan first reported that the workout is this weekend. Browns coach Mike Pettine revealed at the NFL Annual Meeting last month that the Browns would privately work out Manziel and all of the top quarterbacks in the draft.

“[He’s a] gifted playmaker,” Pettine said at the meetings. “The play starts when he makes the first guy miss. That’s exciting to watch, but to transition to the NFL, he’ll have to be able to play in structure, his fifth-step, his foot hits the ground that he can execute a throw. I don’t think there’s any reason to think that wouldn’t happen and I think he’s capable of doing it, but when you have that ability to improvise like that, that’s what makes him special and maybe separates him from other guys.”

The Browns have identified quarterback as a high priority and have devoted plenty of time and resources to finding the one that fits them best. Will it be the scrambling, playmaking Manziel? Will he be available when they’re on the clock with the No. 4 overall pick? If he slides, will they trade up from No. 26 to grab him?

In addition, they’ll host Carr, Bortles and others for pre-draft visits next week.

“I [like] what I’ve seen of [Manziel] on [ESPN’s] SportsCenter,” Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan told 92.3 The Fan’s Bull and Fox in February. “I haven’t sat and studied him, but who wouldn’t like him? He’s fun to watch, he makes plays, and he’s as much of a playmaker as I’ve seen on SportsCenter as anybody.”

Shanahan hasn’t been deterred by Manziel’s 5-11 height. He cited the success of shorter quarterbacks Drew Brees (6-0) of the Saints and Russell Wilson (5-11) of the Seahawks, who have both won Super Bowls.

“Everybody wants the prototypical receiver, the prototypical quarterback, the prototypical tackle, but no matter what you say, there’s no absolute,” Shanahan said. “People have succeeded at every height and speed, everybody’s done it. Russell just adds another guy to prove those people who speak in absolutes wrong just like Drew Brees has. You’ve got to look at what a guy is. You never say this guy can’t do it because of this.”

But Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, the former Browns and Steelers offensive coordinator, expressed concerned about Manziel’s size.

“Evaluation is a comparison business,” Arians said. “If you’re 6-5, 230, run a certain time, there’s like 35 guys I can compare you to that have been successful in this league. If you’re 5-11, there’s two, unless you go back to Fran Tarkenton: Doug Flutie and Russell Wilson. That’s not real good odds to me. You still might make it, but history says no.

Arians acknowledged that Johnny Football has that “it factor” that Pettine is seeking on his Tour de Quarterback, but seemed skeptical that it will be enough.

“Just because you’re 5-11 doesn’t mean you can’t be successful,” Arians said. “Johnny has magic. Playing against Flutie in college, that wasn’t fun. He had that magic, too. But it took him a long time to be successful in the National Football League.”

Arians also stressed that Manziel hasn’t been chased or hit yet by NFL defenders.

“I don’t think Manziel’s ever going to give up on a play,” he said. “All these kids, they look like they’re going to take it to the wire. Now are they tough enough to get hit by these guys? None of them are fast enough to get away. They might think they are, but they ain’t getting away from these guys chasing them. It’s a different animal chasing them.”

The Browns’ private workout with Manziel is especially important because they were one of two teams that didn’t attend his Pro Day last month or conduct a formal interview with him at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

But observers at the 45-minute were dazzled by the display, conducted by Massillon native George Whitfield Jr.

“He made me say ‘wow!”’ former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Kurt Warner said on NFL Network during the spectacle at Texas A&M.

Manziel completed 61 of 64 attempts, including plenty of 50- and 60-yard throws on the run.

“You added in those throws on the run, and I don’t think there’s very many guys even at the National Football League level that can make those kind of throws,” Warner told Manziel on the NFL Network set.

Warner also said during the showcase, “with what we’ve seen, he’s been extremely impressive. Overall, I think he’s been really, really solid.”

ESPN’s Bill Polian observed that Manziel has “quick, nimble feet,” but expressed concern that he threw with a lower arm angle, meaning he’ll play to his 5-11 height.

Warner, who mostly praised Manziel, also expressed concerned about the arm angle.

NFL Network Mike Mayock observed that, “he can make every throw mechanically. His arm strength is on par with that of Bortles. He had that beautiful spontaneity on the run and he’s confirmed many things. He’s not opening up questions for me like Bridgewater did.”